Left office exactly 1730 for the airport.
Parents and nieces arrived in Dubai at 1810.... and came out at 1850... Thanks to Marhaba.
What a great feeling to kiss my parents hands again after 4 months.
Cousins, enjoying themselves in the pool
Had to go to work... parents and nieces needed some rest after the long flight.
Wife took them up to the swimming pool... they had a good time.
Came home late... had to help with the setting up of the 5-aside Asean Cup.
More photos HERE
The family, after a hearty dinner at Tawassol Restaurant
02/12/09
UAE National Day.... 5-aside Asean Cup... was on duty in the morning as a volunteer.... left at about 12 noon.
Planned to take the family and watch the National Day parade in Jumeirah.
Went to send something to a friend’s in Umm Suqeim. Make a round at the kids’ school to show Atuk & Uwan and Aisy & Iman their school.
Went to Jumeirah Rd afterwards... missed the parade but saw some young Emiratis doing the “Drift”.
Went to DFC to buy Bakugan for Apit.
From DFC, went to Tawassol Restaurant for dinner. They really enjoyed the Mendi and Bukhari rice with chicken and fried sherry fish.
Went home at about 2200.
More photos HERE
Cousins at Ski Dubai.... (-4degrees C)
03/12/09
Spend the morning resting.
After Dzuhur, took them to MOE. Atuk and Uwan wanted to take their grandkids to Ski Dubai.
So, we took the nieces to buy a pair of gloves each and the entry tickets.
Suit them up and send them off to the Ski Dubai entrance.
Their Atuk and Uwan stayed with us.... we took them for a late lunch at MOE food court.
They came out at about 1600.... hungry.... we took them to the food court and bought them their lunch.
The next day, Musandam, Oman beaconed....
More photos HERE
At the Khasba, Musandam jetty
04/12/09
Woke up at about 0400... got everybody ready.... we left home at about 10 minutes to 0600.
Destination: Musandam, Oman.
From the rendezvous point (Emarat station near Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club), we travelled in a convoy of 7 vehicles....the time: 0730
Reached Al-Dahra, RAK, UAE exit point at about 0900... Spent about 15 minutes with the immigration processes.
Exited UAE into Oman.... bought Oman insurance worth Aed100... after about 30 minutes standing in the line.
Then, went to the Omani immigration and got the immigration form....and start queuing... the time: almost 1000.
The line was so slow.... didn’t move for almost an hour.... the Omani immigration people should do some Kaizen to their system.
Then, there’re these queue cutters who thought that they could do it because they are Arabic.... WTF!!!... What the heck are you thinking about.... being an Arab doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you like.... Get in the line please!!!!
Aside from that..... we’re finished at the Omani immigration at about 1230... and proceeded with the journey.
We stopped by at what seemed to be like a fishermen’s small port area.... with small boats, fishing nets and etc. We ate lunch and performed Dzuhur & ‘Asar (Jama’ & Qasr... remember, it’s Friday and we missed Jumaat when we got stuck at the immigration counter).
We left the area at about 1330.... along the winding coastal road of Musandam towards Khasba. On the right were the rocky cliffs and on the left was the Arabian Sea (or the Gulf of Oman?).
We didn’t get to see a lot of dolphins, tho’.... only a few of them and they are too far away for a good snapshot.
Returned at about 1700... after some group photos, we went back.
Luckily, there were no hassles at both Immigration points.
We stopped by for dinner and prayers at an Eppco station not far from Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.
More photos HERE
At Karama Wet Market
05/12/09
Resting.... took Mak to the wet market in the afternoon.
Uwan, Atuk, Imn & Aisy in front of Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeira
06/12/09
Felt unwell.... got an MC from the doctor.
Felt better in the afternoon... took the whole family out to Jumeirah area. ‘Asar with Ayah at a near-by mosque.
Took photos at Jumeirah Public Beach... with Burj Al Arab as the background. Everybody was enjoying themselves, especially Ain and Apit...
Took them to the Palm Jumeirah.... took some photos at the Atlantis...
Stopped at Mercato Mall... performed Maghrib and had dinner at the food-court. The girls wanted to watch New Moon....(KKG betul).... Send them off to the movies at 1900 and went back.... the movie will end at about 2115.
Picked them up at about 2130 and went home.
Tomorrow....first day at the office after a long holiday.
More photos HERE
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07/12 – 10/12/09
At the office...during the day... no activities for them....
On Thursday evening, took them to Naif... Ayah wanted to buy Kanduras.... Mak wanted to see some “yard cloth” (Kain ela).... so, took them to Phulwani’s .
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Syeikh Zayed bin Sultan Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
11/12/09
Mission: Abu Dhabi
Left Dubai at about 1100.
Ayah wanted to see where I work...so, did a little de-tour into Jebel Ali Free Zone.
Stopped at a mosque 20KM outside Abu Dhabi for Jumaat prayer
Arrive in Abu Dhabi... first destination Syeikh Zayed Grand Mosque.... the 8th largest mosque in the world.
Lunch at a KFC restaurant near the Zayed Sport City.... it’s beginning to rain...
Next destination... Corniche and Marina Island.
Unfortunately, no parking spaces and rain got heavier....
Turned back and headed for the Grand Mosque once again for Maghrib & Isha’....
Went home....it rained all the way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
More photos HERE
12/12/09
Took them shopping at Max, Oasis Center.... Mak & Ayah bought something (clothing mostly) for the family in Malaysia and the Kids....
Then, to Dubai Mall... the Kids wanted to go to Candylicious.... Mak & Ayah spent some time looking at the fishes in the Aquarium... just in front of the candy store.
Got home at about 1830.... had MY-UAE exco meeting at 2000 at DFC.
13/12/09
At the office..... itching to go home early....when suddenly got an email from the HR Director.....
“Dear All,
Due to the incessant rains, the company transport buses will leave at 4:15 p.m. today.
We have arranged for one more bus to leave at 5:30 p.m. for those who need to sit awhile longer to complete their work.
For all others in their personal transport, I would suggest that you also leave by 5:30 today and be extra careful whilst driving.
Thank you.”
Yesss....Thank you Sir....
14/12/09
Final day.... went to the office in the morning.... got back at about 1200....
Waited for the Kids to come home from school....
Left for the airport at about 1600... the wife and kids took taxi... Mak, Ayah, Aisy & Iman rode with me....
The flight was re-scheduled to 1930 (originally 1840).
Checked them in at MAS counter.
The hardest thing came.... it’s really hard to say good-bye and let them go.... but we had to....
Hugs & kisses... said good-bye..... and went home...
* Looking forward to next month when Mak Long & Pak Long come for the Dubai International Marathon
P/s: Along, Ain & Apit wish Atuk Mat Zean a Happy 64th Birthday......
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