Travel, life, loves and laughs.
I arrive at the SMCCU (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding) early and have time to wander around the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood before my cultural breakfast begins.
My real quest, heading into the quiet streets, is for a karak tea – that lovely, strong, sweet tea flavoured with cardamom (or sometimes other flavours if you’re lucky, like at Global Village). … Read the rest
Foyer of the Museum of Islamic Art
I am in Doha for the day. I spent the morning at Souq Waqif and The Pearl and much of the afternoon walking the sights after a dhow ride (see Doha by Dhow). … Read the rest
Of all our cruising destinations for this trip, I am most excited about exploring the Kingdom of Bahrain. It’s also the place I feel I need to make the most of as this is the least likely port that I’ll get a chance to return to, at least in the foreseeable future.… Read the rest
The Bahrain National Museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts organised into various galleries (rooms). We make our way there along Government Avenue after exploring some of the other sights of The Kingdom of Bahrain for the morning. … Read the rest
Finally! I have now lived in Dubai just shy of a year and this is my first visit to the capital. I am consciously shelving the mosque and the new Louvre in order to do the Corniche and some of the historic sights properly and have been anticipating this since we booked our holiday. … Read the rest
Tonight, and Danny Bhoy, is a little surprise, an early anniversary celebration. It’s not a big one – the anniversary of our first date – but we like to mark the occasion. Except I couldn’t find anything on for that night, so tonight it is.… Read the rest
“Alright” I think. It’s been suggested that we do a girl’s night at Al Hadheerah restaurant. I’ve been here once before for an anniversary six months ago. It was an experience then, the desert location, the open air, tantalising buffet and restaurant sunken into the sand. … Read the rest
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
The alarm rouses me from sleep for a day at Villa d’Este and the first thing I feel is my aching feet, sore from a couple of weeks of walking. Not that I don’t like walking, I do, I like it a lot, especially when exploring new and wonderful places.… Read the rest
Castel Nuovo is an impressive building. From its perch on the entrance to Naploli, it stands guard over the Gulf of Naples almost as impressive as Mount Vesuvius on the other side of the city. Certainly as proud, almost as formidable. … Read the rest