Living in Dubai - Two Months In

View of the Marina from the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel

So I have crossed the two month milestone of living in Dubai. While time seems to have passed by rather quickly, I also feel like I have been in Dubai for a long time. I settled into living by myself much easily than I thought and my studio apartment has now taken shape of home; it's clean, spic and span actually, and looks 'lived in'. I have created a comfortable routine for myself and have been able to navigate my way through initial hiccups of settling in a new city. The cockroaches are gone,

Work has turned out to be great. Thank God. After all, that was the reason for stepping out of my familiar. Less than two weeks back, Marriott International announced the successful merger with Starwood. This integration was a long 11 month process that finally came to a close - and courtesy being part of the Marriott Middle East and Africa team, I was lucky to be part of the gathering addressed by Arne Sorenson, CEO Marriott International. I could never have imagined seven months back when I was sitting in my office in Pune scouting for my next big opportunity within the company.

Outside of work, things have been fun too. I have had some really fun times chatting late into the night with my friends. I have eaten at new restaurants and even tasted some really good cappuccinos (I love coffee!). Talking about coffee, I recently discovered Rainbow milk - everyone uses it here. A teaspoon or two of the creamy Rainbow milk in my freshly brewed coffee really perks up my weekend mornings. I now also have a TV and finally I can continue following the drama of the American elections (no TV show beats the race to the White House).

Brunches are a big deal here in Dubai. People spend Thursday evenings and Fridays devouring alcohol and (wasting) food at brunches across luxury hotels and high end restaurants. I haven't gotten around to experiencing a brunch just yet. Eventually, maybe. By the way, fun fact...brunches here can cost more than a night's stay in a luxury hotel.

Even though I live in Dubai, home to the tallest, grandest, biggest and shiniest, I am already feeling the bug to travel. It's now been a little over four months since my trip to Spain and I can hardly wait to get comfortable on a flight and head to explore a new destination. Perhaps next year. Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Zanzibar are enticing...

Meanwhile, I'm planning to explore Dubai as much as I possibly can - there's the Dubai Opera I hope to catch a show at soon, I want to attend the improv show at Courtyard Playhouse, there's the 1 dirham Abra ride I want to experience, and of course, one of those really indulgent brunches...just because!

INSIDE THE GO CHEESE FACTORY

Last weekend, I got a unique opportunity to visit Gowardhan Cheese Factory in Manchar district, a good two hour drive from Pune city. The owning home-grown company Parag Milk Foods brand portfolio includes Gowardhan and GO boasting of a range of dairy products that have been retailed across Mumbai and Pune over the last decade. I first started using their yoghurt when the local kirana store ran out of my usual preference of Amul , Danone and Britannia . One spoon of it and I instantly found it so fresh, light and 'unprocessed'. I have always loved cheese but now I even prefer it over chocolate. So when I was scheduled to visit the GO factory, it bore semblance to winning the golden ticket and entering glistening gates to its factory much like the popular Roald Dahl 's Charlie . Except that it was not all that dramatic!

An Immersive Stay at Andaz Amsterdam

I have stayed at some great hotels, but none were like the Andaz Amsterdam . None of them. No hotel has impressed me as much as this Hyatt brand of hotel has. It's so good, it warrants an entire blog post. And here is why - right from the word check-in, you're really made to feel like you've stepped into a little slice of Amsterdam . The hotel is located on one of the hottest streets in Amsterdam called Prinsengracht, a street along the city's most prestigious canal. A lot of the city's attractions are a short walk away. The hotel is designed by the famous Dutch designer Marcel Wanders . So no wonder hints of this vibrant old city of Amsterdam peek out from the interiors to induct you into Dutch culture. The lobby was stunning - with its prominently blue interiors, there was a touch of quirk everywhere. From the very high ceiling is suspended an enormous artsy lighting-cum-chandelier installation. Above each reception desk there are huge white bell-shap...

Restaurant Review | Where Else Cafe & Bar

Where Else promises to be unique in Viman Nagar, a neighbourhood already brimming with so many eateries. Four young friends came together to put their love for food and travel experiences in a melting pot called ‘Where Else’. This new café and bar is the brainchild of sibling duo Ardesh and Daisy Rustomjee and best friend duo Amritha Shrikumar and Sweta Jobanputra. These Viman Nagar residents have been firsthand witnesses to the rise of new eateries in their locality. With ‘Where Else’ they aim to fill in the void of a place that offers all-day breakfast and good quality indulgent food. We drove to the outlet in its first week of opening to find out if ‘Where Else’ is the place to be.

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