Experiencing Jebel Jais the Longest Zipline in the world

To end the year in Dubai, I had the opportunity to bring my family for a couple of weeks so they can also enjoy the great things the UAE has to offer. We planned to not only do things in Dubai but also do activities in other Emirates including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah; you will see other posts of the different activities.

Me and my Kids.. getting pumped to do the adventure!!!

With 2 big kids (21 and 17 years), we need to found high energy things with lots of adrenaline. Doing some research I found that the UAE has another Guinness world record (to many to count) and is the longest zipline in the world. We already had some experience trying the Monster Zipline in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, currently 3rd longest behind Jebel Jais in UAE and one located in Chihuahua Mexico.

Great roads in the UAE… From Jebel Jais mountains you can see the neighboring country of Oman

The trip from Dubai is around 2:30 hours, the first part is a bg road but then you get to the Jebel Jais mountain where you will spend a good 40-50 minutes going up to the Zipline entrance. Roads in Dubai are spectacular, no issue for us to drive with a clean and well paved road up to the entrance of the attraction.

Jebel Jais mountains are spectacular… Impressive views!!!

To do the attraction, my recommendation is that you book your ticket in advance so you have a reserved spot; once you get there it is well organized with people guiding you through the check in process and security brief before going into a small van that will take you to the launch area. Let me tell you I like adrenaline activities but when you start getting close to the Zipline and see the magnitude of the adventure your heart start pumping blood faster and will definitely get some chills.

You see the lines that will guide your 2.8KM journey

When you are driving across the Jebel Jais mountains you have impressive views of the mountains and the huge gaps between them, 10-15 minutes before you arrive you can identify what it seems the launchpad of the Zipline and at first you think that cannot be, because of the height and the steepness of the drop…. but yes you then realize that it is the launchpad and you will go down more than 2.8 KM at speeds of more than 120kph (75mph). They tell you that you could reach up to 160kph (100mph), I do not know of is true but once you are going down it is fast!!!!!. Once you finish your trip, you arrive into a suspended platform, a la Star Wars from there is a short Zipline to the van that will take you to the starting place.

Suspended Platform where you Arrive – Star Wars !!!!!

Look at the red circle… That is me flying to the finish line!!!

The place has a restaurant where you can grab some drinks and food, while enjoying a great view. Also they rent Go Pro cameras if you want to capture video of your adventure. Employees are well trained, you feel very secure during the process from registration, launching pad and coming back. If you want more info you can go to their webpage at https://visitjebeljais.com/

2021 was a great year, where I had the opportunity to visit new countries and places, I hope that the sharing of this experiences set some excitement and that you plan your own adventures. Will continue sharing my experience during 2022, for now if you just read my post, forward to a friend and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, or Facebook look for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD . Until next time….

Expo2020 Dubai… Great opportunity to meet the world

The premier event of these year to showcase Dubai to the world and also showcase the world to Dubai is the expo. The event started on October 1, 2021 and will be open until March 31, 2002, it was suspended last year due to the COVID outbreak and the organizers move it for one year (right decision to go ahead). A world expo is an international event where the nations can showcase their achievements, their vision, and how they want to continue contributing to earth development

Just get your passport and fill it with memories

In the event you have participation from 192 countries, each pavilion has a theme usually based on their culture and customs bringing the best they have to offer and sharing it with the audience in a interactive way. In many of them you also have representation of their foods, and flavors with smalls cafes/restaurants offering their best of home recipes. One important part also are advancements on technology, education and sustainability, in this area you see current projects or ideas to build a safer and connected world.

Very wide spaces for you to walk, also many places to sit around the expo… You will walk a lot!!!

The expo has and area of 438 hectares (equal to 1,081 football fields), divided into 3 big themes (areas): Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity. In addition to the country pavilions each area has parks, theaters, restaurants, and stores with full day activities makes making multiple trips to the expo necessary. Every day a country is selected to have special events in the main plazas, great opportunity to drive their message even stronger.

You will find music in any corner… great to learn a little of their music…

In the first month I have been able to see 67 country pavilions, want to get to all of them but takes time because it is also about connecting with the people that work there and are very happy when you ask about their countries. People have shared great stories about their countries for example the story of Lucy in Ethiopia a human fossil that has 3.2 million years, how some Islands in the pacific have citizenship programs to drive investments to their government or the vision of Indonesia to become the 5th largest economy by 2050.

Some of the people from around the world I have met!!!! incredible….

The Expo Dubai presents a great balance of fun, education, and business that should not be missed. If you ever want it to visit Dubai, I would say now is a good time. Getting to know this fabulous place and combining it with the opportunity to know the world is something that only Dubai could offer. The place where records are set….

UAE Pavilion is the biggest, great experience inside!!!!

Will continue the updates from the Expo Dubai from time to time as I continue stamping my passport, meeting new people and learning new stories from all over the world. For now if you just read my post, please forward to your friends and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, or Facebook look for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD . Until next time….

See some history while having a beer!!! YES you can in Queretaro @ Cerveceria Hercules

One of the most signature neighborhoods in Queretaro is called Hercules or how local people like to call it “La Hermana República de Hercules”, the place has more than 500 years of history but the highlight is a textile manufacturing facility that dates from 1838 and worked continuously until this year. In 1838 the owners brought machinery from England and opened the factory working continuously until 2019 to satisfy the local textile market, current market conditions from asia imports made it difficult to continue operating so they decided to close the factory. Maybe 30% of the space is being used for the brewery and the garden right now.

As part of the evolving changes in consumer taste and taking advantage of growing trends in beer culture the textile landmark integrated a Beer Micro Brewery called “Cerveceria Hercules” founded in 2011 and in 2016 they expanded their offering by opening “Jardin de Cerveza Hercules” , now in this historic place you can find good food, entertainment and more important great beer .

Beer gfor here and to Go / Pizza is delicious (Pepperoni )

We have seen their development during these 4 1/2 years but one thing has been a constant: their quality in everything they do. Today they offer a wide variety of in house brews that mix perfectly with a balanced menu of pizzas, sausages, and seafood options. On special occasions they expand their food offerings with some other specials. For me the pizzas and sausages are gooood and are the perfect fit for the different beer options like the MACANUDA, HURACAN or the SUPER LUPE

Their options continue growing, more than 15 different types of beer!!!!

As part of the development of the space now the garden offers live music multiple days in the week with nice variety from cuban music to electronic sounds and even when a good soccer match is on they will show it on screens, additionally you find ping pong, table games and cornhole. For us Cerveceria Hercules has been a pace to gather with friends and family to celebrate any occasion or just to have a good time

It has been fun watching Cerveceria Hercules grow, now you can find their beers in many of the restaurants around Queretaro; they invested in machinery to sell their beers in cans and have opened a store were you can buy them directly or thru the internet.

Definitely Cerveceria Hercules has been one of the great places we come to know during our stay in Mexico, it is a required visit if you come to Queretaro. Just gather some friends and taste the many alternatives the “Jardin de Cervezas Hercules” has to offer, hey and if you like them a lot by a couple of them at the store and put them in your luggage.

You can see the chimneys of the old textile factory

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Wrestling the real top “Sport” in Mexico

A couple of nights a months, usually Tuesday or Sunday people gather in one of the cathedral of Mexico wrestling “Arena Queretaro” . Many of the top wrestlers in Mexico have wrestled in the Arena: La Parka, Pshyco Clown, Mistico, Caristico, Pagano, Hijo de Wagner Jr., Ultimo Guerrero are some of the biggest stars, but also you find local stars like: Kastigador, Vengador, Gremlin, Dragones de Oriente and many others.

Promotion Material for the wrestling show

It does not matter if it is a school night you will find a full arena with kids, women and men of all ages ready to root in favor of the good “tecnicos” or bad “rudos” guys . People come to enjoy the show and get the stress out: a cold beer “chela” and some snacks “botana” are the perfect add on for a high energy night. Outside and inside the arena you will find the perfect souvenir to bring back to your home.

Wrestlers always on the move “Flying in the Ring”

Once the matches starts it is non stop action, all of the wrestlers are great performers with many hours of training. The first matches build energy, you get the lower card that can surprise you with their great performance. People start throwing money into the ring if the match was good for them, these is because lower card wrestlers get very low pay from their matches. Then you get the last 2 matches semi and main event here you will find the more experienced wrestlers and the bigger names, now almost 2 hours into the show people expect the roof to blow. You will not be disappointed going to a show it is fun and a great way to live Mexico culture.

BTW, the night is not over… After a great wrestling night, you need to hit a taco place “taqueria” it is a great way to end a perfect night… I personally go to Tacos “Los Gusanos de Chucho” 2 minutes by car from “Arena Queretaro”, you will not regret it… guarantee!!! Will be sharing some food insight in the food page.

The action gets very close to your seats!!!!

At the end if you have the chance and see a wrestling show … GO it will be a unique experience full of energy and entertainment….

I will share information in the entertainment pages about the venues you can go and enjoy the wrestling shows.