Thank You Berlin

11 things I experienced in my first Berlin year and so many reasons Berlin was a massive slap in my face and helped me grow tremendously.

March 30, 2022

In my story 11 Steps to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone, I am narrating the story of being fed up with living in Romania and buying my first one-way ticket to a destination that I would have never thought about – Berlin, Germany.

This was my first move and my first big step that dragged me out of my comfort zone because it was my first actual exercise of testing my limits and facing my fears.

My first year in Berlin was the most brutal year I ever had in my life. I felt like someone hit me in the head. I was so shocked that when I was walking in the streets, I felt like screaming. I was depressed for a year. I was angry, I was pissed, I was heartbroken. Not homesick. But it was like a train hit me.

And this is exactly what I was looking for.

Running back to mommy and daddy was not an option. So instead, I stayed and took it like a champ.

During My First Year In Berlin I Experienced

1. Lack of stability and safety as I was kicked out in the street from my shared accommodation for the first time because I refused to pay a ridiculously increased rent. Not literally kicked out, but I had two days to move … somewhere. Luckily I found a temporary place for 2 months until I moved into a nice place for the next two years.
2. The first edition of the event that I was hired to organize was terrific. I got a lot of attention from people who had never met me before and from A-list artists in the salsa community. But I had to deal with a huge venue, 3000 participants, 100 volunteers, and 200 artists. It was great but very overwhelming for those 3 days, and I was just living in Germany for three weeks.
3. After about two weeks, I ran out of money. I went there with some savings, but you spend more than you are supposed to until you figure things out. So shortly, I literally ended up with 5-10 Euro in my pocket. Asked my boss for a loan or salary advance but he said he can’t help me. That was another slap in the face. I couldn’t ask my parents as they would have been very worried and asked me, what the hell are you doing??. Luckily one of my male friends from Bucharest made me a quick transfer. So I was ok, but that was the first time I experienced the emotion of not having money … to go to the grocery store.
4. German culture is a very interesting one, to say the least. Germans don’t care much about personal appearance, fashion, or the fact that you could see them naked in specific environments. If you go to a gym, everyone is like this in the locker room.
5. Separately I will mention the spa experience as it is a hilarious one. Around two months after I was there, my boss took me to one of the nicest spas in Berlin – The Liquidrom. I was stunned to see everyone was naked except us. We were the weirdos. Not to mention the women and men’s lockers were interconnected, so I didn’t even know how to change. Also, the naked bodies that I saw were not the youngest nor the best looking. Yikes!
6. I met many lovely, caring people who treated me very well, took care of me on many occasions, and tried to help me accommodate. However, I always felt like an outsider compared to Dubai, where I have the feeling of home.
7. I fell in love with one of my salsa students, a cardiologist. He was probably the love of my life. He had a girlfriend studying abroad, so it was very convenient for him to have an “affair”. I didn’t care (at that time), but the issue is that he promised me he would dump her and stay with me. It turned out that he stayed with her and dumped me like a broken shoe. I didn’t leave the bed for three days after we broke up. I take the whole blame on me at the end.
8. My job was crazy exciting. Traveling almost every weekend to a new salsa festival, meeting new people, dancing, having fun, and visiting new places. All paid, and I was also making extra money. Pack on a Thursday, fly on a Friday, work, workshops, dinner, watch the show program, parties, hang out with people, fly back on Sunday evening or Monday morning, start a new working week, do my laundry, pack again. Repeat. However, it was a demanding high-speed schedule as it was a routine I was not familiar with.
9. My boss. I had the pleasure and honor to work with a man I can call one of my closest male BFFs. But our beginning was not the smoothest, and we had a lot of arguments and fights. Eventually, we became very close, and we used to talk and gossip about everything. He was the type of boss who was bringing me coffee in the morning even when I was grumpy and obnoxious when we were traveling for a festival. Dear Franco  And we were only and exclusively friends, nothing more.
10. Shortly after the “heart doctor” drama ended, I met a guy in Amsterdam. I experienced for the first time what a long-distance relationship is. This was another messed up story with me catching flights between Berlin-Amsterdam and eventually Singapore.
11. Had the worst summer in my life with just a few nice sunny days in July. Otherwise, all I remember is wearing boots and sweaters. Quite depressing.

Berlin was never my cup of tea, but somehow, I lived there for almost 5 years, and the reason was due to my fabulous job. The best one anyone could ever have in this lifetime.

The funny part is that 2 years before moving there, I went on a solo trip to Europe, and Berlin was one of the cities that I spent two days visiting. Who would have thought that city would become my home from 2010 to 2015.

When I moved there, I said, it will be for the rest of my life, when actually nothing is forever; however, I envisioned myself building something in that country.

Things didn’t really turn out the way that I wanted, and I am ok with it. It was not my place to be. 

The Truth Is I Had A Decent Life There, And As Beautiful The City Of Berlin Is, There Were A Couple Of Things That Didn’t Really Make Me That Happy

1. The weather. I come from a country with freezing winters but we have proper summers. Well, in Berlin, even summers can be cold and rainy.
2. Fashion. People don’t care much about how they look and about their image. Not all but most of them. And there are a lot of ex-pats, especially students coming from many other European countries. But most people wear 90% black most of the time, and there is not much sense of style. And seeing black all around, I couldn’t wear it for a few years until I moved to Dubai.
3. The dating scene – for me was pretty much dead. The few German guys I dated were tall, blonde with blue eyes, very sexy, and masculine. But they were exceptions, and there was no outcome as I was an outsider, or at least they made me feel that way. My German was broken. They were not very happy to speak English (even though many people speak English there), I didn’t have citizenship, I was not well established, etc. Eh, I was a complicated case for them. And I know they all ended up with a German girlfriend.
4. The lifestyle. They have very nice restaurants and coffee shops. Just a few bars and clubs and the scene is not very interesting. I don’t know; it just wasn’t for me, and I never felt too good.

As nice as Berlin is to visit as a tourist, to live there is a whole different story. It’s a wonderful impressive city with exquisite architecture, especially on the Westside, beautiful streets with restaurants with all cuisines, parks and remarkable buildings.

But I felt alone and sad. 

When I was not traveling and was there for more than two weeks, I was so bored and unhappy.

My schedule most of the time was going to the gym in the morning, work after, going back home, dinner, and movies. And Repeat.

Even though Berlin was not my happy place, I am still grateful because it had a considerable role in shaking me to the core and made my transition to the sandpit smoother. Dubai came with its challenges as well but it was my second time relocating and with certain aspects was easier to deal with.

Thank You Berlin

1. You were my first home-away-from-home experience, and no matter how hard it was, I learned so much and met beautiful people that some are still in my life.
2. As weird as social life was, I collected great memories by spending time with my friends there.
3. I always had someone to rely on when I was in trouble, and no one ever let me down.
4. For the incredible apartments I lived in, all buildings called altbaus with high ceilings, wood floor, big windows dating from the 1900s’
5. For the tasty food and cuisines from all over the world. For 6 euro you can eat an excellent Thai dish or have spectacular currywurst for 1.5 euro.
6. Most citizens in Berlin work for the government, so salaries are lower especially compared with areas such as Bavaria. So it is a cheaper city in terms of food, accommodation, transport, entertainment, etc.
7. Berlin had one of the best airports in the world – and I have been to many. It was the city, and it used to take me 25 min from landing to step foot into my house. It was a small and well-organized international airport. Unfortunately, they closed it in 2020.
8. My fabulous job. For four and half years, I honestly had the most incredible job anyone could dream of. I didn’t make much money, and I didn’t care. But to be paid to see the world, dance, work on social media and marketing, meet people … seriously, who wouldn’t love that??
9. Christmas markets. I am a Christmas fanatic, and I can say that Berlin has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
10. Outdoors. It’s probably not the cleanest city, but it has a lot of parks, the air is fresh, and most people would rather use a bike than a car.

Have you ever lived in Berlin as an ex-pat?

17 Travel Essentials I Never Forget To Pack

How to travel smart.

March 30, 2022

I don’t know about you, but I love traveling, and I like to be on a plane. I want to disconnect for a few hours from the outer world, have my phones on flight mode and connect with my thoughts, watch movies, read a good book, or work on my blog.
I traveled much less lately due to Covid. Before Covid, I was in a challenging situation with my finances. Still, when I moved to Dubai and back when I was living in Europe, I was always on a flight for work or vacation.
Do I like packing? Eh, not really. I always found unpacking easier as half of it goes straight to the laundry bag and everything else I know quickly where to put back.
But packing requires some planning, and it is always difficult as you have to consider a bunch of items such as make-up, cosmetics, jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, clothing, and the list can go on and on.
Thinking about it, I identified on my to-do list 17 travel essentials essential items that I never forget to pack:
1. Passport
Your nr 1 item as I will not be able to travel too far without any of them. Lol. That’s why, when I start packing the passport is the first thing that comes to my mind.

2.First Aid Travel Kit
You never know when disaster might strike during your travels.
The funny thing is that no matter what I have with me, 1 out of 3 trips, I will still have to look for a pharmacy.
In Zanzibar, for example, I had an issue with my left eye from the AC, and of course, the only thing missing was the eye drops … ughhh
But hey, this is not an excuse not to have a basic medical kit with me.

3.Air Pods
Having a cool playlist on your phone it’s always a good idea.

4.Ear Plugs
If you are a frequent traveler, you should know how stressful, tiring and loud it can be. You can’t control so many things while you travel, but blocking noise is something you actually can.
Make sure you purchase a pair of good ones rather than the cheapest to block out nearly all unwanted noises.

5.Travel Neck Pillow
This one is a total must and on top of my list especially for night or super early flights.

6.Dezinfectant
Yeah as weird as it sounds (lol) I was using hand sanitizer before 2020. It is called basic hygiene 

7.Wet Wipes
I always carry wet wipes in my hand luggage. Unfortunately, getting sick is a possibility, so I might use them to wipe any surfaces that might need disinfecting before interacting with them. I am not obsessed, but in airplanes and airports, literally millions of people touch everything.

8. Sleep Mask
I am not a light sleeper, but it might be a good idea if I have a night flight. Or, when sleeping in a hotel, they might not have those thick curtains. So they’re convenient to have in my hand luggage for a bit of shut-eye.

9.Something To Keep Me Warm
Most of the time, it is freezing cold on the plane, even if it’s summertime, so you need something to keep you warm. Whether it’s a sweater, hoody, or jacket, I have one in my hand luggage most of the time.

10. Mini Toiletry Kit
I always have a small pouch in my bag with a few items, including lipstick, gum, and perfume, so I can quickly freshen up anytime.

11. Travel Adapter
Depending on where you are traveling, the chances that you might need a travel adaptor are very high. Sometimes the hotel reception can provide you with one but don’t count on that. It is a small long-term investment that will save you a lot of trouble. I will never forget this one.

12. Hydrating Cream
When I’m flying, I travel with a moisturizer. The air on planes can get really dry, and cream keeps both my skin and lips from drying out, too.

13. Water Bottle
Looks like hydration is the name of the game here. Yes, lips, hands, skin, everything.

14. Chargers
More than essential as we leave and breathe through our mobiles/laptops/tablets.

15. Healthy Snacks
I am not a big fan of plane food. Whenever I travel, I might be far away from a supermarket or simply not find the healthy snacks that I usually eat. So it’s also good for me to have some.

16.My MacBook
When I travel for vacation, I try to avoid taking my laptop with me as I need rest, and I am trying to stay away from my routines for a change. However, lately, I write more for my blog, plus due to Covid if God forbid I get stuck somewhere, I will need my laptop to work.

17.Sunglasses
How could I leave without my sunnies? Even if it’s winter I will have them packed in my carry-on just in case.

ZANZIBAR Holiday Travel Guide

My First Time In Africa.

March 30, 2022

Zanzibar – an island made for everyone from solo travelers, backpackers, honeymooners to families with kids and people who want to party every night.

I have never been to Africa so far and haven’t traveled since 2019 due to Covid. So booking this trip was so exciting and so awaited.

I am the type of girl that I usually like to combine relaxing time with some new and exciting places to visit. But somehow, this vacation was so different from all the others in the past.

First, once you land in Zanzibar, the primary thing to do as soon as you are out of the airport is to remove your mask as there are no restrictions on the island. So liberating!

Second, it seems like time has a different speed there. Everything goes as the locals say Pole Pole (Slowly Slowly) or if you want an expression which is even more authentic – Kidogo Kidogo – which means the same.

In a nutshell, I think Zanzibar has a little something to offer to everyone. Sun, wide beaches, palm trees, a lot of water activities, parties, great resorts tailored for families or large groups, or cheaper hotels for travelers on a budget. Also, if you stay longer or at least 7-10 days, you could pair your travel with a Safari tour on the mainland. Down below, I left a contact of our guide. He was excellent and super helpful, so feel free to contact him as he can arrange everything for a lower price than any agency or a hotel would charge you (big wink).

All these being said, for those who want to travel to Zanzi, I would love to share bits and pieces of my experience. Hopefully, my tips will help you plan your trip.

Enjoy!

HOW TO GET THERE
Flight

There are three convenient 5.5 h straight flights per day to Zanzibar from Dubai, where I am currently based.

If you come from another part of the world and land in Dar El Salam, you can take a flight or a ferry to reach the island.

Visa

Most nationalities will have to pay for a visa on arrival, which is 50 USD.

Vaccine

Covid vaccine – no one will ask. All you need is a printed negative PCR test.

Yellow Fever vaccine – no longer required.
PROS
Local people are super nice and friendly, and they love it when you say Hello in their language – Mambo – or use any other expressions that they will be happy to teach you.

I heard the Masai can be pretty annoying. I think they were very sweet. They are completely harmless; they want to say Hi, talk to you and eventually sell some of their beautiful handmade arts and crafts. They also told my friend it is challenging for them to find a wife and get married. They need to own 20 cows which are very expensive for them to purchase (75 USD for a cow).

The feeling of peace. All is Hakuna Matata over and over again, giving you the sense that time goes so slow. And trust me, when you come from a hectic schedule at work, it’s a #blessing

It is Covid free. No masks, no restrictions, and believe me, it’s refreshing.

The landscape, the ocean, the wide beaches, the serenity, the weather, the tides, the relaxed people.

If you are a wine aficionado like me, you will love the delicious South African wine they import.

If you are into techno parties, B4 is the place to be, and they have two really good parties every Tuesday and Saturday. I don’t know how it was before but now one of the leading promoters of Ibiza parties that used to work a lot with the famous Ricardo Villalobos is currently based in Zanzibar (Paje). He is bringing every week awesome DJ’s that set the mood and put the atmosphere on fire. A must-go for techno music lovers.

The airport. It’s Not the cleanest nor the nicest, but it is very small and doesn’t take long to check in or out.

Coffee is good, and the one we bought from Stone Town with mango & vanilla flavor is yum!. I guess it’s a matter of taste here, but all in all, I am a coffee drinker, and the coffee they produce there passed the test for me.

I took several massages both at Dhow Inn and B4 Beach Club, and every time it was excellent. For 30 – 40 USD / 1 hour, you can get a fantastic relaxing / Swedish / aromatherapy massage. Tips are highly appreciated (everywhere, in fact).

Taxis do a pretty good job: they are not as expensive as we thought, and they come fast.
CONS
The Food. Oh well. I am the type of gal that eats almost everything, and I am not picky about food—never been. But the island tested my limits. Zanzibar is a melting pot, and their cuisine is a mix of African, Indian, Arabic, and European. Sounds exotic and exciting. Ughhh, it’s not.

Everything comes paired with mountains of rice/French fries/bread/chips, etc. Even when you mention you don’t want any of that, it will still somehow land on your plate or next to your plate as a separate dish … just in case. All is oiled up, superly fried, with heavy dressings. Luckily they have amazing fruits, some salads are ok, and the seafood or the many assortments of fish are delightful.

I heard that if you stay in a five ***** resort and have an all-inclusive package, the food is much better. However, I always choose boutique hotels with personality and go out for lunch & dinner because the experience will be much different. Plus, being stuck in a resort is not my thing.

The internet connection – works on its own very personal terms: when it wants, how it wants, and definitely if it wants. We bought a local SIM card in the airport, and it was slightly better … slightly.

Some local men can be very persistent, especially if you are at a party with a free entrance like Jambo (every Friday in Paje). With diplomacy, you can avoid any drama, and they will eventually leave you alone. But it is a bit eghhhh. Personally didn’t feel comfortable especially coming from Dubai, where this will never happen, and security is just 1 sec away (no joke).

As a woman or even in a group with men, it’s not safe roaming after the sunset on the beach or in any of the streets—a total no-no.
A Few Expressions That We Learned There
Jambo – Hello, but this is more the touristic version

Mambo – Hello, and this is more the local version

Poa – This is how they reply to Hello

Karibu – Welcome

Asante Sana – Thank you very much

Karibu Sana – You are very welcome

Pole Pole – Slowly Slowly (touristic version)

Hakuna Matata – No worries / Take it Easy

Kidogu Kidogu – Slowly Slowly (more authentic version)

Habary Yako – How are you
Trips
I am a planner by definition, and I always organize my trips in the tiniest details before reaching my destination.

Zanzibar was my first vacation where I took it very easy, very slow, and everything one day after the other. Pole Pole.

Swim with the Dolphins in Kizimkazi – 50 USD / person

This one was an extreme adventure. Just to understand – more extreme than when I did skydiving.

I don’t regret it, but I am not sure If I would do it again or at least in that scenario.

We left Paje around 6 am and reached Kizimkazi around 6.30 am.

Before boarding, if they sell you waterproof cases for your mobile, BUY it. It saved my phone. I actually like to make fun of it and say my mobile survived the Indian Ocean due to a small investment ( 4.30 USD / 10.000 TZS).

Now, why is this trip extreme and maybe not the best idea in some cases:

1. The electric boats that can take up to 4-6 people are tiny and rudimentary.
2.In the morning, the ocean is very wavy, and it will shake you to the core – every single wave. My guide had to hold my hand at all times.
3.We went in July (it’s winter there), and the water is a bit cold plus it is very windy. And don’t think that if you are in the boat, you will be dry. No, you will be soaking wet all the time.
After 30 min of sailing together with many other boats far into the sea (we were around 10-15 boats in the same area with people being there for the same reason) soon we saw the playful wild hump dolphins swimming in small or larger groups. The feeling is amazing and unique.

At this point, you have the option to jump in the water and, with the help of the goggles, see them closer in their environment.

Even though I am a pretty good swimmer, I choose not to for the following reasons:

1.The water was pretty agitated, and even with a life vest, you don’t play with the ocean.
2. The boats are entirely chaotic, so the chance to be hit is high (some people were hit before, from what I have heard).
3. I didn’t find it safe all in all, and in the end, humans should just stay away from wild animals’ environments like they are away from ours.

Bonus: on the way back, at some point due to wind, waves, or whatever the reason was, I fell overboard and found myself in the middle of the ocean, and the little boat was coming high speed to “rescue me” right towards me … like I said thank God I am a good swimmer.

To conclude, this is an exciting trip for high adrenaline seekers, a one-in-a-lifetime experience but not safe at all—definitely a no-go for elders, children below 14, and people with back issues.

Safari Blue

They say Safari Blue is one of the best trips. It was nice but not that memorable.

Our other guide and driver took us in the morning to Fumba Village and from there, we sailed again with a local wood dhow which was bigger and a bit safer.

First, we stopped at a sandbank which was super crowded with noisy people having beer and chilling. The tide was already high, and pole pole the island became smaller and smaller, and we had to leave. (yay!)

The best parts were exploring Blue Lagoon, seeing an ancient baobab tree on another island, and an excellent seafood lunch (of course, I ignored the rice and french fries).

Not the best place to snorkel as there is not much marine life to see in that area.

To conclude: it was a nice trip, but very commercial, very touristy, the boat was better, but on the way back, I felt like we were gonna turn over any time.

Stone Town & Prison Island

Two days before your flight, you have to do your Covid test (USD 80). It’s a simple process: you have to log in https://zanzibarcovidtesting.co.tz/app/home, fill in some personal & flight details and choose your center.

We chose Migombani as we combined this with a trip to Stone Town and Prison Island.

Prison Island

After the Covid test (the process takes around 30 min), we continued our journey by sailing with another “amazing” wood dhow to Prison Island to see and feed the giant turtles.

Shortly after, we returned to the main island, and we stopped for a pretty nice lunch at a restaurant called Freddy’s place.

For those who don’t know, the mind blowing Freddy Mercury was born in Zanzibar and his house is a museum at the moment. Unfortunately (and I don’t know why) that day, we couldn’t go in, so we could only take a few pictures outside.

Stone Town

Our guide took us to the spice market, fish and meat market, and we roamed around the Old Town.

We bought lovely spices, excellent flavored coffee, and a few canvases painted by the local artists.

FYI – Most merchants refused to negotiate. It was – take it or leave it.

We ended our trip in Stone Town to Africa House Hotel.

Its huge terrace that overlooks the ocean is praised and mentioned in many blogs and touristic guides. It was pretty disappointing for us, and we found it overrated.

The view is not mesmerizing and the sunset which most people go there for, well the sun goes down after some high trees, and we couldn’t take any worthy pictures.

They only sell cheap Spanish wine if you want to buy it by the glass and the staff is not that friendly. Plus, the place has no flavor or authenticity.

Accommodation
We stayed on the East Coast in Paje in 2 different locations.

Our initial plan was to stay the whole journey at B4 Beach Club https://www.b4beach.club, but we were told it is very noisy because of the parties and we preferred to move for the first six nights to Dhow Inn https://www.dhowinn.com/es/ which was only a 15-20 min walk on the beach or 5 min drive from B4.

It was a mistake actually because B4 only has two parties on Tuesday and Saturday, and we wouldn’t sleep anyway as we were at the parties as well until morning. But it’s ok, Dhow Inn was not that bad, and it was ok to try two different hotels.

Dhow Inn is a decent hotel with pluses and minuses:
The room is ok but below expectations.
The shower is separate from the bathroom, and it only has a curtain
Breakfast was awful, and the first day we had to pay it as it was included only starting the following day, which we knew. But to pay 15 USD for some fruits, not so tasty sausages, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and plain pancakes (no marmalade nothing ) ugh too much if you compare quality vs. price.
Staff was friendly & helpful
The trips they offered were double the price
Linta, the massage girl, was amazing.

As Salma left after six nights, I moved for another three nights to B4 Beach Club, which has 12 bungalows on the beach, and I was assigned to Luna Express, which was wow.

You have your own little garden, your own banana tree (if you are lucky like I was, you might even have visitors from Jazani forest having a delicious lunch right in front of you), your own porch with a swing, the whole restroom is outside in another little private garden. The place had one living room on the ground floor with a small kitchen + a small bedroom upstairs.

Just one point here: as cute as it was, well, it was a bit small, and even for two people would have been a bit tight.

So I guess this was la piece do resistance in terms of accommodation. The pool concept is also very cool. They have these double swing beds by the pool where you can chill, and you are just a few meters away from the beach club and B4 Kite Centre. Actually, the venue is like a beach lounge during the day and a party place at night. A good place to hang out and a paradise for the kite surfers.

Even the food was much better there.

Parties
Parties we Attended

During our ten days, we went to 4 parties that I will talk about below:

Paje – B4 Beach Club, which is literally the place to be, and they have two amazing techno parties with DJ brought from all around the world:

Tuesdays from 4 pm to 2 am

Saturdays from 9 pm until sunrise

Paje – Jambo

Friday – this one is an open party. The music is not bad for a change: a mix of 80s, 90s and so on. The issue is that many of the local people are very annoying and persistent even if you are in a group with men.

Paje – Mahali

We went on Tuesday before the B4 party. This is not really a party, it’s more like a restaurant with a live band which is pretty good, and eventually, everyone will stand up and dance. Plus, this is one of the very few places where the food was excellent. Me happy!!

Jambiani – Coral Rock

Monday – They have a live band and a dance floor plus places around where you can sit. Not really my type of music and, again, weird people, but we had fun.

Keep in mind that almost every day, there is a party somewhere in Zanzibar.

My Advice For The Trip
High heels – don’t carry with you not even one pair. You will never use it, not even in Stone Town.

Snacks – If you are into clean eating, take some healthy snacks with you (just in case). I know they have different kinds of nuts at the supermarket and fresh fruits but having some with me honestly was not a bad idea.

The weather – If you go in July, keep in mind the season is reversed, so it’s “winter. During the day, it is sunny and pleasant, and ok to sit at the pool. But it is super windy, and the moment the sun goes down, it gets chilly. So just make sure you have a jacket or a cardigan to keep you warm.

The Slang – Learn at least to say hello to them. It is super easy, and locals will love it.

Transportation. Do not take Dala Dala. It is slow and crowded. Taxis are not that expensive as I’ve heard before going there. And don’t rent a car. The roads are bad; they drive on the right side, and driving there is chaotic. Hotels will give you a higher price for the trips often and also for the taxi. For a 5 min ride, you shouldn’t pay more than 10,000-15,000 TZS.

Electricity: coming from Dubai was easy as they used the same voltage and plugs. Otherwise, make sure you have a plug converter with you.

Local men approach – be diplomatic and try to avoid any drama or arguments. It is honestly the best way 

At night – Seriously, try to avoid this part as well, especially as a woman (even if you are a group of girls) going alone in the streets after it’s dark, even on the beach avoid long distances. Just use a taxi or have some guys with you.

High & Low Tide In Paje, it’s high and low tide, so if you wake up in the morning and instead of waves you see a few km of sand, don’t panic, the water will come back in the next few hours.

Jozani Forest – there is a specific trip to go to this forest which is not very far away from Paje. The main attraction of this forest is the Red Colobus monkey, a protected species. These monkeys are a bit special because they cannot live anywhere else in the world due to their specific diet, which consists of 70 different plants. They are very curious and playful, and it will be effortless to take some pictures of them. However, when we moved to B4 Beach Club, we had an adorable encounter with them as they were all over the place eating and playing. Also, in the banana tree that was right in front of my bungalow, we had a little family “having lunch” and playing.

Covid – No one will ask you about the vaccine. All you need is a negative PCR test when you land and one when you get back.

Finances – First, I advise you to bring USD and change 70% of it to TZS in the airport. Just to be warned, you’ll get loads of TZS bills. We had a big envelope with money for the ten days that we kept in the room’s safe.

Internet – As mentioned in the beginning, the internet is pretty slow, and it often does not do the work. We advise you to buy a SIM card from the airport and it will help a little.

Tipping – this is entirely up to you, but we did this most of the time, and they were very happy.

Safety – Most careful you have to be about your mobile and laptop and try not to have expensive jewelry. And because I know the question “Is Zanzibar safe”?” is on everyone’s lips. Yes, it was very safe. You just have to follow some common-sense rules that I am also highlighting above. And you will be fine.

Our Guide For The Trip
I list this as a separate section as being helped by a local will make your life much easier and safer.

In our case, we learned about Madiba when we were in Dubai some friends recommended it.

He organized Stone Town, Prison Island, and Safari Blue, and he took me to the airport on the way back.

In Stone Town, for example, most drivers will leave you there and pick you up later. Madiba came with us everywhere and waited for us when that was the case. Plus, he took us to the right spots.

And for two girls alone, it was perfect.

His local number is +255 777 109 284

And I would like to end this blog post mentioning that traveling with someone is most times sensitive, especially with someone for the first time, so I was really lucky to share this journey with my Tunisian BFF Salma, an excellent companion and a great cool travel buddy!

Hakuna Matata!

Have you ever been to Zanzibar?

Note: Sadly many of our amazing high-quality images were not supported by WordPress so I couldn’t upload them :((

Christmas In The Desert

From snow to sand.

March 29, 2022

I grew up in Romania, where winter temperatures are below minus degrees. Most Christmases are covered in a blanket of snow and ice. Germany was the same.

They say that this is part of the Christmas magic, and I couldn’t agree more.

However, since 2015 I haven’t seen snow, ice, nor felt the cold, and I was celebrating Christmas in the desert. Not sad at all, as I am not a big fan of low temperatures anyway.

I was home for Christmas with my family in Bucharest in 2011 – 10 years ago. The reason is that the flight tickets are super expensive, it’s too cold for me, many of my friends are not from Bucharest so they would be away. Plus, my family never pushed me to be back there for the holidays.

This year I will be celebrating the 7th Christmas in the UAE.

So, how is it to spend Christmas in the desert? For me, it feels like an early fall with a twist of a festive season. Frankly, I find it perfect for someone who doesn’t want to spend this period wrapped in layers of clothing and desperately trying to warm up in front of the fire.

During this time, I don’t wear flip-flops, nor do I go to the beach.

When I was moving to Dubai, I also thought I would never buy boots or sweaters. And I didn’t in the first 2 years. But later on, I felt like winters here are not that warm.

It is sunny most days, but it’s chilly in the evening and freezing cold at night in the desert. What is very funny for me is that it’s so easy to distinguish the ex-pats from the visitors. The crowd living here is wearing winter clothing and the tourist’s summer ones.

Suppose you are looking for alternatives to spend this holiday in 25 degrees or new in the UAE. In that case, the possibilities of having a wonderful white Christmas in the desert are endless.

12 Tips On How The Festive Season Looks Like In Dubai
WEATHER
Some online guides mention that in December, Dubai is hot and dry. It’s not true. If you come from a cold country, you will love it, and indeed it is not humid like in summer. But it’s far from being hot… It’s warm and pleasant during the day and lovely in the evenings, and very suitable to sit outside, which would be challenging to bear in a month like July.
HOTELS
All hotels are beautifully decorated and have their Christmas trees gorgeously embellished. My favorite by far was and will always be Jumeirah Al Qasr.

All over December, most of these hotels have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony (each having a different day and timing). Usually, they serve hot cocoa, mulled wine, and gingerbread cookies, and it is all paired with a band singing Christmas carols.

MARKETS
Every year we have a few Christmas Markets in Dubai. And I find the idea of a Christmas tree next to a palm tree very exotic and different. The Winter Market at Habtoor Palace. Because I have lived in Europe for so long, I know what a good real Christmas Market means in Germany, France, or Austria. I just have to say that this particular market needs some improvement. It is not that bad for a change, and if you are visiting, it is worth a try, but I hope to see it improve in the next few years. Inshallah … (hopefully in Arabic)Madinat Jumeirah’s Festive Market – my favorite so far. It is more expansive, and the decor is different, maybe because Souk Madinat is a beautiful place. There are plenty activities for little ones, excellent festive food and beverages.

This year from Dec 10 – 21, we have a new addition hosted by Bab Al Shams Desert Resort. Haven’t been yet but it looks pretty awesome!

Note: eating and drinking are pricy. If in Berlin a mug with mulled wine is 2.5 Euros and for 3 Euros you can keep the beautifully themed cup as well, in Dubai you will pay 8-10 Euros, and you will drink it from a plastic cup.

FOOD
Suppose you are new to Dubai and don’t feel like cooking. In that case, many hotels nowadays offer the option of a takeaway turkey paired with several side dishes and dessert. I bought one from Fairmont Hotel the Palm a few years ago, and I must say it was a delight and beautifully wrapped. So lay back, enjoy the holidays and let others do the job. Yes, welcome to Dubai.

BRUNCHES
Dubai it’s a Muslim place that celebrates Christmas in style, and brunches are like a trademark of our city. This concept was reinvented here like no other. Most of them are on a Friday all year long from 1 pm – 7 pm, but the hours vary depending on the venue. Nowadays, we have Saturday brunches as well, and some locations organize it later in the evening, not during the day. And of course, in December, without a doubt, we will have Christmas brunches all over the UAE.I know it might sound weird to be out on Christmas Day, but this holiday means spending time with family and friends at home for most Christians. But remember, most of us are here without our parents or siblings, and our family is our group of friends. Prices start from AED 300 and go up to AED 800 or even more for lavish ones. You will indulge with the classic festive dishes in addition to an international buffet or a la carte menu.

A total delish!

CHURCH
Dubai might be a Muslim city. However, it is very open and tolerant with its ex-pats and tourists. All they expect in return is respect, and I think it’s a fair trade. St. Mary Church in Oud Metha is an option to attend the Christmas mass, and it is easy to reach with the metro. Also, if you are orthodox, you can go to Christ Church in Jebel Ali. 

THE SCHEDULE
Business as usual, guys. Supermarkets, shops, malls, restaurants, bars – all open.
SKY DUBAI 
Proudly, Dubai is the home of the first Middle East indoor ski area called Ski Dubai, conveniently located in the Mall of the Emirates. So spending your morning by the beach and the afternoon or evening hitting the slopes isn’t this a dream vacation? Best of both worlds.

BEACH
Going for Christmas to the beach sounds so exotic, especially if you come from a cold country. Plus, why not spend this Christmas in warm and beautiful Dubai.I’ve been talking to many people that expressed their concern about coming to Dubai for holidays. Well, Dubai is Dubai – very permissive and celebrating everything. There are so many nationalities and religions here, and it is such a wonderful, tolerant place.Therefore, if you plan your winter holidays in a warm, sunny, beautiful place, Dubai is the place to be.

DUBAI OPERA
One of the top things to do on Christmas in Dubai is to attend a Christmas-themed concert at the iconic Dubai Opera. The Sound of Christmas Te Nutcracker 

THE VIBE
We all celebrate together Christians with Muslims like one big family, and the overall vibe is fantastic. My best Christmases were here in the UAE. I was (still am) surrounded by beautiful people, presents, decorated houses, gatherings, yummy food, parties, brunches, palm trees, warmth, and love. So much happiness for me. Would you spend your winter holidays in Dubai?

Top 5 Things To Do In Dubai On A 24 Hours Layover

March 28, 2022

Check Out #Mydubai Top 5 Must See
The city of Dubai is strategically located at a junction between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Often, when traveling from one continent to another, you have a long layover in Dubai. And since our city is one of the most iconic metropolises in the world, it would be such a pity not to take advantage of visiting some of its main attractions even if you only have a couple of hours to allocate.
I agree a few hours might seem not enough, and the truth is that they are not. However, it is possible to mark some of the main tourist attractions, which is why I am here. To help and guide you through your 24 hours layover (or less) in the best city in the Middle East: Dubai, also known for its shortcut DXB.
I visited Dubai for the first time in 2013. I came from an extended Asia trip, and I stayed a few days in Abu Dhabi for a salsa festival. One of my friends took me and Franco (my boss) on a half-day trip to Dubai. It was love at first sight, and that was the first time it crossed my mind that I could live in #mydubai.
We didn’t have much time, maybe around 6 hours. However, we managed to visit a few hot spots, do some shopping and have a delicious Asian lunch.

For More Inspiration, I Will Start With The 5 Things I Was Lucky To See In
Half-Day, And Scrolling More, You Can Find The Recommendations I Have For You.#1 Palm Jumeirah
The first stop was on the iconic Palm. We drove to the end close to Atlantis for a short walk and obviously some quick shots.#2 Souk Madinat
On the way to Dubai Downtown, our next stop was at Souk Madinat, close to Burj Al Arab. Therefore for amazing pictures, let’s say you catch two rabbits at once. There we roamed around the Arabic galleries, bought some (overpriced) souvenirs, and had a lovely Asian lunch at the Noodle House.

#3 Downtown Palace
Shortly after, we reached Dubai Downtown, which is the city’s business district, and because most hotels in Dubai are so luxurious and look fantastic, we just dropped by the Palace Downtown for a little bit. And it was all worth it.

#4 Dubai Mall
We had a bit of time for some quick shopping (well, I had some time shopping while I was dragging 3 guys after me that were nice enough to have the patience and wait for me :D) and we saw the mall’s famous aquarium.

#5 Burj Khalifa
Our last stop was, of course, at the tallest building in the world, which is conveniently located right next to Dubai Mall. There was no time to go inside, plus at that time, I had no idea about the Atmosphere Lounge and that we could actually go up to the 123rd floor. However, I felt lucky to take some cool pictures outside Souk al Bahar and the Fountains area.

The above was my experience, and I was grateful as traveling was (still is) in my blood. Now, if I look back, I am even more thankful as it opened my appetite to relocate and to dream that I could live in such a beautiful place.
Hotel
If you happen to have to travel to another country and have a 24 h layover, I warmly recommend choosing a hotel in Dubai Downtown or Business Bay are.
Don’t choose accommodation in Deira or Bur Dubai just because they are slightly cheaper and you will be closer to the airport. The areas are safe, but it’s not that nice, and they are part of the old city.
All hotels in Dubai have high standards, and they offer good services. For one night stay, of course, it depending on your budget, you can find decent places in a good area starting from 100 USD/night.
Taxi
A lot of tourists are concerned about transportation. Don’t be. You will find taxis on every corner.
When you get out of the airport, you have two options:

• Hala Taxi starts from AED 25, and there is a long line, so there is plenty to find. From the airport to Downtown / Business Bay, it will take you around 20 minutes, and you will pay around AED 60 for the trip. On the way back to the airport, you will pay less as the journey starts from AED 5 or 12 dirhams.
• Lexus. I am not sure how much it is, but usually, it is 30-50% more than what you would pay for Hala Taxi. So I recommend the first option.

5 Things You Can Cover On A 24 H Layover
It will be difficult to draw a step-by-step itinerary because it depends on where your hotel is located, the exact time you will have, and your preference.
However, below are 5 top attractions that I warmly recommend, and with moving from one place to another (and depending on the traffic), you should be done in 8-10 hours.

#1 Burj Khalifa – 1.5 Hours

The best is to go up to floor 123, where the Atmosphere Lounge is located. Have a drink, take some nice pictures, and of course, take some shots from outside the building.

#2 The Fountains & Dinner With A View 1.5 Hours
The Dubai fountains show runs every day from 6-11 pm every 30 minutes. If you want and time allows, you can watch it from a more personal environment and combine it with dinner. Some of the restaurants in Dubai Mall have a terrace with a direct view of the fountains. I recommend Babel as the menu is Arabic and enhances the middle eastern experience. Plus, it’s a great restaurant offering excellent services.

#3 Souk Madinat & Burj Al Arab 1 Hour
If you manage to Souk Madinat on your list, you will see that Burj Al Arab is super close by, so just like me, you can take advantage and take some pictures with the only 7****** star hotel in the world.
Otherwise, you can take a walk through their enchanting Arabic galleries filled with souvenirs. Furthermore, they have plenty of lovely restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.

#4 Dubai Mall – 2 Hours
It must be everyone’s dream to shop till they drop into the world’s largest mall. By the way, everyone is getting lost in Dubai Mall. Locals, tourists, residents  so don’t panic, take around 2 hours there. You can also use the buggy service, which will save you some precious time – for about 20 DHS.
Yes, you heard well, Dubai Mall is so big that it has its own internal taxi operating.

#5 Palm Jumeirah – 2 Hours
First, go up to the end close to Atlantis where you can take a nice walk and very nice pictures with Atlantis Hotel and Marina and JBR skyline.
On your way, you can stop for a quick coffee in Fairmont Hotel and have a coffee at one of their terraces or at Five Hotel. Both have a lovely view of the same skyline, Marina and JBR.

The above schedule is packed and slightly overwhelming. If you have around 8 hours, I think you can make it, but you might be on the run. However, if you don’t plan to come back to Dubai anytime soon, give it your best shot.
If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment. I would love to help.