Have you ever gone inside an entrancing architecture that would lift you off your feet because of its tranquil splendor and magnificent beauty? This jaw dropping architectural wonder will do exactly that. Your trip to the United Arab Emirates is not complete without visiting one of the largest mosques in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located between Mussafah and Maqta bridge in Abu Dhabi.

As we prepare and brace ourselves for an upcoming typhoon to hit the Philippines this weekend, I'd like to share images of the eerie sandstorm in Dubai today.  Strong winds in a brown cloud of sand.

As I walk along familiar streets that have transformed in 12 years, the once busy Sheikh Zayed Road that is even much busier now and more filled with skyscrapers, Deira,  Jumeirah and the beach, I felt nostalgic and slightly emotional. I could hardly believe that this was my last weekend in Dubai, in the city that I have called home for a significant period of time.

Remember when I mentioned last year how sad it felt watching friends turned families go and being left behind? I daresay it also feels as much being on the other side. Here are snapshots of how our last weekend was like.

Flowers in the desert? Who would have thought such blooms exist in the Middle East? Well, when Dubai does it, expect it big! Always in a grand scale. More than 45 million flowers with 45 different varieties of blooms.

Dubai Miracle Garden has been there for a few years and we even lived very close to it, but never even once visited until recently. What I saw blew me away and my 10 month old daughter enjoyed the bursts of color.

You'll be noticing an avalanche of places in Dubai this week in the hopes of seeing as much as we can before we leave. Plane tickets have been booked today. We are ready to depart on Sunday evening. Let the countdown begin.  

When driving along Al Wasl Road right after Safa Park, you will notice cargo containers that are artistically positioned and used to create an urban retail district that is called "BOXPARK"  Recently opened as one of the latest projects of Meraas Holdings.  

You might have already seen this Friday's posts on Instagram. Oh, to those who hasn't, please feel free to click on the icon above this page. I have noticed that despite not having internet connection anymore unless I'm at my friend's apartment, reminds me to disconnect a bit and enjoy the moment, especially when we have limited time left in the beautiful city of Dubai.

If there is one reason why I will solely go to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, it would be for the TWG Tea Salon at the newly opened Yas Mall. You must have seen their Dubai Mall branch in one of my posts here I'm a frequent visitor and their tea salon in Abu Dhabi is always fully stocked. They even had the Milk Oolong Tea exclusively sold here which costs AED 70 per 50g. So yes, I don't mind driving for an hour and a half just so I can purchase my tea of choice.

This is my first post for 2015.  I spent the year end and the beginning of the year doing inventory of items we want to keep and sell.  It was difficult, liberating and nostalgic. Difficult, because each furniture has a story to tell. Each of these black and white photo frames has my personal shots of specific destinations that mean something to us. They are usually conversation starters with guests and each time I look at them, they make me smile.  

The above dining furniture, we are taking with us.  The photo frames, we plan to sell soon as well as my paintings.  The below furniture will go as well as the rest of our appliances.  So what will you be expecting from Travel Gourmande this year?

How's your week going? I'm sure a lot of you will be cooking up a storm in the next 2 days. Here are inspiring kitchens from IKEA. A trip there always brings me a dose of happiness. I like both of these designs, especially when all of the appliances are built-in. Take your pick.

I am glad I finished all of my gift shopping in one day.  Since I have been on house arrest  {A term I refer to since we live in the middle of the desert and is not accessible via public transport and a taxi fare is more than a full tank worth of gas.} last week, I spent a lot of time researching possible gifts online and concocted the best action plan in buying them all in one trip. :) As soon as the car was ready from the garage, off I went.  I must say, shopping the entire day with a baby should be an olympic sport.  I will attempt to make my first pot roast on Christmas Day. Wish me luck. What will you be preparing?

Happy holidays and happy cookin' everyone.

Love and light, 

Arni

Wow, it's December! The chilly breeze outdoors beckon al fresco dinners, barbecue parties and relaxing evenings with a hookah pipe.  Speaking of which, the last bit of November was spent doing exactly that.

A Post- Thanksgiving dinner last weekend to thank everyone for everything. I love the fact that it started turning emotional when each one started sharing what they're thankful for this year.  Sadly, it would also be our last Thanksgiving together in the UAE.

After a really hard month, thank God, my husband finally came home. Though the battle is not over yet, we welcomed a short break by the beach with my daughter, husband and sister-in-law visiting from France. We hope to put everything behind us very soon once the court hearings are over.

This weekend, a quick trip to "The Beach"at JBR or Jumeirah Beach Residence Saturday market was a refreshing breeze. The perfect sunny weather and gorgeous newly constructed beach side restaurants and shops  make it a worthy-to-visit tourist destination.

There are 3 government hospitals that process health cards:

What do I need to bring?

Please prepare a photocopy of each document to be presented along with the original :

1. Baby's birth certificate
2. Tenancy Contract
3. Father and Mother's Passport and Visa Page
4. Baby's Passport and Visa Page
5. Baby's Passport Photograph

A month's absence and I'm back!  Late nights and deadlines are now temporarily put on hold as my job title changes. Today, I am now officially a stay at home Mum. 

I've been enjoying afternoon walks with my 3 and a half month old daughter on weekends. Here are some of our discoveries around the neighborhood. 

The scent of le frangipanier  lingers in the air. Colorful blooms thrive in the strong desert heat. A quiet beauty that may go unnoticed, but a short pause from time to time to admire the beauty around us is uplifting.  My daughter seems to notice it too. Whatever temperament she may be in indoors, she always goes calmly silent during these walks.

I wish you all a reflective Sunday!

Love & light,

Arni

Ramadan is over. Now we can freely drink and eat anytime in public. The hardest was not being able to drink coffee during those exhausted mornings at work after late nights in the office and 3AM feedings.  

My last moments in the design firm will be spent here in the new office in Business Bay with a gorgeous view of the city from the 25th floor.  I can imagine walking along Bay Avenue in the evening staring at the majestic Burj Khalifa on the way to the parking lot. It gets better during winter, where diners will seize the tables outside making this part of the city alive. It's funny to think that when I first moved to Dubai many years ago, this area was empty. There was nothing here, but sand. 

I spent my absence celebrating my birthday with my entire family who all flew from the Philippines for a stop over in Dubai. They were on their way to Germany for my sister's wedding which I sadly won't be able to attend  (due to motherhood and work - yes,  maternity leave is over).

Three days of touring Dubai led to these photos. Here are glimpses of some of the places they saw and some self treats offline that you might have seen on Instagram. 

Dubai Mall Aquarium

Have a great weekend!

Love & light,

Arni

Calling all pizza lovers! Fancy an authentic hand-tossed New York style pizza that you can watch right before your eyes as they're being made?  Now grab your stuff and head over to the recently opened Flippin Pizza, an American pizza chain at Ibn Battuta Mall  China Court.