Yas Marina event

I attended a business event at the Yas Marina Hotel yesterday. The hotel was very swish as you would expect. As part of the day I won a VIP tour of the race circuit, which I loved. It was supposed to include a lap of the track, but because of some flooding in the tunnels this had to be scrapped.

Below are some photos from the day….

Yas Marina Hotel Event

Indian wedding

       

Last night we had a fantastic night at my mate Sanjit’s wedding celebration in Dubai. It was the first Indian wedding we had been to and it was great! They had their formal ceremony and family celebration on Friday and last night they held another one for everyone, including his and her mates. It was held at the Sheraton Jumeirah in the gardens.

He turned up in the really swanky, gold outfit (apparently designed by a famous Indian fashion designer, oooh errr) and Sabah looked fantastic in her traditional outfit. Here’s the happy couple….

The thing that we noticed most was that the dance floor was full of young and old together givin’ it some, Bollywood style! (yes, I joined in). It was a really good atmosphere and we felt privileged to be part of it.

Congratulations Sanjit and Sabah and all the very best for your future!

                     

The rain continues

I had the misfortune of having to drive to Dubai this morning through torrential rain. Normally at home I wouldn't think twice about this really, but here this involves seriously putting your life at risk. Actually it wasn't too bad - I only saw 9 major car crashes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai! The first 2 were on the Saadiyat highway (emptiest piece of motorway in Abu Dhabi) two cars on the fast lane hard shoulder and another on the slow lane hard shoulder for the first accident and another 2 cars in the second (2 more on this stretch on the way home btw). These drivers really are the most brain-dead individuals, I actually think the drivers of the UAE share 1 brain cell, but the one they share is used up working their mobile phone.

I would bet that all of the "accidents" caused this morning could have been avoided if they weren't driving like tossers (not sure if "tossers" is going to get the web police onto me, but hey, that's what they are!). Even in sideways rain they still drive at 160kmph (100 mph) on their phone, tailgating within inches. I had to slow to 70 because any faster and I couldn't see a thing.

One of the most annoying things they do here in rain (and fog) is put their hazard warning lights on the whole time. This helps no-one. Now you don't know if they are going left, right or whether there is actually a hazard coming up. They seem to think that rain per se is a hazard, whereas in fact, they are they hazard!

Below is a short clip taken on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai this afternoon. Once again Caz says I am a hazard by doing this, but trust me, I could be videoing, making a cup of tea, doing a Rubik's cube and putting my tie on all at the same time and still not be as dangerous as some of the guys I have seen today!

It’s raining- fantastic!

It happens so infrequently here that when it does, it is beautiful! It makes me want to go out and just stand in it. We get so much rain at home, we moan and moan about it (as is the English way). Here, we moan and moan about how bloody hot it is (have to be whinging about something). So rain is a very welcome site. I’ve even opened some windows so I can hear it. We were going to sit on the beach today, but actually, I don’t care one bit we can’t, I’ll just enjoy the rain instead……

Abu Dhabi Big Band at The British Embassy

ADBB had a gig tonight in the gardens of The British Embassy, and a very posh affair it was too! It was organised as a charity event in aid of St Andrews Church here in Abu Dhabi. There was about 400 people in attendance and for our services we got free grub and booze – yippee! Actually it was a really lovely roast Christmas dinner, yummy – we even had an appearance from Santa!

A good time was had by all and they raised lots of money.