I am already awake when Jasper creeps in just before 6am to rouse me for our secret beach swim. “Morning mum”, he greets me with a hug. Ordinarily I would groan, roll over and snuggle into my pillow for an extra nap.… Read the rest
Secret Beach
Aquaventure
Aquaventure, at Atlantis, The Palm, is a 42 acre water park attached to the Atlantis hotel. Both have been developed around a lost city theme. As we arrive for the day, to celebrate the boy’s birthdays this week, we can see both the Tower of Neptune and the Tower of Poseidon looming across the park.… Read the rest
La Perle at Al Habtoor Palace
The Habtoor Palace at Al Habtoor City in Dubai, is part of a grand complex associated with the Hilton hotels chain. With over 1,000 rooms, an array of restaurants, meeting and conference facilities and on-site entertainment like La Perle, this really is a City unto itself.… Read the rest
The Little Things, Reflections on Life in Lockdown
We are okay. I keep telling myself this. And we are. I hope things can stay this way. No, I do not mean our life in lockdown with restrictions on everything from gatherings to travel. And don’t even get me started on the schools.… Read the rest
Easter Surprises
A time for family, reflection, celebration, new beginnings. Easter has a different flavor this year. Although being based in Dubai has its up side, one of the cons is being away from family during an occasion when family time defines the celebration.… Read the rest
Cruising Again, Abu Dhabi
And here we go! Again. A little week long interlude for mid term break has seen us escaping from Dubai on the Costa Diadema. We are in for some R&R. Actually, I will be working and there is some concern over the current COVID-19 pandemic but, here we are.… Read the rest
Cruising Again, Dubai
And here we go! Again. A little week long interlude for mid term break has seen us escaping from Dubai on the Costa Diadema for some R&R. Actually, I will be working and there is some concern over the current COVID-19 pandemic but, here we are, decision made and ready to go cruising Dubai again.… Read the rest
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
Going Ape
We are going ape in Gibraltar, that tiny tip of land that sits with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Strait of Gibraltar, opening out to the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other. The divide does not refer just to the waters.… Read the rest
Al Ain Oasis
We find our way to the Al Ain Oasis from the Al Jahili Fort, only a 5 minute drive away. It is rather incredible to come across an oasis such as this in the middle of a city.… Read the rest