2021

Next month, it will be a year since I started working from home. Who would have thought that this pandemic will continue to affect our delay lives, and would establish what we now call a "new normal". I believe that not only me is adjusting with the situation, but the entire world. Every thing seems so limited right now - yes, that would even include embracing our loved ones whom we missed for so long already. 

 

Zipline

I was browsing my Facebook page when a promotion from Toroverde - Jebel Jais Flight popped up. It was offering a 54% discount from its regular price for you to experience the world’s longest zipline. It is a no-brainer since ziplining is on my bucket list.

 

Twelfth

It's been a while since I have updated this blog. I just have to since totomai.net turns 12. Twelve years - that was a long time. I haven't been religiously blogging since I transferred in the Middle East. In the past, I usually blog on a Sunday but here, Sunday is the first day of work. I know, I have to make excuses. And also, I sort of cheated by posting blog titles or photos only just to keep the one-month per post alive. So sorry about that. 

Superheroes

Our company had recently held its annual Team Building at Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi. The theme park just opened last July 2018. It was a chance to bring out the inner child in us. For one day, we were told not to think about work. But I received one a work-related phone call that day, well that's a different story.

 

Burning

The temperature started to reach mid-40's and it's giving me a burning sensation every time I go out of my accommodation. It is my first summer here in the Middle East as a resident. My friends and colleagues told me that this is still not the peak of summer season, perhaps in a month, it will hit 50 deg C and higher. 

the hot maize spotlight

exposes sea waves' jewels

continental range

/totomai

Louvre

A few weeks ago, a friend sent me a message asking why I haven't posted travel photos lately.  I was quite busy with work. But one weekend, instead of staying at home, I decided to go to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the latest architecture and tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi, United 

rain in the desert
wipes out footprints of camels
trekking back in time

/totomai

Dunes

I really wanted to see the sand dunes up close, so I booked a Desert Safari tour in Abu Dhabi. This is also an exciting way to celebrate my birthday. The tour includes sand bashing, camel riding, sunset watching, belly dancing viewing, and BBQ dinner. The first activity, and my favorite, was the sand bashing. Inside of the 4x4, we braced ourselves for an adventure. I was seated at the front seat, so I can clearly see the slopes, and feel the turns. It felt like I am in a rollercoaster ride.

 

etched by the car tires

winds tamper the evidence

golden sands of time

/totomai

Airshow

Time zooms. Few months ago, I worry a lot being of jobless for almost a year. Soon, I will be two month old in two weeks time in my new company. So far it’s been great. I think I have adjusted well, the relatively cooler temperature helped a lot. Summer will be coming in a few months though and could very well test me and my allergies. I heard the temperature shoots up to 52 deg C and humidity reaches 100%.

the man-made rainbow

vanishes just like my dreams 

with or without rain 

 /totomai

Hired

I went to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2015 for a 2-day business meeting. During my spare time, I was able to explore some of its gems such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. I thought then that I should come back for a visit as the country has lots to offer. Little did I know that I will be starting a new life here two years later. Yes, I was recently hired by an engineering company in Abu Dhabi after being jobless for 10 months. I have been here for only two weeks but so far so good.

warm dunes welcome me

a lost soul in a parched earth

an ice-cold soda

/totomai

Grand

Taking into consideration that I only had 2.5 days in Abu Dhabi, I made sure that at least I can visit its number one tourist attraction – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This could make my first visit in the Middle East memorable.