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UAE: Sales are on…
Sales are all around also in the UAE. I have made my shopping in no smaller place than the Dubai Mall, which is the largest in the world with its more than 1200 shops stretching over four storeys. The Mall is home also to an Aquarium, a large ice skating rink, two amusement parks and, of course, pletny of cinemas, restaurants and others. The is also a singing fountain in front of the Mall, but the weather was not good for photos. And towering above the Mall is Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world where also Tom Cruise had some fun.
UAE: Happy New Year
It seems the New Year’s celebrations in the UAE were all about the Guiness Records and tourists. You can watch Dubai’s 2014 fireworks, which used more than half a million of fireworks and became a new Guinness World Record holder, on youtube or google. Or here.
Oman: A few more words on Mussandam and Arabian fjords
Mussandam is the northernmost part of Oman isolated from the rest of the country by the Emirates. To the north, there is the Strait of Hormuz with Iran only 45 km away. This part of Oman is full of high and steep mountains with amazing views attracting hikers and climbers. Some other parts of this country resemble to the city of Tatooine from the movie Star Wars I, especially from the scenes of the race in the desert, although in reality it was made in Tunisia. BTW, there is only one coastal road leading to this part of Oman, passing white sandy beaches, mountain serpentines and astonishing views.
UAE: Formula 1
In the end, I managed to see the Formula 1 race live. 🙂 This one was on the water. At the begining of December, there is Formula 1 championship in powerboat races on the Breakwater. The Formula 1 race as you know it was at the begining of November on the Yas Island circuit, but somehow did not manage to get hold of the tickets. Never mind, I am certain the noise level was similar… 🙂
UAE: Christmas decorations?
Nice decorations in red and green started to appear in the streets at the beginning of November. Despite knowing that majority of UAE population are muslims, some new expats might have thought how nice it is to hang festive decorations for Christmas.
UAE: Red Arrows flying acrobatics
And this was happenning just outside my office window. Amazing! See more: Red Arrows flying acrobatics
UAE: Korean food cooking class
As part of the Korea week in UAE in the Abu Dhabi National Theater (21-23. 11. 2013), there was a demonstration of how to prepare five traditional Korean dishes – japtchae, kimbab, galbi bui, bibimbab and kimchi. Quite a lot of people turned up for this demonstration, more showed up only for free Korean dinner later. I left the event happy with full stomach, a map and a tourist guide of Korea and most importantly, the list of Korean restaurants in town. We’ll be checking them one by one.
Weekend trip to Oman
I decided to go camping to Oman during the weekend of 15-16 November with my colleague and some 30 other people I never met before. My German colleague drove a 4W car and spoke fluently also French and English. I was tasked with navigation and taking photos – the first did not go very well, once we even ended up almost entering Omani prison and the latter see for yourself.
Oman: Photoblog
My new friend from Oman
My weekend adventures in Oman will be added shortly. (As soon as the internet speed allows picture upload faster than two days) 🙂 For the moment, I had a great time and I am also glad I saved my iPad from a painful death by leaving it at the hotel. It certainly would not survive my unplanned swimming in the sea with my backpack. 🙂
UAE: Abu Dhabi Heritage village
Surrounded with high walls and with a large entrance gate, the Abu Dhabi Heritage village looked like a fortress. The area now displays the Emirati desert way of life to tourists.
UAE: Abu Dhabi panorama
City view from my hotel, Corniche on the left. And this is my hotel, casting that weird shadow.
UAE: Annual weather forecast
One morning at the beginning of October, I woke up, looked out of the window and saw a white nothing. The fog lifted relatively quickly, but posited the day. The average October temperatures were 32-39°C, but the humidity felt worse. A 10 minute walk left me soaked up in my own sweat and the moment I got out of an air-conditioned place (in my case most often a certain shopping mall – BTW the shopping malls are huge here, with shops ranging from H&M to Versace almost next to each other), I could not see anything for a while thinking whether to take off the sunglasses and squint into the…
UAE: Hotel Lobby Tourism: Emirates Palace
When entering the hotel I am greeted by a footman in a dress worth thousand and one nights’ story. In a hallway, a couple is intently watching TV – they do not play latest CSI episode, but a very thrilling “arrival of cars” movie. When their car is chauffeured in the driveway, they get up and leave.
UAE: Blacked out
I knew there are many things and websites you are not allowed to see in the UAE. But I was really amused when I bought my favourite British Glamour magazine in the shop nearby. I was puzzled by some pages glued together. I imagined someone with picky hands removing cosmetic samples that are sometimes inserted in magazines like these. I do like these “nothings” so I felt a bit disappointed. However, after I managed to separate two pages I understood – there was a picture of a semi-naked model crossed out by a thick black fix marker.
UAE: The bigger the better…
….and the faster, the more powerful, the more expensive and the more luxurious, then even better. I am talking about cars, what did you think? As the city planners somehow did not count with pavements for pedestrians and the city is quite large, it is really understandable, that everyone in Abu Dhabi drives a car. Or almost everyone.
UAE: It’s Cold Outside
I like warm and sunny weather. The climate in Abu Dhabi feels like heaven. Temperatures around 30°C, sunny and bright every day. I know that my Norwegian friends would imagine it being like a sauna, something I can perfectly understand. It is not long that I got used to much lower temperature levels and at 20°C I happily lounged on my balcony with a fjord view and enjoyed rare rays of sunshine. I was proud at myself for being able to lower my “feeling cold treshold”, as I had always been very sensitive about being cold. It did not last long enough, though. Now I sometimes think I would appreciate…
UAE: Abu Dhabi, first impressions
Abu Dhabi is certainly a very large city – Wikipedia confirms it is the second largest city in the country as well as the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – with population estimated at more than three million at end-2012. The city spreads across several islands on the coast of the Persian or Arabian Gulf. Population is divided 1:9 for home : expats, respectively. That means, only one tenth of the UAE population are native Emiratis, the remainder is expats and gastarbeiters. This mix of people gives the city a multi-culti atmosphere and on every street corner you can find restaurants cooking different cuisines, yet mostly Lebanese, Indian,…
UAE: Broadening horizons
After several work- and study-related stops all around Europe, I decided to venture further afield. The offer to work and live for a few months in Abu Dhabi (UAE) brings many novelties in one package. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Vocation – after several years analyzing the oil markets, forecasting oil prices and writing company reports, I step into renewables energy fiels combined with web design and content management. And project management on top of it. Lifestyle – back to the city, with a lot of people, skyscapers and restaurants. Lifegoals – yes, it ticks the “I want to live in a warm and sunny country for a while” and the…
Norway 5: Lysefjord
After an unplanned break due to spring fatigue, here are some pictures from my recent boat trip to the fjords. I joined approximately thirty other tourists on a three-hour trip to Lysefjorden, near Stavanger, with most famous sights: Tingholmen island, where king Olav Tryggvason held national assembly in 998. Høgsfjorden, with lovely weekend houses. Hengjane waterfalls, with crystal-clear water, potable. Fantahala – vagabond’s cave. And, of course, Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) – a massive cliff 600 m above the fjord, with the top of approximately 25 x 25 m. It offers a magnificent view of the fjord, but we will get to that later. And here is the promised photo…
Norway 4: Bus Adventure
I am waking up in the morning. It is still dark outside. I am getting slowly under the shower, dressing myself and leaving for the bus. Usually it’ s late, but I try to be at the bus stop on time anyway. Maybe this time it is on time. It’s pouring rain. But at least, it is a little bit warmer. I’m raising my hand to signal to the driver. I can see a free double seat in the back. Excellent! I sit down, pulling out my smart phone and starting to work. I utilize the time spent on the bus to save some in the office. Hmmm, oil prices…
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