Week 16 - One Daily Positive - A staycation and Ramadan Kareem

It doesn't feel like I've been away from Dubai at all. It's automatic to hop in the car and drive on the other side of the road and the money and way of doing things is familiar. 

However Ramadan is very different this year, it's cooler for starters as it occurs 11 days earlier each year and most of the restrictions of previous years have changed and as long as you eat or drink in a cafe or restaurant there is no need for screening from the rest of the public. More places are open this year due to not requiring a permit to operate during Ramadan.

Smoking, eating and drinking whilst walking around or in your car is still prohibited during day light hours.

I've been back and forth to the Drs for yet more blood tests, thankfully my phosphate levels have corrected themselves with medication but they really do need to get to the bottom of the iron deficiency anaemia as the side effects of the infusions are causing other issues now and I really don't want to be on more and more medications long term.

We managed to get away for a few days, but if I'm honest I'm not a big fan of hotel stays. The staff were excellent but a lot of the guests refused to wear masks in communal areas both indoors and outdoors, but this is what happens when people visit from other countries, they don't recognise the laws or think they can do the same as they do at home but in the sun. The hotel was also very tired, soft furnishings were stained and towels were thread bare and a good clean was needed in the rooms. The communal areas looked ok as they were being cleaned throughout the day. 

107 Saturday All change with Ramadan. We went to the Outlet Village and other than coffee didn't buy anything.

108 Sunday Stopped at the beach on the way to the Doctors

109 Monday A mini break in Ras Al Khaimah at the Rixos. 

110 Tuesday Days split between the beach and the pool side and dinner and a show in the evening.

111 Wednesday Some of the entertainment leaves a lot to be desired such as Baby Shark throughout the day and the Macarena at night, thank fully it was relatively quiet with numbers.

112 Thursday Morning by the pool and the drive home, stopping at the local mall for a coffee and a food shop for the week.

113 Friday Whilst we have a lot more freedom in Dubai we are required to wear masks 24/7 including outdoors, in parking lots etc. Both Peter and I are used to wearing them when out the house, I'll just have to remind him that he can take his mask off in open space when he's back in the UK. I attempted to sit out in the garden, but by the time I'd swept and put the cushions out I had overheated, so spent the day trying to sell the garden, organise Bupa to continue when we relocate (quoted £23,000 per annum for medical aid) cancelling internet and sorting out investments. 

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2nd - 4th October 2020 - Post Comment Love

Post Comment Love or #PoCoLo is a weekly link run by Stephanie from Life at 139a and I. You can link up with any post written this week. You Post, We Comment and We share the Love.

There is always a great selection of posts from fashion, gardening, child care, days out, sewing patterns, seasonal events and just general day to day life. If you've not joined in before or linked up for a while why not take another look.

For all of you who join in weekly, thank you. I really enjoy connecting with other people especially during Covid and the restrictions placed upon us for real life experiences.

I took Bob away last weekend for a few days, I wasn't enjoying the prospect of being stuck in one place for the foreseeable future. I'm constantly checking on travel requirements so I can hopefully get back out to Dubai for the winter, I'm concerned entry from the UK may be restricted with the R levels rising as they are.

I'm not surprised really having spent the weekend in Burnham on Sea. Whilst I took myself off to quieter beaches and other than the hotel or public toilets stayed outdoors for most of the time (including to eat) I was alarmed by the numbers of people on the sea front and beaches when I drove through Weston Super Mare and through Burnham. Groups of more than 6 adults, little social distancing and queues for piers and Wetherspoons just snaking down the pavements.

I find it easier to social distance when I'm on my own or out with Bob, I can cross roads and move out of the way easier, although I am fed up of constantly being the one who stands back to let others pass without acknowledgment and being the one to constantly step out onto the road.

We've only ever taken Bob away camping and to one place where we stayed in a house for a week and that was in South Africa and when we travelled we had a house sitter. In Dubai Bob always went into kennels when we were away. The UK gives me a combination of all 3 options. We have house sitters lined up for November, assuming I can travel and I was surprised to find the Travelodge accepted up to 2 domestic pets per visit. I've linked up with Bob's hotel stay this week.

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A weeks holiday (staycation) in Dubai

Living abroad means we get lots of visitors, from family and friends to colleagues. Some are just passing through on their travels and stop with us for a day or two. Some are here with work and stay in hotels and we meet up for dinner. Others come solely for the purpose of visiting us.

We love having visitors, but we have to keep reminding ourselves we're not on holiday and it can get quite tiring and expensive, especially when Peter is at work or day, or our visitors stick to their own timescale and we're hanging around wondering if they'll be back for dinner or are eating out.

Since the kids left home, managing visitors is easier, no school runs to stick to and less cleaning. However the cat and dog have added to our stress when we have visitors due to not letting the cat outside and the dog being over fed.

But now it's just Peter and I. The cat and dog relocated to the UK last month. My MIL is looking after them while I'm out in Dubai for 3 weeks.

So what have we done this week?

Our friends arrived late on Friday night, quick tour of the house, a drink, chat and off to bed.

I didn't go in to most of these attractions as I've done them numerous times over the years. I will go if a friend or family member travels on their own, but otherwise I just wander around, shop and drink coffee.

I've added photos taken this week and the links are to old blog posts written at the time of my first visit to each place.

Saturday The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, a quick visit to Yas Mall and the Ferrari world shop, calling in at the liquor store then to the supermarket to buy sausages and steak for a BBQ in the garden. We exploded all the myths about Dubai in one day.

Sunday Boat trip from the Marina to the Creek and a visit to the souks, lunch and driverless train back to the Marina, home and dinner in the garden.

Monday The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the aquarium. We watched the fountains and had lunch together. We drove home via Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve to see the flamingos.

Tuesday A visit to the Souk Madinat for coffee with views of the Burj Al Arab. Then off to The Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Miracle Gardens and met Peter after work at Global Village for dinner.

Wednesday Off to the beach, then our visitors were collected mid afternoon for a desert safari.

Thursday Off to the Frame, then dropped visitors off at Dubai Mall for them to do some shopping  Out for dinner in the evening.

The next lot of visitors arrive on Monday morning, we'll be repeating a lot of the same trips. The beach on Monday and a BBQ. Tuesday the Ferry trip, but they will go on their own and I will drive to the Creek to show them around then drive home rather than catch the train. Wednesday will be the Souk Madinat and Mall of the Emirates, then they'll go on the desert safari. Thursday to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall and dinner out in the evening. They fly home on the Friday.

One Daily Positive - Week 33 Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore and Abu Dhabi. Eid Al Adha Mubarak.

It's hot back in Dubai, the garden needs a lot of work doing to it and the balconies etc are covered in 2 inches of sand grrrrrrrrrrr.

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi as it's EID and a public holiday staying at the Park Hyatt on Saadiyat Island. We'd booked a suite with a sea view and balcony, we went for breakfast, they made the room, we returned from a swim and they'd tidied away the coffee cups, we came back from dinner and they'd refreshed the towels and emptied the bins. I'm not used to this level of attentiveness and was surprised that it wasn't as intrusive as previous experiences.

223 Sunday Had a leisurely morning, packed case, left apartment and returned the key before dropping the car at the airport and checking in for a 6pm flight to Singapore, before a 2 hour stop over and onto Dubai. I managed to get more sleep than usual. Getting off at Singapore we waited by the gate while they cleaned the plane and got back onto the same seat, I found a smoking room and a Starbucks.

Meet Thing 4, she was actually born last week, but keeping it quiet until everyone had been informed and Thing 1, 2 & 3 had time to meet their sister.

224 Monday Landed at 5am, taxi home, unpacked, showered and did some washing after a 2 hour power nap. Peter took Bob to boarding and I repacked swimsuits, sandals and dresses for a 2 night stay in Abu Dhabi. We arrived at the Park Hyatt at 1pm and headed straight to the beach and pool. We ate Vietnamese for dinner.

225 Tuesday A lie in and leisurely breakfast before spending the rest of the morning by the pool, back to our room for a couple of hours, then pool side again before showering and dinner in the Beach Cafe.

226 Wednesday I was up early and started my day with a swim in the sea, but at 36c in the water I gave up and went in the pool instead. We had breakfast and went back to the pool for the morning, before packing and checking out. Collected Bob from the kennels, we'd left Pushkins at home with food hidden around the house. We did a food shop then I caught up with my soaps and we watched a couple of episodes of the Good Wife before bed.

227 Thursday Up at 5am, seem to be back in my usual routine now. Walked Bob, watered the garden, swept the front and rearranged my car as Peter has been using it for the dog and boarding. Did the ironing, sorted through our wardrobes and rearranged/tidied up the toiletries. Showered and off to Ibn Battuta Mall for a coffee and to blog. I bought a couple of books to read. The place where I've been swopping books at the dog park hasn't had any new donations in since I started using it, other than what I drop off. Spent the afternoon at our local pool.

228 Friday Dog walk and garden swept, still needs a good hose and weeding, but slowly does it in this heat. We went out for breakfast at the Mall of the Emirates and onto the cinema to see Once upon a time in Hollywood. It's described as a comedy, but it's dark and violently graphic at the end. If you don't know the Sharon Tate murder or aren't aware of Roman Polanski's statutory rape case, then you'd miss a lot of references, but would still be able to watch the movie.

Made a chicken curry for dinner and bought new pepper and salt mills.

229 Saturday Dog walk, an hours gardening and an hour at the pool. Took ourselves out to Mirdiff City Centre for a walk and lunch and to buy Peter new socks. I spent the afternoon on paperwork and blog comments.

The domed nets are to stop the cat sitting on the table.

On the blog this week:
Phillip Island to Port Fairy. Australian Roadtrip.

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One Daily Positive - Week 23. Eid Mubarak

Although Peter and I travel a lot, we don't have holidays together very often. I've been to the UK twice this year and Peter joined me for a week, but we had jobs to do, bills to pay and family to visit. Last month I was in South Africa, and although I had some time with friends and took myself on a self drive safari, my purpose for being there was to do some charity work. Later this month I'm off to Dublin with a friend then on to Northern Ireland to visit child 4 and 4a and next month I travel to Australia to visit child 3.

Ramadan finished on Monday and Peter had the week off for Eid so we treated ourselves to a two night stay in a hotel in Abu Dhabi. Bob went in for boarding and we left the cat at home with a clean litter tray, fresh water and plenty of food hidden around the house. I spent Monday night refreshing social media waiting for Eid announcement so I know what I can do on Tuesday in regards to eating and drinking in public.

153 Sunday Off to the dentists for the stitches to be removed and a deep clean, needed my whole mouth numbing. The rest of day was spent in bed feeling sorry for myself. We popped out to the mall in the evening for a walk, food court dinner and a coffee.

A new building at the World Trade Centre.

154 Monday Dr's at 9.30am for routine bloods, then collected Bob and visited the dog park for a couple of hours, then home to do nothing and a BBQ for dinner. Packed for our trip away.

155 Tuesday Up at 5am and hanging around waiting for a suitable time to drop Bob at boarding and set off to Abu Dhabi. Spent the afternoon on the beach and the evening in one of the bars.

Very few tall buildings in Abu Dhabi, more a traditional City.

156 Wednesday Had a long lie in thanks to black out blinds followed by a leisurely breakfast, time on the beach and a pub lunch followed by a massage and pool side and the evening spent in the pub.

Tidal sea water but an inlet, one of the many islands that make up Abu Dhabi

157 Thursday Left Abu Dhabi at mid day after time on the beach. We collected Bob on the way home. Pushkins was pleased to see us. In the evening we watched TV and just chilled out.

The Last exit food stop or drive through only in this heat, located on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

158 Friday Coffee and food shop while Peter got the valve repaired on his tyre then off to brunch with friends at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina, apart from that nothing else happened all day.

The hotel foyer.

159 Saturday A lazy day, too stuffed from yesterday to do much. Been thinking it's Saturday all week, I'm not used to Peter being off work. Spent 5+ hours wandering around Dubai Mall and only saw a small part of it.

The aquarium inside the mall.

On the blog this week:

Why I'm fed up of people telling me I should take vitamin supplements.

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One Daily Positive - Week 16 Inside Dubai Malls.

Peter has been away all week. Stayed up late the first night and got bored so I snacked. Won't be doing that again. Forgot to ask Peter to sort my bike tyres out before he left so couldn't ride my bike all week, but did do a lot of walking and swimming. Bob gets walked every morning and every evening while the weather is good. I even tried yoga this week at the local dog park. I really enjoyed it but can feel places aching I never knew were possible.

I decided to have a mini holiday this week, a staycation and visit the top tourist spots in Dubai. It only took a few hours each morning to do as I've visited these places numerous times, in fact a couple most weeks. I've focused on the inside of the malls, if you're on instagram or twitter, you can find the other photo's from the visits by searching chickenruby.

Last week I said my energy levels had dropped. Blood tests this week, show my ferritin stores are almost depleted so another iron infusion after we get back from the UK. I'm still anaemic, but that's improving. B12 levels dropped and been told to come off the tablets and see if they rise once the ferritin levels are restored. Few other things going on with my blood still to sort. Chest x-ray clear, I've had several bouts of pneumonia over recent years and chest infections.

There's been NO rain this week.

104 Sunday A few chores completed then off to Dubai Mall for the day, where I drank coffee, walked for miles, blogged and shopped. I've not been here since February. I took some snacks with me instead of having lunch out as I had a cottage pie defrosting in the fridge for my dinner.

105 Monday A trip to the Doctors in the morning for a blood test and chest xray, stopped at the Mall of the Emirates for some shopping and coffee, spent the rest of the day at home and cleaned downstairs. Watching TV and an early night.

106 Tuesday Dog park with Bob and yoga. Packed for the UK then cleaned the upstairs of the house then went swimming in the afternoon to cool down. Went down to the Marina Mall early evening for a walk and dinner out. Had an early night.

107 Wednesday Took myself, a picnic and a book to the beach for the morning. Swam a little and just chilled out, it was nice. Called in at the supermarket on my way home and pub quiz after dinner and dog walk in the evening.

108 Thursday Took myself for a coffee at the Souk Madinat and some blogging, haircut and gel mani at lunch time. The plan was to catch up with the washing, but the landlord had the water tank cleaned today so there was no water till early evening, so I watched TV instead and read a book.

109 Friday Visited Deira City Centre, it's one of the areas in Dubai where you shop without malls, as in walk the streets and pop in and out of shops. Collected Peter from the airport at midday, did the washing, walked the dog and chilled out watching TV.

110 Saturday Dropped Bob and Pushkins off for boarding for the week, we had breakfast on the beach, went to friends for a coffee, did the ironing, Peter packed and we will be having an early night ahead of our flight to the UK in the morning.

On the blog this week:

Why I dislike like other people's kids

Things to do with adult kids when visiting

Things I miss about the UK

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A visit to Bollywood Park with Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts are located about a 20 minute drive from the Marina on the road to Abu Dhabi and will cost you around 50 AED to reach by taxi. You can also drive there yourself and it's worth visiting the Outlet Mall located in the same area.

Since the kids left home, theme parks are not something my husband and I visit, in fact we will avoid them, especially during the holiday season, but I had a free ticket to visit one of the parks and after our visit to the cinema on Christmas Eve to see Paddington, without kids, where we stood out from all the other parents with small children, we opted to visit Bollywood Park rather than Legoland or Motion gate.

I failed to check the website properly for their opening times and we arrived 2 hours before Bollywood Park opened and we could purchase a 2nd ticket for Peter, but we spent our time in Riverland which is an outdoor area with activities, shops and restaurants. Sadly as the park doesn't really come to life until after 4pm, a lot of the attractions, stalls and restaurants weren't opening, but most of them were related to children's activities anyway, so we weren't that bothered. So we sat and had lunch and coffees and enjoyed walking around in the fresh air and enjoying being outside in Dubai in winter rather than stuck inside a mall.

There was a free shuttle bus for the parks from the car park, but I can imagine there will be a lot of waiting in the busier periods and indeed when we returned to the car park at 6pm, it was very busy indeed. Parking costs 20 AED and tickets for the parks can be purchased either online or at the individual gates, but queuing times can be long.

The park was very quiet when we entered at 2pm which meant we were able to enjoy everything the park had to offer and not have to queue for any of the rides and had a good view of all the entertainment.

Now I know nothing about Bollywood, the closest I've ever been to a Bollywood movie was Slumdog Millionaire, but I was surprised by how much of the merchandise I recognised for the movies, especially Gabbar Singh and Dabangg.

The rides in the park were 3D and 4D motion rides, they were fun, especially the road chase through Dubai to catch Don, but both Peter and I spent our time watching the scenery to see if we could spot our house. We particularly enjoyed the 'shoot the villains' ride and we were rather competitive. peter won and I'm annoyed with myself for telling him how the game worked, giving him the edge over me. lol.

There were plenty of restaurants and snacks stalls inside Bollywood Park to choose from, including a train that was converted to a dining car and a double decker bus.

It was good value for money at 95 AED per ticket and I'd like to go back and explore the other parks at some point before it gets too hot and too busy and it's certainly best visited on a working day, if like me you're not a big fan of crowds and other peoples kids. But I'd recommend you check opening times as they are seasonal, consider VIP parking and book your tickets online to save queuing.

For residents, annual passes are available and if you're planning on visiting 2 of the parks, even just the once it's worth purchasing a pass.