My Middle Eastern Adventure - Part IV

Dubai was the last stop on our trip, and it was the most cosmopolitan. It had a bustling, big city feel. There was a lot to do, and a lot to see - some of which we saw, and some we didn't. I wish that we had spent a week just exploring the city. 

I don't think that my photos will do the city justice, but I'll try.

Here are some photos of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world! I took a photo from the base, and some shots of it from various points in the city. It just stands out, as a giant against the skyline.

We took a helicopter tour:

We started at the marina and saw "The World" a series of man made islands meant to resemble a map of the world (center) and then on to the Palm Jurmeiah, another man made creation (bottom right). They are developing each of the palm fronds into business and living centers. The outside ring is also home to the Atlantis Hotel (see below for a few exterior shots). We also saw the Burj Al Arab (bottom left), an amazing building shaped like a sail. The smaller building nearby was built into a wave pattern. The city is full of neighborhood mosques (center left), and again is becoming more and more developed (center right). They've even stolen some famous architecture by creating their own enlarged Big Ben (top right). I don't know what I took a picture of in the bottom center photo, but it looked cool.

Gorgeous!

As was the Burj Al Arab at sunset.

Another Heritage Village:

Here's a dhow replica. They used to be used for pearl diving and importing and exporting goods.

We caught some kids on a field trip before we left.

We also had the chance to experience a little of Old Dubai by taking an abra, or water taxi, when traveling from the Textile Souk to the Spice and Gold Souks.

And it only cost $.27 each!

Speaking of the Gold Souk - look at this!!!

There were more beautiful mosques.

We also took a desert safari. And it was one of the scariest experiences of my life!

I was still praising Jesus for my safe arrival on semi-solid ground as I stood with our driver. He actually trains the other drivers on how to provide these death defying rides....so I guess we were the lucky beneficiaries of his experience.

I won't show you the embarrassing series of me jumping into the air, but I will let you see these camels....

Grazing? 

Dubai is known for its shopping, but the malls themselves were spectacular:

There's so much more I could show, more architecture, the metro, a photo of the midsection of the actual giant that works at the Ritz-Carlton, the souks, the marina, the ladies only taxis and metro cards, etc. but I'm just going to stop here... 

Thanks for sharing my adventure with me!

Sent from my iPhone

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My Middle Eastern Adventure - Part III (Oman)

We left Abu Dhabi to spend a couple of nights in Oman. We planned to go to a desert camp then spend time in the capital city of Muscat. It didn't quite work out as we planned, but we still had a wonderful time. We made it to the desert camp, the Wadi Bani Khalifa, Nizwa, and we drove through Muscat. We didn't have time to do everything, but it was still an amazing experience.

I put these photos up on Instagram last week. Check these out...btw, I had Bantus under the hat...

But they don't really capture the beauty of the country or our camp...

More beautiful mosques

And on the road....

We drove along the coast - gorgeous! But I have no photos because we were not supposed to be driving along the coast. When we finally got to the camp, it was lovely and amazing.

Our tent had built in doors, walls, floors, locks and plumbing...

We had live musicians as we dined...

And in the morning we explored the camp, and I took the time to climb a sand dune and give thanks for the beauty of the moment and for God's grace. And I thought about my Mom, and hoped that she was sharing in the adventure along with me.

It really was a desert camp!

They offered free rides inside the camp's confines.....

After we left the camp we headed out to an actual desert oasis, the Wadi Bani Khalifa, one of the prettiest places in Oman.

The water seems to flow downward from the caves, to a stream and into a piece of paradise.

It's deep enough to swim in, and it's allowed for both women and men, although women have to wear both a t-shirt and shorts to go in the water. It is a popular spot for family outings, and we even ran into some young musicians playing in the parking lot.

We made it out to Nizwa. This may or may not be the great fort we intended to visit...

And here is someone's beautiful house

Overall, despite our poor navigation skills and lack of available technology, I would encourage everyone/anyone to go to Oman. The citizens were incredibly kind and generous. People asked us, two strange Kenyans (no one thought we were American), into their homes for coffee, they used their time to drive us back to the proper road when we made wrong turns and all along the way they thanked us for visiting their country. 

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My Middle Eastern Adventure - Part II

This is my third time writing this post, because Blogger doesn't seem to want to save anything!  Anyway...

Abu Dhabi is gorgeous...

Their main visitors' center is on Saadiyat Island, home of a new St. Regis Hotel and Monte Carlo Beach Club, and future site of a new Louve and Guggenheim Museums!

It was warm, so I laid out for a minute...

There were some schoolgirls visiting....can you see the designer bags?

They had some fairly random exhibits...

A "melted" Ferrari.

A collection of chairs from the palace...yes, the Palace. Yes, those chairs were in a palace.

We walked along the Corniche (beach), but it wasn't warm enough to go in.

This is near Heritage Village

A perfect sand castle...

We did some sightseeing at one of the souks (traditional bazaars). It was connected to a mall.

Saw that kids everywhere hang out by their cars at the Mall...

Marina Mall just happens to be right by the water....

We had high tea and checked out the Gold ATM at Emirates Palace...

We made it to the largest indoor amusement park in the world...Ferrari World. 

We had a wonderful dinner and private marina tour on our last night in town.

It was amazing!

And I finally found my photo of a Sheik billboard....

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My Middle Eastern Adventure...Part I

So about two weeks ago I left Atlanta to go on a birthday trip with one of my good friends. It was a milestone birthday for her, and I was really honored to be invited. Now mind you I was also a LITTLE worried because it was going to be ten days of togetherness, and I have heard and seen friendship fatigue set in on long and shoot sometimes even short trips...and there were only two of us, and it was the UAE and Oman, so it seemed unlikely that either of us would just take a quick walk if we needed some space...you get what I'm saying....

Yes we went to Abu Dhabi, Oman and Dubai, and had an AMAZING time! I'll start with photos from Abu Dhabi, then Oman, then Dubai....If you get the chance to go, go but stay at LEAST two weeks. 

Quick overview on hair and wardrobe: I retwisted my twists right before I went, and I carried my usual supply of travel stuff - this time using the Oyen line as my products of choice. I also brought coconut and olive oils. I did a lot of braids and buns, a roller set, Bantus, a turban, and a hat...). I kept my wardrobe very simple. I bought five jumpsuits - yes, 5, because sometimes I'm a little excessive, and I built my outfits around those along with a convertible maxi dress/skirt, a pair of slacks, travel slouchy pants, a few long-sleeve t's, a shawl, sweater, and a few jackets. I wish I had added a little more color variety, but for the most part I was seasonally appropriate (it was mid to low 70's our entire trip), and tried to be respectful of their culture by keeping covered.

And on to the actual trip! We went to the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque several times and were able to see it in both the morning and evening light....it is the prime attraction for the Emirate, and features the largest hand woven rug in the world and some truly spectacular chandeliers and glassworks...(Sidenote: Almost everything built in the last 42 years of independent rule has a Sheik Zayed attached to it, since there have been three generations of Sheik Zayed's representing Abu Dhabi in that time...I'll try to find my picture and add it to the post)...

Very pretty...women could not get beyond this point unless we were appropriately dressed. Fortunately they had a handy chart and lent abayas to those that they deemed improper. Like me.

Yes I know I look like E.T....

In the courtyard before you enter the mosque. Everyone is taking off their shoes. 

Sunset....

Interior....my photos didn't do the mosque justice. It's big it's beautiful and it dominates the architecture of that part of the Emirate. Every time I saw it from the road, I was struck by its beauty, and kicking myself because I forgot to take a picture, and stared instead....

Moving on....

Construction near Etihad Towers - Abu Dhabi is trying to attract some of Dubai's tourist dollars so they are building like crazy....

But the city is a mix of the old and the new, with a lot of modern architecture, and nods to their history.

Homage to their history of hospitality...a sculpture of a tea pot for when company arrives.

There's a lot more to Abu Dhabi and my time there. I'll put it in another post...and I still have to talk about Oman and Dubai. There is a a little summary of my time in Oman on Instagram if you'd like to see it before Wednesday or so...

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