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HK Trip: Tian Tan Buddha

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*This is a part of a series of posts about our 2013 vacation in Hong Kong”

Last year we enjoyed a 5 days vacation at Hong Kong with Daddy C’s side of the family. It was a first family vacation, all of Daddy C’s siblings were present along with kids and spouses which really made Mama Let (MIL) very happy.

I have already blogged on the food we enjoyed along Nathan Road, where our hotel was located.

Tita Crist (Daddy C’s younger sister) planned our HK itinerary, every detail of it – where to buy our Octopus card and what train or bus to take to reach our destination.

Octopus card is a handy card you can use to get your way around Hong Kong. Almost all means of public transportation accepts this card. Once you reach airport don’t buy the card one of the vending machines, instead look for the special kiosk near the exit to the express train and buy your card, much more cheaper and easier for tourists you just need to show your passport and before you leave they will refund your unused card value.

Visit to Tan Tian Buddha, famously known as Big Buddha is the 1st must see tourist spot scheduled on our 2nd day. The plan was to ride Ngong Ping cable car but the weather did not permit us so we took the New Lanto Bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre, ride will take about 45 minutes.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit.

Tian Tan Buddha Hong Kong

The weather was gloomy but the view was still breathtaking.

HK Big Buddha

Tian Tan Buddha took 12 years to complete and was finally erected in 1993. It is sitting 34 meters high facing north to look over the Chinese people and deliver a blessing to all.

HK Big Buddha steps

To get a closer look we had to climb 268 steps with some pit stops to rest and take photos. Be prepared and wear a comfortable shoes.

HK Tan Tian Buddha Visit

Stores selling snacks and refreshment is available in the area but by this time we were looking forward to eat a hearty lunch. Yes, that’s the whole group (9 adults, 3 babies and 2 kids) minus 2 men taking our photos.

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Adorable LittleMiss C all through out the day refuse to sit in her stroller or be carried using her Boba carrier, and also refuse to go to her Aunts. I was definitely tired but one smile and I just gave in.

Dubai Miracle Garden

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V’s exam week is finally over and we all need a breather, something new and definitely not inside a mall.

The weather now is just perfect to be spent outdoors. Daddy C suggested that we drive to Dubai Miracle Garden since we haven’t been to the place yet.

Sharing some photos:

Dubai Miracle Garden

It was Friday afternoon and the place was packed with tourists and locals. We’d like to visit the garden on a weekday and enjoy a quiet morning appreciating all the flowers in bloom.

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LittleMan V had fun running around, smelling the flowers and teaching LittleMiss C the colors. She had fun copying whatever her big brother was doing.

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LittleMiss C and her awkward picture pose.

LittleMiss C at Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden has about 45 million flowers in bloom, presented in stunning topiary designs of pyramids, flower beds, and Burj Khalifa. Flower designs will change every year so returning visitors will have something to look forward too every season.

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Dubai Miracle Garden House

Food stalls are available for you to grab a quick bite, but I do suggest that you don’t visit with an empty stomach and it’s always a good idea to bring your water bottle from home. Entrance fee for adults and children above 3 years old is Dhs 20.

Happy Healthy New Year!

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I believe we are in the 3rd week of January and this is my first post for 2014. Oh dear, days go by so fast this month will soon be over. I’ve been really busy with Mommy duties since the holidays, V’s 1st term exam for all his 10 subjects is happening this week, having a child in school brings up parenting levels (& anxiety) a higher notch and believe but it feels like I’m also taking the exam.

 Fruit Platter

MyNappytales family promised that for the year 2014  we will start eating more fruits everyday. Daddy C and I want to be a good example to the kids. A fruit platter now serves a centerpiece of our dining table – since we always see it and available within reach we were able to consume all the fruits (photo above) within 3 days.

BerryPlatter

Both LittleMiss and LittleMan can sit down and consume a bowl of sweet strawberries while watching movies and so I’ve decided to add another berry to the list – a raspberry.

We bought a good fruit supply at Dubai Fruit and Vegetable market. Quality of fruits sold here are way much better than the one’s sold in the grocery, this is specially true for Rambutan and Mangosteen. We bought all of our stash from Fresh Fruits Company.

  • Strawberry (250g) – 3.50 AED
  • Raspberry – 16 AED
  • SweetCorn (4pcs in 1 pack) – 13 AED
  • 1 bag baby carrots – 4 AED
  • Rambutan – 13.50 AED
  • Mangosteen – 12 AED
  • Mesculin Salad Mix – 7 AED

 

Happy New Year! Let us all start eating healthy.

 

Santa’s Grotto at Wafi Mall

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Wafi Santa's Grotto

 

Have you had your family picture taken with Santa Claus?

This is the 2nd year that we’ve had our family picture taken with Wafi Mall’s Santa Claus. It would cost you Dhs 60 for each kid and you get to have a copy of the picture and toys for kids as well.

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Be prepared with food & water for the kids, we waited for 2 hours on queue before it was our turn to see Santa. This year, just outside Santa’s grotto, kid’s can do some crafts to keep them busy.

LittleMan V with Wafi Santa

LittleMan V prepared a list and proudly handed it over to Santa and they had a little chat if he has been good boy, which proudly answered YES! LittleMiss C was very quiet, then it was time for a family picture. She suddenly cried shouting “NO…Ayaw…No Mama.” Crying stopped when she saw Santa Claus gave big brother a toy and she also got one. LittleMiss gave Santa Claus a shy smile and wave him goodbye.

Wafi Toys 2013

As of writing, we lost LittleMiss C’s doll at Deira City Centre last weekend.

Wafi Santa 2013

MyNappytales family wish you a Merry Christmas!

Train ride with my Little Ones

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My first train ride with two kids happened last weekend. Daddy C was on a business trip to India and I have to go to my dentist.

I can’t reschedule my dentist appointment since it was important that my orthotic device (for my TMJ) be adjusted.

We had a long train ride ahead of us: Stadium station to Marina station. V was very excited while I kept on praying that LittleMiss won’t ask for “nanan” (breastmilk) for the entire ride.

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V saw the sign just perfect for us! But we didn’t get to sit. It was 8:30 am and the train was full! Both kids still in a jolly mood, V was entertaining LittleMiss doing his balancing act.

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We finally got to sit after 6 stations and the kids getting bored already. LittleMiss want me to buckle & un-buckle her while in the stroller. Good thing, iPadNanny was with me who managed to keep the kids (& passengers) entertained with Despicable Me 2 till we reached Marina station.

V took care of LittleMiss with the help of the clinic staff during my appointment. Since they were both really good I rewarded them a trip to Dubai Mall to eat at Cinnabon and 1 toy they can share.

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When we reached MOE station V was now asking if we can just ride a cab after Dubai Mall. Both kids definitely tired.

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We reached Dubai mall and the kids once again back to happy mood after lunch. V was so happy he found the perfect toy (wooden blocks) he can share with LittleMiss and it was on sale!

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On our way to Union station LittleMiss who was bored and tired, started crying for milk! But she didn’t want me to get her from the stroller. Yes, she was screaming and crying till we got in our train on the red line. One lady who I think want to help me approached LittleMiss and gave her a pat on the cheek, the nice gesture just made her more upset. I really hoped that she talked to me first. LittleMiss got tired and we finally had a peaceful trip.

Next time, I’m going to get Nol Gold cards!

Maybank Secure Online Shopping

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ShoppingClipArt

December – my birth month and of course Christmas makes me oh so cheery. It’s quite a busy month for everyone, I want everything to be memorable for the kids and this is LittleMiss’ first (2nd really but a first where she can interact with us) Christmas.

Living overseas, away from our relatives, Daddy C and I go the extra mile to make this holiday season special every year, for our very own family but also for our relatives leaving far from us.

Thanks to technology buying gifts online is such a breeze, one click and viola you have the perfect gift for your family. A downside to buying online is security, we know someone who woke up with a call from the bank that a huge amount was charged to his credit card. A technology nightmare!

Good news, to all Maybank credit card holders they have launched a new security system called – Maybank Secure Online Shopping (MSOS). The MSOS system provides a One-Time-Password to its Maybank Mastercard and Maybank Visa cardholders, every time they perform a transaction on a 3D secure site. It will provide it’s cardholders a password that is only valid for 5 minutes via SMS.  Maybank aims to provide an enjoyable shopping experience as well by creating deals with its partner online merchants in days to come.

With this kind of secure shopping we don’t have to worry about getting our bank details compromised.

What are you waiting for? We still have 1 month left to shop and get our gifts delivered on time.

Happy shopping!

 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Maybank and Nuffnang PH

Giveaway: Mother, Baby & Child Show 2013 Tickets

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Congratulations! 

Noona Al Sayyed

BusyMommyDXB

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Every year since we arrived in Dubai we have been to each of the MB&C Show. V absolutely love going to the show and participates on almost all the kiddie activities, have his photo taken with the mascots and for us parents this is the place where we get to complete our Christmas shopping.

Pre-sales tickets priced at AED 65 (including entrance to the show and priority entrance to see Father Christmas) are available on www.timeouttickets.com. AED 125 per person from 12-14 December 2013

This year I’m so happy to host a giveaway for the Mother, Baby & Child Show.

 Two winners will get a chance to win 1 VIP ticket.

For a chance to win you just need to do two things:

1) Tell me what your family Christmas tradition is by leaving a comment below.

2) Share this post and leave a comment telling me you did.

Winners will be announced noon time on December 12 .

More about the event here.

Access Consciousness Workshop

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I was contacted about an  interesting workshop that will help us parents properly handle situations, that concern our children.

I’m not available to attend the event, but you might find the topic interesting.

Access Consciousness® is about taking your inner abilities and using them with a series of tools and techniques to empower you and help eliminate all the barriers you have put up.

The event is host by Anne Maxwell, a leader in the field of child, play and family therapy and licensed Access Consciousness facilitator from the US is coming to Dubai for the first time and will be hosting a five-day workshop series consisting of six sessions targeting parents, children, educators, therapists, medical doctors and practitioners and specially-abled children and adults.

Tomorrow, there is a free meet and greet with Anne Maxwell at the Majestic Hotel Dubai at 18:00-20:00.

Below is the schedule of the 5 day seminar:

Friday 6th: 6pm-8pm meet and greet with Anne Maxwell

Saturday 7th: 10am-1pm class for parents
3pm-6pm class for young adults

Sunday 8th :10am-6pm class for therapists and doctors

Monday 9th :5pm-8pm class for teachers

Tuesday 10th :5pm-8pm the X- Men disabilities or abilities session

Pre-registration is not required, you can just go to the hotel and buy tickets.

Read more about the workshop here.

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MyNappytales is not affiliated nor paid to do this blog post.