(The restaurant revolves slowly, in a manner that will not make you dizzy. You enjoy the sumptuous meal while your eyes are fed at the same time through the panoramic and per minute changing view of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. And yes, the Norah Jones-like charming lady sings Don’t Know Why, I’ll Be Watching You, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and other renditions that will make your stay more worthwhile.)

Since the first year I have been miles away, I have learned to celebrate my birthday with people back home simultaneously (i.e. we munch on pancit or anything that symbolizes long life and other comfort food).  On the other hand, my friends-colleagues and I in this part of the globe do a sort of thanksgiving for the added year that we have wisen up. I must say that we are intentionally mindful of each other’s birthday and other occasions because these are the perfect chance for us to get together, to withdraw from the inherent monotony (we all have that eh?). We have tried something very different from last year, plus that I had a joint celebration with a colleague.

(Left to right: The hummus-like tomato dip, scallops carpaccio with lime vinaigrette, foie gras, and langoustine lobster ravioli)

We are most of the time loud when we go out as a group. Hence, when the Reservation Manager told me that the place is intentionally set as romantic such that unnecessary noise is discouraged (take note that kids are not allowed during dinner), I had to ask and warn her, at least twice, that we will be loud definitely. That night, a long table was arranged for us, in contrast to the couple table set-up. Also, ours was strategically located with ample distance to the others.

(Clockwise: Lobster and bisque scented with vanilla, grean peas and asparagus, angus sirloin steak topped with beef marrow fried shallot and panisse, roasted turbot with baby leeks, tomatoes, capers and lemon peel, veal rack steak, eggplant puree and green apple sauce.)

Our conversation triggers ranged from mundane to out of the world topics. A classic and tested formula that is hard to beat: random talks over good food and good company go on and on that you forget the time. From the minute we stepped in, until I appreciated foie gras (duck liver) and lobster (funnily coined by one of our colleagues as “love-ster”; seriously, all the dishes were worth the price) so much, to the point that my  fellow celebrant and I blew our birthday cake, it actually took two hours for the restaurant to complete the 360 degrees turn.

(The birthday cake. Whoever did the inscription had mistaken me as a man, and referred to me as “Mr. Jo”. Ha ha ha. On the fourth frame is my fellow celebrant with his cheerful wife.)

There is a small funny story about the birthday cake. As one of the restaurant’s policies, cakes not sourced from them are discouraged. Otherwise, an indemnity form shall be signed by the guest to mitigate the risks that might emanate from the cake which is not “homegrown” (well, that is how I wanted to call it). “But I want to bake my own birthday cake and bring it to dinner!”, of course, I just had to throw a joke to the Reservation Manager. But she took it seriously and gave me a lengthy explanation (over the telephone) with her French-Italian accent. Anyway, the (white forest) birthday cake was beautifully and deliciously done. I currently do not have the capacity to do that (winks). The pianist played the birthday song as the staff approached our table to give the cake. The entry was too cute as there were three sparkling candles on it which made the slightly lit area more dramatic.. err, romantic. From that minute until the “express your wish” part, I felt the camera flash and continuous video recording. Thank you for the coverage, friends. Ha ha ha.

[Clockwise: The revolving restaurant on the most upper floor of Le Royal Meridien Hotel, a replica of an Emirati boy displayed infront of the hotel's souvenir shop, artificial ice cubes in the lobby (probably to reverse psyche the summer's heat?), and the area dedicated to us, standing is a friend who religiously took videos (thank you!)].

Celebrations do not have to be fancy. Whether we are munching anything over the grass, gracing a picnic, doing a bowling party, and the like, togetherness is what matters a lot. The fact that there is a restaurant which revolves, is just the icing on the cake.

Al Fanar Revolving Restaurant is in Le Royal Meridien Hotel, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi
Landline: +971 2 6950490 [Open Friday-Wednesday  12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Thursday 7:00 PM to midnight]

(One of my favorite Burj Khalifa souvenirs. These are journals with unique covers. Which color do you prefer?)

To my old and new readers, did you know that I am now on my third year of random babbling? It feels like just yesterday. It started with irregular rants and raves on food (though I am no expert, I seriously thought that was all I should talk about)… and then, a little of MANY things I wrote as well. Although there are advantages and disadvantages of not having a particular niche, writing about my varied interests is how I roll. And I wish to thank all of you who sustain the fuel of our camaraderie in the blogosphere.

Since this is also my most favorite month, the next words are going to tell you why, I am holding a blog anniversary and birthday giveaway. I have this in my head since that day I went up to the tallest tower in the earth when I saw these pretty things from the souvenir shop.

(A postcard set containing 16 beautiful shots of the tallest tower and a CD holder with the same sweater/jacket design.)

This giveaway is for everyone and anyone and is going to be easy. Just leave a comment on this post to let me know (hey, not really fishing for compliments; but just to read your thoughts while on the same page):

(1) How we met virtually and/or in person (I think the second one’s rare)
(2) Why you read this blog
(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)
(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog
(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.

(The several views of the tallest tower on the postcards.)

We are going to have three (3) winners, whom I am sending a personal note to answer their respective queries on # 5:
(1) You! If you happen to be the third to leave a comment. [A jacket notebook's for you.]
(2) The one whose comment is going to be the most valuable based on my panel of judges decision. Haha. Winner # 1 excluded from the selection. [Jacket notebook + jacket CD holder + 1 set of postcards + a personal stuff from me are going to be yours.]
(3) The one selected based on manual raffle. Winners 1 & 2 excluded from the raffle population. [One of the jacket notebooks flying from UAE to you.]

(On the postcards: Always grand wherever you view it. Of course, I also like my own snapshot taken from a restaurant in Dusit Thani Hotel.)

Comments are not going to be published/visible until 17th of July. Yes, that is my birthday!

Photo from Gulf News. A group of diners at a Dubai restaurant were given a 25% discount after they found four bugs crawling around in their food (in March 2008 though). I think discounts attract almost everyone. But for this reason? No, thanks. It is funny that the receipt actually indicated the words, “Insect on the food”. If I were the manager of the restaurant, I probably had termed it as “Allowance for fortuitous events”. (j/k) And if I were one of the diners, I might have insisted on not paying at all and strategically stated my justification.

Yesterday, it was reported that half a lizard was found in a can of baked beans in a store in Dubai. Representatives from the Food Inspection Section of Dubai Municipality pulled all Kimball (Malaysian brand) baked beans cans with the same manufacturing date and lot number. It is interesting to note that the inspectors are actually doing just random sampling of imported food products. Hence, this can happen everywhere. And if you are not very mindful of what you are eating or munching on in the dark, chances are the foreign matter is going to taste like a normal edible or one group of the beans (in this particular case) is going to be more delicious and exotic tasting.

I think that this is the most serious (and hilarious) part of the statement issued by the inspectors:

“I’m just letting people know about this. It’s your job to tell your friends about this, because the other half of the lizard might be in their can.”

I eat frogs, sheep and other selected exotic animals. But it is going to be a nightmare to find any of them in a canned product or on, within, or subdued to a pizza or anything. So far, I have just found a staple wire in my Greenwich lasagna many years ago. I have long forgotten the extent of my complain (but I am sure we called the manager’s attention), if we were given a “staple wire discount”, or another piece of lasagna. I can just imagine how my digestive system is going to struggle if I have took in the wire. What we do not know is not going to bother us. But we better be informed eh?

I have been meaning to write about this since last year, following its unsuccessful attempt to be filmed in the UAE. However, I trashed the thought since I was not a follower of the series, Sex and The City (SATC). But the recurring misconceptions coming my way, i.e. “the-why-did-you-not-tell me-that-parts-of-Sex and the City 2-were-filmed in-Abu Dhabi”, “I-want-to-go-there-what-else-to-see-and-to-do-aside-from those-shown-in-the-movie”, led me to drafting this. That is surprising, considering that it has been much publicized that certain scenes in SATC 2 were actually filmed in Morocco and not in Abu Dhabi.

I honestly have no idea how much of Abu Dhabi has been showcased and/or negated by SATC 2. As much as I wanted to see it before sharing my thoughts, it is not possible at the moment due to three reasons: (a) It will never be shown in the UAE cinemas. Ever. Although, it was not banned. The story comes later. (b) I am not that determined to source out a copycat DVD from the dibidi vendors [yes! not just in the Philippines; except that they are more sosyal (read: maporma) and discreet], (c) I am not that torrents efficient. I resorted to viewing a couple of available trailers in You Tube. Being a UAE resident for almost three birthdays already, I thought it would be easy to recognize the “pretenses”. I was laughing out when I saw the desert safari scene of these fabulous women, among other things. Obviously, it was not shot in the UAE.

(Photo source)

This scene was shot during a camel ride in Marrakesh, Morocco, but was replicated and documented in the movie as if it transpired within the UAE.

Here is how the camels in the desert safari in the UAE look like. In the video, I also noticed the discrepancy in the sand quality and hair dress for the male locals.

Most of us might think that these gaps do not matter anymore; that the mere mention of Abu Dhabi is something that the emirate should be grateful for. That is, if you will have a shallow consideration of its boost in tourism. However, the truth is  Abu Dhabi does not want to be associated with SATC 2. Not at all. Let us see where the concerns emanated from:

(1) SATC, the television series, was aired in the UAE. However, SATC 1 did not make it to any UAE cinema because it was banned. It was considered by the National Media Council (censorship board of the UAE) as culturally non-compliant. Since a large percentage of its population is comprised by Europeans and Americans and most of whom were eager to watch it, a lot argued about the restriction. There was no way to see it but to catch it in other countries, get a copycat DVD (sssshhh), and through the other not-so-legal resources.

(2) Last year, the request to film the sequel, SATC 2 was denied by the censors of the UAE for a number of issues such that the title associates sex with the city of Abu Dhabi without showing its people and infrastructure, scenes showing Arab women removing their abaya (traditional dress) to reveal flashy garments and other contradictions to women’s modesty, and other concerns.

(3) The producers of SATC 2 opted to shoot the Middle East related scenes in Morocco instead. Its regulating body also found the probability of the script to offend Muslims.They permitted the filming after the producers agreed not to identify Morocco. Instead, they inserted shots of Abu Dhabi to support the replication. It was reported that the small, botique Amanjena Hotel in Marrakesh (Morocco) was signified as the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. I have a Moroccan colleague and having been to the really, really luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, we think that they are not comparable at all. On the other hand, a nightclub scene set in Abu Dhabi was shot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (in New York).

(4) SATC 2 did not make it to the UAE cinemas. To correct the perception of the many, it was not banned. How can you ban something which was not actually submitted to National Media Council at all? Well, if I am among the people behind the sequel, I will not waste time about the submissions when the chance of rejection is more than 100%. Had it really been shown, it was probably titled “The Desert Safari” because that would be the only acceptable scene. Wild guess.

(5) It is not the first production rejected for filming in the UAE. The producers of Body of Lies were also denied permission because of the script’s politically sensitive nature. You try to guess where the scenes set were filmed instead. Yes, in Morocco.

I am not being partial. But as much as the Emiratis (UAE locals) and their government are gearing towards openmindedness, respect for culture comes first for them. The UAE has its strengths and weaknesses, just like the other nations. But its non-hungry approach to get associated with something which might cause a minor scar is something. While I am not that interested to see the sequel, I would watch it with reasonableness when the copy, errr, opportunity comes. Just like when someone lent me a DVD of the prequel. Although I found it just okay, the soundtrack was remarkable.

It is only coincidental that I talk about a tower again, following my post on my visit to the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. The heart of the news in the UAE since yesterday is the certification of Capital Gate as the furthest leaning manmade tower from Guiness World Records.

(The tower’s construction began in September 2007. The incline started to take shape the last time we visited the area in August 2009 and the construction of the atrium roof commenced when we visited there in April 2010 for the Sheikh-filled Cityscape event .)

Most of the people has the misconception that the name of the leaning tower is Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) because of their proximity to each other. However, Capital Gate is a separate establishment which is owned and developed by ADNEC. It was built to lean 18 degrees westwards, which is more than four times that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) in Italy. The evaluation from the Guiness Awards Committee started in January of 2010. The recognition was given after the completion of the exterior of the 160-meter and 35-storey tower. It was by intention to be leaning, unlike the  Tower of Pisa which was intended to stand vertically.  It began to lean southeast due to poor foundation and loose substrate in 1173 that led it to shift direction. Currently, it is leaning to southwest.

Capital Gate will be fully completed by the end of of 2010. It will house the 5-star Hyatt Hotel and 20,000-square meter premium office space. Among the several elements that I found distinctive about it are that (a) each room is different as each pane of facade glass and every interior angle; (b) outdoor pool’s panoramic view; and (c) the compliance with sustainability (environmental concerns), i.e. the existence of stainless steel splash that descends from the 19th floor that will serve as a shading device to eliminate at least 30% of sun’s heat before it reaches the building. The splash will also twist around the tower to shield it from direct sunlight.

National Geographic made a documentary about this leaning tower which was translated into 44 languages. This will be aired in 166 countries (to be televised in the Middle East next month).

Images, except for the first photo which was a scanned article from Al Bayan newspaper, were taken from the Capital Gate website.

After devouring the breathtaking 360-degree view of the desert, sea and Dubai metropolis from the highest tower in the world, we checked the souvenir shop which is located on the 124th level (observation deck). Although it has been operating for a few months yet, it boasts nice pieces of keepsakes. Some of the things that caught my attention:

Note pads

Remember Sandy? Meet her friends from the tallest tower.

Perfume bottles and jewelry boxes.

Lots of bears. I don’t find them representative of UAE culture. The boxes on top contains Arabian dates (fruit).

Just like the scented candles, I don’t see the relevance of this kit to Burj Khalifa. Unless it bears a logo that I impossibly missed. Nonetheless, it looks practical.

I like these jackets. They come as photo album, cd case, and notebook. Available in gray, blue and red.

I think this is not for sale. It says that 96,000 pieces of this Grade 10.9 M24 bolts which weigh 1.06kg each were used in the construction of Burj Khalifa.

The only kind of bags available (so far). The shade of violet is a favorite by the UAE locals.

The Arabic writing over there reads as “At the Top”. Expensive pieces in this area.  By the time you scroll to this photo, you probably noticed already and wondered what inspired the logo (symbol) there.  Burj Khalifa structure was based on a regional desert flower, hymenocallis (spider lily). According to its main architect, the flower’s harmonious structure is one of the organizing principles of the design.

(That explains the spider lily’s visibility on the walls.  Like petals from a stem, Burj Khalifa’s wings extend from its central core.)

(The world’s tallest tower trying to outshine the sun at 1:00 PM. Burj Khalifa says to the sun: “Can’t you see that I’m taller than you?”)

When I failed to personally witness (even the live telecast of) the grand launch of the (current) king of towers, I promised myself that I shall be among the first 100 visitors to the observation deck. But being a UAE resident who is not negated by immediacy, I deferred my intended visit several times. Until I had the right company and found the time to check it over the weekend.

The only entry to Burj Khalifa is from the lower ground level of the Dubai Mall (world’s largest shopping mall). From the ticket counter, the glimpse to its scale model builds up a guest’s anticipation. Behind it is a touchscreen backgrounder.

The ruler of Dubai, who is the current Vice-President of the UAE, welcomes you through a quote full of positivity. Personally, I think that this echoes his vision as they conceptualized the project. The same holds true as they went through (and reasonably recovers from) the financial crisis, leading to giving up the prestige of naming the tower as Burj Dubai into Burj Khalifa to pay respects to the president of the UAE-ruler of Abu Dhabi for the timely financial and other forms of aid.

The almost similar to airport style scrutiny (my belt was especially noted) after the presentation of the admission ticket is expected. A (free) standard taking of souvenir photo follows which will probably tempt you to pay, however, once you decide to take it home with you.

(Seeing this on the wall reminded me of the same old tune, “sky is the limit”.)

The 65-meter journey through the walkalator/travelator seemed like a blink because of the multi-media presentation of old Dubai and its way of life, on the side. I hardly stopped myself from taking photos that I even wanted to re-run on the travelator. Yes, that was how much I enjoyed it.

One of things that thrilled me (and reserved a little scare to my ears) is the elevator ride. Burj Khalifa has over 160 floors and the observation deck (our destination) is on the 124th floor. I remember writing last March my anticipation-mission to validate the claims that the elevator travels at 10 meters per second. Guess what? It is really, really true! My ears did not hurt even a bit. That was a smooth fly.

(A galaxial tune plays inside the elevator to match the slightly lit (cozy) space. I imagined myself in the shoes of the elevator personnel going up and down and there, every now and then, in a highspeed manner.)

After the amazing ascent, the 360 degrees view of Dubai greeted us. In a way, I can not help but compared it with my experience in the Macau observation deck (58th floor). I liked it here better because floors are not made up of glass. Otherwise, I was frozen to death again whenever I would look down (and think of) the floor. However, I liked Macau Tower better for its bungee jumping, skywalk and mass climbing facilities (on the 61st floor). But since Burj Khalifa may be considered a toddler as a tower (even it is a king), it is understandable for the time being. I suppose that trivial activities will be introduced sooner or later.

The nicest thing being on the highest peak in any region is you have the undisturbed view of almost everything. In the following photos, you will see the skylight framed view of the desert, sea and the metropolis.

The tower captured in the preceding photo actually looks like this, guarded by serenity, at the ground floor.

A huge difference between Macau Tower’s and Burj Khalifa’s observation decks is the presence of the special telescopes in the latter.

These are generously situated in the deck and provide day, night and live (real-time) views of Dubai (with referencing to name of establishments/structures).

The photos mirror the scale models that can be found in the exhibits, but these are real. Would you know that electric connection-like figure integrated under the pool (light blue area)?

These are the embedded maneuvred lights that entertain a lot of residents and tourists each night. It transforms into a dancing fountain! It deserves another entry.

(Photo credit)

There is also an open terrace. Since summer in this part of the world is approaching and we visited at high noon, my fascination with the surreal views was a little negated by the humidity. I look forward to climbing it again on a chilly season (November to February). I wonder if it would outdo the Victoria Peak weather.

The observation deck experience, including the visit to the souvenir shop (details on next entry), is coverable by at least an hour stay. The entrance ticket though is valid for the entire day. As we smoothly descended to the ground floor, we checked the clay models and other information which reminds us of how this project rose from scratch. What piqued me the most is the several group photos of the key people behind Burj Khalifa. And the next most rational thing to do is, of course, to check the representation by Filipinos.

(Julius Galingen, Safety Manager)

(Jan Charisse Lou Balaoro, Secretary to the Project Manager)

As we approached the exit, the souvenir photos awaited. It is priced at AED 100 per copy and AED 150 for two copies .

The souvenir photo frame/backgrounder is the Dubai dancing fountain and the Burj Khalifa view at night.

(Taken from the hallway going to the elevator.)

I think that I must time my re-visit from pre-sunset to evening on a chilly day.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

Introductory ticket price (USD 1 = AED 3.673):
Adult (13 years +): General Admission (dated & timed) AED 100, immediate entry admission AED 400
Child (4 – 12 ): General Admission (dated & timed) AED 75, immediate entry admission AED 400
Infant (0 – 3): General (dated & timed) and immediate entry admissions are free

Operating Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Thursday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Website: http://atthetop.ae

(I think this Jean Varon 1973 vintage gown would save me.)

I am facing a major situation. That is I shall attend an ARABIC wedding for the first time. It was a mixture of excitement, hesitation and panic when I got the invite. This is the third time I have been invited during my entire stay in the UAE, but I can not and shall not refuse this one because she is a (charming) pal.

This is another side of me which is not very obvious in my blog but is known to people dear to me. I am extra cautious when attending weddings especially with the aspect that I would be photographed. What I realized is that wedding photos especially those in groups will probably remain “forever”. The smiles and faces which will be displayed on several albums and online archives will be checked once in a while by different generations. So you need to have that look which will launch a thousand words, huh; that aura that your grandchildren will be proud to be associated with you.

I have been part of several weddings already, served varied roles. Needless to say, the femme preparation is always more difficult because coordination of too many things are required. The heart of it is to find the suitable dress first and all else would follow. Since this is an Arabic wedding, it will be extra challenging because I need something that is decent enough to cover me. (In Emirati weddings, there are separate receptions for the female and male.) As I have a reasonable orientation of what they wear during the reception (there is a thin line to being too flashy and plain), I thought of going for vintage clothes because these never fail to save ladies. I started sorting from the lovable 1960s vintage clothes. It did not take so long and I finally found what I need!

(This Dollyrockers which is from 1970s vintage clothes will be perfect for that night.)

(Originally uploaded here.) This carton ballot box looks almost the same with those being used in the ongoing election in the UAE. Just take out the label and imagine sealer-tapes on each side of a more vulnerable box instead.

I casted my vote at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi two days ago. That was before 12:00 noon and there were only three voters then. I brought a solid list with me, so it did not take much time for me to finish. I briefly sorted the names of the candidates though and found myself humoured to know their full names, which I probably would not easily identify if not for their aliases and popular names. Also, only that moment I learned that Jay Sonza was running for vice-president and Imelda Papin for senator.

I stayed in the precinct a little longer just to feel the control environment which is contributory to the possible results of the election. It turned out that I had too many WHYs:

(1) The absentee voting began on 10th of April. The same carton ballot boxes will be used until 10th of May. Can we please have more durable ballot boxes? Please take note that there are also ballot boxes taken to and from the Labor Office (also in Abu Dhabi) because there is a number of Filipinos assigned to cast their votes from there. You probably can calculate how depreciated the boxes will be after a month or before the actual counting of votes begin.
(2) I registered in August of last year. We were advised that the voter’s ID will be available (at most) by April. Until the day I voted, I did not receive it. The same applies to the rest of the voters in the UAE. I have no idea if this singly happened here. Instead, we were asked to present the original passport or any locally issued identification.
(3) After presenting the acceptable ID, the name of the voter was checked from the masterlist/registration; and the voter was asked to sign there and signify a right thumb print. But why is the ink delible? One sneeze can erase it.
(4) A few who actually registered last year cannot find their names on the masterlist/registration.
(5) There was no secrecy booth. Voters were asked to cast their votes over a shared rectangular table. Yes, a folder was there with the name of the candidates in it. But the area and arrangement was so open that my neighbor-voter can actually cheat (i.e. copy my list). In a way, I would be happy if somebody indeed copied my list. Since I believe I made a right choice. (I have, however, this inkling that the election will never be 100% clean, no matter how much we pray about it. And that is beyond my control. But I am happy that in the aspect that is within my means, I did my best. Shall my candidate win or not, I would support whoever would be officially elected.)
(6) I was asked to thumb print again on the ballot before slipping it to the box (there goes my precious choices!). Yes, the ink was doubly verified as delible. It was gone in a few minutes without really trying to intentionally remove it.
(7) I have chatted with the person overseeing the voting that hour. I asked a number of questions like the safekeeping of ballot boxes, custodianship of keys, other preventive and detective controls, and a lot more. I got a feeling that she wanted to shoo me away as soon as possible. Sorry, if I made you uncomfortable. But I think I will always have the right to ask that.
(8) Well, there are just too many WHYs.

One hundred two diplomatic posts (embassies and consulates) will have postal voting and 70 posts will have personal voting (voter has to cast his ballot at the embassy or consulate), and the new automated voting system in Hong Kong and Singapore (THIS IS ANOTHER WHY; why not in the Middle East?).

Of the 8.1 million Filipinos (workers and residents combined) worldwide, only 589,830 overseas Filipinos registered* for the May 2010 national elections. Well, of course, not all those who registered are going to vote.

*215,546 voters in the Asia Pacific, 66,745 in the Americas, 61,294 in Europe, 225,148 in the Middle East and and Africa, and 21,097 seafarers.

Reality check. The photos above were taken at the Cityscape exhibit. The scale models looked like contemporary dollhouses to me. One of my two favorites is the miniature of Marina Rise.

Entire scale model of Marina Rise: