sandCat in Dubai

Category: outings

  • u-turns are legal but don’t hold hands in public

    It may seem from my posts that we are living it up, here in Dubai. It may seem that we are out every night eating expensive food in opulent settings, but of course this is not so. I only write about the highlights, but there are many days in-between where we are getting on with living here, going to work, going to gym and generally carrying on as normal. This weekend was rather low key, the only outing we made was to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, which was lovely, but today I wanted to fill you in on what the rest of our life here looks like, and how living in Dubai works (for me) in reality.

    Ras Al Khor
    [Ras Al Khor bird sanctuary]

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  • the day at the pool that wasn’t

    I am happy to report that the cooler weather really does seem to be on the way. This weekend was very nice, temperature in the day around 37C or so, and yes, that really is cooler! Trust me, sub-40 makes all the difference. The fact that there is little humidity at the moment also helps with the perceived comfort level.

    Friday we started with a visit to a charity book sale at Times Square Centre, proceeds for Feline Friends. With most books going for 10 dirhams each we stocked up on best-sellers we had missed the first time round; and some older, well-thumbed novels by favourite authors. I think we probably walked away with around 40 books. That should keep us busy for a while. After that we joined Peter & Eunice for frunch, yes again. It was just as delightful the second time, although this time I stayed away from the delicious bread so as not to get too full. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and digesting a very nice meal.

    at Barasti
    [at Barasti]

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  • a lecherous “guide”, an oasis, and technology

    This Eid I had big plans. I was going to go to Ikea and have a wander round, I was going to have my car properly washed (inside and out), I was going to have my wheels balanced (yes this is important) and go to Pilates at least once, I even booked a session. Sadly it seems the universe decided I should spend 3 days flat on my back with a nasty tummy bug, so that is what I did Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I was even feeling too bad to watch TV the first day, how tragic! Happily though by Friday I was much improved and so Stuart, his nightingale skills stretched to breaking point, suggested we take a drive to Al Ain and find the Oasis there, which is very old and apparently worth a visit. I agreed.

    Now when I think of an oasis the first thing that comes to mind is an island of green in the middle of an ocean of sand, seen through a shimmering heat mirage in the distance. On closer inspection you find a whole lot of palm trees, some quiet still pools of water, a few camels or goats scattered around and right in the shadiest, quietest part in the centre there are some large cushions scattered around where people are relaxing and having a glass of mint tea. Well let me tell you the reality is nothing like that.

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  • the meat co., and fossil rock

    Burj Dubai
    [Burj Dubai]
    So it may seem that we are red meat mad from this blog but finding a good steak here is harder than you may think. Anyway we met up with some MORE South African friends, who were here escaping from Iran for some R&R, on Thursday night last week at the Meat Co in the Souk Al Bahar, which is near the Burj Dubai tower (at 1km when complete it will be the tallest building in the world apparently). This Souk (or shopping mall if you like) has been designed to look old fashioned and almost Moroccan, although not having been to Morocco this is only a guess you understand. Unfortunately the metro and road construction all around the Old Town Island, where this development is located, made it rather a challenging place to a) find and b) get into, but we made it in the end.

    SA waiters
    [South African waiters]
    The nice thing about the Meat Co, apart from the SA meat of course, is that the waiters are all imported too, so it’s a real home away from home, with them singing “shozaloza” with the happy birthday song. The meal was delicious, as designated driver I did not have any wine sadly but nonetheless the evening was lovely. Yes drunk driving is not a national sport here like it is in South Africa so you really do have to plan your evening a bit better than you did at home; luckily there are toot-and-scoot type services if you get into a pickle (ha-ha!)

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