White Trucks 'R' Us

I've been meaning to take pictures of this vehicle storage area in Jebel Ali, where my work is based, for ages and finally got round to it this week. It basically a holding area where vehicles are kept as they are delivered straight from the port, waiting to be shipped to dealers. The photos I took don't cover may half of the area, but give you an idea...

My edit I have called "White Trucks 'R' Us "

Golf at Meydan

I was invited by a friend to join him and a mate for a round of golf on Saturday at the Meydan golf course, called The Track. I hadn't played for about 18 months, and neither had they, so there was no pressure! It was a nice relaxed round. The course was 9 holes repeated, with some challenging fairways (very hard and running on) and also some very fast greens. The back drop of views was also pretty spectacular. Here's a few piccies....

Meydan Race Course in the background

Now thats what I call a bunker!

A good time had by all!

SOS Condoms

http://www.7daysindubai.com/Condom-delivery-service-advert-caused-stir/story-18069601-detail/story.html


Durex last week started to promote a new 'SOS Condom' delivery service in Dubai. Bad move - it just got banned. Unless you hail to the adage that "any publicity is good publicity" , in which case you could argue it was a great move! One could cynically think that in fact it was all just a ruse and they knew it would get banned and would make headlines.

The condoms were to be ordered via the above app and delivered within 1 hour to any location in Dubai. The story below (and linked above) describes the ban and the test order they made.

So, SOS Condoms will no longer be able to "save your date" in Dubai. I guess they could always send the maid out to buy them? ... oh wait.... maybe she is the date?

Visit to Dubai Global Village

Last week we visited Global Village in Dubai. We had never been before and were interested to know what it was like. It is basically a destination split into different country zones, that are themed with food, shopping and entertainment.

So, well it wasn't exactly Disney, but it was kind of interesting! Mostly however the markets appeared to be selling the same old tat from China, except the Africa zone that did seem to have some cool African stuff.

There was a kind of canal that ran through the whole area on which you could take boat rides. There was also a central area with a fun fair, complete with Ferris Wheel, which I will return to! There is also a nightly firework display which we didn't stay to.

If you did decide you want to visit every area and do every ride, then you could indeed spend all day here (open 4pm to like midnight I think), but I reckon 2-3 hours is plenty enough before you will get bored.

Each area with it's country designation....

The Emirati traditional cooking stall ... 

Waste not, want not in Africa...

Our favourite ! 

A good time was had by all...

Sadly, not the Fornication Centre ...

So, as I mentioned above, there was a Ferris Wheel. We didn't have the time or inclination to go to the rides area - and just as well! A couple of days later, the follow story appeared in the paper...

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/three-arrested-over-global-village-ferris-wheel-death-in-dubai

Basically, a piece of the wheel fell off and de-capitated a man below! The park is closed for half the year while it is too hot. One would have to question what kind of maintenance is done during this time while the ride is left idle in the baking heat?

It's a sad story, but I'm just glad we never went near the rides and would never in the future!

Alfie in Abu Dhabi!

Sorry folks - I've been neglecting the blog again!

We've currently got my daughter, Alice, over with her boyfriend, Josh, and my grandson, Alfie! Its really nice to have them here and to spend some time with Alfie. He is so cute! They are here for two weeks, so here for a good while. I took this week off work and we went to a few places.

He has especially been enjoying the pool at our villa. He loves the water!

Alfie the sun dude!

Alfie meets Archie !

We went to the Emirates Park Zoo, which is a real hidden gem. It's literally about 15 minutes from our home, but we have never been. It's actually a pretty good zoo. It has a wide variety of animals, well shaded and lots of food outlets. The animals generally look well cared for and have good size enclosures, which was good to see. 

The White Siberian Tigers were awesome!

...and a special needs goat!

We also went to Dubai one day and stopped off at Ibn Battuta Mall.

That night we went for the first time to Global Village, which I will put in a separate entry.

Abu Dhabi F1 Weekend

We have just had a great weekend with my brother, Steve and his wife, Dora, who came over for the F1 weekend. Steve has been before, to the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but it was a first visit for Dora. So, inevitably, we did some of the tourist visits again. I actually like showing people around and don't really get tired of seeing some of the best sights, like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque below....

On Friday we spent a day in Dubai. We hit a couple of malls, they went to "At the Top" at Burj Khalifa, we went to the old Spice Souq and Gold Souq and in the afternoon we spent some time at "The Walk" by Jumeirah Beach. We saw this nice "Cobra" car....

We stopped at Bob's Easy Diner for lunch......

....I was a bit worried about what Walter was doing with his wife on the beach though - you can get arrested for that out here!

I was also a bit worried when they brought these out......

...but (phew) they were for the sticky Buffalo Wings!


Dora and Caz went to a spa on Saturday while me and Steve went to the track. And then Sunday was F1 race day. For once the Abu dhabi GP was a really interesting and exciting race, with lots of incident.  Before it has been a fairly boring "parade", so it was a nice change.

....gotta love the Safety Car!

Jenson Button......

Lewis Hamilton...

Hamilton getting pole in Qualifying....

...and a quick video clip showing the first lap and last lap from our position in the North Grandstand. The leading four on the final lap were all World Championship winners: Raikkonen , Alonso, Vettel and Button.