The Bastakiya (also known as the Al Fahidi Historical District), a sliver of Dubai’s fragile history, huddles close to the Ruler’s Court and the Creek. It has been beautifully restored and allows for a glimpse… Continue reading
A Filipino staff member at the hotel, also on his way down to the foyer, spotted my Carrefour shopping bags, and asked, “You go Carrefour Madam?” “No, I’m actually going to Spinneys.” “You a Christian Madam?”… Continue reading
The low moan of the wind disrupted my pre-dawn slumber. We were meant to go for a drive to Wadi Ghalilah, but as I looked out the window I saw white caps on the… Continue reading
“Wadi Koob” the sign reads. “I wonder what is there”, I muse. It is not often that these signs guide one to the actual place it so proudly announces. Silence follows my remark as we drive… Continue reading
On my daily walks along the promenade, I have witnessed the slow transformation of an empty space into a beautiful Italian Restaurant called Pesto. As I realised that the end of winter was… Continue reading
A Wednesday is the best day of the week to be a woman in the UAE. Hotels close their gym and swimming facilities to men, and women, for once, have a space where… Continue reading
The transition from traveling to the familiar daily routines of life sometimes take a bit longer than expected. My first two days back home felt surreal, but as the days passed, I slowly… Continue reading
I love parks. Any park. I always feel welcome in its green embrace whenever the concrete and noise of urban life become too much. Wherever I travel, I always search out at least one park to visit. It is here that I can forget… Continue reading
Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain is a beautifully restored fort in which one can linger for a happy hour or two. I visited it during the week when it was almost deserted. A small group of Emirati students… Continue reading
If shopping is your vice, Dubai should be on your ‘to visit’ list. In this shopper’s paradise you can literally shop until you drop! I am not overly fond of shopping and shopping… Continue reading
This year on the 4th of February the birthday of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, is celebrated. As the Islamic calendar is lunar, the date varies from year to year. It is an official… Continue reading
A new place-name entered our consciousness last week: Kalba. It is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the UAE, so naturally Michael and I were curious to explore the validity… Continue reading
Visiting the National Museum in RAK is not a very exciting experience when one is simply focusing on the exhibits. Although artefacts that were discovered in the area are housed here, and as a result, capture… Continue reading
Rain in the United Arab Emirates is, needless to say, scarce. Even when the clouds look full of promise, or one is lucky enough to see lightning and hear thunder, it does not… Continue reading
While doing research on the history of the Volvo Ocean Race I noticed the absence of any women participating in this year’s race. I started to wonder about women sailors and the role… Continue reading
My husband’s love of boats have urged me to pay closer attention to what is happening in the world of sailing. The Volvo Ocean Race, held every 3 years, long ago captured my imagination, as it… Continue reading
Khasab Castle has been lovingly restored and is a beautiful testament to the Omanis’ obvious pride in their history. It used to be right on the water’s edge, but with modern development and… Continue reading
Michael loves fishing. I don’t. Problem is that with him working in Al Ain, we only see one another over weekends, so his fishing expeditions have dwindled into a sorry state of non-existence. To… Continue reading
Seeing that Michael was all “rock-ed out”, there were no excursions in the mountains for me this weekend. We did venture out into the beautiful warm winter’s day though, to discover and delight in… Continue reading
I have joined Michael in Al Ain for the week, mainly because when he is away from home in RAK I miss him too much, but partly also to get a sense of… Continue reading
