Blogs from Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Am Montag sind wir relativ früh vom Hotel aufgebrochen und zunächst zum Burj Al Arab gefahren. Dort haben wir am Strand Fotos gemacht. Dann sind wir zur künstlichen Jumeirah Palmeninsel. Dort haben wir auch fotografiert und sind etwas herum gelaufen. Dort gibt es auch eine Magnetbahn von Siemens. Die Stadt München könnte sich davon eine Scheibe abschneiden. Danach sind wir zur Dubai Marina, die auch sehr sehenswert ist. Von dort sind wir zu einem Golfkurs außerhalb und haben auch von dort Fotos von der Dubai Marina gemacht. Schließlich sind wir zur Dubai Mall und haben uns diese angesehen und sind auch auf den Burj Khalifa hinauf gefahren. Von dort hat man eine prima Aussicht. Anschließend haben wir Dubai verlassen und sind nach Al Ain aufgebrochen. Das ist ein Grenzort zum Oman. Dort waren wir im Archäologiepark ... read more

There are some travel experiences that exceed the excitement, mystique and hopes of the wide-eyed traveler: the way one's breath is stolen upon first seeing the pyramids; the smallness one feels seeing animals roaming wild on safari; the marvel of wondering how ancient cultures ever survived when one sets foot in an oasis....those are all moments one never forgets. Then there are those moments that fall far below expectations, the moments the travel books got all wrong. My dad and Will still laugh when they remember the plans for the great floating market in Thailand that ended up being two boats selling souvenirs and cheap plastic crap. Or the much anticipated Camel Market in Douz, Tunisia where there was literally one camel tied to a tree. Those instances make great stories, but never match the greatest ... read more

For Eid, our company was given off Thursday through Monday, so I worked until later than usual Wednesday evening before coming home and starting my leave. I did laundry and packed for my upcoming trip to Al Ain. Thursday morning, I headed to the airport around 11am for my early afternoon flight - there was nobody on the road! I made it to the airport in less than 20 minutes! I was flying Qatar Airways as I do occasionally. There is a separate terminal for them; usually, I go in to the "Cabin Baggage" only counter and I get through in about 2 minutes. Same thing today, except in the regular checkin area, where I almost never see anyone, it was PACKED. And that's when you realize that it is holiday time! Our flight was PACKED ... read more

Can you believe we have been here 8 1/2 months already?! Time flies. In about 2 months we will have completed our first school year here. Alhumdullilah! It was a rough start but we are all settled in. I am looking forward to coming home for a visit though, I will be arriving June 19. I am trying to make a calendar of activities for myself so I dont waste anytime. I will be in Florida I believe the 16th of July for a little over a week and will only have a few days in RI before I head back to UAE, so lets plan some dates!!! Spring has arrived in Al Ain. These are pictures of Al Ain Paradise, which is a beautiful flower Garden. We went there after Juma (Friday) Prayer a couple ... read more

These are pictures of Al Ain Museum. I had a great time despite my children being bored to death and driving me crazy. You will see pictures of old texts, such as Qurans and Hadith (written on skins), Pottery from the Hili tombs, antique Jewelry, pictures of what Al Ain looked like in just the 50's and 60's, artillery, money from different Khalifat, and gifts that were given from other countries to Sheik Zayed and donated to the museum. I took a picture of the label which stated which country gave the gift, then I tried to put the picture of the gift right afterward. Note the pic. of the bag that said for Womens cosmetics, I thought that was so 'a propos. Enjoy! View pictures as large as possible to get writing and detail if ... read more