My expectations were not high. I have heard that Doha, the capital of Qatar, is nice but no one has ever raved about it to me. Now, having been there myself, I find there is a lot to praise. … Read the rest
Souq Waqif
Sir Bani Yas Island
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
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
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
Stormy Weather
Its not often you see a storm in Dubai. Given that it hasn’t rained here since March this is a special sight indeed. Pity that it’s on a day that we’ve come to Kite Beach.
We’ve just come for a bit of a play.… Read the rest
The Annual Festive Season Carnival
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
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
UAE National Day
National Day has been on my radar for about a month. I knew it was coming, having looked into the background for a street being called “2nd December Street” earlier on in the year, the next sign came on the 1st of November when all the Halloween decorations came down and flags went up everywhere – on buildings, schools, in the shops, on houses and on people – in the form of scarves, pins and t-shirts. … Read the rest
Swimming With Dolphins
I’m still buzzing from the incredible experience of swimming with dolphins at the Dubai Dolphinarium. We had set the day aside early last month after birthday ‘season’ in our household (our two boys as well as my birthday, and incidentally father’s day, all fall in the same week). … Read the rest
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.… Read the rest