Saturday, December 31, 2011

UAE - Dubai Safari

Our company sent my Arab colleagues and I a few months back to Dubai for training and conduct inspection job. They asked me what could be an unforgettable experience in Dubai which would not cost an arm and leg. I told them to forget Dubai Creek Dhow trip and better go for Dubai Safari. It costs 200 Dhs per head.

So we all agreed to go for Dubai Safari. Actually, it was my first time also to go to Dubai Safari adventure but I have an idea on what activities to expect.

The travel agent fetched us from our hotel at 4:45 PM and traveled for almost an hour to a remote area outside Dubai city proper.

We reached a place where several 4 x 4 Land Cruisers were waiting. Guests were assigned in group. I was lucky to be with my Arab colleagues because our local driver extended our sand dune bashing so as to please and impress his fellow Arab guests; he even allowed us to stop and take photos in the most picturesque area while the other guests where not allowed to stop and alight from their 4 x 4. Due to tremendous torque needed by our 4 x 4, our local driver opened the hood to cool down the engine while we were having photo-ops.

with our local driver


SAND DUNE SHOTS


my colleagues

After sand bashing, all safari guests were driven to a place that resemble a local village for an evening of fun and to have a dinner (barbeque) and local foods.



Upon arrival at this place, I enticed my colleagues for a free camel ride; it was my first time to ride a camel. I knew they were not that excited like me due to being familiar with this desert animal, they were even more curious at the all terrain vehicle or quad bike. Nevertheless, they joined the fun later after realizing how expensive to ride the quad bike.


There were three camels ready for the rides. The first one was the mother camel, I believe. The other two camels were tied to her thus they simply followed her wherever she went. A bedouin guy was assisting the Safari guests. I have observed that the mother camel was probably pissed-off due to repeated activity and even tried to bite one guest, luckily her mouth was covered. The bedouin guy hit her many times at the back of her neck. She continuously grumbled for the rest of 100 meters ride.



due to its height, it was difficult to ride a camel

There was a slight sand storm during that time causing some hazy reflection on my cam. I was fortunate that I have installed a UV filter/protection to my DSLR, otherwise my lens might get damaged by the sand.

After the ride, we went inside the party venue which resemble a local village. Inside this place, lady guests can have their hands or feet painted with henna while for the men, they can try sheesha, a flavored tobacco using water as filter. It was very entertaining to have sheesha due to water gurgling whenever you inhale the smoke from the tobacco. I tried this before and I liked the apple flavor. However, you should be aware that whatever flavor you try it is still tobacco.


SOME SHOTS INSIDE

center stage for the dancers

drinks from this bar were not free

barbeque

a 10 Dhs shot with the falcon

The long wait was over, a belly dancer appeared on stage and danced on arabic tune.



On her following dance, she put on a black see through dress and asked some lady guests to join her on stage.



After her dance, it was dinner time. All the guests fell in several lines. We had buffet type dinner but the main course or barbeque was being distributed by the staff.



The Tanoura Dance

That was the first time I have watched a tanoura dancer. I have heard about this dance from my Egyptian colleagues. This dance was religious in nature and according to them the dancer entered a trance like state during the entire performance. The dancer would keep on spinning until the end of the dance without showing any sign of dizziness; our dancer kept on spinning for more than 30 minutes if I am not mistaken. They normally wear colorful and heavy dress which creates dazzling images once they started rotating or spinning. The modern Tanoura dance now incorporates lights on their colorful skirts thus when all the ambiance lights goes off, his skirt light produces amazing images or pattern. It was simply amazing.

First was some juggling act. It was difficult to hold those tambourine-like items while spinning. And he kept on increasing them.




Then the actual spinning of his skirt. He would remove his colorful upper and heavy skirt then spin it. What a skill!


After that he would throw the heavy skirt to his assistance and lit his second skirt and vest.



lights were off

lights off again


Finally, he would remove his lighted skirts and throw them to his assistance and ask for the first skirt. He would spin this skirt again for few minutes then throw it in the air and catch it with a shout, that was his final act.


Actually, there was another act by another guy but he was not as good as the Egyptian dancer.


It was their only Filipino staff and he was celebrating his birthday. By jest, they asked him to spin the skirt but we already knew the result. A birthday cake was prepared by his colleagues.


That ends my desert safari experience. I met pinoy explorer here and he preferred to stay at the background.





UAE TRIP:

Friday, December 30, 2011

Hong Kong - Wang Fat hostel

I booked 2 nights, 23 & 24 Dec, by net at Wang Fat hostel due to positive review and location.

I reserved a single room with ensuite toilet, but in reality the room has two single beds. Anyway, I have the entire room for me for 2 nights. Paid 64 USD per night; quite expensive but it was peak season and all cheaper hostels were fully booked on the said date.

As instructed, I took bus A11 from HKIA. Alighted at station 13 or near Soho shopping mall and walked along Paterson Street. Fare was 40 HKD. It took the bus around 40 minutes to reach Causeway Bay. Though the hostel was at the center of Causeway Bay, it took me some time before I found it because there was no sign board outside. It was at the 3rd floor of Fashion Walk building.

I arrived at around 9:30 AM. The room was immediately released to me by the male staff, I forgot his name. However, the info from the web was correct, Wang Fat hostel is under Hong Kong hostel management. I paid the remaining 90% reservation balance at the reception area of Hong Kong hostel office. Paid also 100 HKD deposit to be refunded upon check-out. After I have checked-in, I was led to Wang Fat hostel which was on the same floor but opposite wing.



Once you alight from the elevator, Hong Kong hostel is at the right side while Wang Fat hostel is at the other side. The computer or internet room is inside Hong Kong hostel beside the reception area. You can also buy some drinks and beers from here. Laundry was 100 HKD for 3 kg and will be delivered on the same day. Ask for Hong Kong street map from the guy at the counter. It is free and very useful.

The building has two old and small elevators but waiting time is tolerable. Anyway, you can easily use the stairs since the hostel is only at the 3rd floor. 

You will simply see an empty reception area and several rooms and toilets inside Wang Fat hostel.




The open door at the left most side is the common toilet while the left yellow door is my room with ensuite T & B.

I took this shot from the empty reception area of Wang Fat hostel.








ROOM SHOTS


an old school TV




Toilet and bathroom is small. You need to warm-up or turn on the water heater at least 10 minutes before you take shower according to their staff. To add, heater should be turned off once you have finished your shower to prevent overheating. The T&B is as per Hong Kong standard, tiny.

















I don't know the real situation regarding the hostel but it seems the building where this hostel is located should be used mainly for residential purposes only according to the notice posted at the ground floor. This could be the reason why there was no hostel sign board outside the building.


I don't know their dorm rate but even if I paid 64 USD per night, I think it was reasonable due to its location and size of the room; you can pay half the amount if you are two. Not to mention that it was peak season also. I have great view on the street due to glass panels. Nothing special with their service but I have no qualms also.

Due to freezing temperature, I wasn't able to observe how they celebrate christmas on the street. Nevertheless, I was able to take photos of street carollers few hours before christmas. See my post: Street carollers at Causeway Bay.html

I need to warm my self with my favorite drinks and do preparations for my transfer to Harbor Plaza Resort hotel at new Territories. Family will arrive tomorrow to celebrate christmas with me. I'll have a joyous christmas after all.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Singapore - Beary Best hostel

Before I went for vacation, I booked myself for 3 nights by net at Beary Nice hostel at Chinatown. I chose Beary Nice due to great review and my fondness to Chinese cuisine.

Few weeks before my flight, I received an email from Beary Nice hostel. Its staff asked me whether I would be interested to try the new member of Beary hostels family, Beary Best. It is also located at Chinatown and 2 streets away from Beary Nice. The rate would remain the same, 26  S$ per night though the actual rate of this new hostel was supposed to be higher according to the email.

I agreed.


I arrived at Beary Best on 07 Dec and stayed for 3 nights. I paid my remaining 90% booking balance and was asked 50 S$ deposit for the room's electronic access card; the deposit was returned to me upon check-out. Wow! It was like a keyless entry for my room; without the card key you won't be able to enter the hostel, as well. It sounds great for I don't normally see this feature at hostels. However, there is a drawback about this and I would explain later.

Like the usual Beary hostels, guests were asked to remove their shoes or slippers and put them inside a covered shoe rack whenever they enter the hostel premises.

Since the hostel is new, all beddings and facilities are still on its pristine state. The entire place is very clean but since the hostel is not yet fully operational and some areas are still under construction, the workers can not avoid causing the otherwise clean wood laminated flooring to become dirty during daytime. Thus, I used my personal slipper while inside the hostel. In fairness, the staff make sure that the wooden flooring has been cleaned after the workers have left.

On my first night at Superstar room, I was alone for a mixed dorm room for 10 persons. the room was quite small in case all the guests would arrange their belongings at the same time. But of course, I don't expect that to happen unless all of them belong in one group.

There was one trendy stand mirror inside the room which I found to be very useful.

I was given a lower bunk bed, as you can see on the picture. Next to my bed was the keyless door. It was really great to have this added security and nobody would howl when it comes to security matter. In fact I felt very secured on my first night even if I was alone inside the room.


However, on my second night, we were three and became six on my third and last night. Since my bed was just right beside the door, whenever another guest enter or leave the room, the disengaging of door lock was producing quite an irritating sound thus if you were a light sleeper, you can easily get awaken by the sound. Likewise, when the door closes it produces the same irritating sound. Since I just came from a -5 Hour time zone, I found it difficult to sleep and in case I dozed off I was easily awaken whenever somebody leave or enter the room. I believe the farthest bed from the door was ideal to have a comfortable and uninterrupted sleep.

By the way, the bed was spring type and supported underneath by wooden board unlike the foam and sagging type at other hostel. It was also firm but comfortable. I hope they'd install a personal light to each bed. I love reading books at night but I don't want the entire room illuminated while I am reading. To add, each bed has its own power socket nearby, very convenient and kudos to Beary hostel staff for this. My travel gears remained fully charged always during my stay.

On second floor, where my room is located, there are 2 T&B. One is dedicated for female bears use only. Both T&B are spacious and can accommodate several users at a time. But on my second day, we were asked to use the female bears T&B due to some "maintenance jobs" at the other T&B. We were also informed that we can use the third floor T&B. Regarding the toilets, the floor were tiled while the walls were polished concrete only. If not properly taken care of, those polished concrete walls would look "ugly" after some time. I hope those walls will be painted, at least. No problem with hot shower just see to it that the water heater switch is "ON" before taking shower.

Like in most hostels, nothing special with the complimentary breakfast. You can have bread, jams, peanut butter (creamy and crunchy) and cereals. Coffee and tea also.

We were taking our breakfast on that small table within the lounge area; pantry was still under construction at that time. After breakfast timing, the staff will remove all the foods so we can use the table for other purpose. In my case, while waiting for my evening flight, they allowed me to stay in the lounge and surf the net.





Several netbooks were also provided for guests use. The free wifi was fast.


The trendy and creatively designed lounge area

a beary colorful and chick designed guests lounge

A candy and chocolate dispenser was put-up on my last day at the hostel.


Laundry service was not yet operational when I was there but I have seen some washing machines and dryers being installed. Actually, they told me that I can do my laundry at nearby Beary Nice hostel. No problem, I just did my laundry at my favorite self-service laundry shop near KL Sentral, Malaysia. I was on my way to Malaysia then Thailand.

In conclusion, though the place was really great, I consider my stay at Beary Best hostel moderately enjoyable because of some missing facilities such as laundry and pantry. Not to mention the noisy keyless door lock. Anyway, the hostel was obviously not yet fully operational at that time. I believe that once all construction jobs have been completed and I hope they can try to deaden or reduce the door locking/unlocking sound too, this hostel would stand to Beary hostels great reputation. I just hope that they won't increase the price otherwise it will be another story.