Dr. Myriam- The Dental Aesthetic Clinic

Category: Jeddah

Uber versus Careem: a review

photo grabs at careem website

It’s been quiet long time I wanted to write a review but I was caught up with a busy schedule (rolling my eyes…anything new? )

If you missed my blog about uber and easy taxi please click Uber or Easy taxi in Jeddah, my choice?

Did you hear about the fiasco in Philippines about Uber and taxi? in which Uber was suspended for a month for a violation done while there was investigation going on. What? What about those taxis who over charged, drivers who are rude, was there any suspension done immediately? NONE!

We all knew how Uber made our life easy especially here in Jeddah. I hesitated for a while to use careem for a reason that I got used using Uber. But one day, there was a problem with my credit card and I can not book a Uber to work. Careem has choices of payment… either you pay cash, card or top your bank card any amount to save it in your wallet or you can even use qitaf points (from stc) to pay your ride.

And my first ride was awesome! Lexus.. yes! that was the model of the car 🙂 and I was smiling from the inside because my ride was only 7SR (seven saudi riyals). If it was an ordinary taxi, I would still bargain to pay 10 riyals plus a filthy taxi and a smelly driver, though not in general, you can also find a clean taxi with a clean driver 🙂

And so my ride with careem is super! I was able to experienced different car models and drivers who are not only polite but speaks english too. I feel rich having a chauffeur with Lexus, BMW, Saab etc. I was tempted to ask why they do careem when they have this big luxury cars but you know, this is Jeddah, ladies are not supposed to be friendly with strangers 🙂

Today, I was lucky to ride with Mr Abduelah whose car is Hyundai Santa Fe, I forgot my eyeglass in his car and I contacted careem and it was an immediate communication to the Captain and wallah! my eyeglass was returned promptly! If this was an ordinary taxi, how could I ever retrieved my eyeglass?

So, I hope the Philippines gov’t should think about the system of Uber compared to the ordinary taxi. Taxi owners should compete fairly with the Uber, as what careem did to Uber. I think taxi in Philippines should have an improved and reliable system so the passengers are safe and not abused by an ordinary taxis.

Ladies, let me know your experience with Careem!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi (beautybeyondfifty)

August 21, 2017
First Iftar At Radisson Blu-Jeddah

May 27,2017 is the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. Hence, it is also the birthday of my brother ,we decided to have the first Iftar at Radisson blu Royal Suite Hotel.

Have you heard about “cobone”? This is an on-line discounted voucher where you can get a buffet for a price of SR99 per adult instead of SR155 and for a child below 12 years old SR49 only. It is a real bargain 🙂

The place is small but elegantly design, the food is worth the value of what you pay for. My friend likes the “mandi” and I like the shrimp tempura!

Not bad after all , we enjoyed the night ,sadly I have to go back to work 😦 yes! working at night till the wee hours of the morning. This is only once a year so we don’t complain and besides , I like the atmosphere during holy month of Ramadan, its kind of relaxing and festive!

Cheers,

jamilamimi

May 28, 2017
Moms day with bff!

Do you wish it’s always a mom’s day?

I do 🙂

Why it’s only once a year?

I’m lucky that I celebrated twice ! Last month was mother’s day in Jeddah and this month is for Philippines mother ‘s day.

Actually, we can always celebrate any day we wish! Speaking for myself, I always appreciate the simple things that my son’s were able to achieved. We’re living so far apart, literally in three different continent :-). Every time that I was able to video chat with them is a celebration for me! I feel awesome hearing their stories,ideas, practically anything that’s happening to them is a bonus. Sharing each stories makes me feel I am still a part of their growth even though they are both independent adult. Though ,I wish we live together I am happy for their achievements no matter how small or big it is, I know that one day they will make a mark in this complicated world. Yeah it’s complicated but hey ! let’s just be happy of what we have and continue to move forward to achieve our goal and if life becomes more complicated, look back who were you before and now, think of the struggles, think of the accomplishments and blessings and life would be simple to take in!

So, what’s the big deal of celebrating Mother’s Day?

Well, this is a day you receive smiling faces celebrating your day. This is the day you receive greetings from your love ones attesting how you are as a mother. This is the day you can have a day off and be surrounded with love ones and receive flowers and chocolates too!

Ok cut out the drama 🙂 in reality I think mothers would like to pamper themselves too! what’s the first in your list? Come on.. don’t giggles ..I know what you’re thinking!

Shopping!

right? but have you wish someone will give you a gift of shopping spree 😮

Spa? beauty treatment? jewelry?

Yes, now we’re talking, have you thought that each day of your life you think of your love ones and not yourself? Each day spent is for them? cook, clean, work!

So… today is the day! It’s a one day in a year… Happy mother’s day to all! I do hope you enjoy your day and this day is not just an ordinary day for you.

What about me?

Hence , I’m so far away from my sons, I celebrated “ME” day with my sister (from another mother), pampering ourself in Eric Zeimmour salon.

She did her hair, isn’t she gorgeous?

I did my nails and eyebrow .. we’re ready to party hurray!

After the salon date, we went to Uptown and celebrate the night with the family.

Cheers to all mom!

Jamilamimi

May 13, 2017
Serenata – simplicity at its best!

” nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed to be simple is to be great”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Indeed! The Serenata annual benefit concert last Saturday ,March 18,2017 was so simple in terms of the costumes and frills but the performance was superb and its charitable cause made the concert great! This was their 12th season and for the record I only missed two of their concert 🙂 addicted!

The Serenata Children’s Choir

The concert was under the musical direction of ever so beautiful Ms. Sylvia Delos Santos. Directed by Mr. Jerry Lagrimas and the ever energetic host of the night Mr.Ahjid Sayas. The ever supported husband of Ms. delos Santos – Mr. Teddy Delos Santos spotted playing Cello as assistant principal.

Mr. Ahjid Salas

Consul General Imelda Panolong

The introduction of all male Chamber Chorale was impressive noting that it was only formed five months ago and to gather each one for practice was challenging to everyone involve.

All male chamber chorale

The string orchestra was as usual in their best performance !

The Serenata String Orchestra

I enjoyed the participation of Knight Movers with their Aladdin dance intermission

The Knight Movers

The finale

Here’s some of the clips of the performance taken by iPhone 🙂 I could upload more but my storage plan is not enough..and so .. let me advise you to come and see them in action next season.

Congratulations to all!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

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March 21, 2017
The Amazing Flower Festival 2017-Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Yanbu flower and garden festival started March 14 and will ends on April 7, 2017. We visited year 2015 and we had a chance to visit again last Friday, March 17,2017. There were a lot of visitors and I think it would be better to come as early as 4 pm to appreciate the flowers.

Timing: Sat-Thurs 8:30 – 5pm Friday 4 pm -11pm

Admission : Free .. but there’s a minimal fee to get up to the Flat form and see the areal view of the garden. Another fee to Yanbu Butterfly garden. Beware, it was a long queue. Sorry, I was not able to ask how much the entrance fees.

So, whats new?

The addition of the fountains, made the place more refreshing and you can have your ice cream yoghurt too 🙂 The weather was cool so we just passed it!

One new thing that I like the most is the addition of recycling items.

Do you know how long a plastic bottle decompose? 450 years! Omg!

See the white and blue? It is made of 41000 bottle caps which represent sea waves.

How about a rubber tires? It will take 50-80 years!

made from old tires

flowers are made from plastic bottles

made from papers

It’s amazing to see the flowers bloom in Yanbu, remember this is Saudi Arabia 🙂

If you got tired of walking, you can also catch the cho – cho train 🙂 hahaha and you will reach your destination in 2 hours, just kidding.

or maybe just sit down a bit 🙂

or when you got bored, you can always call FB 🙂 or play games?

or maybe after seeing all those flowers, you will feel the sweetness of your heart 🙂

If you are from Philippines, this is “Enrique” and you will know who he is 🙂

and of course our “Liza”

Ladies, relationship goal? the “lizqen” of jeddah 🙂

How sweeeeeet…. so what are you waiting for? smell the flowers, feels the breeze and fall in love..wow!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

if you would like to see flower festival 2015 pls click The Amazing Flower Festival 2015 in Yanbu Saudi Arabia

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March 19, 2017
Cookie diet

made of almond meal and gluten free flour

Jamilamimi is starting a new project, remember my fifty home-baked cheesecake challenge? Home baked Cheesecake Challenge : 50th Flavour

Oh yeah, I gained so many kilo to date 🙂

Well,this time I would like to challenge myself to make fifty healthy cookies ?

healthy?

Is there a cookie that is healthy?

Well, let me count my ways…

instead of using butter, maybe I can use coconut oil, olive oil or canola oil.

instead of using all-purpose flour, I can use oats,gluten-free,whole wheat flour and maybe add a few tablespoon of flax seeds.

I can also reduced the sodium content and add fresh berries and nuts.

This is the real challenge for me …to make the cookies less saturated and a bit healthier to digest.

Ladies eat cookies and watch how the extra kilo melt away 🙂 .just kidding!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

February 7, 2017
Rossopomodoro – a review

It’s been awhile I haven’t eaten pizza, so when my friend came to visit , I researched for an Italian restaurant that serves authentic if not closer to pizzeria Neapolitan.

What is Neapolitan pizza anyway? well, it’s simply made of tomato and mozzarella cheese, the dough is made of wheat flour, kneaded by hand without the help of rolling-pin, bake in stone oven with an oak-wood fire. As the waiter said, it’s kind of a “slap pizza”

Rossopomodoro is a pizzeria and Italian restaurant found in Ascott centre at Sari st. besides the stars Avenue. Rosso means “red” and pomodoro means “tomato”.

It was a breezy cool night and a lot of people choose to dine outside. But we decided to stay inside and be curious of what this restaurant has to offer. We can see the kitchen which is surrounded by glass window and on one side big gold tiled wood fired oven where the pizza is made.

The price is on the mid range. the service is quick too!

Here’s our order and everything was super delicious. well, not the Tiramisu, it’s not really something that I would say, different and authentic!.

The drinks were also superb!

Ladies, would I come back? yes! of course, let’s go!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

February 4, 2017
Wagamama – a review

#late post

Part I

Wagamama in Jeddah had open recently and my friends and I were there during the soft opening. It is located just at the back of our clinic in Tarik Nadat St, Ar Rawdah dist.near thalia walkway.

I tried Wagamama in Heathrow and it was a good experience, more of oriental noodles and I love the fresh vegetables. If you would like to know more, click the link below. https://www.wagamama.sa/en/about-us

Anyhow, so we went to the soft opening, as excited as we wanted to try, we found the prices too high and the food were not really so exciting , the taste was bland. We asked, where the noodles? they said, it’s still coming from London. We gave it a thumbs down with some reservation as we said, it’s a “soft opening”. They don’t have a proper menu list and most of the dishes are not available yet.

We ended eating at Yemeni restaurant to filled up our frustration. It’s a favourite “comfort food” for the group 🙂

Part II

After two weeks, my brothers and I tried Wagamama again, same place but it’s more frustrating on me because I was expecting a bit more, hence this is my second time. Though the starter was good (chilli squid),the noodles was not even cooked well. The taste a bit improved but still it doesn’t compared to what I had in other Wagamama branch.

Don’t be fool by the photos, the taste is not really that good!

The noodles are not cooked well, sticking in one piece and we did complained, and it was removed from our bill.

I know, I am complaining a lot about this place, but someday I will try again for the third time ( I’m not rolling my eyes up) seriously I want to give this place a chance because my first impression in London was satisfactory, hoping Jeddah branch will be the same.

Ladies, I may not be lucky at first maybe on the third I will be 🙂

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

January 24, 2017
Al baha road trip (part 2)

(ancient ruins of 400 years old village) Dee Ayn Village

Al baha is a region in Saudi Arabia nestled between Mecca and Al abha. It is known as the region of 1001 towers,though we have seen several towers, which usually at the top of the mountain, mostly are not protected and inhabited either completely gone or partially ruined.

palm trees and banana trees can be seen around the tower

it is built on the top of a marble

neatly arranged slate of stones

On our way back home, we passed through a town called Al Mikhwah, looking for a restaurant to eat breakfast but everything was closed probably due to Eid holiday. So we continued on until we found a huge bridge with fresh water flowing from the nearby mountain.

Is it a river? lake? oasis?

We went down under the bridge and had our breakfast with the sound of fresh water and after around twenty minutes a herd of camels apparently the caretaker would like to have some rest too.

We supposed to pass by Al Leith hot spring but the weather was so hot to even attempt to pass by. 😦

Happy Eid to all!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

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September 20, 2016
Dhi Ain Village – the marble village of al Baha KSA (part 1)

Dhi Ain Village (thi ain ancient village ) it is also known as Aqaba al-Baha. The 400 year old village was not easy to locate, we have to pass through 25 tunnels at 8,200 ft above sea level to get into al- baha. On top of that, due to numerous spellings we can’t google the place correctly. We have to go to Golden Tulip Hotel to asked for the direction. The scenery along the road was spectacular. There were few view deck along the area where you can stop and take pictures.

built 400 years ago on a small marble mountain

Before reaching this place, we have seen ruins of abandoned stones and slate towers along the way. It’s amazing to see how the stones were arranged.

We left our hotel early morning and we can’t just pass through without taking pictures. It was all foggy ,breezy but not so cold at this time.

It’s a long winding road but its worth seeing the place specially we have a week Eid holiday. Though we were not able to see forest garden, we have seen few green bushes, banana ,olive, flowers along the area.

Creativity at its best!

to be continued 🙂

Cheers,

Jamilamimi

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September 14, 2016