La Mer

Sunset over La Mer

It is the UAE National Day long weekend and while many friends are out of town or on local staycations, given the five days of celebrations made possible by the 3 days of declared public holidays, we have elected for a quiet extended weekend at home with a little La Mer celebration.… Read the rest

Ibiza Blue

Ibiza Blue

Ibiza Blue. It just goes together. Ibiza is one of the Balearic islands, an archipelago of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. Although it is well known for the lively nightlife in Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni, where major European nightclubs have summer outposts, it is also home to quiet villages, yoga retreats and beaches for swimming, sun baking, dining and water sports.… Read the rest

Red Bull Air Race

Jet displays

Another busy week gone. I breathe a sigh of relief as I shut down my lap top on Thursday night. I have been looking forward to this weekend for the past few weeks since we decided to spend the weekend in Abu Dhabi for the Red Bull Air Race.… Read the rest

Antarctica, World Islands

Dubai Skyline

Far from La Dolce Far Niete, the art of doing nothing, today we head out on a Dubai Marina Yacht Club rally to the World Islands. We have a line up of things to do!

JBR Skyline, morning

We reach the marina around 8:30 a.m.,… Read the rest

La Dolce Far Niente

Captain at the helm

La dolce far niente, a fabulous Italian saying for just mooching around.  But this is far from wasting time.  This is the art of doing nothing.   In fact, we’re not quite doing nothing.  We’re on Lady Pinto with Candida for a boat trip and day out in Antarctica. … Read the rest

Sir Bani Yas Island

Oryx and Gazelle

I crack the curtains and the sun streams into our cabin.  We are moored at Sir Bani Yas Island. It’s already 8am but given that it was a late night for all of us, I’m glad that we’ve been able to have a bit of a relaxed morning. … Read the rest

Zaya Nurai Island

Zaya Nurai Island

“Where are you going?  Who are you going with? What time will you be home?”.

“Umm, I’m not really sure” I respond.  I’m not trying to avoid the questions, I just don’t really have the answers.  I’ve been invited along on a boat rally. … Read the rest

Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity.  I’d heard the words before, heard about Dubai brunches, the partying and excesses of the well-to-do generation of Dubai inhabitants that live for the weekend.  Nothing has really prepared me for this.

My husband has asked me here on a date. … Read the rest

Snoopy Island

Snoopy Island

Sandy Beach Hotel in Al Aqah, Fujariah boasts direct access to Snoopy Island, a rocky outcrop just off the mainland in the Gulf of Oman.  Great for snorkelling, beach play, paddle boarding and family fun.

Sandy Beach Hotel

We battle the Thursday afternoon traffic out of Dubai and the usual 2 hour trip takes us 3.5 hours, arriving just as my youngest withers with fatigue at the end of the week.… Read the rest