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Seychelles: Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is a small city in the Beau Vallon bay on the northwestern side of the main island Mahe. The magnificient beach is lined up by restaurants, resorts and houses. The beach is several kilometers long and accessible to public (most of the beaches on Mahe are for public).
Seychelles: Sunset at Anse Intendance
Anse Intendance is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen on Mahe. Its is relatively remote, located in the south of the island, with Banyan Tree Resort spreading on the right side. White sandy beach, azure sea (Indian ocean, actually) and splendid sunset views – just amazing. The waves were quite high and the currents seemed strong, but the sunset was magical. What do you think?
UAE: High in the SKY
During my numerous visits to Dubai, I often looked out to the 828 m tall Burj Khalifa, which is the highest building in the world. Although I often went shopping to the adjacent Dubai Mall, I did not feel the urge to got up the tower only until it was clear I will be leaving the UAE.
UAE: Weekend in Abu Dhabi
Most recent ultra short visit from a friend inspired me to write this short post summarising what to expect from Abu Dhabi. Not only Dubai has some breath-taking views.
UAE: Sandstorm
Sunday 17 August was one of the hottest days of the summer in the Emirates with temperature reaching 48°C. There even was a storm in the afternoon – a proper sandstorm.
Jordan: Around Wadi Rum
If asked to rank the places seen during the Jordan road trip, I would award Wadi Rum desert the second place right after the ancient city of Petra and before the Dead Sea, Karak Castle, Mt Nebo and Aqaba.
UAE: Ramadan
I have just added to my collection of multicultural experiences the first week of Ramadan. Ramadan, which started last Sunday 29 June, is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar Hijri.
Jordan: Around the country in five days
My last minute trip to Jordan to visit the Red Sea, Wadi Rum desert, ancient city of Petra, crusader's castle Karak, Moses' Mt. Nebo or dip in the Dead Sea was meant as a necessary relax after an intensive time at work. Peak season in Jordan is usually in spring or autumn, in the winter it is quite cold and in summer quite warm. However, that is relative.
UAE: The sandy drive and some oil spotting
The driver stops down the dune next to a tree and a well (maybe). I am still processing the previous experience, so I do not notice why he is kicking us out of the car. And then he speeds away leaving us in the middle of the desert with no mobile network coverage. (Continued, see previous post here)
UAE: A ride outside of the city
It is small, round, white, yellow, orange or red, and it is everywhere in the Emirates. What is it? 🙂
UAE: Emirati lifestyle
Life of Emiratis is a strong mix of religion, tradition and modern.
UAE: Hollywood in the Emirates
Hollywood movie companies are discovering the Emirates. During the week of 12-18 April, Abu Dhabi once again experienced the filming of the Fast and Furious 7.
UAE: Things to do in Dubai (for those well off)
Dubai is a city that invites you to spend money. If you have some, you can for example: Swipe your credit card as often as possible at some of the stores in the giant shopping malls. It is entirely your choice whether you would like to combine trying on and shopping for the new Versace dress, the Armani suit, the Louis Vuitton handbag or Manolo Blahnik shoes with some cultural (festival, art exhibition), sporty (skiing, ice-skating) or leisure activites (the aquarium, penguin show), or not. Rest assured you will already burn a decent amount of calories as the shopping centres are not small.
UAE: About Dubai
I cannot believe I have not written about Dubai yet. Truth is, it took some time to arrange my visit, but I admit I love the city. It is so different than Abu Dhabi. Livelier and historical, but also more western and megalomaniac. Here is a quick photographic documentary, I will revert with more details later. I like the old quarters, Bur Dubai, the most. From smelly abras sailing across the Creek, traditional souks with pushy sellers, narrow winding streets and old open air museum.
UAE: The white-blue mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The contrast of white and blue colours is exquisite. The building made of snow-white marble is surrounded by blue water basins and the almost always blue skies, the sun and the dramatic lightning changing with the moon phases during the nights offer breath-taking view. Such is the largest mosque in the UAE.
UAE: Wearing Abaya
Abaya is a traditional arabic dress for women. It is more like a long but very light overcoat. Most often it is black, but made of high-quality and soft fabrics, which rather shields than warms Emirati ladies from the sun. I noticed that their abayas are also embelished, embroidened and customised more often than not. This would most likely not be acceptable in the Saudi Arabia.
UAE: Mountainous Hatta
Hatta is a small Dubai enclave often visited on one or more day trips from Dubai. It’s main attraction is cooler and drier climate, especially during the summer months. The road to Hatta leads through a picturesque desert with red sand and dunes with Hajar mountains rising high just few kilometers from Omani borders. The tallest peak is a 1311 m Jebel Hatta.
Oman: Weekend trip to Muscat
Oman again. I happily admit I really like Oman mostly because of its nature strongly contrasting the UAE. The Emirates, that‘s palm trees, desert and camels. Oman, that’s palm trees, mountains and goats. I will write more about the country itself later, let’s focus on the capital city now.
UAE: The Rolling Stones – 14 on fire
In Europe, the concert of the Rolling Stones would have been sold out minutes after the sale opened. This was not the case in the Emirates, you could have easily bought tickets a week before the event. It took place on an island of fun – Yas, where you can find also Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, large golf club and Formula 1 circuit. The island is 45 min drive away on one of two highways/bridges. On the day D we arrived early to the place, relaxed in Yas Marina and tasted delicious sushi in Kazu in Yas Viceroy hotel.
UAE: Snoopy? Where?
Our weekend getaway towards the UAE East Coast started in a usual pre-weekend traffic jam multiplied by cycling competition in Dubai. So we arrived to our destination in the dark of the night and checked into our seaside cabin. After several hours sitting in a car, the dinner in a restaurant design a la 80’s was delicious.
UAE: A place that screams speed
Been there, done that! 🙂 Although my average speed severly lacked the usual 300 km/h of the Formula 1 monoposts, I made it round the 5,5 km Yas Marina Circuit. Summary: Lapse: One. Average speed: 5 km/h. A must: strong suport and encouragement from my family and colleagues. Goal: Formula 1 circuit – checked!
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