Cruising

MSC Splendida Aqua Park

Okay, so I’m excited to be cruising the Middle East.  I had thought of this as just a little interlude.  I had to get past Christmas first and this was booked a while ago and then put aside in my mind for consideration after more pressing things. … Read the rest

Emirates Park Zoo

White Tiger – lick, lick

Emirates Park Zoo is a great day out for the family.  We were invited along for the day by our friends, Brad & Diana, who were entertaining little Kenny over the Christmas break.  My two boys had been at home all week while I prepared for (and then cleaned up after) Christmas for 40 people, so I figured they deserved a day out too.… Read the rest

UAE National Day

Dubai skyline the Dubai Water Canal

National Day has been on my radar for about a month.  I knew it was coming, having looked into the background for a street being called “2nd December Street” earlier on in the year, the next sign came on the 1st of November when all the Halloween decorations came down and flags went up everywhere – on buildings, schools, in the shops, on houses and on people – in the form of scarves, pins and t-shirts. … Read the rest

Energy Drinks

Harley‘s quote of the day:

Red Bull: “Did you know that energy drinks are real? I thought they were just pretend but Irene has one and it’s real!  Energy drinks are made from bulls.  Because bulls are strong!”

Thankfully he’s not allowed to drink Red Bull because, well, he’s 4.… Read the rest

Swimming With Dolphins

I’m still buzzing from the incredible experience of swimming with dolphins at the Dubai Dolphinarium.  The day was set aside since early last month after birthday ‘season’ in our household. Our two boys as well as my birthday, and incidentally father’s day, all fall in the same week! … Read the rest

Welcome To The Big Wide World

Welcome to Dukes Global Adventures.  I have been blogging on a private forum for 10 years now with a view to keeping friends and family up to date on adventures, travels and daily happenings.

When I started my musings were more of a diary than a story.… Read the rest

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile

Arc de Triomphe with the Le Départ sculpture visible on the right hand facade.

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (Triumphal Arch of the Star) is a must see in Paris.  Even if you don’t climb the 284 steps to the top, strolling up the Champs-Élysées as the 50 meter high French Revolutionary and Napoleonic War memorial comes into ever greater focus is memorable.    … Read the rest

La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel

Sigh!! My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) in Pairs.  We arrived in Paris yesterday and had an early night last night in anticipation of getting to the Eiffel Tower early this morning.  It’s a bit of a Metro ride but we’ve made it. … Read the rest

15th Arrondissement

Max Poilâne patisserie & boulangerie

Our 10am booking for the Eurostar to Paris was a sensible choice.  We are staying with Claire in the 15th Arrondissement and as I rise to my 6:30am alarm and rouse the boys from the cartoon channel, which has likely been on for a while already, I’m resigned to a long day ahead. … Read the rest

Tyntesfield

Tyntesfield

A day out at Tyntesfield is one for the whole family. This exquisite Victorian Gothic Revival estate includes a grand home, complete with its own chapel on a sprawling estate. Here you can watch the children play hide and seek between the trees, climb around the playground and explore the hothouse plants.… Read the rest