Back in Blighty!

Well we arrived back at Heathrow from our annual visit to Dubai safe and sound on Thursday 26th, landing at around 8.45pm.

Slightly delayed by having to circle over the metropolis several times due to traffic. Looking out of the window I could see why. There were planes below us, above us and behind us!

The flight home with Emirates was made even more comfortable by an upgrade. Arriving at the airport check-in we were led by Dave to the business class section. "We're in the wrong place old boy says me! No your not says Dave I've upgraded you with some of the billion air-miles I've got saved". What can I say to that! Another example of this guys extraordinary capacity to surprise.

Our visit this year will be remembered for many things, not the very least our aborted trip to Oman, (see earlier post, Friday 13th).
Every time we visit the Emirates we're always taken aback by how much the landscape changes, new high-rise offices, houses, malls and even new mosques.
However, the one thing that hasn't changed is there multi-cultural society and there abilty to co-exist. People from all religions, nationalities and races working and living together as one and respecting each others culture and beliefs. I can't help but feel on our return to our small world aboard 'Quidditch' here in the U.K. there's a lesson to be learnt somewhere!!

Dubai Week 3

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sancuary. Dee is pictured at the entrance to the sanctuary and to the right are 3 Cattle Egrets taken with my digiscope from one of the hides. A combination of Leica spotting scope and Contax U4R digital camera.

This morning (Sunday) we visted Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Ras Al Khor is a wetland reserve renowned for attracting migratory birds in large numbers. Covering 6.2 sq km and surrounded by a buffer zone, the Sanctuary has about 266 species of fauna, and 47 of flora. Its varied ecosystems support diverse plants, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. However, the majestic flamingos against a backdrop of dark mangroves are Ras Al Khor's most visible and attractive feature, about 1,000 of them drawing quite an interest from residents and tourists alike through the year. Migrants join resident flamingos during the winter season when 2,300 have been counted.
Our bird-count today of note included Crested Lark, Caspian Tern, Marsh Harrier, Red-Wattled Lapwing and Great White Egret.

Over the past 7 days our routine hasn't changed that much at all. By day we normally spend our time around the pool, then after a stroll along the beach at sunset, we either prepare a meal in or eat out in one of the numerous restaurants. Last night we barbequed.
The temperatures have stayed quite high and well into the mid 30's. However, over the past day or 2 the temperatures are dropping below 30C in the evenings.
Friday being the muslim holy day (thier weekend being Fri/Sat) we had 'Friday Brunch' at the Dubai Creek Yacht and Golf Club, a sort of tradition for us when we visit Dave.
Tonight or tomorrow, depending on whether the new moon is spotted, begins the Eid festival, the end of Ramadan.

Dubai Week 2

It's hard to believe it but were about to complete our second week in Dubai.

This years visit has been different for a number of reasons, not to mention our Oman excursion that never was! Dave, (pictured on the left of this photo) has now, you'l be pleased to know, renewed his Emirates residential permit. This is also the first time we've visited during Ramadan which finishes this coming Sunday. As I write this post the local mosque can be heard calling people to prayer.
Ramadan is the most important of the four months which are regarded as sacred in Islam. Although Muslims fast during other times of the year, Ramadan is the only time when fasting, or sawm, is obligatory during the entire month for every able Muslim.
Ramadan is intended to increase self-control in all areas, including food, sleeping, sex and the use of time. This obviously has an effect for restaurants, bars etc, most of which only open after sundown. Some nightclubs remain closed the whole time.
From Sunday comes the festival of Eid which were really looking forward to. There is no available accomodation to be found in the whole of Dubai during this time
The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with his friends and relatives after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar.
Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.
The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
Muslims in most countries rely on news of an official sighting, rather than looking at the sky themselves.
The celebratory atmosphere is increased by everyone wearing best or new clothes, and decorating their homes.
There are special services out of doors and in Mosques, processions through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal - eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had this month.
Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends.
The temperature here has also been hotter than usual with 40C yesterday and the humidity is extraordinary. 15 minutes improving your tan results in a quick dash for the pool, an oasis where both Dee and I have spent a lot of time this visit.

Friday 13th Strikes!

Not being a very suspicious person I can only put yesterdays day of mishaps down to coincidence.

The plan was to cross the Oman/Emirates border about 100 kilometers south and then continue on to Muscat another 350K. We'd abandoned the camping in favour of an air conditioned hotel due to the 36C temperature. Having left Dave's at around 7.30am we duly set off for the Omani border and our 2 day trip.
After about 20 minutes Dave realised that he'd left his mobile phone back at the villa so we turned around to retrieve it. Not a problem as we had'nt travelled that far. Re-starting and continuing on we progressed south with impunity passing the many sand dunes and the Hajaar mountains. However, about 10 kilometers from the check point another bigger problem presented itself! We'd left the car insurance behind, a document which is required by the Oman border checks. Our plans were scuppered. Feeling slightly deflated we continued on in thought. A petrol station appeared shortly after this dicovery, not unusual you'd think but amazingly an insurance office was right next door where we were able to purchase a 3 day cover. Fantastic! but probably the only good thing that happened all day.
Happily we continued to the border check point. On the Emirate side of the border we were cleared without problem and continued on in a sort of no-mans land until we reached the Omani check point some 5 minutes later. Here you leave your vehicle and present yourself at the passport office.
This is where the real problems began! On inspection of his passport by a cheerful Omani guard it appeared that Dave's Dubai residency was running out at midnight. Obviously a Shell oversight with which Dave was none too pleased. Being UK residents both Dee and I would have been cleared to pass into Oman and return to the Emirates no problem. However, due to Dave's Emirate residency, which comes with different regulations the fear was (from the Omani point of view) that because his residency would be expired by the time we returned he would not be allowed back in. After dicussions with the Omani guard our only option was to return to the Emirate check point and try to sort the issue. If the Emirates would contact the Omani guards and assure them there would not be an issue our problem was solved. After more discussions from very helpful border guards we were unable to resolve the problem. Thus we abandoned our trip. Leaving the check point behind we did get the opinion that relations between Oman and the U.A.E. were not as good as they could be, but thats only our opinion!!!
With a bit of luck we'll try again next week.

Dubai Overview

A train of camels ambles lazily beneath the sun, fiery red and ready to set behind the great dunes for the coming night.

Following the traveling queue of beasts is a young bearded man wearing a dishdash, the traditional white ankle-length gown with accompanying head covering. I wait for Lawrence of Arabia to appear on the horizon, the scene so perfect. This is the land of Arabs, Islam and desert.
Okay, so we didn't see that really, but we thought we'd give you an image of Dubai. Try this for size:
Mini-skirted Russian girls shopping in chic shopping centers that make Harrod's seem like its flirting with bankruptcy. Leather-clad Harley guys and gals of all nationalities roaring down super highways in gas guzzeling 4x4s, Porshe and Ferrari surrounded by forty-story glass and chrome skyscrapers. Young gorgeous Iranian women at supercharged nightclubs hanging on the arms of their American, British or Syrian boyfriends.
Set against the backdrop of sand and sea is a remarkable city. Dubai, once little more than a sleepy backwater town, has sprung magically out of this desert wilderness in the last thirty or so years to become a modern, cosmopolitan city whose inhabitants have arrived from the four corners of the globe to embrace a liberalism not enjoyed anywhere else in the Middle East. This odd hybrid of Baghdad, Bombay and Paris is the new Mecca for a host of nationalities: Arabs, Indians, Filipinos, Iranians, Russians, European and Americans.
Up until 1958, Dubai was a collection of buildings built alongside the 'creek', a natural sea inlet winding through the heart of the city. The settlement, visited by British trade ships on the way to India, earned money primarily through fishing and pearl diving. Throughout the Twentieth Century, because of the liberal attitudes of Dubai's rulers, Dubai prospered as a leading center of trade.
In 1958, black gold was discovered and the leaders here decided wisely to pump billions into infrastructure instead of lining their own pockets. The United Arab Emirates came into being in 1971 when the British pulled out of the region and several small 'states' joined into a federation under the able leadership of one man, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Well it's hard to believe we've already been here a week but they say time flys when your having fun. This coming weekend we're driving down to Oman and planning to camp! However, the camping part is a little in doubt, the temperature hasn't dropped below 30C all week. We shall see.

Greetings From Dubai

Well we arrived safe and sound at around 3am this morning (Oct6th) after our 6 hour 30 minute flight from Heathrow. The temperature a sultry 29C.

We'd decided to fly Emirates on this occasion, normally BA and have to say that the whole experience was superb. We were even treated to some Dom Perignon that some Sheik had obviously left over from 1st class. Our compliments to him!
Arriving back at Dave's at around 4am (just before sunrise) jet lagged and ready to crash the call to morning prayer began! It appears that the local Mosque have upgraded their PA system. I certainly don't remember it being that loud on our last visit. I always genuinely feel that I'm closer to god when I'm here in Dubai. The guy who does the calling has an excellent voice. It's also the only mosque in Dubai that preaches in English so you get the feel for the religion. It's a really facinating place to be, particularly during Ramadan.
We eventually dragged ourselves out of bed around 1pm and popped to Spinney's, the local supermarket for food. The temperature a lovely 35C. The supermarkets here put the UK to shame. The choice is extensive and the non EEC products endless. Meat and fish choice is second to none.
After a fry up at around 4pm and a swim around 6pm while listening to the evening call to prayer it'll soon be time for dinner!

Boat Museum

Those of you who read our blog regularly will remember that during our Summer Tour this year we had intended to visit the Ellesmere Boat Museum

Unfortunately, we had to abandon our visit when our weed hatch kept jamming due to the excess of weed encountered on this stretch of the Shropshire Union leading from Chester to Ellesmere Port.
Well, having visited mum in Liverpool yesterday (October 3rd) prior to our departure to Dubai on Thursday, what better opportunity to visit the boat museum. Simple enough to take a different route back to Napton from Liverpool via the Mersey Tunnel, Ellesmere Port and the M56.
I have to say that although I thought the initial entrance fee of 7.10 each was a little pricey (free if we'd have arrived by boat!) we were pleasantly surprised at the size of the museum itself.
There was certainly plenty to see and lots of information and interactive activity available. The cafe wasn't too bad either. The all-day-breakfast at 3.95 was not as hot as I would have preferred but very tasty nonetheless!
Living and travelling around on our narrowboat we're always fascinated when able to get an insight into the way our canals were developed and used in the 18 and 1900's. It always amazes us to think that whole families lived and breathed these waterways, living aboard their boats in something only the size of our dinette. While on tour this summer we were fortunate enough to be passed by 'Gifford' a traditional working boat being drawn by horse along the Shroppie as part of the museums centenary. A great sight to behold.
Our visit yesterday did not disappoint! The only downfall was the fact that we would have liked to have been able to visit aboard 'Quidditch' this summer. Having said that the visitor moorings looked disappointing and during our visit only 2 boats were moored, both holidays boats!
The state of the canal on this stretch needs immediate attention from British Waterways who I'm certain would increase numbers at this excellent attraction with a little investment.
(pictured above is Dee alongside Gifford)