Travel Gourmande: Moving Out of UAE

Our Last Weekend in Dubai

7:25 PM

As I walk along familiar streets that have transformed in 12 years, the once busy Sheikh Zayed Road that is even much busier now and more filled with skyscrapers, Deira, Jumeirah and the beach, I felt nostalgic and slightly emotional. I could hardly believe that this was my last weekend in Dubai, in the city that I have called home for a significant period of time.

Remember when I mentioned last year how sad it felt watching friends turned families go and being left behind? I daresay it also feels as much being on the other side. Here are snapshots of how our last weekend was like.

An Expat Turned Tourist

1:58 PM

Dubai Marina Mall and Pier 7

We have a few weeks left and I realized, I don't have pictures of my daughter taken outdoors to show her someday of her short life in Dubai. Should I create a "gnome" moment for her from the film Amelie? A friend suggested riding the Big Bus Dubai. I thought, "Hmm..why not?"

Our Nomadic Life Begins

6:47 PM

Yesterday was a packing madness. It started out as a week of blissfully packing boxes. The babysitter backed out who was supposed to look after my baby for the week. Multi tasking with a roaming toddler who is eager to play with cords and cables elevated my stress levels and I lagged behind schedule. I am glad we found one to fill in to look after her for a few hours during the day of loading the shipment to the container while I deliver items to a friend's house who offered to keep some of our stuff temporarily.

Moving Out of UAE : Expat Guide Relocation Checklist

2:18 AM

Moving can be stressful. Trust me, the day after New Year when reality hit me, I had no idea where to begin. So I drafted a checklist and I hope it would help you somehow, especially to my dear friends leaving Dubai this year.

What to Expect from the Blog in 2015

6:14 PM

You might recognize this dining area. It's where I write everyday.

This is my first post for 2015. I spent the year end and the beginning of the year doing inventory of items we want to keep and sell. It was difficult, liberating and nostalgic. Difficult, because each furniture has a story to tell. Each of these black and white photo frames has my personal shots of specific destinations that mean something to us. They are usually conversation starters with guests and each time I look at them, they make me smile.

This piano was a gift from husband, it has kept me company even during dark times, so I am taking it with me.

The above dining furniture, we are taking with us. The photo frames, we plan to sell soon as well as my paintings. The below furniture will go as well as the rest of our appliances. So what will you be expecting from Travel Gourmande this year?

What You Need to Know for Expat Pets in UAE

7:47 PM

He cozily slept on my baby's lounge chair when we weren't looking. :)

One of the biggest decisions we ever had to make was for our 12 year-old tabby cat, Tiptoe. His left eye is now blind due to old age. Should he come with us or not?

He was only three years old when we adopted him. My husband and I were newly married and I was looking for a cat to take care of. A friend's friend left Dubai leaving Tiptoe an orphaned cat who was used to living in a luxurious villa. To his surprise, he was then moved and confined to a small apartment on the 6th floor of a building. He no longer had gardens to explore, but he adjusted fairly well. Throughout the years, he became a part of our family and he loved us like we were his parents.

It is About Time.

7:50 PM

I'm supposed to prepare my interior design portfolio to bid for a project in the hopes that I can work on it on a freelance basis, even if I'm overseas. Yet, here I am, procrastinating while my daughter is sleeping and writing a blog post instead.

Ups and downs, mostly challenges have been preoccupying us the past few weeks. Yesterday, our small car, the one that we have been using has met an accident. Thankfully, my husband was not hurt. The damage to the car is more than its value. Funny how he's blamed for something he didn't do. Thankfully, the guy who reversed without looking at his mirror, admitted it was his fault and volunteered to take the blame.

With all of these events, it's pretty clear, our time here has come to an end. My heart calls me to move. Much to the thrill of my husband who was dreading to come back here from our vacation in the Philippines last September. It has now become a unanimous decision, since I was the culprit for delaying our plans to leave. Let's face it, Dubai has become my home and I love it here. Honestly, I still do.

My logical mind dictates that my ambition will thrive here far better than anywhere else. Yet, my logical mind cannot see the future. My instinct tells me it's time to move, firmly backed up by circumstances. That small voice against reason is starting to become louder every day.

Travelling with a Baby

9:40 PM

Philippine-bound. One of my dreaded challenges is to travel inside an airplane with a baby. I think the most cringe-worthy scenario is a non-stop cry fest with poor passengers darting dagger-like stares at us.

I also wondered how I will manage all of our activities throughout our trip with an infant. All these years, my husband and I have been traveling light. Carefree. Spontaneous.This time around, I should plan everything in advance.