Doha By Dhow

Down Town – West Bay

We have spent our morning in Doha in the old town and Souq area and then visiting The Pearl.  On the way back from the Pearl, we change our minds and decide not to head straight back to the old town and Corniche but to take a dhow ride the rest of the way back – from West Bay to the Dhow Harbour near the Museum of Islamic Art. … 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

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

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

Champs Élysées

Laduree

I almost missed a stroll down this famous boulevard Champs Élysées when I was recently in Paris.  It was only a short trip and I had my two boys in tow (3yrs & 6yrs), not exactly how I dreamed of promenading around the city of love.… 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