EMIRATES FLIGHTS TO CLARK INT'L AIRPORT ON 1ST OCTOBER 2013

CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, formerly named as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

February 2012 The airport has been renamed back as Clark International Airport, however, the passenger terminal will continue to bear Diosdado Macapagal's name.

Emirates announces second destination in the Philippines.

DUBAI, U.A.E., 18^th February 2013: Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, announced on Monday that from 1st October 2013 it will begin daily, non-stop flights to Clark International Airport, the airline’s second destination in the Philippines.

Emirates has been operating flights to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, since 1990 and, due to the demand, has continued to increase its flight frequency on the route to its current triple daily, non-stop service.

 

 

HEALTHY RAMADAN

Have a light meal:
Do not stuff yourself with food and drinks during or between Iftar and Suhoor. This contradicts the spirit of Ramadan and defeats the whole object of fasting. Health problems can emerge as a result of excess food intake which can 'clog' your digestive system.

At Iftar it is advisable to have a very light meal first — like dates and juices or soup and reserve the main meal for later after the Maghrib prayers perhaps or even after Taraweeh (special night prayers). The body's immediate need is to get water and an easily available energy source in the form of glucose for every living cell, particularly the brain.

What to eat:

• Due to the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre-containing foods (which last up to 8 hours) rather than fast-digesting foods (which last for only 3-4 hours).
   
• Slow digesting foods contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc (called complex carbohydrates).

• Fibre-containing foods are bran, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, spinach, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, and prunes, almonds, etc.

 

ONLY CHRISTIAN CHRONOLOGICAL SITE IN THE UAE




The pre-Islamic monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island has now opened to the public, 20 years after it was first discovered

 

Guided tour: Visitors to the site are told about the history of the monastery as archaeologists continue to dig








From above: Rooms within the monastery become more obvious from the sky

  
CHRONOLOGY

50-350 Christianity spreads throughout the Gulf region, following the trade routes to India and China.

Circa 600 Monastery at Sir Bani Yas is established; its use continues into the early Islamic period.

750 Monastic buildings are abandoned and begin to decay.

1820s British East India Company surveys the island and the waters around it, drawing attention to natural harbour (Meriton Bay). British sources mention pearl beds.

1930s Abandonment of villages on Sir Bani Yas Island after the collapse of the pearl trade.

1950s-60s Sir Bani Yas used by British Navy for target practice.

1971-2006 Island is privately owned by Sheikh Zayed and developed as wildlife sanctuary.

1991 First pieces of pottery discovered in former llama pens by a party from the Emirates Natural History Group.

1992-1996 Survey and excavations by Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey.

1996 Excavation ends.

2007 Island begins to be developed as a tourist resort.

2009 Start of a programme of excavation, conservation and development led by Tourism Development and Investment Company to enable the partly excavated monastery site to be displayed.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (5)



It has 9 bedroom 4 storey car; made up of fiber glass and made in 1992.



A remarkable caravan trailer, which is part of the private collection of Shaikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan

 Welcome to Emirates National Auto Museum. 
This museum is an amazing private collection of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

The collection houses a vast array of cars and other vehicles; some seemingly bought from owners there and then, such as a customised camper van, others received as presents from all around the world. While some have been kept as originally intended, others have been modified to suit the Sheikh's preference.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (4)

 ABU DHABI FISH MARKET, MINA PORT, ABU DHABI, UAE

Mina Fish Market Sign, Abu Dhabi Fish Market


On Friday morning, a visit to the Mina Port Fish Market and a shopping spree of fresh seafood is a good way to spend your hard earned salary. At 7:30 a.m. the fish market is already packed with shoppers. Most of them are Filipinos who are working here in UAE.

The fish market at the old fishing village is a covered and air-conditioned market where both locals and expats of all ages were bargaining for the freshest seafood.



TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (3)

THE CORNICHE, ABU DHABI, UAE

Corniche is most remarkable tourist place. Some sandy beaches of Abu Dhabi are located along the Corniche. A new Corniche is being proposed after looking at the popularity of this Corniche.



Abu Dhabi landmarks and monuments in Corniche, Abu Dhabi



The Corniche is a long road that extends almost 6 km or 4 miles from the Sheraton Hotel to the Hilton Hotel. There are several gardens lined all along the Corniche around the coastal boulevard that borders the city. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, loves greenery and gardens and fountains are the result of that love. The other important feature of the city is the fountains and can be seen on every intersection of the Corniche. With the modern buildings facing the sea for the background, it is one of the most picturesque sites in Abu Dhabi. Some of the sensational sandy beaches of Abu Dhabi are located along the seafront Corniche.

Underground tunnel in Abu Dhabi by the Corniche

There are a number of beaches in Abu Dhabi where locals and tourists alike can enjoy sun, sand and sea, but none provide the variety that can be found at the Corniche, which is home to Abu Dhabi's premier beach and beachside activities.

The Corniche Beach now stretches almost as far as the Corniche road itself, and what once provided no more than a pleasant seafront walk for visitors, the Corniche now provides a place for all to spend time relaxing, under the shade of palm trees or purpose built umbrellas, or simply having fun in the sun.

Yes, despite this beach being a lively attraction to many, space is available for those who want to relax in reasonably tranquil surroundings. For those who want to do no more than read a book and sunbathe and perhaps take a dip in the sea, peace and quiet really can be found on this bustling beach because a section has being designated to cater for those with such requirements. For a few dirhams, visitors can gan entry to the private section where peace and quiet reigns and comfortable sunbeds are available for rent.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (2)

HERITAGE VILLAGE, ABU DHABI, UAE

Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi

 The Emirates Heritage Club was initiated by H. H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to safeguard the legacy and customs of the UAE. It was launched on May 9, 1993. On June 16, 1997 H. H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice High Commander of the Armed Forces, published the Presidential Decree No 14 of 1997 for a certified commencement of the Emirates Heritage Club.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (1)

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE, ABU DHABI

The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is probably the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi to date. It is also arguably one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society - and one of the most beautiful in the world - initiated no less by the late president HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is fondly thought of as the father of the UAE.

First considerations to build the Mosque began in the late 1980s and much thought was given to its location and its design over the next decade. The initial architectural design was agreed upon and the inaugural cornerstone laid in the late 1990s.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, popularly called the Grand Mosque by local residents, is seen as a construction to ‘unite the world’, using artisans and materials from countries such as Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Iran, China, Greece and the UAE. More than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction of the Mosque.