Kul aam w'inta bikhair كل عام و إنت بخير (I hope every New Year finds you well) ...

2012

Tile Mural on the Corniche of an Emirati with Falcon

Three Day Visit to Fujairah and Oman

On the way to Fujairah we saw a camel herd traveling across the desert.  There were many wadis along the way, which are a type of canyon created from heavy rainfall.

When we arrived at the Holiday Beach Hotel, Greg, Michelle and Isza headed off to go out to Dibba Rock to do some snorkeling.  I enjoyed the beach, did some reading, and talked with a nanny, Josephine, and the two children, Sarah and Jaden.   The family, who she's been with for four years, lives outside of Dubai and are from India. 

When they returned we explored the beach for all the interesting things we could find.  Isza loves to use the camera and captured some great pictures. 

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The next day we set off across the border to Oman to meet up with the Dibba Cruise in the Gulf of Oman.  Five hours of beautiful weather, snorkeling, fishing, and great food!

These guys snorkeled all the way to the shore line and spent a good hour in the gulf.  BTW, I snorkeled too!  I spent some time snorkeling off the beach and saw two sea turtles!

Love this picture!

The Gulf of Oman

My beautiful granddaughter!

Isza caught the biggest trigger fish of the day!!

The Catch of the Day ~ Greg's barracuda is on top

Heading back to shore after a great day!!

Striated Heron ~ Cute isn't he?

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The Oldest Mosque in the UAE

~Al Bidya Mosque~

On the way back we stopped to see the Oldest Mosque in the UAE.   Greg got some beautiful shots of this place.  He's taken so many pictures that I can't wait to get home of go through them all.

Built in 1446 AD

Khor Fakkan, Sharjah ~ the Sheikh Zayed heart on the distant mountain.  He died in 2004 and was the inspiration behind the UAE.

Michelle and I taking a break in the shade.

Kul aam w'inta bikhair كل عام و إنت بخير (I hope every new year finds you well)  

All Around the Neighborhood

Al Ain

One of the things I enjoyed doing was observing the everyday surroundings in the neighborhood.  For the most part I found a lot of similarities, along with some differences, with the USA.  Shopping in the supermarket ..... going to the mall ......felt just like home.  The Dubai Mall was over-the-top for me, but I felt right at home in the Al Ain Mall.  Driving around on streets and highways was also similar to the US.  Roads and Highways had the same traffic signs and lights, with both English and Arabic.  The Yield sign said "Give Way", and the No Passing sign said "No Overtaking", which Greg said is the British way.   Everywhere I saw small Toyota Pickup Trucks carrying camels, cattle etc.  I had expected to find drivers traveling at high speeds (something I read) but found the speed limits similar to ours.  The Roundabouts, and there are a lot of them, were the most challenging to navigate and I praise Greg for his skill in all the driving he did for us over the two weeks.  There was one time, coming home from a relaxing sunset experience, that we came upon a rare, totally unexpected traffic jam.  We sat and inched bit by bit through the total chaos of drivers cutting ahead and trying to maneuver ahead of everyone.  I got to witness what they call "Doing an Emirati" where they drive right up over the curb, on to the sidewalk and travel up to the head of the line.  Extreme patience is required!!!..........  One major difference from the US is that children aren't restrained in car seats.  I saw some standing on the seat next to the driver and hanging out the window.

Oreo and Zoe......early in the morning!

Doves in the garden at the apartment complex                  

Isza's School ~ Liwa International School
The First Green and Environment-Friendly School in the UAE

The Dhaher High School~ where Greg teaches.

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Michelle's Mint Sheesha Moment waiting for the sunset on Jebel Hafeet

My Mint Sheesha Moment

 I did inhale!  <cough..cough>  Sheesha is a local UAE custom enjoyed at cafes and restaurants.  When in Rome.............

Greg's Mint Sheesha Moment

Gorgeous Sunset on Jebel Hafeet

Jebel Hafeet ~ a mountain in Al Ain. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road extends for 7.3 mi (11.7 km) up the mountain, rising 4,000 ft (1,219 m).

Eid Milaad Majid ~ Merry Christmas

It's Thursday, December 29th, and we just got back from a great three-day trip to Fujeirah and Oman.  I'm getting back to setting up some posts, and hope to put two more up over the next few days.  It's been a fascinating, busy time and I'm so grateful to Greg, Michelle and Isza for their great company and for the time they've given to make this a trip of a lifetime. 

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~Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque~

On Christmas Eve we visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  As the country's grand mosque, it is the key place of worship for Friday gathering and Eid prayers.  It's the largest mosque in the UAE and the third biggest in the world!  The number of visitors during Eid can be more than forty thousand people.  On our visit to the mosque, Michelle, Isza and I were required to wear the traditional abaya (women's cloak) and sheila (scarf).   It's difficult to describe the elegance and beauty of this place with just a few pictures.  The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's design and construction 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and United Arab Emirates.

The "clock" on the left shows the time for prayer as well as the name of the prayer at that time.

 

The Arabian rug is handma and considered to be the worlds largest carpet. It was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque.

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At the center of the display is the Arabic word for "Allah" and then blooming forth all around are the 99 attributes of God — From top right clockwise: The Constrictor (Al Qabid), The Reliever (Al Basit), The Abaser (Al Khafid), The Compassionate (Al Rahman), The Merciful (Al Raheem) The Forceful (Al Miteen), The Trustee (Al Wakeel) and The Strong (Al Qooey)

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~The Emirates Palace Hotel~

We relaxed in the Caviar Lounge in the Emirates Palace Hotel.  They have the best Margheritas!

Greg, Michelle, Isza and me in front of the Christmas tree at the Emirates Palace Hotel

The Emirates Palace Hotel is a luxury hotel made with marble and gold. The cost of staying ranges from $400 to $11,500 per night! Yikes!

Items in the gold dispensing ATM ... A 100 gram gold bar cost AED 19,895.00.  US dollars would be about $5,000.

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~Burj Khalifa ~ Dubai~

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world. It only took us seconds to get to the top while riding in an elevator and relaxing to music.

Isza looking out over the view of Dubai

Burj Khalifa is the setting for the Tom Cruise movie ~ Mission Impossible

The shadow of Burj Khalifa

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the one on the left.

"The word 'impossible' is not in leaders' dictionaries. No matter how big the challenges, strong faith, determination and resolve will overcome them." HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President,Prime Minister and Ruler of Duba

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On Christmas Day, everywhere we went people were wishing us a Merry Christmas in English!

Eid Milaad Majid ~ Merry Christmas!