Watch out for our next blog. Radinja2. Meanwhile enjoy this (flawed) masterpiece.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSRDMH83Gkk&context=C3e45106ADOEgsToPDskLLumkNesXQky5P6VAIG6cj&noredirect=1
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Friday, 25 March 2011
Epilogue
Anyone who has kept up with this blog might be wondering why it came to such an abrupt halt on 19th March. We had one further day with Tim and Shelagh in Dubai which was mainly spent packing, although we did manage lunch out at a restaurant on the Jumeirah Beach Walk. By the evening both of us were feeling a little under the weather and, as we had a 5.00 a.m. pick-up for the airport, we had an early night.
The car turned up promptly and everything went very well at the airport and on the flight home, although neither of us did full justice to the on-board catering. At Glasgow our luggage appeared to be last off the plane but we were soon on the road. Back in Linlithgow Alex and Craig were there to welcome us home.
The final outcome was that D felt unwell enough to visit the doctor on Tuesday and, after submitting a sample, was diagnosed as being infected by the Giardia parasite. This is now being treated with a drastic regime of 500mg antibiotic tablets and strictly no alcohol :-(. We are now waiting for R's test results.
Do not let this minor setback put you off visiting India. We had a tremendous time. There is so much to see, do and experience.
The car turned up promptly and everything went very well at the airport and on the flight home, although neither of us did full justice to the on-board catering. At Glasgow our luggage appeared to be last off the plane but we were soon on the road. Back in Linlithgow Alex and Craig were there to welcome us home.
The final outcome was that D felt unwell enough to visit the doctor on Tuesday and, after submitting a sample, was diagnosed as being infected by the Giardia parasite. This is now being treated with a drastic regime of 500mg antibiotic tablets and strictly no alcohol :-(. We are now waiting for R's test results.
Do not let this minor setback put you off visiting India. We had a tremendous time. There is so much to see, do and experience.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Saturday 19th March - A busy day.
Today we planned out a busy itinerary starting with a return visit to the flamingo hide at the bird sanctuary. This was busier than it had been through the week but we were able to watch a bit more activity on the part of the flamingoes than we had seen before, as well as spotting a few other species lurking around. It is to be hoped that this reserve manages to survive the relentless development going on all around it.
After the birds we drove for an hour and a half north out of Dubai and through some of the smaller Emirates, to the Wadi Bih. This is a dry watercourse (for most of the time) but obviously sees torrents of water when heavy rains fall in the mountains. We found a shady thorn tree where we set up the folding chairs and got stuck in to our sandwiches and ginger beer. There were intersting rocks and birds to look at as well as a few fossils.
Next on the agenda was the Dubail Mall for a return visit to the Aquarium, an ice cream and to pick up our tickets for a trip to the observation platform on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest freestanding building. THe aquarium was especially good as a couple of frogmen appeared and started feeding some of the fish which provoked a stampede (or whatever the fish equivalent is). The ice creams were pretty good too, as was the fountain display outside the mall, even if the music was Celene Dion.
The trip up the tower took quite a while, as everybody else seemed to be in the mood to dawdle. When we got up to the viewing deck it was quite crowded and the view seemed surprisingly limited. It didn't stretch as far as the Marina area and the main visible features were motorway intersections and a few brightly lit buildings. There was a much longer queue to get down than there had been to get up but eventually it was our turn to descend.
Meeting the Jordans at the bottom we headed home via the shwarma shop where we picked up supper. Shelagh made the mistake of asking to see our Indian photos. After two and a half hours we had got to the end of week two and nobody could stay awake any longer.
After the birds we drove for an hour and a half north out of Dubai and through some of the smaller Emirates, to the Wadi Bih. This is a dry watercourse (for most of the time) but obviously sees torrents of water when heavy rains fall in the mountains. We found a shady thorn tree where we set up the folding chairs and got stuck in to our sandwiches and ginger beer. There were intersting rocks and birds to look at as well as a few fossils.
Next on the agenda was the Dubail Mall for a return visit to the Aquarium, an ice cream and to pick up our tickets for a trip to the observation platform on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest freestanding building. THe aquarium was especially good as a couple of frogmen appeared and started feeding some of the fish which provoked a stampede (or whatever the fish equivalent is). The ice creams were pretty good too, as was the fountain display outside the mall, even if the music was Celene Dion.
The trip up the tower took quite a while, as everybody else seemed to be in the mood to dawdle. When we got up to the viewing deck it was quite crowded and the view seemed surprisingly limited. It didn't stretch as far as the Marina area and the main visible features were motorway intersections and a few brightly lit buildings. There was a much longer queue to get down than there had been to get up but eventually it was our turn to descend.
Meeting the Jordans at the bottom we headed home via the shwarma shop where we picked up supper. Shelagh made the mistake of asking to see our Indian photos. After two and a half hours we had got to the end of week two and nobody could stay awake any longer.
Friday 18th March - Picnic at the Polo
Friday is Sunday in Dubai so Tim wasn't working and we all had a lie in. Shelagh had goodies to prepare for this afternoon's picnic so we slackers went swimming while Tim went for a unicycle ride round the Marina. It was soon time to go so we loaded up the car and set off to the Polo field where various friends were already busy setting up gazebos, chairs and a bar.
The entertainment kicked off with Camel Polo - chaotic as the camels were lead around by grooms and the players were clearly not used to either camels or the longer sticks required. It doesn't seem likely to catch on as a mass entertainment.
Following the comedy turn it was time for a rather splendid picnic lunch featuring a delicious salmon and Shelagh's undoubtedly excellent apple tart. As the drinks continued to circulate the conviviality level soared and people started to kick their shoes off and party. Meanwhile various polo matches were taking place, with the standard apparently improving as the the afternoon progressed.
During the interval between matches a hoopoe appeared on the playing area. This rather amazing bird was top of R's wish list and she was absolutely thrilled to see one.
The last match was between the British Army and the Habtoor team, local bigwigs. The standard of play was impressive and for quite a while the game very exciting until the Habtoors stretched out a four goal lead. By this time it was just starting to get dark so we packed everything up and returned home, exhausted from a hard day's spectating.
The entertainment kicked off with Camel Polo - chaotic as the camels were lead around by grooms and the players were clearly not used to either camels or the longer sticks required. It doesn't seem likely to catch on as a mass entertainment. 
Following the comedy turn it was time for a rather splendid picnic lunch featuring a delicious salmon and Shelagh's undoubtedly excellent apple tart. As the drinks continued to circulate the conviviality level soared and people started to kick their shoes off and party. Meanwhile various polo matches were taking place, with the standard apparently improving as the the afternoon progressed.
During the interval between matches a hoopoe appeared on the playing area. This rather amazing bird was top of R's wish list and she was absolutely thrilled to see one.
The last match was between the British Army and the Habtoor team, local bigwigs. The standard of play was impressive and for quite a while the game very exciting until the Habtoors stretched out a four goal lead. By this time it was just starting to get dark so we packed everything up and returned home, exhausted from a hard day's spectating.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Thursday 17th March - Public Transport in Dubai
A lazy start to the day. Tim needs the car so we plan to travel up to Dubai Creek and the Old Souk by bus, metro and waterbus. Part one of the plan falls over when the bus to the metro station flies by several minutes early while we are still on the wrong side of the road. No a/c bus stop here so we decide to fritter away £2 on a taxi for this bit of the journey. The metro is still clean, efficient and air conditioned providing splendid views of the city landmarks as we head north. The line dives underground to cross the creek and we alighted at Union station, from whence it was a short walk to the water-bus stop. 
A brisk cruise down river brought us to the Old Souk, where there is a rather nice waterfront restaurant. A splendid mezze lunch was followed up with a bout of light middleweight haggling and the wonderful spectacle of Shelagh putting the pashmina salesmen in their place. The return trip worked flawlessly and we even saw signs that the second metro line is progreessing well. We were told that it is due to open in August. 
The plan for the evening was to take a dinner cruise around Dubai Marina, close to where Tim and Shelagh live. This included collection so we were able to enjoy the cocktail hour before we set off - tonight's special being Saffron Gin. Dinner was not quite of the superb quality that we usually enjoy in Dubai and, judging by the red wine, it had been a good idea to sink a couple of tinctures pre-departure. 
After dinner we were entertained(?) by a belly dancer and the breathtaking night skyline of the Marina District.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Wednesday 16th March - Pretty Flamingoes
Another sunny day here in Dubai. After an early breakfast (9 a.m.) we go for a swim in the pool. No rest for the wicked. Shelagh drives us out to the Flamingo hide on the bird reserve and we are not disappointed. There are a couple of wardens who set up a high powered telescope and occasionally point out birds of interest. Please could any experts looking in identify the brown bird at the front - is it a Whimbrel or a Eurasian Curlew? R thinks the latter, but is prepared to be wrong! We became aware that it had been a long time since beakfast,the flamingoes were walking off into the middle distance, lunch beckoned. Shelagh decided to take us to one of her favourite luncheries, Limetree Cafe, where we had lovely sandwiches made with local breads and Zen Chai Punch to drink. 
Next up was a supermarket run to Geant at Ibn-Batutta. What great fun after 4 weeks without seeing hide nor hair of one. R went mad buying spices etc and had to be prevented from buying a kilo of dried chillies. 
Back home for tea and then time to get glammed up for a visit to Trader Vic's for cocktails and supper. The cocktails were excellent and the views of the Dubail skyline something else.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Tuesday 15th March - Au revoir India
Not a lot to say today and it will only make you envious if we post more pictures of champagne and luxury dining Emirates style. All went according to plan apart from a dodgy half hour where we waited inside the hotel and the driver waited outside. The useless Ramada Plaza had given hime the wrong room number. The traffic was very sedate by Delhi standards and the airport was very quiet. The flight was on time but disappointingly Indian regulations do not permit the service of alcohol while on the ground so no champagne. We won't be coming back.
Seriously, we have had a great time and probably will return but to see other places, things and railways. Once we were airborne the champagne did arrive along with a very nice lunch and our three hour flight to Dubai flew by. Our car was waiting and we were whisked down the freeway to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences) where we checked in to the Hotel Shelagh. As always the welcome was wonderful, the service superb and the food exquisite.
Seriously, we have had a great time and probably will return but to see other places, things and railways. Once we were airborne the champagne did arrive along with a very nice lunch and our three hour flight to Dubai flew by. Our car was waiting and we were whisked down the freeway to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences) where we checked in to the Hotel Shelagh. As always the welcome was wonderful, the service superb and the food exquisite.
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