BELLION TRAVELS MONTHLY RECAP: JANUARY 2021

AHHH! I wish we could go back to our “normal” life. I miss travelling and exploring new places but being stuck in Abu Dhabi during the pandemic, allowed us to discover the capital. However, now it is time to leave the big city and move back to Dubai. The city where I was born and the city of life.

Everyone is moving to new countries and new places but I keep going back to Dubai. I guess it is not yet our time to relocate to another country but we never know what tomorrow brings. Many things are happening now and I cannot wait to settle in our new home and start over.

So, let me share what has happened in the first month of 2021.

Destinations I have visited:

  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: I visited many new places and explored the city during 2020 and I will definitely write about it on a separate blog post.
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates: I had to visit the city for an interview. Tim and I spent 24 hours in Dubai. We ate at Vietnamese Foodies and stayed at ROVE Downtown.

Highlights of the month:

  • I would say the biggest highlight is that I resigned from my job and will start a new career soon.
  • I enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Real Estate.
  • We finalised a new place in Dubai.
  • Packed 90% of our stuff in Abu Dhabi.
  • I was indirectly required to be vaccinated because I work for a semi-government company. Tim and I took the first dose of Sinopharm in January 2021.

Series I watched:

  • Wanda Vision: HBO is releasing an episode every week so we haven’t finished the series but so far I’m loving how weird it is. 
  • Ramy (Season 1 & 2): As a Muslim half Arab, I can relate to some of the issues in the show. I personally prefer the other characters stories, they are a lot more interesting and I’m not fond of Ramy himself. I love that Mahershala Ali plays the Sheikh. He is one of my favourite actors. I cannot wait for Season 3. 

Movies I watched:

We did not watch any move this month since we were super busy packing and watching series. Also, I have been super busy catching up with uni. but we made plan that once we move to Dubai and settle, we will have movie night.  

Music:

A Mix of EVERYTHING.

Follow me on Deezer

Books I read:

I decided not to read anything but my studies. I also packed all my books and are waiting to be moved to Dubai.

Blogs: 

2021 Update 

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2021 Update

Hi readers,

I couldn’t blog for weeks because I had a lot going on and I’m still busy but I’m glad I found the time to write. To write about how my 2021 started.

It started with a lot of sleep as we spent New Years at our friends place and my usual bed time is 10PM. The next day, Tim and I went to IKEA to buy cardboard boxes and other packing items to gradually start packing our place. Tim signed a lease contract in Dubai which starts on 1 March 2021. It is funny how people are leaving Dubai and moving back to their home countries but after Covid hit, we decided we won’t be leaving U.A.E anytime soon. Work wise, Dubai still looks promising.

Why we decided to move back to Dubai? The decision was initially made when Tim was informed that he had to work permanently from home due to Covid. Also, we haven’t seen my family for months because of the border restriction between Abu Dhabi and Dubai so it is bazaar that it is difficult to meet my dad and brothers who live in the same country. So, Tim and I agreed it would make more sense if we live in Dubai since he is working from home and my family and friends live there.

My concern was my job. I ruined my career by moving to Abu Dhabi and I took a massive step backwards with a very low salary and position which made me realise my capabilities because unfortunately, I was not able to see that before. I was so stressed about moving back to Dubai due to the commute and border control. If you do not know the reasons, it is because you need to take a covid test to enter Abu Dhabi. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to find a job in Dubai and I’m currently serving my one-month notice.

Another reason why moving to Dubai makes sense is my University is located in Dubai. I enrolled in a Masters Degree at Heriot Watt, I’m studying Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying. After having doubts about my career and what I want to do next, I concluded that my work passion is real estate. My mind is not as creative as it used to be and I think I’ve become more logical. Either it’s Tim’s influence on me or just as life goes on, we realise things and our passion in life. Definitely travel is my passion but I realised I do not want to be a travel vlogger but rather I want it to be my hobby and real estate to be my job.

One of the biggest things that happened this month is that I was indirectly forced to take the Covid vaccine. Since I had to take it, Tim said he might as well take it. It is a live together, die together decision. I took Sinopharm and I didn’t find any major side effects other than speaking fluent mandarin. Just kidding. With all seriousness I do not feel anything. My second dose will be on 2 Feb 2021 so lets see how that goes.

So, so far this is our update and we are just busy working, studying, packing and exploring Abu Dhabi on weekends before we officially move.

I will post a separate blog about places we have visited in Abu Dhabi in the past 4 months and show you another side of Abu Dhabi. Catch you later.

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August 2018 Recap

August was such a busy month. I did not even blog and had no time to edit photos or anything like that. I took a break from blogging and focused more on work but also lots of things happened in August. I decided to enrol in an institute to study during my free time but my classes will start mid Oct. Tim and I visited Abu Dhabi and travelled during the Eid Holiday with my best friend Mimi to Bangkok. So here is a recap of what happened in the month of August.

Destinations we’ve visited

  • Al Ain
  • Thailand

Highlights of the month

  • Visited Al Ain and stayed at Telal Resort
  • Travelled to Thailand during the Eid Break
  • Had Lasik Surgery

What have we watched?

Series:

  • Dark Tourist
  • A series of Unfortunate Events
  • Disenchantment

Movies:

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

What I read?

The Travels of Ibn Battuta (still reading)

What have I blogged about in August?

NOTHING LOL

So here is what happened during the month of August. Lasik Surgery went well, THANK GOD. We travelled to Bangkok and DAMN that place is amazing for shopping. I bought a lot of clothes and I fell in love with a store called Sugar and Cream that sells vintage outfits. ME GUSTA. We also stayed at Telal Resort for the weekend which is in the middle of the desert. We personally love it, it was voted as one of the best luxury resorts in the CONTINENT. So, we’ve got plans for September and hopefully I will get back to blogging ASAP since I have Spain and Thailand to blog about.

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June 2018 Recap

June was a busy month compared to May. We’ve done a lot and visited places in the UAE. Eid (Muslim Celebration) was in June so we got a day off and enjoyed the holiday.

Destinations we’ve visited

Tim and I started hanging out more in Abu Dhabi. Since we are new in this city, there are a lot of places to explore. We stayed in Sharjah for a night to celebrate Eid with my family. We stayed in Ajman for the weekend at a luxurious 5-star hotel called ‘Ajman Saray’ and of course, we met up with friends in Dubai.

Highlights of the month

  • Iftar at Meydan Hotel WOOOW!!!
  • Stayed in Sharjah for a night to celebrate Eid
  • Stayed in Ajman for the weekend

What have we watched?

Series:

  • 13 Reasons Why (Season 2) – DONE
  • Breaking Bad – Season 3
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine- Season

Movies:

  • Jurassic World
  • Incredibles 2 – OMG! LOVED IT

What have I blogged about in June?

So here are some of the highlights for the month of June. Lately, Tim and I are gardening, sorting some things in the Philippines and “trying” to relax more, which is not happening. So hopefully, we won’t have to drive a lot more to Dubai and Sharjah in the month of July and just spend more time in Abu Dhabi. I’m sick of the drive since I commute everyday from Abu Dhabi to Dubai because of work. Yes, I did resign but it was verbally and not officially. I’ll keep you updated once I do.

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Blog Update

Hey guys,

Sorry I’ve been quiet and not posting things and I’m just effin busy and have lots of drafts to post.

Please forgive me but I’m just so busy with finishing off some work since I resigned, I’ve moved to a new city and still need to unpack which I think is a nightmare and end of the month, Tim and I are travelling for 2 weeks to Spain. So, you can imagine my tight schedule.

However; I’d like you guys to know what posts you will be expecting soon and here it goes.

  1. Japanese Food (Visited Japan March/ April 2017)
  2. Hong Kong Market (Visited Hong Kong April 2017)
  3. Lantau Island (Visited Hong Kong April 2017)
  4. Macau Temple (Visited Macau April 2017)
  5. Georgian Food (Visited May 2017)
  6. Our favourite hangout place in Tbilisi (Visited May 2017)
  7. What you can do in 24 hours in Lebanon (Visited July 2017)
  8. Azerbaijani Food (Visited Oct. 2017)
  9. Art in Baku (Visited Oct. 2017)
  10. History of Gobustan National Park (Visited Oct. 2017)
  11. Mud Volcano (Visited Oct. 2017)
  12. Things to do in Bali (Visited Nov. 2017)
  13. Monkey Forrest (Visited Nov. 2017)
  14. Reality vs Instagram -I went to visit a temple in Bali because I fell in love with a picture on Instagram and wanted to go there. It was very disappointing (Visited Nov. 2017)
  15. 72 hours in Kenya (Visited Nov./ Dec 2017)
  16. What are the 5 Big Animals? (Visited Nov. / Dec 2017)
  17. Kenya from Bellion Travels Lens (Visited Nov. / Dec. 2017)
  18. Kayaking in Hatta Dubai. (Visited Feb. 2018)

 

So, expect those blogs to be posted soon 😊 and wish me luck with unpacking and unit handover and inspection. Gosh! I just want everything to be sorted ASAP.

 

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Follow BellionTravels on Social Media

Tim and I are back from our holiday. We’ve managed to squeeze Philippines (Makati, Pasig and Bonifacio), Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara), Hong Kong (Kowloon, HK and Lantau Island) and Macau in just 2 weeks.

I’ve got lots to blog about especially Japan. It was my first and Tim’s third visit to the most awesome country in the world.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH JAPAN. 

Today, I visited a coffee shop near our apartment called ‘Drip House’. It’s located in Dubai Investment Park and every Saturday they organise a meet up event about various things. The topic I attended was about Social Media and Blogging which I benefited from, ALOT.

Before brainstorming and writing about our trip, you may check out our other Social Media platforms to follow. Where I update my stories on Instagram and share other bloggers/ vloggers content on my facebook page.

Can’t wait to share our travel stories with you…

Follow BellionTravels for daily updates

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belliontravels/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belliontravels/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BellionTravels 

Catch you later

Xx

 

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BellionTravels Update

Today’s Blog isn’t about Travel. Here’s the thing, I’ve been so caught up lately with lots of things:

  1. I had family and friends visiting from abroad.
  2. Took 5 days of sick leave due to a painful neck surgery to remove a lump.
  3. Because of the sick leave, I had lots of pending work to finish.
  4. I’m currently working with a lovable graphic designer named Sarah. She will be designing the blog’s logo and help me brand it.
  5. I’m also taking up online classes to be knowledgeable of the today’s Tech and Social Media world. And so far I have a degree in WordPress Web Build, Creative Travel Writing and Business Blogging. In addition, I attended a workshop about Blogging, the event was held by Emirates Literature Foundation in Dubai World Trade Centre. Currently I’m studying Travel Photography and Social Media.
  6. I’m considering Vlogging so I’m also working with my awesome youngest brother Omar to assist me with video editing.

I enjoy  blogging, it’s a fun activity to do but it also can be stressful. There are days where I have panic attacks because of time management. Work takes 10 hours of my day and that excludes the 1 hour commute each way. Plus, I need personal time for my hobbies so all of that led me to prepare a temporary schedule.

So my lovely readers, I’ll be posting blogs on Thursdays and Saturdays and the remaining days I’ll either be studying, working on the blog design & content and joining activities.

I guess things will work out efficiently.

Catch up with yall soon

xx

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