Living the high life in the Middle East .. Part 2 Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi was never on my list of places to go.  I knew nothing about the place and although I had heard of it, I had no real concept of where it was. It's just over an hour's drive south from Dubai and is the capital of the UAE. It is smaller (population under a million) and less ostentatious on the surface but don't be fooled, this place drips in gold.

We stayed at the InterContinental Hotel situated within 5 minutes drive from the Marina Mall and has it's own beach which was in redevelopment while we were there.  It has great views of downtown Abu Dhabi, and you can watch the sunset from the pool or various levels in the hotel. 

Our first afternoon was spent having high tea at the Emirates Palace a wonderful hotel complex which
has the appearance of having been around for a long time.  In fact it's less than 10 years old!

Emirates Palace

The building was designed by architect, John Elliott RIBA, who was Senior Vice President at Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, an international firm specialising in Luxury Hotels. It opened in November 2005 but certain restaurants and spas did not open until 2006. The hotel was built by and is owned by the Abu Dhabi government, and is currently managed by the Kempinski Group.
The costs to build the hotel were 3.9 billion GBP or 11.02 billion AED or about 6 billion USD. The Emirates Palace occupies 850,000m² of floor space. Underground parking allows housing for 2,500 vehicles. There are two swimming pools and spas. The hotel has its own marina and helipad. The Emirates Palace is the second most expensive hotel ever built, only surpassed by Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Prepare to spend at least 2 hours enjoying the food (and the cappuccino with the edible gold sprinkles) all beautifully presented. There was so much we couldn't finish it all so opted for a doggie bag at the end!  We took a walk around the complex .. the beach is private so we weren't able to go there but it would be a fabulous place to stay if you could afford to!
They even have a gold vending machine in the lobby if you feel so inclined to buy some.

We took a Big Bus tour around the city on day 2.  It's a great way to see and learn about the city and another architectural beauty is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque which also looks like it may have been around for a while but it too is only a few years old.  We also went to Saadyat Island and had lunch. This will be an amazing place when the development is completed.  The Louvre and Guggenheim galleries are under construction as well as many other attractions.  The bus tour also offered a shuttle service to visit Yas Island which is home to Formula 1 racing and Ferrari World, but we didn't have the time to go on this occasion. There's always next time!

 

Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the horizon

At the end of this month I will be taking an extended weekend trip to the UAE.  It's a place I'd never really thought I would want to visit but now I have the opportunity to go so am really quite excited about it!

See you in a couple of weeks!!

Down time in New York

Yorkville

As you will know if you read my last blog post, I decided to go out to New York a couple of days before my job commenced to hang with my friends and acclimatize. The flight was delayed by an hour leaving Heathrow but the upside of the journey was that the immigration process was relatively short compared to the two hour wait we had last year. I spent the next day shopping for consumables for the job and had dinner with my friends at the Stand Up NY comedy club.

Before checking into the hotel the next day, we took a stroll on the promenade of the East River on the Upper East side and admired some of the lovely little buildings tucked down the side streets ... something I never really get to do as it's usually all go go go in the city that never sleeps.

I just managed to get to a friend's birthday dinner on the second Saturday night .. late finish at the tennis, bus back to the hotel, quick shower and change and hopped in a cab for a 10 minute ride to Dizzy's Jazz Club at the Time Warner Centre.  I made it just in time for the 9.30 session.  By 11pm I was ready for my bed, so it was just as well that the next session was due in at 11.30 and off I went!  Such a party animal me!!

I also met up with a couple of my NY friends after work on two occasions but I had to get them to come to me at my hotel as this job was just not conducive to getting out much. Fortunately, the hotel has a rooftop bar and a stunning view of the top of my favorite building the Chrysler, situated on 42nd and Lexington.
"The Chrysler building is one of the last skyscrapers in the Art Deco style. The gargoyles depict Chrysler car ornaments and the spire is modeled on a radiator grille. Since it was restored in 1996 it glitters again like it must have in the 1930s." 

Lunch at Robert

After the job was over and most of the crew had gone home, I stayed on for an extra day to pack my kit carefully and do some last minute shopping, eating and catching up with one of my best friends. We ate lunch at Robert which is located in the Museum of Art and Design and has the most amazing views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. We had a look at the jewellery exhibition within the museum, wandered around the air conditioned shops in the Time Warner building (it was an extremely hot, humid day outside) then found ourselves still there at dinner time so went to Landmarc for our last night together.

The flight back was also delayed by 2 hours and I arrived back the following day to a cold, damp, grey day in London .. aaah it's so good to be home again! 

If you enjoy reading my blog, have a look at my facebook page and 'like' it for updates and daily postings on interesting locations around the world ...
 
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New York .. "just like I pictured it, skyscrapers and everything"

It's a bit of a misconception if you imagine that my recent New York trip was a holiday .. it was over two weeks of full on work (no days off), 12 hours a day minimum and not much down time.  However, as I am the Holiday Queen it is my prerogative to post what I want on my blog and I know some of you are interested in my work so here's a quick run down of my three weeks away.  

All this and more ...

I tagged on a couple of days either side of my job (US Open tennis) firstly to ease myself into the time zone, get organised etc... then a day and a half afterwards to do the same. I got to spend time with my NY 'family' which is always a bonus and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. Also I get to wind down afterwards and carefully pack my kit back into the flight case that would undoubtedly get bashed and thrown about by the baggage handlers. I am pleased to say that I didn't get one breakage either way, so either my packing skills are amazing, or the baggage handlers couldn't actually lift the 30kg weight of my case!!  And that was my small kit!!  I knew pretty much how many people I would be making up so had everything I needed for them plus a little more for any unexpected guests (which they always spring on me!).

Head in the air-con flow

The previous two years of the Open were blighted by hurricane Irene, then a tornado after hurricane Sandy and the joke was that this year we might just get a plague of locusts instead! Be careful what you put out there! The night after we had a major downpour of rain, the studio lights went on for the night session and the flood lights lit the practice courts. Out of nowhere we were then graced with a swarm of seemingly every imaginable insect species which descended upon us at the speed of light!  We were frantically swatting and spraying bug repellent on ourselves and turned the lights down in between on-air segments. I've never seen anything like it. 

The 'A' Team

This year we had our usual team of presenters plus some high calibre guests, the green room/make up room was flooded again, and we had various visitors of the insect/arachnid/four-legged variety, not to mention the high heat, high humidity, perspiration and frizzy hair to contend with but it's all part of my job so it kept me busy and on my toes.  I'd like to tell you it's a glamorous world but only when it's over do you appreciate your efforts and realise what a great experience it is and I wouldn't change it for anything else!

Buongiorno Milano

My friend and I have just spent a lovely relaxing weekend in Milan - more relaxed than usual as it was Assumption Day on the previous Wednesday, a national holiday in Italy so many businesses and shops were closed. No matter though, it was mainly the higher end of the retail spectrum on certain streets that chose to close so there were still quite a few stores open for business. Many were in the process of renovation and redecoration in readiness for the new season. Just as well we weren't after much anyway but we're always happy to experience just being there and enjoy the warmth of the weather and the hospitality. 

We spent Saturday morning doing a bit of shopping, the majority of the time in the relatively new department store Excelsior, "a unique shopping experience. Fashion, beauty, accessories, food and design mingle together in the historic building at Galleria del Corso 4, ... now completely renovated by acclaimed starchitect, Jean Nouvel. 4000 sq m in one area, divided over 7 floors and inside an architectural casing of ribbon-like video installations that create a kaleidoscopic effect, and a network of floating lifts and travelators. Milan’s old Excelsior cinema has now risen to new heights as the new icon of worldwide shopping." 
They house an ecclectic array of designer's collections from Paris, New York and around the world. A very stylish affair with cool music and uber hip sales assistants to enhance your experience!   

In true Italian style, we even saw a bicycle parked outside with it's own tail attached to the mud guard!  There are now a number of bikes for rent in Milan and even though many of the streets are cobbled it does not stop people from using them. It's a great way to get around and see the city .. called BIKEME it's a public bike sharing facility like the Barclays or 'Boris' bikes in London.

Our afternoon was spent enjoying a leisurely lunch and a refreshing glass (or even two if I'm honest!) of prosecco as we put the world to rights and people watched before heading back to our hotel to rest and freshen up for dinner.  

The main department store in the centre of Milan La Rinascente opens from 10am on a Sunday so we spent our last few hours doing a giro of each floor before checking out of our hotel and heading to our respective departure points.

This trip I did not have to buy an extra suitcase or worry about being over my luggage allowance weight, but I had a great time as always and look forward to doing it all again next year! 



We always stay at the Starhotel Rosa Grand which has been renovated and upgraded over the years and is right in the heart of the city next to the fabulous Duomo Cathedral.


 

Long weekend in Italy and hitting the 10,000 mark!

I'm off on my annual trip to Milan this weekend .. and a lovely one it's going to be by the looks of the weather forecast!  Just perfect for trying and buying our next season's winter warmers!!  Not!! Ha ha!  Luckily most of the shops have air conditioning but it's always a challenge pairing winter coats with bare legs and flip flops!!  The Italians have it sussed though .. when trying on coats the sales assistants bring boots, gloves and hats to try on to get the real 'feel' of the overall look!  I'll let you know how I got on when I get back!

The other exciting news is that very shortly my blog will have reached the 10,000 hits milestone .. so I just wanted to say a big 'thank you' once again for taking the time to read and share my trips and tips with me.  May we have many more!!

Next week I head off to New York again on a work trip but I will keep you updated and hoping that this year is hurricane and tornado free!!

 

Sand dunes in East Sussex

The only place you will find sand dunes in East Sussex is along the south coast in Camber Sands .. known for it's miles of sandy beaches and used for countless photo shoots and filming.  I have done my share of fashion shoots down there but not for a few years so when there was an invitation to a beach party I was happy to have a different reason to revisit!  Our friends own a property right on the beach and it is available for rent year round so even they have to book well in advance to use it! They were lucky they got a good week of warmth and sunshine, but on the day of the party torrential rain was forecast so in between the sunshine and clouds, we were treated to a good old thunder and lightning storm to go with the spit roast pig and birthday cake!

Camber is just 3 miles east of the medieval town of Rye. "Rye was once surrounded on three sides by the sea and its maritime heritage dates back to Norman times. To defend it against frequent attacks from the French, Rye became an ‘antient town’ of the powerful Cinque Ports Confederation."  We stayed at The George in Rye hotel .. located right in the centre of town.  It's a relatively small hotel and boasts that it is the most luxurious in Rye.  It was really lovely but the downside was being woken by squawking seagulls at 3am!  Rye is full of quaint little shops and there's plenty to see and do in the area. It's under 2 hours drive away from London making it very doable even for a day trip!

It's always nice to get away for a weekend but if you fancy a longer stay down there you could always check the availability of the beach house .. it would be a gorgeous winter break too if you like to be by the sea no matter what the weather.

 

Travel inspiration

My friend Francesca has a blog call 'Running Girl' which is a nice little mix of running, food and travel.  She and her husband are upping sticks and moving to Dubai in the Middle East.  It's always exciting to learn more about living in another country other than the one you grew up in. I should know, I've done it!

I would love to have her guest blog for me once she gets settled and I have a sneaky suspicion that I will be frequenting that area in the not too distant future too .. for an entirely different reason but it will be a fascinating part of the world to see and experience.

Have a look at her blog http://runninggirlblog.com .. hopefully it will inspire you in many different ways! 

Finding a taste of summer in Crete

Al Fresco by the sea

The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete, is my new 'must go again' place to visit and it really was a welcome escape from the unseasonally cool damp shores of England.  I hadn't been to Greece for a number of years so it was lovely to go back and be reminded how warm and friendly the people are. The food was fabulously fresh and surprisingly cheap given the financial troubles that have plagued the country in the last couple of years.

Macaris Suites and Spa

We flew Easyjet from Gatwick to Heraklion and then transferred from there to Rethymnon, an old 16th century Venetian town which was about an hour's drive away. We stayed just outside in the foothills at the Macaris Suites and Spa. It was a perfect spot, peaceful and quiet and just 10 minutes walk from the centre of town. It was a nice time of year to go .. a week after the half term school holidays but not yet at peak season. The weather too was also my idea of perfection.  Sunny and warm (around 28C max 18C min) but not as hot as it would definitely be in high summer! 

The spa

The spa at the hotel is special, a beautiful welcoming indoor plunge pool and jacuzzi is what you see from the other side of the glass facade. Once inside you notice the calm and serene atmosphere and there are many treatments available. The hammam is a gorgeous mosaic room perfect for a cleanse after a workout at the gym upstairs.

Most of our time was spent lazing around the pool as well as little jaunts into the beautiful old town which has lovely restaurants and shops. We also took an excursion to the far south west side of the island to visit the small island of Elafonisi. It is a protected nature reserve and to access it you have to walk or swim the short distance through the shallow turquoise blue water. The tour was a three hour trip each way (with a stop for refreshments) but so worth it! We spent four hours at the beach making it a long but very enjoyable day. Our guide was exceptionally good and had a vast knowledge of the whole of Crete and especially this region.

Elefonisi

As we approached the first thing you notice is how unspoiled it is.  There are no resorts or permanent structures (yet!) although there is a kiosk selling drinks and light snacks. There are also toilets and showers but virtually nothing else.  You can rent sun loungers under umbrellas for 7 Euros per pair but there is absolutely nothing of the kind on Elefonisi itself and never will be. We waded over to the island (a good workout for the legs) and were stunned by the beauty of it. The waters are myriad blues ranging from the lightest turquoise to indigo and the sand ivory with pink tinges caused by the coral reef nearby. As you walk further down the beach black rocks emerge from the shallows and the larger grains of sand are black so blend in with the beach to give an unusual hue. Be aware though in high season we were informed up to 10,000 people visit per day!!

There is so much more to Crete and I want to go back and explore again, taking in the magnificent gorges, architecture and beaches on other parts of the island. 

Four seasons in one week

Mother Nature has been cruelly teasing us again .. with summer supposedly just around the corner we are treated to the odd beautiful sunny day where we are lulled into a false sense of security then she whips it away again by throwing the wind, rain, hailstones and cold at us!  Oh well, there's not a lot we can do about it except to either grin and bear it or hop on a plane to take us to places where the sun is guaranteed to shine and infuse us with that much needed Vitamin D.

Rethymnon Old Town

In a week's time I will be packing for just such a trip to the island of Crete, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. I will be going with 3 girlfriends and staying in Rethymnon on the north coast.  As well as relaxing by the sea/pool I want to make time to explore the old fortresses and monastaries in the area. We should have a blast and I look forward to telling you all about it when I get back! 

http://www.hellas-guide.com/crete/heraklion.html