Last Christmas, I got to spend quality time with my siblings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with minimal costs. It was their treat! See how happy I am in the photo below? Yes, I am blessed to have them. My brother is based in Sharjah and my sister lives in Dubai.

With my siblings at Carrefour in Deira City Center, Dubai.

At Jumeirah Beach Residences’ The Walk which stretches along the beach of the Dubai Marina of the Persian Gulf. 

To shuttle to and fro Sharjah and Dubai, I would take the Dubai Metro. It is still the fastest means of transportation. Taking the cab can be expensive and challenging during rush hour.

Lining up for a taxi in Deira City Center.  

Whenever possible, my sister would drive us all the way to Sharjah. Sometimes, she would let me drive her car, too. Before coming to UAE, I got an International Driver’s License from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). And yes, I got it in a jiffy!

For more information on how to secure an International Driver’s License, visit http://www.aaphilippines.org/products.aspx?pages=international-driving-permit

At the Coral Beach Resort in Sharjah. Me trying to achieve that looking-to-the-horizon-Instagram worthy shot and then the little brother sneaks into the frame.  

It was my first time in UAE and first time to see and swim in the Persian Gulf.

Based on my A1 sources (hehe), I learned that the Persian Gulf is one of the most important bodies of water in the region and, in fact, the world. Located in the heart of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf serves as the primary means of transport for gas and oil from Middle Eastern countries to supply the world’s energy demand. The gulf is thought to contain close to 50% of the world’s oil reserves.

Sources: 

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/persiangulf.htm

https://www.reference.com/geography/bodies-water-middle-east-156523492bcfdd3a#

https://www.reference.com/geography/persian-gulf-located-84afd58a415d267?qo=contentSimilarQuestions

There is another body of water that is closer to home and as important in the world (the universe rather). And that, my friend, is the human body.

Pasok ba sa segue? Pwede na?

The human body is a body of water in that it comprises about 60% water. As it operates, it continuously loses water through sweat and urine. Hence, keeping the body hydrated is vital. Below shows what water can do to keep the body in winning form:

Source: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html

Water helps keep the body oxygenated, skin included being the largest organ.

Just how many glasses of water per day is recommended?

Also known as the Rule of 8, the health authorities’ recommendation is to “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day.” Note that it states fluid and not water. All fluids count toward the daily total. Food and other beverages also contain water.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

My brother enjoying his Japanese Ramen Noodle Soup and a glass of water during his last visit to the Philippines.

Just how big is 8 ounce or 236.588 ml?

Well, during my younger years, an 8 ounce would mean a bottle of a popular soda. This size, I believe, is phased out. Hint. Hint. I am not that young anymore. LOL.

Anyway, the point is, 8 ounce is less than half of the commercially available 500ml bottle. Sisiw!

Photo lifted from http://www.terapeak.com/worth/embossed-coca-cola-classic-chattanooga-tn-8-oz-empty-coke-bottle/322023596141/

In addition, below are the best times to drink water:

• Two glasses of water in the morning after waking up to help activate the internal organs
• One glass of water thirty minutes before a meal to aid in digestion.
• One glass of water before taking a bath to help avoid high blood pressure
• One glass of water before going to bed to help avoid strokes and heart attacks

Source: http://www.lifehack.org/359591/drink-water-the-correct-time-stay-healthy

Talk about timing is everything.

I must admit though that drinking four glasses of water before leaving for work can be challenging. Just imagine being stuck in Manila traffic en route to work and Mother Nature calls. LOL.

Just the same, stay healthy and hydrated. Drink up and keep that good-looking skin!

The upcoming posts will be about the skincare essentials in my Billabong man-bag. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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I love traveling.

Rushing to the boarding gate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

My previous post as a Regional Brand Manager brought me around Asia Pacific. There were times when I would hop from one country to another four times a month. The business trips were short and sweet, say, I would:

• depart Manila on a Monday morning;
• report to the office abroad upon arrival in the afternoon;
• check in the hotel after work;
• report to the office the next day at 8 AM for meetings or fieldwork;
• attend a dinner meeting with the team;
• head to the airport for a flight back to the Philippines or to the next country the next day.

Hectic ba? Mejo. 

Whether traveling for business or leisure, it is vital that I arrive fresh and in tip-top shape.

At the Internet City Metro Station on my way to visit my sister in Dubai.

Visit http://www.billabong.com/asia/ 

 At the Nagoya International Airport, Nagoya, Japan

On top of the multivitamins in my checked luggage and the skin care essentials in my Billabong man-bag (contents of which I can share in my next posts), below are my top five travel buddies:

Headphones

Do not get me wrong, okay? I love kids! However, most of the time, kids especially toddlers on the plane are not accustomed to the stress of flying. Hence, they easily get irritated (perhaps bored?) and resort to endless rants and crying.

This situation calls for creativity and resourcefulness on the part of the parents and the surrounding passengers. For me, I just put on my Sony headphones, up the volume and shut out the sounds of the aircraft and everything that comes with it and in it. Note that all gadgets may only be turned on after take-off and before landing.

Visit http://www.sony.com.ph/

Waiting to board a flight departing Manila.

Sunglasses

Aside from making one maporma (translation: stylish), wearing sunglasses during flight may help protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It may also help fix jet lag by minimizing exposure to the bright ultraviolet light during travel and help adjust the biological clock.

Sources:

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/uv-protection/sunglasses-shopping-guide?sso=y

http://blog.aclens.com/2012/04/16/benefits-of-wearing-sunglasses-the-benefits-you-dont-know-about/

By the way, wearing sunglasses at immigration counters or while queuing for immigration or customs is simply not allowed.

Further, sunglasses need to be taken off while boarding. I asked one of the ground staff why. She simply said, “for proper identification and to make sure all boarding passengers do not have sore and red eyes”.

I think this is the famous  The World Islands located in the waters of the Persian Gulf, 4.0 kilometers (2.5 mi) off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Eye mask

Sleeping is one of my favorite hobbies. LOL. That is why I do not find any difficulty sleeping while flying with the help of an eye mask. Catching a few z’s can help regenerate the body and give that much-needed reoxygenation of the skin.

Eye mask provided by Etihad Airways http://www.etihad.com/en-ph/

On board the Dubai Metro.

Face mask

Wearing a face mask reduces the risk of contracting influenza. In this day and age when a new strain of virus can just emerge, it pays to be extra cautious especially when abroad. In my case, I wear it on and off the plane. Thanks for having a flight attendant for a brother, he keeps a box of face masks in his room!

Wearing a face mask may also prevent sniffing unfamiliar odors making one’s commute more pleasurable.

On board the cramped Dubai Metro.

Water

Frequent traveling can take its toll on the body. To combat this, I keep myself hydrated before, during and after the flight. I also drink room temperature water. I read somewhere that there are benefits in drinking room temp. Although some say cold water may be a better option to cool down the body’s temperature after work out or when having a fever, I have yet to do my own research to validate this. Perhaps, this can be a good topic next time.

This I know by heart that hydration is key to healthy skin.

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Summer is just around the corner! Any plans yet? Being born and raised in a tropical country, my family just loves going to the beach to spend quality time while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea.

My brother and me enjoying the sun, sand, and sea of the Persian Gulf in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Although I love going to the beach, I am mindful of long exposures to the sun. As much as I can, I try to avoid it, which is close to impossible while on the beach. LOL.

Just how bad is the sun’s rays to the skin?

A dermatologist friend once told me that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are classified into three: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC does not enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Thanks to the Earth’s ozone layer! UVB causes burning. This is the type that can burn the skin darker during long exposures in the sun. On the other hand, UVA causes aging. Hence, even if one is in the shade under a tree or an umbrella, UVA still gets to seep through and can penetrate deep into the skin. The harmful effects of the UVA may be seen in 5 to 10 years time with the appearance of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-the-Effects-of-Different-UV-Rays

That is why it is important to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Below are 5 ways to protect skin while basking in the sun, sand, and sea.

Stay in the shade during the sun’s peak hours and that is from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is the best time to have long talks with family, munch on light morning snacks, enjoy a cold beer, read a book, listen to music or just lazy around.

Wear white. White clothes reflect the sun’s rays, thereby, helping prevent the harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin.

Wear sunglasses and/or a hat to protect the face and eyes. Yes!  Our eyes need protection, too.

Wear a rash guard. I am not a big fan of rash guards but my brother is. He wears it to protect his tattoo from the sun’s rays and prevent fading and keep the colors true for longer.

Use sunscreen. According to my dermatologist friend, a good sunscreen should be able to protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays, that is, it should protect skin from aging and burning. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least SPF 30 and should be reapplied every 2 hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. For the face, use a product that is light and will not clog the pores.

Watch out for my next posts as I share the product that I use for sun protection.

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