New Year's Day 1434

 

A panoramic view of one of the three spectacular beaches at Al Mamzar.
Although the park is located in Dubai, the buildings in the background are actually in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah.

Happy New Year 1434

 

We've had a long weekend here in the UAE what with it being Hijri New Year.  We celebrated New Year's Day by heading to Al Mamzar Park, one of Dubai's hidden gems with over 100 hectares of greenery, swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, and beaches to relax in. The 5 Dhs entry charge was worth every fil.

Follow the Orange Brick Road

 

The beautifully landscaped parks and picnic grounds off Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street.

Red Mist

 

A good example of the spectacular erupting water fountains found in many of the capital’s parks.
This one is located at the Family Park in the Al Hosn district of the city and erupts regularly throughout the day and night.

On yer bike!

The cycle path and running path located along the seafront stretches for miles and miles. The weather's still a bit too hot to use during the day but a night it's like the Tour de France.

Turf at the top

 

There's 67 of these 2m diameter glass reinforced plastic domes that light the souk below through coloured glass lenses - Cool!

Dig this

 

The amazing Al Mezher Roof Garden at The Central Market provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life below. It's apparently open 24/7, although I've yet to get up at 3am and test that out. It's actually pretty quiet up here considering it's surrounded by apartment towers. Come back tomorrow to see more!

Chillaxin at Easter

 

Here's how we do Easter in the UAE - Sun, Sea, Sand and Sanctification.

Life's a Beach

 

Summertime is here
And it is time for me to swim
Bodies of all shapes and sizes
Will be evident in the sea

I see various shapes floating in the sea
They take up all the space
I can hardly breathe
It is hard for me to swim

Swimming in the Sea (adapted)
by Lee John Siebritz

Photo of Ras Al Akhdar public beach, Abu Dhabi

The Ripple Effect

 

Here’s one of my favourite undulating water features in Abu Dhabi, located next to Colombiano Cafe at Corniche Gardens.

To Catch a Thief

The authorities in Abu Dhabi have come up with a novel way of stopping gravity, birds and humans from taking all the dates.

Fancy a date?

 

It's date picking season in Abu Dhabi and individuals (like me) are allowed to take freely as long as it's for personal consumption. The trouble is finding a ladder big enough to reach them. Any suggestions?

Island hopping

 

Exploring one of Abu Dhabi's nearly 200 islands scattered along the coast of the Abu Dhabi emirate. If you squint, you can just about make out the city's skyscrapers in the distance.

The Magic of Water

 

"If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in the water".

~Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

Photo taken at one of the many underground walkways in the city

Corniche Strollers

 

"I, who cannot stay in my chamber for a single day without acquiring some rust, and when sometimes I have stolen forth for a walk at the eleventh hour of four o'clock in the afternoon, too late to redeem the day, when the shades of night were already beginning to be mingled with the daylight, have felt as if I had committed some sin to be atoned for".
~Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Welcome to Down Memory Lane

This was the view towards Abu Dhabi Island from the picturesque Arabic-style cafe on Al Reem Island in 2007. Today, it's a massive $30 billion construction site with anywhere from 22,000 to 280,000 residential units planned (depending on who you talk to).

The Fountain of Dreams

 

The magnificent grounds at one of the capital’s top universities.

Japanese Sakura Festival

 

Abu Dhabi is currently hosting a Japanese Sakura (meaning "flowering cherry") Festival, offering a host of cultural and artistic shows depicting modern life and authentic Japanese traditions. Although I was unable to find any evidence of these events, I did stumble upon some kiddy rides including "Crazy Fly", which attracted more onlookers than partakers. Perhaps they're just waiting for the geisha girls to appear!

Rover (from the Prisoner)

For those old enough to remember the cult British spy TV series the "The Prisoner" you will recognise Rover, a large white inflatable balloon, with a flexible skin. According to Wikipedia, Rover was an integral part of the way 'prisoners' were kept within "The Village" (set in Portmeirion, Wales)

Rover could bounce and glide across the land and sea for a long range and at high speed, faster than a vehicle or boat. Rover also possessed considerable strength, and was able, if necessary, to incapacitate people either by blunt force impacts, or through suffocation by pinning the subject down.

Photo taken at the Japanese Sakura Festival, Abu Dhabi, May 2010.

Don't Pick the Flowers

 

"Pluck not the wayside flower;
It is the traveler's dower.
~William Allingham (1824-1889)

Photo taken at Abu Dhabi Corniche Gardens.