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

The Annual Festive Season Carnival

On the greens

The Annual Festive Season Carnival at Address Montgomerie. To be perfectly frank, the main reason we’re here for our Friday outing today is because we can walk here and, perhaps more importantly, it’s starting early (12pm, early by Dubai standards) when most of the festive events and activities are either late afternoon or evening affairs.… Read the rest

Omega Dubai Ladies Classic

Ripe Organic Markets Pop-Up

The Ripe Organic Markets popped up at the Omega Dubai Ladies Classic this weekend at Emirates Golf Club.  In truth it is a bit of an accident that we ended up here.  My husband is playing golf (again) although not at this club and I had been on the look out for some local Christmas markets to take the kids to – partly to get us out of the house and partly so that we could get in for the all important Santa visit this year.… Read the rest

Kite Beach

Kite Beach

Kite Beach, just north of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, is a great day out and there is something to do for everyone.  We started out at the skateboard park just across the road from the beach.  It’s a hot day (40 degrees Celsius) but the kids don’t care and are off around the ramps, jumps and bowls doing things that I can’t watch for fear of a fall and a trip to the hospital.  … 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

Latin Quarter

Restaurant Au Port du Salut, Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques

The Latin Quarter in Paris is an area that takes in parts of the 5th and 6th Arrondissements on the Left Bank.  It is home to several higher learning entities, including the Sorbonne (the University of Paris), as well as lively bistros, shopping and of course the Pantheon.… 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