Welcome to my first blog post.

Welcome to my blog post! Whether you've stumbled upon this page while searching for information about Dubai life or you're a follower on my social media accounts, I'm thrilled to have you here. For those of you who are new to my content, my name is Belle Castillo, and I'm a travel and lifestyle content creator. I've been living in the UAE for over 11 years, which I believe gives me a unique perspective on what it's like to live in the Middle East.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Dubai life, I want to tell you a bit about myself. I'm a full-time mom of three who keeps me on my toes. I also work in advertising and marketing in the UAE, and you may have even seen some of my work, like the advertising on the Burj Khalifa. 

 


         

There’s no such thing as hard, when you LOVE what you do. 

When it comes to entertaining my kids, my husband and I are always on the lookout for new places to go. While the UAE may look small on a map, there are still plenty of hidden gems to explore. We love doing hotel staycations during the summer to cool down in the pool, spontaneous road trips, desert camping during the cold months, museum hunting, visiting historical sites, exploring different foods, attending seasonal events like fireworks, and participating in the Dubai 30x30 fitness challenge.

UAE is the BEST place to live and raise a family.

Dubai ranks as world's 7th safest destination for family vacation and that's why I always fee at ease living here with my family. 

If you are planning to travel, here are General Five tips to stay safe when travelling abroad.

1.    Travellers must do research on the country’s cultures, norms, traditions, and languages before travelling. “This will not only help them find their way around, but they will also learn about currencies, local conventions and traditions and get a sense of the culture."

2.    Take only the bare minimum when venturing out. “Credit card, phone and a copy of passport are all one needs. Don’t carry lots of cash and keep an eye on your belongings.”

3.    Booking ahead will make a traveller’s life easier as he/she will be able to plan his route for the transport hub to the accommodation easily. Being aware of the route will prevent him from ending up getting lost.

4.    “Address and number of the accommodation, own contact number, anything that can trace back to you must be put in a safe in a zip pocket on each of your kid’s clothing.”

5.    Arrange a meeting point as it is easy to get lost in a crowded area. Also ensure that kids know what to do if they can’t find their guardians (e.g. find a policeman, another family with kids, a staff member), said the guide.

But life in Dubai isn't just about the kids; my husband and I make sure to have quality time together too. We love going on coffee dates in quiet places in Al Serkal Al Qouz or having breakfast (paratha keema and chai) under the Al Maktoum bridge overlooking the Dubai Creek. You can check out our Dubai escapades on my Youtube channel, Livin La Belle.


Couples that spend time together, are happier individuals.


 Here's a video of me and my husband's coffee hunt series in Dubai.

Living in a foreign land away from family and friends can be difficult, but I firmly believe that life is what you make of it. My family and I have made the UAE our home, and I'm here to share our beautiful journey in the sandpit. 

If you have any questions about places to go in the UAE, family expat questions, or just want to say hi, please leave a comment below. And don't forget to follow me on my social media handles so we stay connected.

Instagram Belle

Facebook Profile

Facebook Page

Youtube Travel & Lifestyle