Tapas & sangrias

Bugger! Missed the camel racing at 0730 this morning AND the second round of racing at 1430. Couldn't quite get up in time to be at Nad al Sheba at the crack of dawn and got caught up having tapas and sangrias in the afternoon! Well, I guess there's always next weekend :)

Seville's Spanish tapas bar

Also planned to go to Sharjah to check out some cool furniture shops there. Made it to Sharjah but couldn't find the shops so we ended up in Ikea...again.

I'd have to say the most exciting thing that happened today is that it rained. Well, it almost did - it drizzled. I never realised that I'd miss the rain but after 10 years of living in KL where it pours during monsoon season and 17 years in rainy AKL, I kinda do. The light drizzle lasted for about 10 minutes and it made a nice change to see rain clouds and a bit of rain in sunny sunny DXB.

On the way home from Ikea we stumbled across Global Village where the Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in a few days time, will be held. Very cool. Here are some of the photos we took at Global Village.

Different countries of the world selling their wares

'China' at Global Village

Amusement for the kids at Global Village



The view of Global Village from atop the ferris wheel


Camels up close at last!

Fireworks at Global Village

New Years Eve ... 2 days to go!

Looks like we'll be going on a Desert Safari for NY Eve! There's a special package for couples that includes pick up, drop off, an international food buffet, drinks, dj, live band, belly dancing, henna AND camel rides! All for 450dhs.

Very excited about the camel rides as I've only seen them from a distance so far...

Ah, soo desu ka?

My Japanese Name Is...

Sada Konoe

What's your Japanese Name?

One month in Dubai

It's hard to believe it's been 5 weeks since we left NZ. Going to the airport that day felt like just going on just another holiday, and it's funny I've even caught myself thinking that at the end of this trip we'll go home to our apartment and I'll go back to work at Quay Tower.

After 4 weeks in Dubai however, it is starting to feel more and more like home. We finally found an apartment, about 12 minutes drive from the Emirates Towers where Gypsy Boy works, and we've been busy furnishing it.

Emirates Towers

Demand exceeds supply at the moment, so finding an apartment and an area that we liked was somewhat challenging. Rents are exorbitant compared to NZ and seem to be increasing everyday! Furthermore, most properties are leased for a minumum 1 year contract with the expectation that you pay the rent in two or sometimes even one cheque!

Christmas at the Mall of the Emirates

Our apartment is just behind the largest mall in the Middle East, the Mall of the Emirates. It takes 2 minutes for me to walk there which is extremely convenient with a Carrefour, Cinemas, shops, shops, more shops and 'Ski Dubai'. Yes, this is where you go if you want to go snowboarding, skiing or tobaganning in Dubai!