Skydive Dubai Experience II| VIDEO

 

Hello lovely readers/bloggers! On my last trip to Dubai, I made one of my dreams; Skydiving in Dubai! I made this trip on May 2018 and later decided to write about my experience and share it on my blog. My previous post has pictures and details of this awesome experience, today I wanted to share the full video from the moment I get into the airplane, to the moment I jump and land.

If you like to read a little bit more or just to scroll for more pictures about skydiving in Dubai, check out my previous post : Skydive Dubai.

-It still gives me goosebumps and a big smile!- Enjoy!

 

 

Skydive Dubai Experience

Skydiving was always, always, ALWAYS in my bucket list. While living in the Middle East I got even more obsessed of Skydiving but completing it in of course, Dubai.  For some reasons -money, time off, always tired, etc- couldn’t make it while I was living there. Thus some people have asked me ‘Why I didn’t do it by THAT time? and Why NOW?” well, I did made it now, 3 years later, as a mom and traveling solo. And you know what? IT FELT AWESOME.

I chose Dubai over Las Vegas, Orlando, and over my island which is even is more cheaper, for the simple reason that non of them were going to give me the same satisfaction. It’s not just about jumping in parachute, is about the whole experience. The experience of doing it in a complete different country, jumping on a higher altitude, providing photos and videos for memories to keep, and hello! THE VIEW!  You will see all Dubai under your feet, it’s just breathtaking.

As soon as you jump out of the plane, you will be treated with spectacular bird’s eye views of the artificial archipelago known as Palm Jumeirah, seconds will pass slowly,  the instructor will fly you in circles and do other stunts, all this while they’re recording you! After the instructor deploys the parachute, he will do some other stunts with the parachute and later enjoy the spectacular view of Dubai.

 

Recording me moment, inside building, Skydive Dubai.

Once I entered, they validated my booking order (which I did it online) and measured my weight and height. I was then asked to pay the remaining amount and was given a waiver to sign. After a couple of minutes my name was called.

My instructor was from Spain, when he asked me where I was from -due to of my last name- he smiled and started to talk to me in Spanish. He puts me the harness, gave me basic instructions of how to jump and land.

“Do not jump, I will make the jump. Have your head laid back on my shoulder and your arms holding your shoulders straps while exiting from the plane. Don’t open your arms until three taps on your shoulder, then you open up and enjoy the ride. Ready to jump 14,000 ft, Kirsy?” -He asked.

He’s voice was a combination of energetic and normal, “I’m Ready man!”- I responded very excited while slapping hands with him. They recorded introducing me and asking how I was feeling. Later they told me to wait a couple of minutes as the plane was being refueled.

 

Me and my instructor ready to board.

“Kirsy! Let’s jump!”-My instructor called me. He checked once again my harness and instructions were understood. They took us in a golf cart to the runway. The plane was already there and I was the last person to get into it. Meaning I was the first one jumping out!

10 Tips on How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight

My first Long-Haul flight (12+hours) was when I moved from Puerto Rico to Dubai, took me a day and a half to get to the desert. I was intimidated by the flight time from New York to Dubai: 12 delicious hours. I remember I was so anxious, bored, I watched like 6 movies, watched the sunset like 2 times, watched the sunrise as well, ate dinner, lunch, breakfast, slept I don’t know how many hours, I even got older and yet that plane hadn’t landed. That was the time I was on my way to develop as a long haul flight expertise and I didn’t even knew…

I’ve done so many long haul flights as cabin crew and as passenger that people ask me, how do I survive these long deadly flights. I don’t do them that often anymore but when I do, I know what to expect.  These tips are more general and experiences that I’ve learned through time, and traveling. Some tips may help you, some might not. It depends actually from each person’s view and likes.  People often say it’s about the journey, not the destination – but poor planning can make a long-haul flight less than agreeable.

Hanoi Street Gallery

Hi guys! Just wanted to share a small street photos gallery from my Hanoi trip that were not included on my previous posts. No words, no description, just some memories captured through Hanoi…

Casa Valencia: A Fresh Airbnb

Hello my lovely readers! Today I wanted to share my first experience staying in Airbnb, yes, my first. I’m more of a ‘Hotel person’ for the reason that I like having breakfast buffets, in-room service, bed made everyday and stuff like that. But when it comes to short stays or even one night stay like my husband and I do when we go on road trips, some hotels were not meeting our expectations. Sometimes we wanted a kitchen or something more than just a bedroom. Therefore, we decided to experience staying on a Airbnb and see if it’s worth it on short getaways. The prices vary, although, some of Airbnb’s are quite the same price range of hotels and others resulting a bit overprice, renting a home (Airbnb) might be the right choice for you. It all depends of what you are looking for and what kind of amenities are most important to you. Most of hotels in Puerto Rico are quite expensive, we rented this studio apartment for one night: $129.07 (taxes and fees included).

For all of those that don’t know what Airbnb is:

 Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations.

If you’re traveling to Puerto Rico soon or you have it in your list, make sure to visit Rincón, which is a town in the west coast of the island where we -surprise, surprise!- we stayed. Very touristic, full of surfers and beautiful beaches where the best sunsets of Puerto Rico lies. We stayed at Casa Valencia room #8, that in fact I’m giving my review and insight of this nice Airbnb located in Rincón, Puerto Rico.

 

Suite #8 is a comfortable studio apartment with a queen size bed, has a small kitchen with gas stove top, refrigerator and microwave, A/C, Wi-Fi and a nice small, yet nicely decorated bathroom. Decoration of the room itself was warm and welcoming. It also has a pool with heater, BBQ and a lovely country side view of Rincón. Room was clean and met our needs; all coteries were clean, we were also provided with extra regular towels and pool towels. Our room shower heater however, it was something that it lacked. I think is nice to take a nice warm shower after a pool/beach day, I mean it wasn’t that cold, more like temperature water but still, you want warm water or at least we did.

In addition, it also has iron, Laundry and full quick response from the owner. At first we were provided with wrong room information, we called and texted the owner and he called us back in seconds. Overall, it was a nice stay, the building has other suites, some with more rooms/beds, others with a nice living room and some others had balcony. This place is suitable for family and couples as well.

 

Part of the studio, bed and pantry, counter, fridge etc.

Pantry, counter, mini fridge, etc.

Stove and furniture

Bathroom

I love white bathrooms ❤

Travel Diaries: Reconnecting with Dubai

 

Burj Khalifa ❤

People will think why would I visit a place which I once lived, why not going some place new… Habibi, Dubai is that place I would never get tired, period. I have to admit that when I was pregnant, I hated Dubai with guts. I wanted to get out, I was tired and all the homesick came together and collapsed on top of me, but that was the mess of hormones talking. After I gave birth, I was so ready to jump on a plane and move back to Dubai with my little one, but life is not that easy, right? So this opportunity came up to stop in Dubai on my way back from Hanoi and I couldn’t be more excited.

When I stepped on that plane and watch the Emirates crew, I relived those moments, I knew their tasks, the call bells meaning, type of service, everything. It felt nice and proud, knowing that I used to wear that famous red hat. There’s been some minor changes regarding to the inflight service and other miscellaneous, but after flying with other major Middle Eastern airlines, I have to say and not because I used to be their crew; but sorry they are still the best.

When we landed I had so many things I wanted to do, even grocery shopping! I just wanted to do what I used to love when I was local, and relived every pinch moment, but I also knew that time was a factor. Fortunately I made this trip solo, which means no tourist interests, my own schedule and just walk around with no hesitation. I don’t mind traveling to Dubai with people who have never visited, but this time was my own little space.

One of my Emirates cabin crew friends that I still have in contact, managed to provide me his own apartment. He was on leave so decided to leave me the keys so I could use his accommodation for sleep, take a shower, eat and so on. That really helped me since I arrived at 5:00am and I was so tired! I took a beauty sleep, had a nice shower and off I went.

Sunset from my friends balcony at International city, Dubai.