Posts filed under ‘The United Arab Emirates’
Full Moon Drumming
We headed out to the desert last night to join the full moon drumming circle. As we got closer to the location we ended up in convoy heading into the parking area at the start of the desert. From here 4WD’s shuttled everyone into the camp, it was a slightly hairy ride with C&M but we were there in a few minutes. The set up was awesome, down in a hollow there was the drum circle with dance floor behind, traditional Arabic seating around the drumming, an area for food & a bar, real toilets, camel rides and a bonfire pit. The tall surrounding dunes were used for sand boarding, running down & as a lookout for watching the action.
The first few hours were brilliant. We did some drumming and MC loved dancing up the front. CJ started off a bit overwhelmed & wanted to play in the dunes & have a camel ride. He didn’t take long to warm up though & was soon running around having fun, smacking the main drummers bottom’s & hitting their drums!
After some drumming & dancing we had our dinner. It’s still really hot so we were all dripping with sweat & covered in sand but happy to be there. Things went a little down hill when the organiser droned on for way too long with impromptu blabber & the energy of the drumming died a bit. This was followed by music & dancing that made us imagine what it’s like in a (bad) Beirut nightclub! We were tired & my poor pregnant body was sore after a long day so we headed home around 11pm.
It was a cool scene & we will watch the moon and look forward to following the next full one back to the big party in the desert.
drumming
the camp
getting her groove on
Add comment October 3, 2009
Dubai’s best kept secret?
Last night we went to Desert Palm resort for ‘Movies and Munchies’, you get to use the pool, they show two movies and you get popcorn for 30 AED. On a normal day it’s 150 AED just to use the pool. We expected it to be packed but there was hardly anyone there, the pool is beautiful. Can’t say I watched the films but enjoyed a cheap swim & Pad Thai for dinner.
Rare photo of me, CJ & MC
Add comment September 10, 2009
Life is good
I’m still really happy to be back in Dubai and even though it is the middle of summer we are falling into a wonderful daily and weekly routine that keeps us busy and content. CJ does his best when he follows a routine & knows what is coming next, it’s an essential Steiner concept – rhythm – that definitely works for him. Sunday morning we have a regular play date, Monday has been a preschoolers group with activities, play & snack, Tuesday is soft play (MC loves it!), Wednesday is grocery shopping & Thursday a play date at home. CJ & MC both go to sleep easily after lunch together & I wake them up in the afternoon with a story. I usually get them snacks & we hang out in the kitchen preparing dinner together. CJ loves his new role of chef & he is a good helper with many “jobs” throughout the day. Then we have our nighttime routine: dinner, bath, DVD, stories. And another day is complete.
I’m trying to fit my study & LLL work in at nap times or after babes are asleep at night. It’s tough and I know I am doing too much right now so I’m really looking forward to finishing with Massey in 3 months time (for a while). I’ve managed to do some yoga practice 3 nights this week which makes me feel good, but in return I am tired as getting to sleep too late. Ahhhh, so it’s hectic, but good, and my babes delight me daily.
Am still working on that photo of MC in her Tip Toey Joey’s Aunty K sent her….
Add comment August 4, 2009
Fujairah for the day
I felt a desperate need to get out of Dubai for the day so yesterday we headed off to the East Coast, the Fujairah emirate. It took us 90mins on the Sharjah-Kalba road (S116) and it was a great drive. We saw the usual sand dunes, camels, goats and the last 30 mins or so was through mountains. From Kalba we drove up the coast through Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and to Le Meridien hotel on Al Aqah beach where we spent the day. It was roasting hot but we really enjoyed our day. We spent a couple of hours by the pool then had lunch inside under the AC which we really needed by then. MC made a pig of herself and then she had a lovely afternoon snooze in the pram while CJ, A and I swam all afternoon in the ocean and relaxed at the beach. They were the best swims I’ve had in the UAE, absolutely gorgeous. The water was clean & clear & warm oooo I want to be there now! MC woke up for an evening beach swim & then we had a hard time getting CJ out of the pool for dinner. Fish n Chips outside by the water. In the evening when I changed out of my togs it was still so hot my body could not get dry, I was dripping with sweat. We left around 8pm and made it home by 10 with 2 sleeping babes who had fallen asleep as soon as they were in the car. We will definitely return when the temperatures cool down again but with it not even being June yet it could be a long hot 4 months ahead.
Kalba
Khor Fakkan – an inviting spot!
Finally I got my snap! I tried to take a photo of one of these signs at the Oman border & we were quickly yelled at by security & made to delete the pic. Yesterday I got my photos, I love this sign.
Bidiyah Mosque. The oldest mosque in the UAE mid 15th C.
Look how clear the water is. And look how cute his bum in the next one!
Add comment May 23, 2009
Mother Blessings
I’ve been part of 2 Mother Blessings recently, celebrating with 2 dear friends as they both look forward to welcoming their 3rd babies to the world in July. Both afternoons were special spaces in time when women and children came together to spend time together & honor the mother to be. I now have 2 woolen bands around my wrist that I will wear until they either fall off or the babies are born. Wearing them helps me to keep my friends in my thoughts. Both babies will be born in their mother’s home country as both woman have decided against giving birth here in the UAE. Birth is a business here and highly medicalised, so to get the peaceful births they desire both have decided to head home. L’s baby will be born in Australia and K’s baby will be born at ‘home’ in the UK. Here is a photo from the first day
This collage was taken by one of the “fierce mothers” & friends who was at the 2nd Blessing, Abu Dhabi’s very own multi-talented Kirsty Lamour.
Add comment May 20, 2009
Plan C!
We hadn’t even recovered from our trip when we realised we couldn’t afford to stay another year in Abu Dhabi. The rent of 240,000 AED was too much, so quick as a flash we packed our bags (again!) & headed back to Dubai. Turns out A can be based in Dubai anyway & we found a villa back in our old neighbourhood that we love, close to our old friends. It was a totally unexpected move but looks like it was a good one. Instead of apartment living we’ve got an independent villa (for the first time since we moved to the UAE), with a huge garden. This is what CJ thinks
2 comments April 9, 2009
Our ‘hood
Before we’re kicked out for good,this is where we live! Ours is the top apartment with open window.
This is a shot of the mangroves around the corner where we sometimes walk, it was foggy today.
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Add comment January 30, 2009
Friday Brunch
And here is another view of Abu Dhabi
This is our local Pakistani joint. Tasty food.
A gets the meat option & I get the veggie option, you get what’s dished up.
The Shangri La meal cost us 430 dirhams including 2 drinks & 2 Becks (with a 2 for 1 voucher). Today’s lunch cost us 28 dirhams including 4 cokes & 2 milks.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Abu Dhabi
One view of life in The Emirates. I like this picture, the flash boats, beautiful water, the Grand Mosque & of course construction.
No job yet…
Add comment January 29, 2009
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