Beirut Rocks!!

I just got back from a weekend of fun and frolics in Beirut - never thought you would hear that I suppose? Yes Beirut really is a great place, I now understand why the Lebanese are so furiously patriotic and will now be able to engage in conversations with my Lebanese hairdresser about life in Lebanon. The nightlife was so great, I have been yearning for a good night out and Beirut certainly delivers, cool little bars, great clubs, excellent DJs and a beautiful crowd to admire. On the last night we ended up in a basement club which was created when a missle hit during the war, it is now a place of fun fun fun and the roof opens up to reveal the night sky, particulary amazing as the sun started to come up! Yes I stayed out in 6am, I'm not past it yet, although I'm still recovering from 2 big nights out in a row :)


The setting is perfect against the mountain back drop, there are hardly any tourists, lovely food and some historical and natural gems like Jaita grotto and Byblos. Anyway in a one word "Go" it will not disappoint, I'm glad I can tell all the sceptical people who warned me about getting bombed that they missed out.

I also finally went to a mosque in a very fetching black abaya! No photographic evidence but I don't think all black is my colour.

Easter in South Africa

South Africa has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, as we were driving through the Klein Karoo on the way to the Garden route I could picture dinosaurs roaming around - sounds bizarre but it really does feel like a place where life began!

It was a perfect way to spend Easter, we drove 2300km in 4 days which was pretty crazy but I got to see so many of the sights, being in the open space and surrounded by greenery and wildlife was very cleansing and a welcome change from the desert.

One day I will buy a beach house in Knysna - its on this blog so I can hold myself to this and it The Secret makes any sense then it will come true ;0

I have fallen in love with ostriches, they are so cute we learnt all about them at the ostrich farm, stood on their eggs, watched people ride them and learnt how they feed then tucked into an amazing ostrich steak - I did feel guilty but it was lush.

Knysna

Another lovely camel moment

Our colleague is currently working in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi and sent us through this classic photo titled "A daily sight in the Western Region... brilliant!!!

Fujairah

We just came back from a mini road trip across the UAE to another of the 7 Emirates - Fujairah. We were unlucky with the weather over the weekend - cloud, rain and then perfect sunshine as we got in the car to come home!! Anna and Dan managed to fit in some diving, although it was a shallow dive and they didn't see any Nemos but Anna did see a turtle which is pretty cool.

Fujairah the town is a fairly small beach resort with a strip of the usual 5 star suspects, we had a lovely meal in Le Meridien last night which was the nicest hotel there any much nicer than the 1970's Sandy Beach hotel which we opted for - I admit I am becoming a Jumeriah Jane and was so happy to see the lovely Shangri La when we got back tonight!!

On the way home we stopped off in a random town called Dhaid for an Indian, we were the only ones in there not eating with our hands and were being stared at with fascination by all the customers - but really great food for a place totally off the tourist track.

We also stopped on the motorway to take a shot of the camel crossing sign - how great is that?

Concerts at The Emirates Palace

This weekend I went to watch Andre Bocelli and Coldplay. Complete oppostites but both so amazing in their own way, the setting is out of this world - well for an English chick anyway. Picture this - a palace, palm trees, the sea, an international crowd, great company and amazing music - perfect!!!!
I am also planning some trips to Muscat and Beirut for our team, we need to explore the region more and once it starts getting hot is will be nice to escape. I also spent time this weekend looking at furniture for our project villa - I can't believe I get to do this for work, I am off to an Interior exhibition tonight to try and find some more sources and learn about Interior UAE stylie.

More news to follow on this tomorrow.....

Abu Dhabi is starting to feel more like home

So in the past couple of weeks I have been to Vail, which was absolutely fantastic and probably the best resor I have ever been to, I must also say that the Americans were lovely and made the whole experience a dream. I am now back in Abu Dhabi and this week for the forst I really feel like this is home for me now, we have been looking at villas as we need to move out of the Shangri La but have found some very close. My task for the weekend is to go and check out the prices for furninshing 2 villas - perfect job, I am so excited I actually get to put my interior design skills into action!!!!

I will leave you with a photo of the Rocky mountains, brilliant blue skies contrasted with bright white snow lines and gorgeous evergreens - bliss.................

Lovely food and fabulous surroundings

Well Anna and I are finally having to move out of the lovely Shangri La apartments - we are both totally gutted, last week we went for our last meal together at the Pearls and Caviar restaurant, beautiful food, great company and fabulous settings - we both agreed we make great dates!!!

The toilets had the most amazing mural of a lady and I just think this photo is so beautiful.