For my Dubai Princess,

Mid December, I made an impromptu decision to fly to Dubai. I needed a break from work and I had five days of annual leave allocated to me in the month December. So I thought maybe it's a good time for a short little trip. I didn't know where to go, what to do, so I decided that perhaps it'd be a good time to finally make a good use of my free ticket for the year to visit Bonnie in Dubai.

It's always been something I had planned to do, but wasn't sure when. So I discussed with Bonnie, and like it was meant to be, she's coming back from a long flight on the day my leave starts so she'll be able to spend her rest days with me. The timing's just right, so I thought this would be the perfect time for this trip, spend a little time with a dear friend who I haven't seen in a long time.

Luke was the sweetest thing in the world. He came in the morning right after his night shift to send me off. I told him that I was going to be okay, and that he didn't have to send me off because God knows how tired he must be, working overnight and all, but he insisted because he didn't want me to be alone. Luke's a literal angel, I still don't know what I have done to deserve him. 

^ Favourite video of the day, haha! He looks so annoyed when he squeezed his face with my germ-infested hand.

I was super excited, as you can tell. It's amazing how being in an aircraft still excited me even though it's already my second home. I love that I was assigned a window seat, so I was able to look at the view outside. Look at the city lights when we were about to land into Dubai. I could never, ever get sick of this view. 

After 7 hours of travel, I was finally reunited with Bonnie! She picked me up from the airport and we took a cab back to her apartment and her housemate was preparing dinner for us. I was so welcomed and was so touched by how much of a sweetheart Eliana was. And I remember thinking how glad I am that Bonnie is surrounded by lovely people here, even when she's so far away from home. And her apartment is so cosy and beautiful, and Bonnie really made it such a comfortable stay for me. 

Being in a foreign country, many miles away from home, isn't an easy feat. To see the girl I grew up with, being able to pull it together because God knows how difficult all the adapting must have been- makes me realise that Bonnie has truly grown into such a strong, independent lady and I couldn't help but feel so proud of her and the life she has built here in Dubai. 

We had an early night because we had our whole day planned out the next day. Waited for Bonnie to wake up and I surprised her with a little gift I bought for her from Houston. How can I visit my dear Dubai Princess empty handed, right? I feel like she deserves the world for how accommodating she's been the whole time I was there. I love seeing these videos of her because she looked so happy! Like a little child on Christmas morning, haha.

Everybody knows IHOP is probably my favourite breakfast place in the entire world. I just had it when I was in Houston, but I had to have it again here in Dubai. I just love how Dubai Mall has everything, even my favourite cinnamon roll from Cinnabon that I thought I could only find in the states, but damn, they have it here too! 

Right after breakfast, we took a cab to Um Sequin beach. There are a few other beaches in Dubai but I particularly wanted to go to Um Sequin because it has the view of the Burj Al-Arab which looked amazing in pictures. 

 My Bonniecakes ^

The weather was perfect for the beach, it's actually "winter" in Dubai which is ironic because it's 26 degrees in the day (which is just a slight difference from our usual weather in Singapore) but it does get a little chilly at night. Can you just imagine Dubai in the Summer? I remember having a flight to Dubai when it was 40 degrees outside (even when the sun is down) and my god, it felt like stepping into the sauna. I stayed inside the whole day because I dare not imagine how it must be like during the daytime. 

So winter is definitely the best time to visit Dubai for a holiday, and I'm so glad we managed to visit the beach because it's honestly so beautiful. And the sky was so clear that day, it was so inviting. Felt like a perfect day for the beach, and it sure was. 

No bikini body to flaunt, just a girl who loves her burgers

^ This is why I love my girl so damn much

 I LOVE ME SOME SHAKE SHACK

 YAAAAAAS.

We stayed to watch the sun set, and I find myself admiring the sky for a good half an hour- counting my blessings. 

The next day, we got up bright and early again for the desert tour. Naturally, I was really excited, I've always wanted to do this but our layover in Dubai is really short. So now that I'm here for a little holiday, I really wanted to tick this off my bucket list. Bonnie's such a good sport though, she's done this tour so many times but here she is, so willing to do it again with me, knowing it's my first time. Now this is why Bonnie is the best, ever :')

Matchy matchy with my Bonniekins ;)

Bonnie is seriously the sweetest. After snapping a few photos after arriving at the location, the driver brought us for a dune bashing ride in the sand which was one of the highlights of the tour. I was so excited at first! Little did I know that my stomach wouldn't be too happy with this, and the dune bashing lasted for a little more than 20 mins I think? And I started to feel a little funny.

It's weird to me because I don't think I've ever had motion sickness before, and I've always been okay every time I go on a roller coaster. Hell, even bad turbulence during bad weather in the aircraft ain't got nothin' on me. So I was shocked at hell at how weak I was in terms of dealing with the dune bashing- I actually threw up! Thank God Bonnie had a large ass plastic bag with her at that time. Otherwise I wouldn't know what to do. So after that, I just felt a little more clingy than usual like a little sick child so I stuck to Bonnie for comfort and love.

Bonnie is the kind of girl who doesn't care much about taking photos, she just needs to take a couple and she's done. So when she's with me, I'd make her put a little more effort but gurl is just so naturally beautiful, she doesn't need to try to get those shots! Look at THAT ^

 Because of Bonnie's love for animals, I think I'm never gonna ride on elephants, or camels, ever. She looks at them with such love.

 Oh, hey there ;)

Gorgeous, gorgeous place.

Favourite picture with my dearest Bonniecakes!

We spent most of our evenings just chilling back in Bonnie's apartment and having heart to heart. We're so comfortable with each other that I feel like I can share anything and everything with her. We technically grew up together, and even though we live in two different parts of the world now and don't see each other all the time, there's that unbreakable bond between us and that familiarity that makes it effortless for us to pick up from where we left off.

I feel like at this point in my life, all I wanna do is to spend quality time with my loved ones and let them know that I am always here for them. I loved chilling with Bonnie, even if we're doing absolutely nothing. I'm so glad I chose to spend my annual leave this year with her, here in Dubai. It felt like the right place to be, at the right time. I feel like this trip bonded us even more than before, and I'm so thankful for that. 

It might be my first time flying alone to a foreign land, apart from work. But I don't feel alone at all the minute I stepped into Dubai because I spent each and every waking day here with Bonnie that I felt like something is amiss the minute I left for the airport. Nonetheless, I'm so thankful for the time I had with her. 

Love you long time, my Bonniecakes. 

Love,

Ashhy