Swan Lake

The night’s program

Add ballet to Tchaikovsky and what do you get?  Well, actually, there are a couple but by far the most famous is Swan Lake.  The story is based on the fairytale where the beautiful princess, Odette, is cursed by an evil sorcerer.… Read the rest

The Green Planet

#The Green Plant

It’s funny how we (I) can live our lives in such a bubble.  Opened in 2016, The Green Planet, like most things in Dubai, is relatively new.  However, it still surprises me that I didn’t know about it until a birthday party there a few weeks ago.… Read the rest

Al Mamzar Triathlon

Al Mamzar triathlon

There’s one thing to be said for triathlons – they’re over nice and early!  Yes, you might have to get up at 5am but by 9am the day is yours again.  And so it goes this morning at the Al Mamzar triathlon.… Read the rest

Brad’s Brunchology

Yalumba’s Brunchology

All good parties have a serious side that goes along with the fun.  Today’s party for Brad’s 40th has a good deal of both! Let’s Brunchology!

My friend Diana (wife of said birthday boy), has given up a girls’ weekend, organised a surprise birthday party with 33 guests, plus other weekend surprises (a mini break at the Burj Al Arab no less) as well as having coordinated a house move in the last week. … Read the rest

Authentic Amman

An Evening In Amman – views across the Old Town to the Citadel

My Authentic Amman evening begins when Banan pulls up to pick me up from the hotel.  Chic as always, she’s in jeans and an airy white shirt and beams at me as I jump in the car. … Read the rest

National Museum Of Beirut – Other Artifacts

Gold Mask, Baalbek, Roman Period

As I begin writing about the artifacts contained in the National Museum of Beirut, my enthusiasm carries me away and there ends up being too many favorites to fit into just one post.  So, I have divided the five original subheadings into separate posts.… Read the rest

National Museum of Beirut – Jewelry

Pectoral (top) – gold and semi-precious stones, Byblos, 18th Century BC.
Pectoral (bottom) – gold

As I begin writing about the artifacts contained in the National Museum of Beirut, my enthusiasm carries me away and there ends up being too many favorites to fit into just one post.… Read the rest

National Museum Of Beirut – Mosaics

Jupiter and Ganymede – mosaic, Tyre, 3rd Century AD

As I begin writing about the artifacts contained in the National Museum of Beirut, my enthusiasm carries me away. There are just too many favorites to fit into just one post.  So, I have divided the five original subheadings into separate posts.  … Read the rest

National Museum of Beirut – Sarcophagi

National Museum of Beirut

This fabulous museum is hidden behind construction work as I approach with my luggage. It’s my last stop in Beirut before I have to leave and it’s most definitely a must see.

I work my way around the museum, starting on the entrance level.… Read the rest