Saudi Arabia – ThE DeNTal AeStHetic Clinic

Year end hike to AL Shifa

A lot of good and not so good things happened in year 2017,..live at the moment, enjoy day by day, count the blessings. See the little things around, appreciate the beauty of nature and embrace the changes. Easy to say yeah? But hey! 2017 is almost over and we’re still here, isn’t that wonderful?

Hence, the weather is cool, we decided to spend the weekend at Taif. It was breezy and cool. We ate our breakfast at our favorite sand dune, which by the way is getting smaller every year. 🙂 like ..its their economic crisis too?

Spending time with this wonderful people at the end of the year is priceless. Children are growing so fast …meaning we are growing old too, I think soon we will be as tiny as this sand dune 🙂

We will miss you my friend but it isn’t good-bye for us, soon we will see each other and reminisce the happy good old days, that is.. if no one got affected by this dreadful condition called Alzheimer.

One day, we will look at our crazy photos with so much giggles and laughter.

It will be like a hole in the sand, gazing with awe that once upon a time we were here and suddenly year 2017 is gone, let’s look forward to year 2018 with more enthusiasm, hope, inspiring and of course more beauty 🙂

HaPpY NeW YeaR!

Cheers,

jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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Mountain Bikers of Jeddah

Friday Sept 22, 2017 – Jeddah KSA

I woke up at 5 in the morning to watch the race of mountain bikers in Jeddah. This is my first time to be in this place. I was determined to take photos of bikers, I thought for a while it is all Filipino cyclist but there are also different nationalities who gather around cheering their compatriot. Indeed! It was cheerful morning, all the photos of bikers I took were mostly smiling 🙂

see how cheerful they are!

I took random photos of the riders, spectators and I think the satisfactions are all written in their faces! It’s amazing to note that even though they were so exhausted they still managed to smile.

and of course! my friend would also like to try cycling with her ever supportive hubby 🙂

Cheers!

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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Four days Road Trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – the finale- Maqna (Well of Moses)

Day 4 -Monday Sept. 4,2017

From Jeddah to AL Ula (Madain Saleh) to Tabuk, a long four days road trip, 3 hotels, adobo, al baik, lamb mandi to pizza and ice cream, that was awesome!

Maqna or Magna is located in Tabuk province. It was known that “Bir Al Saidni” is the well from which Moses rolled away the stone to draw water for the flocks of Jewish settlers.

Fast forward, before we reached the area, we passed a small area of water along the way.And I was thinking how difficult it was for Moses and the Israelites coming from Egypt, passing through the Gulf of Aqaba to Mt. Sinai, a vast desert, hills of rocks and suddenly the rock was split open to provide water. Wow! I am fascinated by the history of the place.

The sight to the coastal area was like a “gasp on the air”.

Imagine you are lost in a desert and found this well, I think you will be shouting and jumping of joy!

Thank you to Gabriel Fam, Alji fam and Pino fam for this trip. I had a wonderful Eid holiday 🙂

and to the boys who drove us for four days just to see those wonderful places.

Thank you !

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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Four days road trip – in search of Mt. Sinai ( Part 3) Jabal Al Lawz and Gulf of Aqaba

DAY 3 Sunday Sept. 3, 2017

I guess the photo says it all 🙂 are we going ahead with this trip? hahahaha Who can say no to madame Rhea! clap your hand and raise your feet 🙂 o la la …

Along the way, we have seen a lot of beautiful sceneries that no photos can justify our feelings at that moment. Ladies, you should do wonders to drag your husband to this trip, it is worth a try, trust me!

After a long travel to reach Mt Sinai, the road has ended with a barricade. Oh yeah, there was no sign what so ever that we can get through. So, we just took in the scenery with a sigh and relief that at last we have seen how difficult the survival was.

For a little trivia, Mt Sinai is the mountain at which the Ten commandments were given to Moses by God. It was found in Egypt but contested later on by historian that the actual location is in Saudi Arabia. Whichever is right, this road trip is worth a try, having seen the red sand dunes, the archaeological arts of rocks, oasis,gulf of aqaba and the tip of Mt. Sinai, indeed, this is the most memorable road trip ever.

Another contested trivia is the Red sea crossing of Israelites at the gulf of Aqaba. We headed to see the coastal view of Gulf of Aqaba, which could be seen or divided between four countries namely:Saudi Arabia,Jordan,Israel and Egypt.

A half sunken ship can be seen 55 km south from Haql city in Tabuk province. The water is crystal clear, which is good for swimming, unfortunately we were not ready for this 🙁 The place is known as “Al mashee well”, I would call it as Haql Shipwreck beach 🙂 because literally the half sunken vessel is just along the shore and with the mountain backdrop and the crystal blue water, one can imagine that you’re in a movie set.

would you imagine these are your crews?

Would you be jumping with joy?

Or would you just walk away?

Whatever your answer is… keep it to yourself 🙂

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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Four days road trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – Part 2 The Elephant Rock

DAY 2 Saturday Sept. 2, 2017

I can’t say it was a good night sleep but we woke up early to have a sunrise view at the elephant rock.

This photo was taken after a car driven by crazy “young adult” circled around , I guess they were showing off and created a big sand dust around us. However, it didn’t get into our nerves, we still went on 🙂 the mandatory jump shot!

Back to road and we just found out there is a better accommodation than the furnished apartment we have rented. The place is “Shaden Resort” hmmm we will come back for sure.

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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Four Days Road Trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – Part 1

Seriously? Yep Four days!

I don’t know how we were able to… but here we are alive and kicking 🙂 My friend Rhea came from a two months holiday and a day after they arrived, we joined another groups of family to a road trip which we thought will just be an overnight thing, like two days and one night OMG!

DAY 1 Friday Sept. 1,2017

We left Jeddah at 4:30 am. not wasting time huh 🙂 considering I worked a day before, rhea just arrived and here we are, traveling early in the morning. Yep! you got it right..we are the “lakwatsera” wanderlust of Jeddah. Beautybeyondfifty is all smile 🙂

Anyhow, we stopped in Yanbu and had our breakfast .Yep! your guess is right again 🙂 we had “adobo and rice”.

Arrived in Al Ula around 12:30 noon, unfortunately, Arac Hotel was closed and we headed to find a furnished apartment. We had ” adobo and rice” again for lunch :-). At 3:30 pm we moved to see Madain Saleh. We’ve been here before but we were still excited to see the ancient Nabatean caravan city which is filled with desert tombs.

madain2017-1-2 — interesting to note, the plants are green

Oh by the way, You only need Iqama to get in, there’s no permit anymore and it is open until 6pm.

At the entrance is a replica of the old train and Al Hijaz railway station.

if you like to see more click Slow down Camel crossing…Road trip to Madaín Saleh

Hence, we’ve been here year 2012, we didn’t stay long. We went to Al Ula to enjoyed the sunset view at the peak of its plateau.

At last the wonderous group went hungry and nope no “adobo and rice” this time 🙂

We had lamb mandi for dinner! hurrah!

Z z z z z z z z z z z z what a day to remember!

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi @beautybeyondfifty

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Red Sand Dunes – an NaFud Al KaBir Tabuk region

Red sand dunes of Tabuk region, an awesome experience of seeing the beauty of nature.

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I came home from a four days road trip ,exhausted but happy and can’t stop looking at the photos I took. Hmmm can’t really decide upfront which one to upload first. I am fascinated by the red color of the sand dunes in Tabuk region. It’s a small area of the vast desert where you can see a red sand dunes.This place in An Nafud al kabir is a sight to behold and no photos can literally translate my feelings to see this beautiful nature. We didn’t mind the hot weather, I can feel the hotness, redness of my face but I didn’t back off taking photos.

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What is more fascinating, the green grass has two shades of green!

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I am giggling inside seeing this awesome scenery, I thank God for the creation.

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Ladies, have time to enjoy the nature, look at beyond the beauty of nature.

It’s a wonderful feeling!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi @beautybeyondfifty

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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 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.

The string orchestra was as usual in their best performance !

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

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

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

Al baha road trip (part 2)

albahaeid-1-68 — (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.

albahaeid-1-90 — palm trees and banana trees can be seen around the tower

albahaeid-1-74 — it is built on the top of a marble

albahaeid-1-70 — 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?

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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.

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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