I’m loving the nice and cool weather that we’re finally getting here in Al Ain. The sky is turning blue from the usual gray. I really like the contrast of the blue sky against the beautiful white clouds. For some reasons, I prefer cloudy days over sunny days. I just like less sun rays and less harsh—not that I am afraid of getting tan but I simply love the cirrus and puffy clouds. It brings happiness and uplift my spirit. This is the season that I really like in Al Ain and I am looking forward to wearing my cardigans, more photowalks, and outdoor activities.
These photos were taken last Sunday at Tawam Hospital bus stop. I was with Emily and Joy–my colleagues in PICU, and we were waiting for bus number 980 going to Al Khrair. I was so glad looking at the sky–a simple way of destressing after 3 graveyard shifts. I couldn’t help but to click even with my N8 mobile camera.
It’s that time of the year when every Emirati motor enthusiast loathe their cars for a week and drool over the glistening newly launched ones, the customized and tuned up, and concepts. It’s the only show that provokes mixed emotions of awe, envy, admiration, and hate (hating your old car that is). The Dubai International Motor Show is one of the most anticipated motor shows in the region, if not the only, and will start from 10 – 14 of November.
Along with car debuts at the show, and concept cars, this part of the exhibition would be an eye candy:
‘This year’s show includes a dedicated tuning section with the world’s major players including Brabus, Depp-At, Hamann, Fab Design, Gemballa, TechArt and Vorsteiner expecting strong sales from a region that embraces customisation and bespoke enhancement of luxury models. Leading manufacturers of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, including Victory and Polaris who are also Gold Sponsors at this year’s show, are also set to showcase the latest models available in the Middle East.’ Source
Entry tickets are Dhs 50 and are available online.
For more information on exhibition’s location, timing, and tickets, check out the show’s official website.
I came to the UAE in May 2005 and started blogging in December 2006. I was alone because my family hadn’t joined me yet here in Al Ain. If my memory serves me right, homesickness was the main reason why I started a
personal blog to record my thoughts on living and working here in the sandpit. It was one fine day–my day off, when I was browsing the net that I stumbled upon a photoblog. Since then, I started browsing and looking at different photoblogs, from one photography site to another, and so on. It was impossible not to be impressed by the remarkable range of beautiful photoblogs in the net and at the same time I discovered my love of watching the sky and taking pictures of Al Ain’s many roundabouts. It tickled my interest in photography and finally in November 7, 2009, I started this photoblog to share my photos.
To date, it has been 2 years that I am trying my very best to maintain this photoblog. I know, no one asked me to do so but I feel that without Al Ain City Daily Photo, my life is not complete. There were times that work got in a way—graveyard shifts, 3 or 4 successive nights or I run out of photos to share, and most of the time, I find myself lost for words to write or to describe the places that I’ve been to. There were times that I wanted to delete this space but because of you–my blogger friends, readers and followers, I opted to keep this photoblog. Having said that, I want to thank:
- the people who inspires me–my family, friends, colleagues, readers and followers
- My host country and city
- Oasis Living Magazine and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Seyaha) for featuring my photoblog.
- Al Ain Mall for sponsoring my first photo exhibition
- Gulfnews for publishing my photo as Picture of the day (sometime in March 2011)
- Most of all, I thank GOD for the all the blessings bestowed upon me
Thank you for the gift of friendship.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF MY JOURNEY!!
In celebration of this joyous occasion, I am wishing everyone, especially my Muslim friends and colleagues including the readers and followers of Al Ain City Daily Photo, a blessed and happy Eid Al Adha!
My apologies for not returning your visits, my blogger friends. I am extremely tired after 3 graveyard shifts. As soon as I find time to sit infront of my PC for a longer period of time, I will definitely pop out and say hi.
Photo shown above was included and published in Sehaya, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s stakeholder magazine July 2011 Issue together with 9 other photos.
Tell me something about macrophotography and you’ll have all my ears. Why? Simply because I love macrophotography but I find it challenging yet frequently frustrating. You see, I bought a Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens last April 2011 to satisfy my desire in shooting tiny objects. Honestly, this desire started when I saw the beautiful flowers at
Al Ain Paradise (reminding myself that I bought the macro lens not on whim but because of my growing interest in different genre).
I have acquired the proper lens and here comes the challenges. First of all, I have to get dirty–I mean, I have to kneel and sit on the ground to get the shots that I want. I have to lie on my belly for hours, which I don’t mind at all. I have to assume some awkward positions–almost ligament and tendon stretching positions which I often called acrobatics.
) Plus I have to suffer and endure the pain while ants are feasting on my feet, belly and arms. Last but not least, I need to bear and ignore the odd stares coming from the people, especially when I am shooting outdoors. Maybe they’re thinking that I have gone crazy for small weeds and flies.
For the technical issues, I find focusing on small objects is very difficult. Light and camera shake, depth of field and framing are critical issues and most of all, I have to practice the virtue of patience especially for moving subjects like butterflies, dragonflies, bugs and birds. Even the wind can pose a challenge. Al Ain’s weather during the month of October until February is unpredictable. Wind can almost kick up the sand and dust.
Despite of these challenges, I still love macrophotography. Yes, I still have a lot of things to learn and I don’t mind even if it will take ages. After all, pressing the shutter keeps me sane.
Al Ain’s weather is getting cooler each day making it conducive for outdoor activities. I am off tonight and my mind is just too tired to think of my responsibilities. I really need to unwind and relax even for a couple of hours. Even my boys are asking me if we can go out. At 06:30 PM, off we went to Al Towayya Park.
Al Towayya Park is located in 2nd Street of Al Ragayeb Community at Al Towayya District. It has numerous benches located around the park, unlimited play areas for kids, lots of grass and trees, and several picnic spots perfect for outdoor gathering for families and friends. The park is also ideal for an array of activities having a basketball court, tennis court and volleyball court.
The park is open to the general public free of charge. There are numerous parking spaces around the vicinity available for all.
Here are some of my photos taken during the time of our visit. I was about to open my tripod when a security guard approached and reminded me of the rules about photography while visiting the park. I assured him that I’m a law abiding resident. (”,)
a fountain in the middle of the park
volleyball court and tennis court (my boys opted to play basketball)
photo op while waiting for my boys
..thanks to my tripod and timer
Goodnight everyone!
ThinkUp, the UAE based virtual social club, featured Emiratesque recently on their website, and they had these nice words to say:
‘… an interesting Blog that had been created called ‘Emiratesque‘. The idea behind it is quite interesting & we salute the creator for taking such an initiative & highlighting some great topics that take place in the UAE. Everything from Food, to Culture, to Technology, & more!’ [Link]
ThinkUp is an ambitious initiative, founded by Saleh Al Braik, with a mission to promote talent and inspiration in our community and share it with the world. Basically, they search for inspiration in our community, hence, being an inspiration themselves. Now that’s a great, and an inspiring initiative by itself.
To the wonderful people at ThinkUp, thanks for considering Emiratesque an inspiration; we’re humbled.
Park Hyatt Hotel and Villas is the latest edition to Abu Dhabi's 5 star resorts, and is the first hotel to open on Saadiyat Island. The hotel opened last night, and I happened to be in the area to check the facilities out.
Park Hyatt is located adjacent to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and is said to be the largest Park Hyatt property in the world. Of course, it's Abu Dhabi after all!
The resort is strategically located on a serene, natural, and environmentally protected 9 kilometers stretch of sand beach, just minutes away from Yas island and Abu Dhabi's Corniche, and less than 30 minutes away from the airport.
I was taken for a quick tour by the courteous Marketing Communication Manager, who was kind enough to show me around on such a short notice.
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In my travels around the city of Al Ain, I have made some interesting discoveries and observations. Most of which are not always evident to first-time visitors and even to some residents. One of which is the fences at downtown Al Ain. I found out that most of the major streets have fences featuring artworks varying from an Arabic teapot, an incense burner, a date palm tree, flowers, fans, to a perfume dispenser, a mosque or a fort.
Photos shown above were taken a month ago at Al Jahili District, the place where Al Ain Palace Museum is erected. The fences that divide the road according to the direction of travel has an artwork featuring a fort. Photo frames were created using an application at
bighugelabs.com.
