About

A hedonistic brat who gets more than what she deserves.

Yep, that sums me up in one sentence.

Hi! I’m Noemi, the person behind Pinay Flying High. I needed to create this page to satisfy the curiosity of some people out there of my identity.

I’m born and raised in the Philippines, youngest in a brood of 4. Tried hard to break-free from the suffocating love of a closely-knit Filipino family and was successful in doing so at the very ripe age of 23. I packed my bags, waved goodbye to my family (immediate and extended) and boarded a one way flight to Dubai where I was hired to work for an airline for an indefinite period of time.

Being a World Traveler

I started backpacking with my Aunt at the age of 5 discovering the islands of my home country – the Philippines. Needless to say, I caught the travel bug at an early age and has never been cured. Thankfully, I married another travel addicted individual who is now my companion as I discover the world. Travel is going to be the main topic in this blog as every year, I travel with The Greek Mister (yes, he’s Greek) at least twice for a holiday – trying to manage to meet both our families in Greece, Philippines and the United States plus a bit of personal holidays on our own every year.

Life in Three Different Countries (And Counting?)

I first had the life-outside-the-Philippines experience in Dubai where I spent 7 years as a travel agent for Emirates Airline. After making the most out of the company’s  travel perks, I left Dubai and relocated to the neighboring city of Doha due to my husband’s work requirements. I thought I’d be miserable because everyone knows Dubai is much better than Doha but to be very honest, it’s not at all that bad. Trust me, I was surprised myself. After completing 2 years in Doha, both The Greek Mister and myself realized that we’ve had enough of the Middle East (the weather is becoming more and more unbearable for us among other things) and so we planned our exit strategy. Two months later, we packed our bags once again and transferred to the greener pasture of London – specifically, Kingston-Upon-Thames.

This blog will now cover my life in London and all the touristy things to do and places to visit in this beautiful city and beyond. I will also write the adjustments I had to do from living in the Middle East to living in London, so far – the abundance of trees is making me go crazy!

Interracial Marriage

Language barrier, cultural differences and different tastes in cuisines are just some of the many things that I have to deal with everyday with The Greek Mister. I also write about all those things on this site which my husband vehemently disapproves of. Learning the very hard Greek language is one of my main goals right now which I am failing miserably so far. I’m very proud to say though that at least I know all the bad words – the most important words to learn if you’re in an interracial marriage based on my experience. Hopefully soon, I’d be able to master the hand gestures which goes with each bad words Greek language and not only its bad words.

Comments on my posts are very much encouraged. Following me on Facebook is also advised. And if you really must talk to me right now, you can also drop me an email at pinayflyinghigh@gmail.com.

112 Comments

  • Reply Ben Dawood November 10, 2016 at 02:56

    cool…i was in Dubai 0n 2008 as i transit from Malaysia to Jeddah..its tru..its like a half heaven for 1st timer like me. I heard cost of living is on high side. But that was 8 years ago. So Mrs Greek, what kind of business that can be held/conduct around Dubai town? thinking of setting up a food business in Dubai..do you mind guide me on some tips and trick

  • Reply Avril Evana August 27, 2016 at 15:39

    Will be heading off to Dubai for the 1st time in late september, do they have a cooler temperature month(s)? Tell me about the places near 7 star Burj al-Arab hotel, 160-story Burj Khalifa, will be staying there for 7 days….

  • Reply Silika May 1, 2016 at 22:06

    I like your style of writing. Keep inspiring us all.

  • Reply Kaycee Lojera April 13, 2016 at 14:25

    Following you in Instagram! You’re an inspiration to reach more destinations. And to eat! 🙂 Hope you’ll follow me too. You’ll get inspired with my voice? Haha. Hugs.

  • Reply Kaycee Lojera April 13, 2016 at 14:23

    Hello Noemi! Following you in Instagram. You inspire me to get up and fly for more destinations around the world. And to eat. 🙂 Hope you’ll follow me there in IG too!

  • Reply VENUS February 25, 2016 at 12:47

    Hi. Just came across your blog when I was searching more about Rotana. Hubby and I have just moved here in Doha a week ago or so and is still in that period of adjustment. Glad to see a lot of Pinoys here. I’m also a full time housewife so could use some new friends here in Doha. holler when you have the time..we could meet up over coffee 🙂

    Thanks,
    Venus 🙂

  • Reply Typeone February 10, 2016 at 11:51

    Hi noime… When was the last time you have been in jules bar… …

  • Reply Ziwa November 13, 2015 at 09:09

    Oh, and I love your blog ! Keep it up !!!

  • Reply Ziwa November 13, 2015 at 09:08

    Hi noemi, was surprised to get a notification from you, while I think I’ve read your post about Dubai few months ago,, which some of your list same like my list but I didn’t publish it ,, not sure how you like my post, since it’s mix of languages – English and Indonesian.. Anyway, thanks and have a nice day ! 🙂 I’ll be 5 years in Dubai and Dnata next January !

    • Reply Pinay Flying High November 14, 2015 at 13:00

      I’m not sure which post of yours I’ve liked but I have read a lot of other blogs which are a combination of English and another foreign language but somehow still makes sense to me. Lol. Thank you for the comment and congratulations on your 5th year in Dubai and Dnata. I miss it. 🙁

  • Reply Aslam November 7, 2015 at 07:33

    was googling santorini – planning a trip with my better half….pls suggest me the best travel agency in Dubai who can plan out for me the itinerary & also if you can provide the DETAILS that cant be found on the web 😉 ….(awaiting your mail)

    • Reply Pinay Flying High November 7, 2015 at 14:23

      You can check with Emirates Holidays for your itinerary and all the tips that I can provide with regards to Santorini is already on this website. 🙂

  • Reply Marissa Tejada October 20, 2015 at 02:26

    Hi Noemi! Found your blog. I really enjoy it. We have many things in common… from the love of travel, blogging to Greece and Greek men. LOL. Looking forward to your posts and stories.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High October 20, 2015 at 15:29

      Thank you for dropping by Marissa. I too will be an avid follower of your blog from hereon. Would love to hear stories of an expat in Greece. 🙂

  • Reply Anonymous May 24, 2015 at 05:36

    Your penned voice is adorable ..

  • Reply Jo December 9, 2014 at 18:53

    i will surely miss u.a.e particularly dubai..

  • Reply Meliza Palma-Licmuan November 19, 2014 at 02:52

    Fellow Pinay, you gave me a disease to keep reading all your blogs and I can’t stop it now, LOL. Love all your stories. Keep on flying 🙂

    • Reply Pinay Flying High November 19, 2014 at 21:53

      Thank you Meliza… I hope the disease won’t be cured. Hehehe.
      Glad to hear from you. 🙂

  • Reply Hitch-Hikers Handbook October 15, 2014 at 07:41

    Hey! Lovely blog! Thanks for connecting with us on Twitter! Take care and enjoy your trips!

  • Reply Kaye September 2, 2014 at 14:25

    Flying high indeed is a very entertaining blog, you created such informative article about Schengen Visa, to know further, also in preparation of my application to visit Greece, how much approximately is the show money you need to have in bank to be able to grant a Visa ?I’m sure they required such amount. any idea? Appreciate your reply in this.

    Kaye

    • Reply Ofw traveller September 2, 2014 at 22:18

      Just an input with regards to your question. Well it depends how many days you are planning to stay in any shengen states, the longer days the more financial proof you need to have in your bank account but to be safe you should have at least 200 euro per day not included the booked hotel and airline tickets.

  • Reply Nerrissa August 28, 2014 at 15:30

    Hello Pinay, the net lead me to your site while searching on how to apply for a Schengen visa. From then on, I always check on your blog for any update. Im enjoying reading all your travel adventures. Thank you for sharing. Following you in facebook as well. Take care

    • Reply Pinay Flying High August 28, 2014 at 20:52

      Thank you Nerissa… Always great to hear from my readers. 🙂 xxx

  • Reply Jen June 29, 2014 at 11:34

    Hi…. by accident i bumped in to ur blog i was searching about applying visa going to Italy what are the requirements and i want to know also if their is salary bracket? im just a ordinary employee here in Dubai…i am dreaming and wanted to fulfill that dreams to travel and see the world… and as i reading it..i’m starting to like and follow ur adventure. it is so very inspiring and very informative.

    Thanks and more power to ur blog..keep posting!!! 🙂

    • Reply Pinay Flying High June 29, 2014 at 15:46

      Hi Jen,

      Thanks for dropping by the blog. You will see all the information for visa application on my post about the Schengen visa. I have answered quite a few questions from other readers on the comment section of that post which might help you.

      Thank you for following and good luck on your visa application. 🙂

      -N-

  • Reply Richard June 24, 2014 at 21:34

    Hi Gandang Pinay! Ur blogs is very informative keep it up. Hope to see another travel blog soon. =) btw would you recommend your travel agency where you work with? Im looking for a best travel package to Paris or Italy.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High June 25, 2014 at 11:09

      Hi Richard,

      Thank you. Yes, I do recommend the travel agency I’m working for HOWEVER I don’t normally mix this blog with my work so I can’t tell you where it is. :p You can send me an email thru the contact form as I actually do itineraries for my readers for a fee. 🙂

      Thanks you and good luck on your holiday. 🙂

  • Reply Jocelyn June 15, 2014 at 12:21

    Hi! Nice to see another Filipina blogger with substance. Hopped over here from The Chef Box FB page. Looking forward to reading your posts.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High June 17, 2014 at 11:20

      Hi Jocelyn, thanks for dropping by. Will be visiting your page too… 🙂

  • Reply ywwp May 16, 2014 at 10:13

    good to check your blog regards

  • Reply Driving Spider-Man May 13, 2014 at 19:28

    Your blog is great! It gives me the kind of escape i dream about when I physically can’t. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us…all the best in love and travel!

  • Reply bytetime April 21, 2014 at 08:22

    Thanks for liking a post on geokult-travel.com. Your blog looks really interesting so am following 🙂

    Cheers
    Tracey

  • Reply Shawn Flaherty March 17, 2014 at 03:46

    Hi!

    Thanks for stopping and looking at and checking out my blog.

    Slainte!

    Shawn

  • Reply Pinay Flying High March 2, 2014 at 00:23

    Thank you! That’s so sweet…. You just made my day. 🙂

  • Reply JayM February 23, 2014 at 16:23

    Really cool blog! And I am looking forward to hearing more about your adventures!

  • Reply saira777 January 19, 2014 at 23:41

    This has got to be one of the best ‘about’ pages I’ve read! Wonderful blog!

  • Reply Pinay Flying High January 1, 2014 at 14:17

    Thank you so very much! 🙂

  • Reply Dream, Pray and Love December 16, 2013 at 08:58

    Verbal diarrhea,that is. Been looking for that term. haha 🙂 I love your blog and I wish to travel much, too! Keep writing, fellow Pinay! 🙂

  • Reply batscapades December 13, 2013 at 04:35

    Hey, thanks for dropping by my blog. (Also, I love that your veterinarian told you to start a blog. 😀 )

    • Reply Pinay Flying High December 13, 2013 at 08:16

      Hi thank you as well for dropping by. I’m not yet cured from my verbal diarrhea so the vet still insists to keep the blog.

  • Reply Chris December 10, 2013 at 06:08

    Thanks for liking my post on Verona. I enjoyed reading your blog. I see you are an expat too. I live in Japan. I will follow your blog.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High December 10, 2013 at 06:16

      Hi there, thank you for dropping by. You’ve got an interesting blog too. 🙂

  • Reply abhi December 6, 2013 at 19:05

    hey! just thought of dropping a ‘hi’ – honestly i was just excited to see a few likes on my recent blog so i landed on your page! your ‘about me’ btw, is super cool! coincidentally i’ve lived in abu-dhabi for quite some time too! ok this comment is getting waaay too long – look out for an email from me! :p

    • Reply Pinay Flying High December 8, 2013 at 14:43

      Hey Abhi,
      Thanks for dropping by. You’ve got an awesome blog too. 🙂 You should visit this part of the world again, a lot has changed. :p

  • Reply Pinay Flying High November 21, 2013 at 10:01

    Hi Lindsay,

    thank you very much for the nomination. Appreciate it. 🙂 Will definitely try to do it. xxx

    • Reply lindsaycummingswrites November 21, 2013 at 18:34

      That’s great, can’t wait to see your post. Hope all is well 🙂

  • Reply Pinay Flying High October 19, 2013 at 16:53

    Thank youuuuuuuuuu! 🙂

  • Reply derrickli718 October 19, 2013 at 03:25

    Thank you for stopping by our blog ‘Another Couple’s Blog’! We love traveling as well and I think it’s amazing what you do! We’re definitely envious of you and your job 😀 Safe travels!

    • Reply Pinay Flying High October 19, 2013 at 07:07

      Thank you for the kind words and for stopping by on my blog too. 🙂 don’t be jealous, just go and travel too. 😉

  • Reply Bobbie Cataylo Hernandez October 17, 2013 at 19:38

    Hello! Loving & enjoying your photos.. love to travel if only my pocket is not itchy poor 😉 …. Kicking myself for missing an opportunity to visit Dubai while on a trip to Abi Dhabi 2 yrs ago 🙁

    keepy flying high! 🙂

  • Reply The Travelling Chopsticks October 16, 2013 at 19:19

    Just wanted to drop you a line to say that I am loving your blog! It is so much fun reading through your entries, and your photos are fantastic – I really want to go to Greece now 🙂

    • Reply Pinay Flying High October 16, 2013 at 19:23

      Thank you!!!! 🙂 put Greece in the bucket list, I bet it already is. 😉

  • Reply wildsherkin October 13, 2013 at 19:05

    This made me laugh! As a former would-be ballerina myself, I have a similar picture of myself on a beach, balancing on a rusty old ball or buoy while doing an arabesque. Those were the days! 🙂
    Thank you for popping in earlier.

  • Reply Rookienotes October 10, 2013 at 22:15

    I loved this about section!

  • Reply bmckone88 October 5, 2013 at 04:46

    Thanks for the love on my recent post! Madly trying to get my next one’s organised haha 🙂

  • Reply Rhey September 30, 2013 at 13:20

    how i envy you! (i mean that in a good way.*smileyface*)
    My blog bud, mitziemee, recommended i read your blog and just got the chance to look now. I too caught the travel bug early but didn’t really think about going into the travel industry. how i wish i did. Anyway, Ill be back for more.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High September 30, 2013 at 15:00

      Hey! Very nice to hear from you. It’s never too late to nurse that travel bug of yours. Lol.

      Thanks for dropping by. 😉

  • Reply photobyjohnbo September 13, 2013 at 23:15

    Thanks for stopping by and liking my blog post. I shall enjoy exploring your site as well.

  • Reply justbreathe001 August 24, 2013 at 13:42

    hello girl, luv the independent spirit in your blog. keep travelling and keep blogging!

  • Reply Pinay Flying High August 10, 2013 at 08:46

    Thank you for the nomination. I’ll definitely try to do it…. 🙂

  • Reply mary bridget August 2, 2013 at 11:33

    funny… very down to earth. Would have the same feeling myself and would do the same thing (taking pics!! and jumping with joy!!) Keep it flying high!! that stereotyping is soon disappearing with ur likes around!!! Go girl!! love ur blog!!!

  • Reply Pinay Flying High July 30, 2013 at 08:05

    I love it!!! Thank you!

    • Reply GoldyGal July 30, 2013 at 13:41

      You’re welcome !

  • Reply Bloom's Wanderlust July 13, 2013 at 23:21

    Great humor, awesome living in dubai! Nice blog 🙂

  • Reply sincerelykymberly July 5, 2013 at 22:08

    Glad you liked my recent post and great blog you’ve got here my fellow pinay 😉

    • Reply Pinay Flying High August 10, 2013 at 08:50

      Thank you Kymberly, sorry for the very late response. I just saw this comment now. 🙁

  • Reply Cecil Mejia July 5, 2013 at 08:57

    I am so proud of you, my friend. Keep it up! God speed!

  • Reply princessiyaaffo July 1, 2013 at 13:22

    you are funny 😀

  • Reply Vivien Ng June 17, 2013 at 11:45

    Hello! Would you be interested to open your blog up to advertisements? I am from a digital advertising agency and we have a client in the airline industry who’s looking to advertise to internet users in the Middle East.

    I believe your blog would be a good platform for this! Do let me know if you’re interested and drop me an email for more info! 🙂

  • Reply artmoscow June 3, 2013 at 21:02

    One of the best “about” pages I’ve read in my 6 months of blogging )

  • Reply Nia Simone May 22, 2013 at 20:38

    No worries!

  • Reply Nia Simone May 22, 2013 at 05:58

    Love your About and look forward to following you. Thanks for the Like!

  • Reply snowpartridge May 9, 2013 at 01:12

    Hi! Thanks for your “follow”. Much appreciated 🙂 I look forward to reading more about your travels.

  • Reply vagabondvirginia May 8, 2013 at 23:03

    Is that building in Dubai? That’s incredible!

    • Reply Pinay Flying High May 8, 2013 at 23:23

      Yes, burj khalifa – the tallest building (currently). It’s massive. 🙂

  • Reply Tom May 8, 2013 at 21:43

    I certainly understand the need to vent the “verbal diarrhea.” Isn’t that the peoblem of all of us bloggers?

    • Reply Pinay Flying High May 8, 2013 at 21:51

      You do have a point however for me, it’s mostly nonsense. Hehehehe.

  • Reply Matthew Curry May 5, 2013 at 12:11

    Sorry, I didn’t mean to flood you with comments today. I wanted to make up for not following you as well as I should have. I’ll do a better job from now on. You write some very witty stuff, in addition to your wonderful photography. (But your food pictures are my favorite, ha ha ha ha.)

    • Reply Pinay Flying High May 5, 2013 at 12:24

      No need for apologies, comment make me high. Keep thrm coming. 🙂

      • Reply Matthew Curry May 5, 2013 at 12:25

        Okie doke! 🙂 I’ll do that.

  • Reply Malin April 27, 2013 at 14:17

    Just saying hi, I will sign up to follow your blog. I am sunning the online guide also covering Dubai with tips for hotels, restaurants etc so maybe I can pick up some useful hints from you.

    • Reply Pinay Flying High April 27, 2013 at 15:18

      Oh wow! Thanks! I have seen your site before when i was planning my london vacation. The idea is awesome!

      • Reply Malin May 27, 2013 at 23:09

        Oh, I am so happy to hear that you have used my site!

  • Reply Gail Monique Mallo April 7, 2013 at 16:50

    Hi! Fellow Pinay in the UAE but I live in Abu Dhabi. 😀
    Blog hopped my way over! 😀

    • Reply Pinay Flying High April 7, 2013 at 17:41

      Hello there! Thanks for hopping over. 🙂 always good to hear i have a new follower. Yippppeeeee!

  • Reply minhzie March 27, 2013 at 05:26

    Wow! What’s it like living in Dubai as a woman?

    • Reply Pinay Flying High March 27, 2013 at 08:20

      Safe. 🙂 well of course it depends on the lifestyle that you will lead. Dubai is a very open city so although this is a Muslim country, we’re all pretty much free here. You should visit someday. 🙂

  • Reply Pinay Flying High November 29, 2012 at 21:01

    That looks interesting. I’ve downloaded the app, just not quite sure where to start yet but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it soon. 🙂 Thanks!

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