100 Lucky Juans

There are millions of Filipinos working in the Middle East. We're pretty sure majority of the OFWs in the Middle East wants to go home to the Philippines as often as they can. The Pink Tarha wish for it every day, that's for sure! But then, flight fares of over 30,000 pesos set us back from doing so. Ever wished to fly to back to the Philippines in more affordable rates? Like say, for 5,000 pesos or 499 dirhams one way?

Cebu Pacific is making our dream come true with its soon-to-be-launched flight from Manila to Dubai and back! Even for us here in Saudi Arabia, it would still be pretty much affordable to travel to Dubai from here and take the Cebu Pacific flight from Dubai to Manila! Yey!

Before the first flight of this route in October 2013, Cebu Pacific, in cooperation with GMA, is now giving OFWs in the UAE an opportunity to win a seat in this momentous flight with their 100 Lucky Juans contest! If you're a subscriber of GMA International Channels in the UAE, you will get a chance to come home to the Philippines for free by simply visiting the 100 Lucky Juans promo app in the official Facebook page of Cebu Pacific. 

And as we said on our earlier entry,  OFWs in the UAE... joining on is as easy as juan, two, three!

1. Log in to your Facebook account. Visit https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificair and LIKE the Cebu Pacific Official Facebook page. Look for the 100 Lucky Juans Promo Facebook application and click "Enter Now" to join. (Or okay, simply click here.)

2. Answer the question, "How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?" Answer it by any of the following entry types: a. 2-minute video format, b. 1 photo collage format,  or c. 200-word (or less) text/story format. Don't forget to put a title!

3. Complete the form with your name, contact details, and other important info... and you're DONE!

Submit your entries from May 13 to August 18, 2013. Seven winners of round-trip tickets from Dubai to Manila will be chosen per week. If you're entry is chosen, you will be one of the lucky 100 Filipinos on board the historic October 7, 2013 flight of Cebu Pacific from Dubai to Manila! (Make sure you're okay to go on vacation on October 7 because the flight to Manila's date is non-movable but you can choose your going back to Dubai flight dates within October 8 to November 30, 2013.)

We know that this offer is for DBX-MNL only, but hey, if you win... your flights are free! And anything free is awesome! It's a great opportunity to see your loved ones without spending hard-earned fulos on your airfare. You can use the saved cash to treat them in a vacation to any of the Philippines' beautiful destinations. That's where your lucky streak continues because... Cebu Pacific flies to 34 of these places. Learn more of these destinations in Cebu Pacific's official magazine, SMILE. 

So whaddya say? Join the 100 Lucky Juans contest now and try your luck in becoming a UWInner!

The Old and Modern Dubai

Like Eyecandy, I also got the chance to visit the United Arab Emirates last April. I attended my high school friend's wedding and met her good friends. I mostly stayed in Abu Dhabi but got a one day trip to Dubai. This entry serves as an addendum to Eyecandy's. 

If E showed you the modern cityscape with its developments, I will to show you the old Dubai, the other side of the global city and business hub. I'm more smitten with the old, rustic area where Dubai started. (Yes, I'm such a history and culture nut. Remember Jeddah?) Shall we go back in time then?

Deira, the area bordered by the Persian Gulf, Sharjah, and Dubai Creek, is the center of Dubai historically but since the booming construction along E 11 Road, the longest highway in the UAE, Deira lost its prominence. Deira has its charms that truly captivated me. I wanted to venture in Port Saeed, a small locality that runs along Deira's shore of Dubai Creek one morning and try to find the allure of Dubai before it became the hotshot city it is today. (I'm nostalgic like that too.) 

My couple friends were buying rings in Deira's gold souk. Good thing, they tagged me along in their quest for the perfect wedding rings. (I don't know what's with me tagging along engaged couples buying wedding rings! Remember this? Haha!) From Abu Dhabi, where they are based, we took the bus and traveled 2 hours to Dubai. 

At the bus from Abu Dhabi going to Dubai

Look at the sign above me. It says that the half section of the bus is for Ladies and Families Only. I specifically chose this seat because the sign reminds me of Saudi Arabia where there are divisions according to gender and civil status every where!!! Hahaha! At least all ladies get to have a seat in the bus and the guys are stuck at the back if they don't have their families with them. :P

Touchdown Dubai City! My friend and I at the bus station.

It was about 11:00 am when we reached Dubai. From the bus station, we had a quick lunch in Golden Fork Restaurant in Nasser Square. The food was good! We had a barbecue platter, tinola and lots of rice! 

Tinola at Golden Spoon

The Dubai Creek

The abras in Dubai Creek

We started at the Al Ghubaiba Water Station and walked along the creekside with a good view of the busy Dubai Creek. Before riding the abra, we entered a market souk complete with old wooden fixtures and beams. There were local handicrafts like shawls, slippers, and house decors. 

Before entering the souq, we had to pose in front. Yes, we HAD TO. Lol.

The wooden structures of the souqs

Mosaic lamps for sale on the souq... like the ones in Camel Corner!

Embellished shoes and slippers

So many designs to choose from! 

Pretty intricate display plates.

We passed by a wide courtyard complete with doves and guess what we did? Run after them, of course! Haha! I swear we're just recreating the scene from the movie Milan, only this time, it should be titled Dubai. Oh wait, there is a movie titled Dubai. Right. 

The doves that we chased from the courtyard to the creek.

Anyway, after having enough photos to scare the locals of a paparazzi invasion, we boarded an abra, a small dhow boat. I was really, really excited to try this as the boats didn't have railings. We just sat on long benches in the middle, along with other people (mostly guys), and take all the water spraying all around us. Fuuuuun! Was I worried I'd fall in the water? Of course not! I was more worried that the cruise wouldn't be long enough for me to enjoy it. But my worries are unfounded. I enjoyed looking at the scenes on the creekside.

The dock at the Dubai Creek

No railings?! Excited!

The old Dubai skyline; it reminds me of the Hong Kong skyline

I had to fight the urge to wave at the people on the other abra, haha!

Plying the Dubai Creek

The scenes on the creekside

We reached the other side in less than 10 minutes. We had to board a taxi to get to the gold souk. 

Before climbing out of the abra... sinulit muna ang photo op!

One of the many entrances to the gold souk

When we got to the Dubai Gold Market, the friends proceeded in choosing their wedding rings while I hovered around, piping in comments here and there (pakialamera much?!). 

My couple friends choosing their wedding rings

While they were busy talking to store salesmen, I walked around the souk and entered small alleyways to see if there are more stores in there. I tend to scare myself sometimes of my tendency to stray away from the crowd and go into nooks and crannies in search for, I don't know, other interesting stuff.

Display plates with Dubai and its icons.

But sometimes it's a good thing because I find really worthy stuff! I found a stall manned by a Pakistani (whose dream is to go and live in Saudi Arabia, can you imagine?) selling all kinds of scarves and shawls (hooray for my collection). And because I'm such a charming lady (*cough*), he sold his wonderful high-quality pashmina shawls for 20 dirhams each. (Come to think of it, I should have hoarded! Bummer!) He also pointed me to a souvenir stall owned by his friend and I really got cheap key chains and display plates for friends. Again, charms at work! ;) 

Gold, gold, gold!

Waiting for the rings at the gold souk

I retraced my steps to where I left my friends and we continued searching for the elusive wedding rings. Finally, in one of the stalls near the end of the souk, they found it. I was surprised to find out that in Dubai, there's no Saudi gold. How come? Isn't Saudi gold the best of the best? Isn't Saudi so near UAE? Why can't they import? Lol. They sell mostly Singapore gold in Dubai. We waited for the rings for an hour because they needed to be engraved with their names. After that, we took the train to go to the E 11 Road where the tall skyscrapers were. 

Entering one of the train stations in Dubai

Their metro stations remind me of the stations in Singapore and Hong Kong where escalators are high and steep. The friends also got me an MRT card. For future use also. ;)

So this is the end of my old Dubai journey. But here are a few more pictures from my trip to the new, modern Dubai. I'm quite sure you've seen most of the background from Eyecandy's post. It's funny how we made the same trip to same places in different dates with different people. Ahhh, The Pink Tarha minds... so in sync! Fuuuun!

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world

Seeing the Burj Khalifa as close as I can get, before roaming inside the huge Dubai Mall... We didn't have time to go up the observation deck. If you've read E's account inside Dubai Mall, that's also what I saw. I shopped in Forever 21 nang bonggang-bongga! I also bought a sliver of bubble soap from Lush which I intended to use on my hotel room in Abu Dhabi. 

Their "Candy Days" named Candilicious has Garrett Popcorn!!!

Saw my favorite popcorn store, Garrett, at Candylicious, their version of our Candy Days in Riyadh Gallery. (Why is Garrett not in Candy Days Riyadh?!?) I bought a large bag of their Chicago Mix which we munched at the Waterfront Promenade outside Dubai Mall while waiting for the Dubai Fountain show.

The Burj Khalifa lake

Me in the middle of Waterfront Promenade among different nationalities.

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest dancing fountain. Its an enthralling display of water, lights, and music. See the schedule here. We caught the 7:30pm show. It replays every 30 minutes from 6:00pm to 11:30pm.

The Dubai fountain is coming to life.

The Dubai fountain at work

All ablaze!!!

The grand finale has these fountains bursting up high!

I got a prime spot in front. I was holding my iPhone with my left hand to take a video of the entire performance and holding my digital camera on my right to take pictures! Multitasking! After watching the fountain dance, we took more photos and exited the Dubai Mall grounds to have dinner somewhere. You'll never guess where! :P

A dinner of yummy sweet savory ribs

We went to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and ate in... The Noodle House!!! Hahaha! As if there's no branch here in Riyadh eh? Well, in all fairness, I had this dish of sticky ribs that is not available in the Riyadh branch. And I cannot say no to a dinner treat by a couple who are so in love. :)

View from the Madinat Jumeirah 

And hey wait, before this day in Dubai is over, I cannot leave without seeing the famous Burj Al Arab can't I? I mean it was made more famous in the Philippines by the movie Dubai in 2005 so I cannot possibly leave without seeing the first Dubai icon etched in the consciousness of Filipinos. So here it is...

The Burj Al Arab; taken from Madinat Jumeirah

The trip had to end at some point. We were so worried we wouldn't catch the last train back to the bus station so we hurried. And yes, even if we're hurrying, we had to take photos! ;)

My friend and I trying to catch the train's last trip to Deira

We reached Abu Dhabi around two o'clock in the morning. I was so tired after I got back to the hotel but I was adamant to draw that bubble bath. That didn't happen at all. I slept immediately after changing my clothes! Haha! I love my friends for taking me to this whirlwind trip to Dubai. And I love them for considering what I want to see and discover in this journey. Thank you so much, Rence and Marlon! 

The trip tired me but it's what I wanted to do all along. I want to travel, travel, travel... even if it means being dead to the world after a long day! Hey, I still have my Abu Dhabi stories to come. ;) Want to visit the UAE from the KSA, here's our mini primer on visas.  ~ Sundrenched

How To Visit the UAE from KSA

Get a visa, of course! The thing is... are you eligible for a visa on arrival? Or do you need to apply for one before going? ;)

I'm sure most of you have read Eyecandy's Dubai entry and we've received a few inquiries regarding UAE visas. Some, we couldn't answer and some, well, we suggest answers. But here's a mini primer, which we hope can help you.

I also had the chance to visit the United Arab Emirates last April to attend my high school friend's wedding. I stayed mostly in Abu Dhabi and visited Dubai for a day (more on my trip on a later entry). The visa policy of the UAE is quite straight forward. Let me zero in on their policy about residents of GCC countries but are not GCC nationals. Ergo, we Filipinos living in Saudi Arabia (or any other non-Arab, non-Western expats for that matter). It's as simple as this:

GCC Residents who are not GCC nationals but who have high professional status such as company managers, business people, auditors, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, or employees working in the public sector, their families, drivers and personal staff sponsored by them, are eligible for a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry. 

Did you understand it? Let's break it down a little further if it's still quite confusing. 

(Disclaimer: This analysis is based on our experience and understanding.) 

- What is a visa on arrival? 

This means that you're not required to apply for a tourist visa before you go to the UAE. You can just get the visa once you arrive in the airport. You don't have to go to the UAE embassy to apply for it (like what you do for a US or Schengen visa). You need to pay less than 200 dirhams at the airport of your entry for the visa.

- Who can get a visa on arrival? 

You can get a visa upon arrival only if you're a high professional (listed above) and it says so in your iqama. Those who are working as, say, engineers, but have 'drivers' in their iqama cannot get a visa upon arrival. Don't laugh. This iqama confusion and misrepresentation happen sometimes so better have your professions in your iqama checked.

- You are of a high profession and your family is going with you... can they also get a visa on arrival? 

Yes. As long as they are your eligible dependents (meaning, it says so in their iqama that they are your dependents). 

- Can we travel by land to the UAE?
Only if you're eligible for visa on arrival. Most tourist/visit visas which are released through travel agencies or sponsors should travel by air. From Riyadh, it's a 12-hour journey to Dubai on cars and buses. It's around an hour if you travel by plane.

- You are not of a high profession but you work in the public sector (ex. government hospitals), can you get a visa on arrival? 

Probably. Eyecandy's iqama states that she is a librarian and she works for a government hospital. She got a visa on arrival. A reader said they were medical secretaries but they work for a government hospital, they also got visa on arrival. To be sure, visit the UAE embassy in the Diplomatic Quarters (this is what E did) or call them in their phone number below. 

- What if you're not of a high profession but still wants to visit the UAE? 

You will require a visa before going and a sponsor for your visit. The sponsor will be the one to apply the visa on your behalf. Valid sponsors may be as follows: 

a. Hotels and tourist companies can apply, on your behalf, for a tourist visa (valid for 30 days), or a service visa (14 days), or visit visa (30 days extendable).

b. Airlines and airline handlers on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour transit visa 

c. Other organizations based in the UAE 

d. Individuals (relatives or friends) already UAE residents may apply on your behalf. 

The easiest way among the four is the first option, especially when you have no family or friends in the UAE who can help you. Use an authorized travel agency in the UAE to apply the visa for you. 

When I was still clueless about all this process, I inquired via email in one of the travel agencies in Dubai. Here's what I gleaned on my email with South Travels JLT. (Disclaimer: The Pink Tarha is not related to South Travels JLT.) 

*This is for the visa valid only for 14 days. 

- They can process a visa request for $180 (per passport). 

- The visa they process is valid for arrival by plane only, NOT by bus. 

- Visa processing takes 3-4 UAE working days (take note that in the UAE, their weekend is Friday and Saturday). 

- Visa processing will start 10 days before the guest's arrival. 

- Submit the following via email attachment: 

* Clear copy of passport page with your personal information 

* Clear copy of iqama page 

* Colored passport size picture 

* Confirmed return airline ticket 

* Duly filled up application form (that will sent to you by the agency via email) 

- There's no guarantee that your visa will be approved, and immediately. And like any other visa application, yours can also be denied on various grounds. Visa approval is still subject to UAE Immigration Rules and Regulations. 

South Travel JLT answered all my questions regarding the visa process and they were really helpful. However, it turned out I wouldn't be needing their service.

I'm quite sure you will still have lots of questions. You can read this primer from UAE Interact, which we used in this entry. And you can inquire with various authorized travel agencies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Most of them answer inquiries. But to be really, really sure, you can also visit the UAE Embassy here in Riyadh to inquire. Don't be afraid to ask. 

United Arab Emirates Embassy in Riyadh 

Diplomatic Quarter Abu Baker Al-Karakhi, 

Q. Omer Bin Omaiah Street, 

P.O. Box 94385, Riyadh, 11693, KSA 

T: +966-1-4881227

E: uaer@cyberia.net.sa


NOTE: To all those who are asking if their job positions in their iqama will entitle them to a visa-on-arrival, we cannot say for sure. We can not confirm this so please, call the UAE Embassy for proper verification. We don't want you to get in trouble just in case we say yes, you are entitled to it, and end up having problems when you arrive in the immigration.

MDNA Madness

This entry is 2 months late. You can imagine our EIC spanking me for this. :P

Last June, I jetted off to Dubai+Abu Dhabi, UAE to watch my FIRST-EVER concert (at 26) and rightly giving the honor to the Queen of Pop, the most iconic woman in the history of music, you got it: Madonna. 

I've been a fan since the early 90s. Kids my age had a high probability of being dressed about by their mothers in Madonna-inspired fashion, ala-Like A Virgin music video, complete with the excessive bangles, the leather jacket and a bow tied up their hair. As a teenager, I succumbed to the boy band mania and even to the rock n' roll genre, but Madonna was always there. Churning out hits like 'Frozen' and 'Music', with each song/album presenting her always-reinvented self. And I was always amazed at how she was able to do it. 

When I read that she was going on tour and that she had a tour date in the Middle East for the first time, I really thought that this was my chance! Lucky for me, I had friends who were Madonna fans too and when I shared the news with them, they were as excited as I was to attend this once-in-alifetime concert!

Mind you, we bought our tickets as early as February during the pre-selling period (Official sales was at March and the concert was slated waaay over to June). We had to pay extra to get membership to the Madonna Fan Club website so that we can get the code for the pre-sold tickets. When the March public selling date opened, the tickets were ALL SOLD OUT in less than two hours! This prompted the tour to later on add a Day 2 Concert.

The venue was set for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and my friends and I had originally planned to get the Golden Circle tickets (the one that comes after the VIP status), but even when we were able to get through the pre-selling period, by the time I was able to log in, the Golden Circle pre-selling tickets were already sold out, and we were stuck with General Admission. Deep breaths I thought. It's better to buy them now than to fight and wrestle through the internet connection during the public selling. So there, at 495AED, we got our MDNA concert tickets via email:

The event was promoted by ThinkFlash UAE.

The big day finally arrived and I was in the UAE for five days (Dubai for strolling and Abu Dhabi for the concert, entry on that to follow). I arrived with my concert buddies Ate Czes and Doc D. We had a jam-packed itinerary and upon arriving at Abu Dhabi, we were supposed to do certain things, like go to Ferrari World first before going to the concert. However, when we arrived there, we realized that the lines at Ferrari World could take forever and since our concert tickets were only General Admission, I didn't want to risk losing my chance to be in the front row of the line to the gates. I didn't want to be all the waaaay back of the stadium only to see Madge from the big screen! if that were the case, then I would be better off watching her on Youtube, in the comfort of my own house, right? 

Even if my friends were reluctant, they agreed to sit it out til 7PM, which was the official opening of the gates. So, that made it four (almost five, actually) hours of sitting outside, on the grass, under the sun, heat+humidity et al.

We inquired if we could still upgrade our tickets, but no, totally SOLD OUT.

The entrance grounds.