Dubai

After an awesome start to my vacation in Ras Al Khaimah, it was back to Dubai to stay with my best buddy for a couple of days at the Park Hyatt, a five star luxury resort in Dubai Creek. We have stayed there before and it's a great location if you want to be near the airport but also within a metro ride to the Dubai Mall and beyond. It is right beside the 18 hole championship Dubai Creek Golf Course and Dubai Yacht Club.

There is also an exclusive spa, considered among the finest in the UAE, which I would love to try if I was to stay there again.

I love the layout and design of the hotel complex. With Moorish 

and Mediterranean influences and the sandy beach and adult infinity pool, it's a place you wouldn't have to leave if you don't want to. It feels spacious and despite it's proximity to the airport, is peacefully quiet. There are a number of good restaurants to choose from of varying cuisines from Spanish Tapas, Thai, New England and Nikkei, and a new beach club, Twiggy by La Cantine. 'Internationally inspired with South of France soul', there's something for everyone.

The breakfast choice at The Brasserie du Park is one of the best I have had with a buffet of fresh fruits, pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, eggs done in any style imaginable and much more. If you choose to sit outside, you also get an amazing view of the marina, the Creek and the Burj Khalifa in the distance.

We were nearby the Textile Souk in the historic Bur Dubai on the Creek so went searching for good fabrics to buy. There is a myriad choice and we found some lovely bargains. If you have the luxury of time, you can even get one of the tailors to make you something while you are there. I'm not sure yet what I will make from my fabric finds, but something will come to mind I am sure! 

On our first evening we went to The Pointe on the Palm. All the restaurants are located on the waterfront but being a very hot and humid night we wanted somewhere to eat inside with air con. We chose Saya with it's signature pink decor and creative cocktails. It's a fun place and of course a good location for any Instagram shots if you're that way inclined. 

Moving on from there we walked along the waterfront and watched the new Palm fountain show - set to the song 'I Will Survive' with the illuminated Atlantis Hotel as the backdrop.

On our last night there, we opted to eat at the hotel's Thai Kitchen restaurant. It was the perfect choice - fresh authentically prepared food at the end of a long day of shopping and walking. 

After dinner we walked outside into the warm night air as it was much milder and less hot and humid. On a whim we decided not to go straight back to our room and have a night cap instead.

We sat by the fire pits in the courtyard enjoying a couple of glasses of our favourite Provence rosé, listening to some great tunes played by the resident DJ and hatching plans for next year's travel.

The next day was our last at the Hyatt as we prepared to move on to an apartment in a more residential part of the city.

The rest of our stay was taken up meeting up with friends, pool days, beach visits and EXPO 2020.  

  

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

I recently made it back to Dubai in the UAE after an absence of more than 2 years thanks to the pandemic. October is a good time to go as the extreme heat of summer has passed although it can still be very hot during the day, and it certainly was! 

I went for the specific reason to meet up with family and friends and it was so good to be reunited again after so long. What better way to spend quality time together than by doing a staycation in a beautiful setting away from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Dubai. 

The day after my arrival, we set off from Dubai on a road trip  about an hour north of the city through the desert to a beach resort of the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah. What an amazing sight it was in the drive up to the entrance of this iconic hotel architecturally inspired by the grand palaces of Arabia. We had suites on the ninth floor with sea views and the most beautiful sunset and golden silence to match to begin our stay. 

It was about 3 degrees cooler there and daytime temperatures were around 33C with low humidity so not too hot to be by the pool or on the beach. I rarely sunbathe so am usually to be found under an umbrella unless of course I'm in the water. 

This location was the perfect spot for some real rest and relaxation. The adult pool was a haven with a DJ pumping out some great chill out tunes and efficient pool service with food and cocktails at the ready. The white sandy beach was vast with sun beds spaced well apart and the crystal clear sea was like entering a warm bath. It was just so blissful to float about endlessly without getting cold, until the skin on your fingers wrinkled from the water.

Of course, I had to have a Piña Colada or two. It's a must have refreshing cocktail for any beach holiday!

The food we chose was excellent. After early evening drinks on the outdoor terrace, we had dinner at Umi on our first night with Teppanyaki cooked at our table. We underestimated the amount of food we had to consume. 6 courses of delicious fresh Japanese food. By the time we got to the dessert course we were struggling to finish! It was though, an absolute treat.

The second evening we ate at the Lexington Grill and Bar, sampling their newly created plant based menu with food sourced from local farmers. Although it's essentially a steak house, they offer some very good alternatives to meat and I thoroughly enjoyed my roasted cauliflower dish.

We departed for Dubai wonderfully relaxed after our 2 night mini beach holiday ready for staycation number 2. Look out for the next post for more on my Dubai vacation.

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If you're looking for a break away from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah is a good option and only 45 mins drive from Dubai International Airport. 

Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history dating back some 7,000 years. In the 13th and 14th centuries, a prosperous port arose in the area we now know as Ras Al Khaimah. Then named Julfar, it became one of the most prominent trading posts in the Arabian Gulf and was widely known for its exquisite pearls. The discovery of rare Chinese pottery in 2019 in this area points to the extent of trade that occurred in the erstwhile Julfar. 

Ras Al Khaimah has about 1,000 archaeological sites, four of which have been added to the ‘UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage’. The emirate is also home to one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in the Arabian Gulf, Al Jazirah Al Hamra, and the only hilltop fort still in existence in the UAE, the 18th century Dhayah Fort. 

 

The emirate is noted for its varied topography, from the Hajar mountains, to rolling sand dunes to 64 kms of beaches, as well as its adventure tourism attractions.

Info from the Official Portal of the UAE Government.

Corfu .. we finally made it!!

Every year in the month of June since 2013, I and 3 of my girlfriends have gone on holiday to an island. The only criteria was that it had to be reachable within 4 hours of flying time, so mainly the Mediterranean or Atlantic. 

Last year we had it all planned to go to Corfu and we all know how that turned out. We couldn't go anywhere due to the pandemic, and optimistically thought we could then go in September that year, but again not, unfortunately. We decided to wait it out patiently and this year we grabbed the bull by the horns in May and booked to go in September this year, opting for a no-fee cancellation just in case. Sadly, one of our group did not make it as she passed away earlier this year from an illness, but the remaining 3 of us decided to keep up the tradition in her honour and continue to go.

We stuck with the same accommodation as we had originally chosen, the beautiful Pictures Suites in Agios Stefanos, as it looked so beautiful. How lucky we were with the weather too. The week before we went it had rained and thankfully we had the most amazing week of temperatures in the high twenties.

The rules in place for travel meant that we had to keep checking government guidelines and keep updated to ensure we had all the correct paperwork in place. We did not have to do any covid testing before we went, but had to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF) and show evidence of double vaccination. The Greek form was simple, just 2 pages and the check in at the airport was relatively simple and quick. Once on the aircraft we actually felt that we were going. What a tremendous feeling that was!

Set into the hillside, the views from our hotel were amazing. Every night we saw a different sunset and we could always hear the sound of the sea. On day one, we took a wander along the beach toward the far end heading south and walked up into the village, stopping for a Greek coffee at Olympia bar/restaurant and a friendly chat with Stellios the owner. 

From there we walked back through the town which had a couple of gift shops, a boutique, supermarkets and a lovely array of restaurants all serving traditional Greek food. 

The beach stretched for quite a way in both directions with super soft clay sand and clay cliffs stretching towards the north of the island. We decided to hire a boat from Thomas at the San Stefanos hire company based right on the beach 100m from where we were staying, choosing to go to Cape Drastus and the surrounding area of Sidari, a popular tourist resort.

We set out in the morning on a beautiful cloudless warm day, a little choppy but so great to be out on the water again. Giannis our driver knew the area well, having grown up there and took us wherever we wanted to go, imparting his knowledge as we went. 

As we got closer to the most northern part of the island we could see the wonderfully sculpted by nature whitish clay cliffs, unspoiled and just stunning against the turquoise Ionian Sea. The only way to get there is by boat or by walking which if you have the inclination is supposed to be quite lovely for nature lovers. 

I would imagine though that the best views are from the water and we were not disappointed. Although Sidari seemed more crowded than San Stefanos, we did see seemingly secluded bays and people swimming and jumping from the rocks. 

We sailed past the tunnel of love, Canal d'amour, another popular attraction in this area. The tunnel is a natural formation eroded by the sea, and legend has it that if you swim through it with the one you love, you will stay together forever. 

After a couple of hours on the water we headed back again, sliding off the back of the boat into the sea and having a swim before a late lunch at the local beach bar.

Mid week we took the Green Bus public transport
into Corfu city. An hour and a half away, the cost was a mere €4.20 each way and the bus was actually an air conditioned coach. A very comfortable but sometimes treacherous ride through the hilly part of the island over some very narrow roads in need of a bit of TLC. 

It really was quite beautiful and a good way to see the landscape.

Corfu city is typically European in style and was bustling with people. Outdoor cafes and shops were busy and it was nice to feel that normality has returned to a lot of places. After a stop for a Greek Frappe (iced coffee) in the pedestrian precinct we walked through meandering cobbled streets towards the old part of town and the harbour.

Knowing that the last bus back was at 4.30pm, we found a great place for lunch overlooking the water and the Old Fortress which was constructed by the Venetians in the 15th Century.

It was just the perfect spot to sit and enjoy lunch with a view and a refreshing glass (or two even) of Greek Rosé which was surprisingly good. 

I think we could have sat there for ages as it was so peaceful and relaxing but the time came when we had to leave and we slowly sauntered back towards the bus station for our ride home.

Our return 'home' brought us in from the other side of town and we discovered another lovely hotel, Tereza's Sunset Hotel within minutes of where we were, with an outdoor terrace where we could have dinner later in the week. If you time it right, you get to see the setting sun dip over the horizon. What could be more beautiful?

San Stefanos was the perfect location for us as all we wanted was a beach, a pool, good food and wine and of course good weather. We got all of these in abundance. We ate in quite a few different restaurants, some we visited twice for lunch and dinner. The beach bar food was good and all the wines on offer were Greek. I have to say there has been a vast improvement in the quality of the wines since my first experience way back when I first visited the islands many moons ago.

We had to do our Covid tests for travel on our penultimate day and that was all very easy at the local doctors surgery. They did a rapid antigen test for €30 and provided a certificate of proof of a negative test. The only bugbear was the UK PLF which was 4 pages long and had documents to upload which can at times be challenging and stressful on a smart phone. The hotel was very helpful and printed them out for us as that's how they wanted the documents to be presented at the airport.

Our flight out wasn't until 23.40 on our last day, so we had a lovely relaxing few hours by the pool and were able to keep our rooms until the evening. We had a gorgeous fresh fish dinner by the main pool and the last sunset to see us on our way.

The staff at Pictures Suites, Laura and Christopher were wonderful and so helpful and friendly. We could not have asked for more. I hope our paths cross again at some point.

Places we ate - * for quality of food

Havana Beach Bar - lunch ***

Waves Beach Bar - lunch ***

Olympia - lunch and dinner *****

Zorba's - dinner ***

Spiros and Maria's - lunch and dinner ****

Tereza's Sunset Hotel - lunch and dinner *****

Delphin Blu - dinner *****

and of course the fabulous Pictures - breakfast and dinner *****

The Best Things in Life are Free

Bloom Paradise
Jun T Lai

One of the things I miss about travelling is exploring and discovering an alternative way of life. Even on the most sedate of vacations things are different to what they are at home and I suppose that is the point of it. Getting away from the everyday routines and being somewhere else.

Since the lockdown was introduced over a year ago, we were unable to go out exploring as we had to stay home and local. And definitely a NO to travel. Once we were allowed to venture out, we discovered we had a so much on our doorstep that in the past we had taken for granted. We started to appreciate the parks, canals and waterways, wildlife, wildflowers, architecture, art .. the list goes on. That's the one positive thing for me that has come out of this pandemic.

Harlequin Four by Mark
Handforth

I have definitely developed more of an appreciation for London and value what it has to offer. Thanks to social media, we are more aware of what is around us and if we never left the city again we would never run out of things to see and do. Much of it can be seen for free or at least the price of a day travel card.

I had to work this weekend, and due to engineering works my station was closed so I've had to find alternative ways to travel there and back. On my way home today I decided to get off the tube at Monument station and being a Sunday the City is almost deserted. 

St Dunstan in the East

I walked for about 5 minutes to the beautiful ruins of St Dunstan in the East. This 900 year old church has quite a history surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666, and was pretty much destroyed in the Blitz of the second world war. All that survives is the north and south walls and the steeple built by Sir Christopher Wren. It is now a wonderful public 'secret garden' tucked away between the modern buildings of the city.

It was an overcast day and the gardens were not busy although there were a couple of instagrammers posing for pictures in the beautiful window arches that remain. I had to wait quite a while for them to move on so that I could get my own photos.

I walked to Tower Hill Underground station where I saw the distinctive style of Julian Opie's 
'Walking in the City' at the CitizenM hotel. I always love stumbling across his work.

The train I wanted to get was severely delayed so I decided instead to walk to Liverpool Street through the quiet streets and there I found even more treasures. 

Confetti Rain

Colourful sculptures, part of Sculpture in the City tucked down the side streets and a massive glass installation 'Confetti Rain' by architectural stained glass artist Alexander Beleschenko, on a relatively new office block on Bishopsgate.

These simple things of beauty make me happy as I come across them, and as I walked towards the bus stop at Liverpool Street station, my day felt complete.

On the bus ride home I saw more street art from Alo the Artist. It's so nice to be able to recognise an artist's work based on their unique style. I managed to snap a couple of quick shots from the window as we drove past.

Alo the artist

I enjoyed a lovely solitary couple of hours wandering the streets, all for free. An afternoon of old and new culture, I've learned a little bit more about the city I call home. 

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Day tripping to The Seven Sisters

It's now a week on after the first lifting of restrictions and I was finally able to give myself a whole day off and take a friend I hadn't seen in ages on the 2 hour drive from London to Seaford located on the South Coast in East Sussex.

It was so exciting to get out of the city after so long and we had fortunately picked the best spring day we could possibly have hoped for. I didn't know what to expect on such a fine day. Was it going to be busy with sun seekers like us? Would there be places to eat and drink now that outdoor hospitalities are allowed? The answer to the first question - no, and the latter, yes.

Although it was a stunningly beautiful day, it was not nearly warm enough for shorts and flip flops but that wasn't why we went. It was a comfortable 17C with no wind and not a cloud in sight. Perfect for walking and enjoying the spring sunshine.

Arriving in Seaford, we easily found a free parking spot
on Marine Parade. We walked along the seafront past little kiosks selling refreshments and the candy coloured Martello Beach huts, towards Seven Sisters West. It's probably the best place to start if you want to walk the whole coastal trail to Eastbourne. We also discovered 'The Shoal', a community bench designed by local sculptor Christian Funnel, which represents a stream of fish meandering the length of the breakwater. 

We definitely hadn't planned on walking the whole way, so after a stroll back to the car on the deserted pebbled beach, we took the short drive to Birling Gap where a most spectacular view of the chalky cliffs can be seen.

Birling Gap is run by the National Trust and there is a pay and display car park for patrons. Be aware that in busy times it may be full although there is limited space on the road leading up to it where you can safely park for free. 

The beach access was closed due to work on the steps but should reopen in a couple of weeks time.

The cafe is now open again, so we bought lunch and sat on the picnic benches outside in the brilliant sunshine. People came and went and some stayed on, including us, choosing to walk up the cliff and sit high up admiring the gorgeous view and listening to the waves gently lap against the shore below. We must have sat up there for at least 2 hours just chatting and taking in the beauty of the cliffs and feeling the sun's warmth on our faces. The sea was so calm with shades of blue I would never associate with the English seaside. Simply stunning.

Day tripping out of London could not have been better. The one thing the pandemic has made me aware of is the natural beauty we have practically on our doorstep. I had barely heard of Seaford before and I certainly knew nothing about it. 

Here's to many more day trips and new adventures that don't require a passport or long queues to leave and enter the country.

Belated Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2021! It's only 9th January so not too late I hope. With Christmas being so quiet, for me anyway, New Year a non event then going into a strict Lockdown again, there hasn't been anything very positive to talk about. 

2020 was certainly unusual and I can't say it was wasted even though I couldn't go to work till July. I can only hope that things get better for all and we can move on to a life more suited to our desires. For me that is to see my friends and family in person, home and away and to visit more places I haven't been before. 

Things will get better but for now, its just one day at a time.

Stay safe, stay healthy. We can do this.

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The week leading up to Lockdown #2

With the absence of any travel abroad this year, these past few months have taught us to be a bit more creative with the increased time on our hands. As I wrote in my last post, during the summer I had managed to do quite a lot of things I would never have had the time or inclination to do. 

Pre covid, my work took up the bulk of my life, and any free time was spent planning little weekend breaks away, along with as many winter and summer holidays my annual leave would allow. All that we once knew of this life has now been blown away by the pandemic. 

The last days of summer temperatures and sunshine were seen in mid September and we made the most of it by going down to the south coast of East Sussex and spending time on Camber Sands beach followed by a drive to the South Downs where we hiked through a field of sheep to see the Seven Sisters cliffs near Eastbourne. What a fabulous day that was and made up a little bit for the beach holiday that I should have had in June. Not quite Corfu but beautiful nevertheless.

This past week prior to lockdown, it was my birthday so I went for a lovely lunch, which was to be the last sit down meal at a restaurant for the next few weeks. The following day and the penultimate day of freedom, four of us went to Epping Forest for the last time together (see photo at top) while we still could, walking through the forest for a over an hour and finishing with a coffee at The Kings Oak in High Beach. 

With one day left, I really wanted to go to the coast again. None of my friends were available so on a whim I jumped in my car and

drove to Whitstable, about 60 miles east on the north coast of Kent. The weather was glorious - one of those crisp, clean, fresh autumn days that fill you with happiness and positivity. I walked along the beach in the sunshine and had a late lunch at the Whitstable Oyster Company. I was so happy I went even on my own. It's something I'm definitely going to do more often, specially in lockdown, when we aren't supposed to meet more than one person at a time outside.

We are now 3 days into Lockdown #2. I've decided that if I feel anxious, or in need of a change of scenery, I will take myself off somewhere. Seize the day.

Today was one of those days. I popped out to the local shops and there were queues of people outside almost every shop. Great for the local economy but it was not a day I was prepared to stand in line for an indeterminate time as there was nothing I needed urgently. It was another beautiful day, so I got on a bus and went to Shoreditch, walking through the quiet back streets and finding interesting street art along the way. There are so many talented artists' works everywhere and can be seen for free on the streets of London. For inspiration, check out the London Mural Festival for locations. 

After about an hour or so, I took the bus back getting off a couple of stops early and walked home via the towpath on Regents Canal. I'm not sure what I expected, but there were throngs of people everywhere, all obviously with the same idea as me. The route home via the park was like walking through a festival crowd and I realised that this was not such a good idea on a Saturday, but at least everyone was making the most of the great day and some fresh air.

I would like to think that this lockdown should be easier than the first and hopefully will not go beyond the projected date of December 2nd, but who knows at this stage. With the shorter, colder days it's so important to look after our mental health and keep occupied. Get out and about if you can. Walk in the park, along the canal, in the forest or even the semi deserted streets of the city. 

Failing that here's always reruns of Death in Paradise for a bit of escapism. Stay safe and healthy - we can do this.

Life almost 5 months on in lockdown ..

Coffee time

It's been three months since my last post and I would hate for my blog to just fizzle out so I thought I'd tell you what I've been doing for the past few months. Being unable to do my day job and also not willing to travel abroad at the moment, it's been a time of resetting and rethinking life as we know it. 

In life before the pandemic I had been happily plodding along going to work and planning breaks away whenever I could, always needing to have something in the future to look forward to. All that has changed and a new way of being has emerged. At the beginning of lockdown who could have predicted how long this could last? I was even optimistic that my June holiday to Corfu was happening but as the time got closer the realisation loomed that it was not going to be possible. Thankfully, clever (or lucky) planning and booking meant that there was no stress in the cancellation process and any money already paid out was refunded in full.

Paint by numbers

I have other strings to my bow and out came my trusty sewing machine. My first project was to make a mask. Taking baby steps as I hadn't made anything other than my neoprene beach bags in a long time. Then I did a paint by numbers painting, which took me 4 full days to complete. A very satisfying project.

kimono back view

Now that I have my creative confidence back again I am happily churning out a new holiday wardrobe in readiness for a winter sun break if that's going to be possible. Lovely linen dresses, a kimono and a jumpsuit all at a fraction of the cost I would pay retail price for them. 

I've preened my garden in a way it has never been preened before. I've painted the garden walls, I've sanded and painted an old chair to give it a new lease of life, and even found a tapestry I did years ago whilst clearing out my cellar. It is now a cushion cover on said chair in the garden. 

In a moment of madness, I customised a pair of Nike trainers, painting a Mexican inspired day of the dead scull with flowers on the side - all good fun. Amazingly too, the weather for the last few months has been exceptional and made the lockdown all the more bearable. I have recently ventured out to have coffee with a friend and will be meeting friends for dinner too. 

For those of us who have been in isolation during the pandemic without much human contact, these things would never have been achieved as I never seemed to have the time. It goes to show that good things can come from bad situations.

Enjoying my garden

I do of course realise that this has not been a good time for a lot of people and my heart goes out to those who have suffered illness and loss. It is tragic to see how many people have been affected. We can only hope that this will be over soon and life can continue with a semblance of what we want normal to be. 

I hope to be back here soon sharing my next trip and hearing about yours. Until then, stay safe and well.

"What really matters is how we handle the bad moments. Don't let it define you, keep reaching for your happiness." Russell Simmons

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Lockdown in London

Dandelions in bloom

Almost done with week 7 of the lockdown and a glimmer of hope is on the horizon although it still may be some way off yet. I have no travel to write about and nothing coming up thanks to COVID-19. My June trip to Corfu with the girls has been cancelled and I can't see us being able to go anywhere at least for this year.

Walking with Scout

My new routine means I have been at home enjoying the beautiful spring weather by gardening, baking, organising, creating and walking my dog every day. It's been so lovely hearing the birdsong every morning, watching spring progress and generally taking less for granted of the world around us. I have not been to a major supermarket since I got back from my Mexican holiday and just shop locally as and when I need something. More than ever it's really important to support small businesses in this uncertain time.

I like this new way of living although I'm not sure I would want it this way forever. As much as I have enjoyed video calls with my family and friends, I would like a physical face to face catch up - 2 metres apart of course - and a coffee or drink in a public place.

Working on location

I have been unable to do my day job as a makeup artist because it requires being very close to the client and touching them. It's not conducive to preventing the potential spread of the nasty virus. 

In the interim, I have been trawling through my photos and selecting one a day to put on my instagram account. I'm not one to live in the past but it has kept me sane. It's my way of escapism and reminds me that I will be able to travel again one day. What that will look like is anyone's guess.

Keep safe and well. Hopefully it won't be too long before returning to work and traveling days are here again.