sandCat in Dubai

Blog

  • 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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  • our first visitor, and eid

    I am beginning to think that I should rename this blog to “Dubai dining” or “Desert foodies” or some such thing, it seems I am always telling you about the wonderful meals we eat here. I am not sure why food seems to be the main focus right now, and I do apologise if you are finding it duller than dishwater, but its really the most exciting part of the weekends for me at the moment. Maybe its because of Ramadan and the persistent summer heat which has left us somewhat limited in our activity choices, as a picnic in the park, nor a visit to the beach, is quite on the cards just yet. It may be partly due to those reasons but then I think Stu and I are unashamedly food lovers and the quality of the food we have been exposed to so far really IS worth sharing. I do promise to find some other things to write about too!

    This weekend we ticked three things off our DUDO list (DUbai DO list)! I just made that up aren’t I clever? Anyway, the three winners, in no particular order, are 1) we hosted our first foreign visitor, 2) we visited the restaurant of a celebrity chef and 3) we went on a dinner cruise on the creek. And no I can’t tell you what is left on the list, not because I don’t want to but because its a vague and fluid thing that exists only in my mind right now. I do promise to let you know when another box is checked.

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  • would you like some traffic with that?

    traffic aargh

    If you are fond of brakelights and rude aggressive drivers then I can highly recommend the “my typical drive in to work” tour. Its fun I promise. Convinced? Well I tried. Have a good Monday.

    **edited 23/09 to answer Fiona’s question about the public transport here**

    Currently there is a rather sad collection of buses that seem to be the main effort around public transport. Using these entails waiting in a supposedly air-conditioned (but mostly not) bus-stop in anything up to 50 degree heat, so most people who can afford it drive. However there is some light at the end of the tunnel, the Dubai metro rail is being built at the moment (started the same time as the Gautrain incidentally), the first line (red) due to open 9/9/09, the second (green) line to open the following year. This will be a completely automated train system and will hopefully alleviate the traffic issues for many people, however the building of this has led to more traffic as roads have been diverted whilst stations are built, and the ensuing construction has led to more busloads of workers being moved around. Hopefully when this, and all the other roadworks, is complete things will improve. Am really holding thumbs..
     

  • is it a bird? .. is it a plane? nope its more dust and heat!

    Mr and Mrs at Tagine
    [Mr and Mrs]
    Continuing with the September birthday theme we celebrated Stu’s 49th birthday this week. We started off with a high speed breakfast at the Hilton. The reason it had to be high-speed is that we only arrived at 10.30 and the buffet closes at 11, so we had to get some serious eating in, which wasn’t a problem of course. After that we had to drop off our now ex-dishwasher, which we have sold, to the very nice American couple that had bought it from us. They live in a penthouse apartment in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), and its actually an understatement to say that we were completely blown away by how stunning their apartment is. We have been congratulating ourselves for a couple of months now on the fact that Stu managed to get us a villa and that we have a little garden and can braai to our heart’s content. I am also sure that the cats are grateful in their own silent feline way, but anyhow we (I) started to adjust that thinking when we saw this apartment. Complete with it’s own pool and lovely outside area, definitely big enough for us to throw the odd chop on the fire, and at least a 180 degree view of the beach and the city, we could probably manage to live there. Just. Haha, its certainly something I will be lusting over for the immediate future anyway. Its good to have a goal, or a dream, anyway.

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  • a quiet week mid-ramadan

    Happy Birthday As September is 9 months after New Year you would expect to run into a few birthdays here and there this month, and even in our case, with our severely depleted social circle, you would be right! In fact we have 2 birthday celebrations this month, one this last week for Eunice, and one this coming week for my dear husband Stuart. We joined Eunice in celebrating her 26th birthday (man don’t I feel old) on Thursday evening at the Grand Grill in the Grand Habtoor Hotel and Resort, Jumeirah Beach. We decided to take a cab so that we could both have a celebratory drink, but man oh man was the journey hair raising; the cabbie seemed determined to hit 120km/h between speed bumps on the way there, and this, combined with the squeakiest brakes this side of the equator, left me feeling rather seasick. However we arrived in one shaken-but-not-stirred piece, in fact we beat the birthday girl who was fashionably late, and had to settle for water for a pre-dinner drink as no alcohol is served until 19h30 due to Ramadan. The advertised cuisine of the restaurant is South African and the menu included a boerewors starter with pap and even a taste of bobotie served with banana ice-cream. Most of the guys and gals went for home-reared slabs of beef, whilst Stu had a burger and I did the sacrilegious ordering fish at a steak house. Happily it was delicious. We also made up for the slow start on the drinks side eventually flattening about 6 bottles of some lovely Porcupine Ridge Merlot and Fairview Pinotage. After that we headed up to Bar 44 for a nightcap, this is a watering hole (frighteningly expensive) on the 44th floor of the Grosvenor House hotel which is just opposite the Grand Habtoor, and reached by a rather frightening dash through sand and over a busy road, not recommended in heels. This is one place you notice the lack of no non-smoking laws here (well this could change any day as the Sheikh is planning to ban all smoking in public places). It reminded me a little of Spats back in Sandton in the old days (well the 90s anyway), minus the live music and with the addition of the most amazing view of the Jumeirah Beach area (ok maybe not much like Spats after all). The view does make it worth visiting at least once, but save up first! Incidentally Grosvenor House is also home to Dubai’s own version of the Buddha Bar, which we plan to visit another night.

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