Out on Lady Pinto, Candida has told us that we’re heading to Bvlgari Island, a new hotel & resort just off the coast at Jumeriah that only opened in December 2017.… Read the rest
Bvlgari
International Day
International Day – I remember the excitement of the Multicultural Festival in Canberra when I was growing up – the sights, the music, the colors and tastes but most of all the smells – pungent Indian aromas, popcorn and kebabs and the mouthwatering smell of the kranskys (German sausages) cooking were always a favorite of mine. … Read the rest
An Excursion Adventure
The newsletter comes home with a permission slip for the next excursion adventure – Emirates Park Zoo. A wave of apprehension sweeps over me. I’m having flashbacks to the last excursion at the Planetarium a few months ago. I only looked after five children that day and I was completely exhausted afterwards. … Read the rest
Asia Asia
Asia Asia, 7:30pm: “This could be mistaken for a Miss Universe pageant with all these beautiful ladies from around the world…. But no, it’s just a lovely night out with all my beautiful friends in Dubai”. My friend, Melissa, posts this message, along with photos from the evening on Facebook the day after. … 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
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
Tyntesfield
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
Kings Weston
It’s a beautiful, if a little crisp, Bristol morning. We’re off to Kings Western for the junior park run. My friend Alison used to run these in Brisbane when Miranda and Jasper were little, now it’s the children’s turn.… Read the rest