Sunset Mall Kitesurfing Challenge

It was yet another day at the beach - cool breeze, calming waves and all that jazz.  But when I looked up, it was an extraordinary sight.  The flawless blue sky was filled with multi colored kites and that means only one thing, the kite surfers have arrived!  It was my first time to see these guys in action and gahd was I amazed.  It was fun to watch these beautiful people soar several feet in the air.  Kids, adults and even old ones were all geared up flying up from the water and did startling tricks which I've never dreamed of.  

Kite surfing has been getting a lot of prominence in the past few decades.  A number of people has taken this extreme sport as a hobby.  The Sunset Mall Kite Surfing Challenge was held just off the coastline of Jumeirah Beach close to Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.  We went there after lunch.  The sun was hot yet the breeze was cool, it was a perfect beach day.  

It wasn't just the magnificent kites and "daredevlish" tricks that made my afternoon though, it was a whole lot more.  See for yourself.

TWIN!

This girl rocks!

Chill

Getting ready

All set

Fly!

Kites!

Up in the air

=)

=) =) =)

Okay, so this is called overexposure.

The other half

Tambay

And just who were we watching intensely?

Papasa na rin twin to. =D

Jump shot minus my face. =D

Negrita. =D

Kite land

The gathering

Challengers

This is huge

Getting briefed

=)

=)

Board

Chat

Natulala

Beach babe

Sarap lang maging tamad.

GO!

=)

In action

=)

Juniors waiting for the GO!

=)

Off they go!

=)

=)

Gigantic lens

=)

Clicking away

Nice!

=)

Finishing off

Din and Justin

Happy audience

=)

This extreme sport involves certain risks.  Learning the basics is an absolute necessity.  So get schooled before you try threading the water with these kites.  If you think kitesurfing is for you, check out Duco Maritime, Dubai Kite Surf School,  and Mark Andrew Kite School websites for more details.

Photos taken by: Rona, Rach, Chat and me

"If you want to experience all of the successes and pleasure in life, you have to be willing to accept all the pain and failure that comes with it." -  Mat Hoffman

Book & Bean

I missed my blog.  I missed this place where I pour my thoughts, adventures and even my inevitable mishaps.  I feel so negligent but the truth is I'm just so busy.  The past week I've been working my ass off, trying to persevere in this tough corporate jungle.  But hey, I survived my first week in my new office.  I've worked with a variety of individuals, mostly Europeans.  The more different a culture is, the more learning and change would come your way.  And yes, I actually enjoyed it.  They were all very warm and welcoming.  I know there are more challenges headed my way and I've been craving for that the past years.  At this favorable turn of events,  I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity to be where I am now.

So before "hell week", I had a relaxing weekend with my friends.  I visited a place that gives me the utmost serenity.  A bookstore.  I love books.  They have this unique ability to take me to places and create this feeling of unfathomable ecstasy.  So every time I'm fighting against distracted thoughts and unproductive days, I always make an effort to grab a good book because this option always saves me.  I love losing myself in another world, let's just say reading has been my lifeline.

I discovered a bookstore inside Ace Hardware, how convenient is that?  Book and Bean is one of Dubai's second hand bookshops.  You can take your old books there and they'll pay you cash for it.  Once you're done reading, you can take it back and they'll give half of the price back.  I don't think I'll give them back though, I'm a sucker for books - reading and collecting them.

Book & Bean

Before feeding our minds, we made sure our bellies were well fed too.  Stopped by Sumo to feast on their Sushi buffet. YUMMY!

Rona and Rach taking in as much as they can. =D

Fresh creatures

Got a lot on my plate

 Filled up my plate for the nth time, hay sarap!

Rona getting herself interested

There I was, with a big Don't Disturb sign oozing all over me.

Don't disturb sabe eh! ahahahaha. Sa sobrang busy, ayan waldrobe malfunction (my nude undergarment was a mess, sorry!)

 =)

Book shopping. =D

The coffee shop

Busy bees!

 Sige na nga, maayos na picture muna. LOL!

Yan ang HAPPINESS!

Checking out, how much each costs.  Baka sumobra na 'ko mahirap na. =D

Ganito magbasa ang mga soshal. Ganda talaga ni Rachell Ann Bonanza! =D

The chosen few...

...and more

We got free coffee from our purchases! How cool is that? =D

Thank you ate sa lahat ng mga perks. =D

Happy us. The Lennon book I'm holding is for my dad.

SOLB!

Rona's redeeming our free coffee.

Medyo madilim ang kuha, pero gusto nyang ipakita ang mga stubs namin. ahahaha.

Thanks Rona, Chat and Marsie.  I really enjoyed this day. =D

So I got 5 books for daddy, 2 for Kaya and a dozen for me, yey!  For all you shopping freaks out there, fill up your wardrobe and your shoe cabinets but find time to stuff your book shelves too.  If you're on a tight budget, you can always purchase pre-loved books.  Who knows what you'll find in a treasure laden kingdom like this.  Plus I love the smell of old books, don't you?  Book and Bean offers coffee, pastries, free wi-fi, comfortable seating and a glorious number of great books.  I know, I sound like a snazzy salesman ahahaha.  I'm just so excited to share all these with you.  There is joy in sharing you know.  



Book & Bean
Open Sat-Wed 9am-10pm; Thu-Fri 9am-midnight
Inside ACE Hardware, Dubai Festival City
04 232 6992

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~Author Unknown