(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]

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.

(Campaign groups in Laguna, armed with the appropriate summer hat.)

The absentee voting has started on 10th of April and my list is still in progress.

The ongoing campaign for the 2010 elections in the Philippines is, so far, the best and worst alike. Since I was fetched from the airport, Joey Marquez’s posters surprised me as I reunited with the Metro Manila sunset. Wow, he is racing again to be the Mayor of Paranaque. And as we passed by the towns in Laguna, ER Ejercito’s (George Estregan III, the incumbent mayor of Pagsanjan) photos welcomed us. He is running for governor.

I also got numerous spam SMS, trying to discredit some presidentiables. How strange that the spamming stopped when I roamed on again my Philippine sim card. The campaign tactics had progressed (worsen) a lot, to the extent that it is going to haunt you even when you are asleep (i.e. campaign jingles, etc.).

[Taken on Palm Sunday. On the campaign posters are some of my school mates in highschool, running to be the town's Mayor (incumbent Vice-Mayor) and the other one as a Councilor re-electionist.]

What piqued me most was when I recognized familiar faces (i.e. people from my highschool) on the campaign materials in my hometown. It is not that surprising though since they have the “politico material” in them since student council days. If I were not an absentee voter, I will definitely vote for them, as I told my family and relatives. But I have been debated just by saying that. Since they have a different (but unanimous) choice. It is a relief that I am voting overseas. Otherwise, I will go for my candidates again, whom they do not prefer (like the first time I voted, in 1998). I love it when we exercise freedom in making choices, and it does not affect the blood and consanguinity relations.

I hope and pray that we are all mature now, that we are making our choices not just to win affiliation and/or friends, that we do not decide based on emotions. The truth is, the candidates are all making big (almost impossible) promises. There comes the moment that you have to select blindly, with the sole basis that because you believe in that person.

If you are in this part of the world, see you this weekend at the Philippine Embassy. I think by that time my list would be complete.

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:

I got this invite to an event in Abu Dhabi which is happening next week. I was crushing on the elegance of the main cover (which you will not get to see the entirety because I am obliged to edit it). It is simply striking and well-put. Wedding invites aside, I think it is one of the loveliest invites I got.

As you pull out the main cover, this will further please you:

As you flip the starry subcover, you will see the formal invite on the left. Under that is the event badge and a charming multi-purpose (e.g. ID, flashdrive) holder, with prints of the exhibitor’s name. And wait, did I just see a watch?

This is the envelope of the formal invite. I liked all the symbolisms and colors used here.

Here’s the (inside) invite. The event is in no way related to my current field, but I am really glad I was considered to peek into it.

I am so shallow, it is not a wrist watch pala. Heehee.

It is a customized pretty compass and binocular. Why is that so?

A life size model (23 x 17 meters) of the metropolitan urban landscape of Abu Dhabi (as part of Plan 2030) will be unveiled for the first time.

These pretty ladies were trying to act scared (or thrilled?) as if they were going to be crunched by those sharp teeth in real life.

More photos with three theme here.

The shiny and uniquely shaped building there is the main office of the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi. I wonder if they just wanted to be very different from the rest or it has something to do with the symbolism that the shape is representing. Although it has a lot of meanings, I opt to associate the spiral shape with continuity.

This is my entry for this week’s photo hunt (theme: spiral).

This is one of the mosques that I see everyday. This accommodates one of the many male Muslims that regularly pray. Normally, the females pray in a private (prayer) room. Although there is plenty of mosques in the UAE, it is still not enough and/or not strategically located to accommodate the population. Hence, those praying near and by the beach is also a daily sight for non-Muslims like me.

The mosques may come in different colors and structure, but the crescent moon over there stays quite the same. And yes, today is the (Muslims’) Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

This is my entry for this week’s photo hunt (theme: daily).

My schedule is getting crazier these days, hence, the irregularity of the posts (thanks to my scheduled photo hunt entries). Anyway, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day went by like a blink. I had 5 meetings that day. To start with, these occasions are not widely celebrated in the Gulf. Last weekend, we managed to squeeze in a visit to the beach. It turned out to be not a very good idea though because it was 13 degrees celsius then. We thought our skins are thick (and that we’re boastful) enough to brave the water. It can really invite numbness.

It’s funny how regulations dictate your activities and personality for that day. Such that we played Hanna Montana cards instead of the generic-gambling-type playcards.

Of course, taking photos of strangers and some places is discouraged to the extent that it’s almost not allowed. Thanks to the camera phone. But just the same, it’s tricky and risky. But for all I know, maybe I was unknowingly photographed, too.

Why do I say that taking photos are becoming more challenging? Yesterday, an amateur photographer was jailed and fined US$270 (with passport confiscated) for taking photos of a bridge. Incidentally, when he was driving he decided to pull over when he saw a beautiful sunset. (And that I’m a fan of sunrise and sunset). Who would have thought that a bridge snapshot would cost that much?