Matt: I can hardly believe it's been so long since I posted last. Now the reasons for that are two-fold, 1. The weeks fly by so fast out here it's unbelievable and 2. we actually haven't been up to much of interest.
So on to the news: We had a quiet week last week, which was nice. We tidied around the villa and did a few chores. Then took it easy most nights. I was on a training course from work (Cisco), which was pretty intense, so chilling out in the evenings suited me.
This past weekend we went off to Abu Dhabi. Ann and Mick were celebrating their 5 wedding anniversary (Wood, in case you were wondering) We had a lovely weekend, out for Bubbly Brunch on the Friday, then a day at the Khalidia Palace in the sun on the Saturday.
Also went to the cinema to see War of the Worlds, Adam Sandler was very amusing and Burt Reynolds made a cameo appearance, quite entertaining all round. What? I'm confused you say?? No, I know what I'm saying... We Went to See War of the Worlds, but.. We couldn't see it!! So we saw the Longest Yard instead. I didn't realise it was a remake of the Mean Machine - I just thought it was a similar story!!
good none the less.
Hope you are all well.. oh and get Skype then you can call us on the phone anytime really cheaply. I may be calling you soon!!!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Al Aqah break
Matt: Wow!! What an amazing weekend! We took a trip to Fujarah on the east coast of the UAE. It was a fascinating drive through the country, vast expanse of nothing but desert that gives way to a rugged and desolate mountain range called the Hatta Mountains.
We were frequently surprised by the things we saw, from miles of cables and pylons snaking through the mountains, to massive billboard adverts seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Deep ravines cut across our path and sporadic plantations sprung up in the least expected of places.
The above photo was taken looking down 80 feet from the roads side.
Towns were few and far between, but even so signs of civilisation were present in the harshest of places. Roadside traders and shops appeared almost out of nowhere and as we rounded one corner, high in the mountains, we were greeted by a mile long stretch of road which was flanked on either side by open market stalls hawking all kinds of wares. Mainly fruit and veg, but also ceramics, rugs, beach balls, kitchen ware.
We were treated to a taste of the sweetest magoes and the smallest banana's by the sellers all eager to garner our trade.
Eating in a local cafe was an experience, fast food indigenous style was good. They sliced open a young coconut so we could find refreshment from it's milk. Once we'd drunk that, they took it away and scrape the coconut out from the shell and serve it back to you.
As for the hotel, it was simply lovely. A real treat. We relaxed by the pool, ate in the lovely restaurants and bathed in the sea. Well actually we were thrown around like drift wood in the sea, the waves were immense and a little frightening at times. But we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot as one or the other of us were wiped off our feet.
Kelly faces off to another 10 foot wall of water
All in all we had a fabulous time and I highly recommend a trip there if you are ever out this way.
Sadly - it's back to work now!!
We were frequently surprised by the things we saw, from miles of cables and pylons snaking through the mountains, to massive billboard adverts seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Deep ravines cut across our path and sporadic plantations sprung up in the least expected of places.
The above photo was taken looking down 80 feet from the roads side.
Towns were few and far between, but even so signs of civilisation were present in the harshest of places. Roadside traders and shops appeared almost out of nowhere and as we rounded one corner, high in the mountains, we were greeted by a mile long stretch of road which was flanked on either side by open market stalls hawking all kinds of wares. Mainly fruit and veg, but also ceramics, rugs, beach balls, kitchen ware.
We were treated to a taste of the sweetest magoes and the smallest banana's by the sellers all eager to garner our trade.
Eating in a local cafe was an experience, fast food indigenous style was good. They sliced open a young coconut so we could find refreshment from it's milk. Once we'd drunk that, they took it away and scrape the coconut out from the shell and serve it back to you.
As for the hotel, it was simply lovely. A real treat. We relaxed by the pool, ate in the lovely restaurants and bathed in the sea. Well actually we were thrown around like drift wood in the sea, the waves were immense and a little frightening at times. But we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot as one or the other of us were wiped off our feet.
Kelly faces off to another 10 foot wall of water
All in all we had a fabulous time and I highly recommend a trip there if you are ever out this way.
Sadly - it's back to work now!!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Good and Bad
Matt: Bad news first: 'The Beast' has let us down again, so we've decided to call it quits and sell it. We've had the fault fixed obviously but we just don't have any faith in it anymore, so it's got to go. I made some posters up this morning and Kelly is also going to put it in the classifieds. Shame - but we tried.
Good news: We're popping home!! Yep at the end of August we have decided to come home for a break, primarily due to the imminent arrival of Baa Baa Bump. We'll be home over the August bank holiday weekend, so keep some time free so we can come say hi!! Can't wait.
We're going away this weekend to a little place a few hours away, a mini break which we are both really looking forward to.
Click Here for more details.
See ya when we get back.
Good news: We're popping home!! Yep at the end of August we have decided to come home for a break, primarily due to the imminent arrival of Baa Baa Bump. We'll be home over the August bank holiday weekend, so keep some time free so we can come say hi!! Can't wait.
We're going away this weekend to a little place a few hours away, a mini break which we are both really looking forward to.
Click Here for more details.
See ya when we get back.
Picture Postcard
Matt: Here are some pics of Alison's visit, Enjoy:
An Evening painting at Café Ceramique
Lunch at the Emirates Golf Clubs
Bubbly Brunch at the Glass House
Ali flowriding at Wild Wadi (sultry)
An Evening painting at Café Ceramique
Lunch at the Emirates Golf Clubs
Bubbly Brunch at the Glass House
Ali flowriding at Wild Wadi (sultry)
Sunday, July 10, 2005
A lovely time was had by all
Matt: Well today see's Alison's departure from the sun. She said she had a lovely time. Kelly and her haven't stopped for the whole time. They've been everwhere doing everything. Now that we can actually take a breath I'll get some of the photo's uploaded.
Thanks for coming Ali, it was great to see you and we both had a lovely time.
Thanks for coming Ali, it was great to see you and we both had a lovely time.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Wee Ali
Matt: Hello all, Hope you're all doing well wherever you are! Well Alison has arrived safely in the U.A.E. and has been having an eventful time. We picked her up from Abu Dhabi airport on Friday morning and haven't stopped since.
We spent Saturday at Wild Wadi - and when I say Saturday, it was most of the day. The place opens at 11am - we were inside at 10:50. It closes at 9pm - we left at a respectful 8:45pm.. A fun day was had and there wasn't a slide or ride we didn't try.
Most of the day was spent trying to master the Flowriders which we started getting pretty good at till it got dark. It's kinda fun riding the master blasters in the dark, under the stars though!!
In an Artistic mood, the girls went to café Ceramique last night after chilling out at the beach park all day. They turnedtheirr hands to painting ceramics in the hope to produce something usable and also pleasing to the eye. I took the opportunity to wallow in a bit of piece and quiet. Arhhhhh lovely!
We spent Saturday at Wild Wadi - and when I say Saturday, it was most of the day. The place opens at 11am - we were inside at 10:50. It closes at 9pm - we left at a respectful 8:45pm.. A fun day was had and there wasn't a slide or ride we didn't try.
Most of the day was spent trying to master the Flowriders which we started getting pretty good at till it got dark. It's kinda fun riding the master blasters in the dark, under the stars though!!
In an Artistic mood, the girls went to café Ceramique last night after chilling out at the beach park all day. They turnedtheirr hands to painting ceramics in the hope to produce something usable and also pleasing to the eye. I took the opportunity to wallow in a bit of piece and quiet. Arhhhhh lovely!
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