Etihad Business Class

When you sit you get a cute limited edition goodie bag. Mine was from Madrid. M's was from Sydney. Comes with travel essentials and where to go in your city.

My cheese platter and yummy wine. 

 M making silly faces

Preparing for safari to Africa

A dream of mine has been to see as many animals as possible in their natural habitat. As we are lucky enough to live so close to Africa and the Indian Ocean we can do just that.

In June we will travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar.

We will be on a 5 day safari then a 3 day beach trip.

We have booked with World Tours Safaris.

Tips: 

Wear neutral colors

Take malaria tablets

Bring bug spray

Bring camera

Pack light

Our flight is 6 hours direct on Etihad. 

Beach Day

Finally we packed our beach essentials into the A3 & headed to the sea. It is only a 15 minute drive from the villa through some road construction. Upon arriving we were shocked to see only 2 other people and further down the coast.

This was Gizmo's first beach trip. As he is 8 & we have lived in a coastal state I feel like a bad puppy mama.

He had a blast chasing his ball.

I decided I would put him in a little over ankle deep water and let him swim. Cutest thing ever. A few times he swam in a circle.

Even when I held him above the water he was still trying to swim. Cutest thing!

Next time I will take sandwiches as this was a trial I only had our beach mats and bag of toys.

Brazil Butt Lift...a few years late starting

workout, get fit, eat right, stay active.

All great things if you have the time, energy or money. In 2011, I think, I bought Brazil Butt Lift. I am a slender girl but wanted tone and definition like I had in high school while doing sports. It is now 2016 and I tried my first workout called #bumbum . The trainer is said to train the VS Angels to prep for the Fashion shows.

The workout is very fast paced. It was difficult to follow at first about midway through when he starts changing camera Angels and lunges to jumps to African dance. Overall very fun, active and reminded me of prep for dance or cheerleading exercises mixed in.

Since living in the Middle East for 2 years I have gained 20 pounds. For me that is unheard of as growing up Drs tried to fatten me up and nothing worked. Hot dogs, double cheeseburgers and cases of Mountain Dew. Large bowls of ice cream and lots and lots of cheese. All it took was Middle Eastern foods heavy in breads, drinks high in fruit (sugars) & a job where I spend a portion of time driving in my car.

My goal by September 1 is to be back to a comfortable weight and have a toned  stomach and bum bum haha.

I won't post my "before" picture but I have it to guide me to success.

Beach body is who makes P90X which M has been doing off and on for years now. I think he's on like a 3rd version.

Beach body wants you to eat their diet plan. Use their workout after drink mix and go on their website. My goal is to try it on my own and own pace to ensure I am happy with my results.

In the pack you get great tools to help guide your meal plan. Track your fitness and measure your body. I left all that in our storage locker in the States. 

Storm 2016

Rain began followed by hail storms.

Thursday we saw winds up to 90mph..trees were ripped from their roots. Road signs thrown into the streets. Sand tossed everywhere.

We lost power as well as any room with a window saw flooding.

Schools were closed Wednesday and Thursday. Roads were impassable.

Emirates Zoo Abu Dhabi

While looking through things to do in Abu Dhabi we saw Emirates Zoo. This zoo is in Shahama about 20 minutes from our house (as is everything). The cost per adult is 30dhs. The Entertainer voucher is B1G1.

They boasted to have African wildlife, Desert Life and Aquatic animals.

We saw many monkeys.

We fed a zebra and tiny animal which I do not know its name.

Then....

We had a cage between us Emu this time.

 Word to the wise for kids no running and no smoking....oh signs of the Middle East.

This is my future farm pet. She's fancy!!

Umm???

At the end when we saw caged cheetahs being sprayed with rain water and they did not understand where it was coming from we remembered why we do not like zoos. Really sad.

They had lions and tigers as well. Such amazing animals. I do not know where they get these animals if they are from customs seizures, pets or trapped. If they were all rescues I would feel different but I can't support the idea.

This week....

Homemade pizza

Turned out delicious.

The new spring flowers: Went by the Mina Flower souk downtown. I got daisies, hyanthesis, hydrangeas

So pretty.

Homemade bird feeder attempt #1

At our home I see and hear a lot of different birds. I have looked all over to find a bird feeder but with no success. I found food at Carrefour so we finally decided to make a feeder.

Gizmo watching bored and cold. Today is very windy!

Mac cutting the holes for their stand and feeder

This will be the test. We will see if they even come or if it even works.

Discovering the Doha airport

When you have time to pass in a massive airport with no lounge access you begin to wander.

First after having to throw away my bottle of water in security I went in search of something. Note, over here liquids are never checked nor do they question your full bottles of conditioner.

First stop was a few restaurants. Options were Italian, steak, sushi, a food court or a healthy cafe. I passed on all and walked around. Found a quiet area and watched some tv.

There is a massive yellow bear in the entrance to the airport said to cost millions. People take photos in front of it. 

There are duty free shops, Tiffany & Co, Coach, Victoria's Secret (not mine) and many other retail choices. I stopped and smelled some new perfumes. Prices were not bad.

Decided after wandering I needed a manicure, red was chipping horribly. Took 30 minutes and they are a happy pink by Essie.

Went back to the Italian restaurant and ordered a salad.  

Found my gate and turned on Sex and The City.

Waiting now to fly home. Ready for 2 days off 😎👫🐕🐪☀️🍕🍷🍺

Boa for Valentine's Dinner

We made our reservations for 6:30 at BOA steakhouse. It is on the Eastern Mangroves. Beautiful outside but it was pretty cold.

We ordered a glass of wine, tomato salad & 2 entrees.

I redeemed by voucher so my steak was free! It was cooked perfect and very tasty. No need for the sauce.

The mac and cheese was not to my taste. It was a very strong pungent cheese.
M got steamed veggies. It was really cute & colorful.

My wine was lovely. Orange & flower moscat they called it.

Pretty white lights and great wait staff.

We will definitely go back.

How to get a license in Abu Dhabi

First you need an Abu Dhabi residence in your passport.

If you have a valid license from your home country such as UK, USA you will then need it translated to Arabic.

Next you need an eye test. You can get this from a retailer such as Yateem or go get it done day of at the license office.

Next you need a color copy of your passport & residence page.

If you have a Dubai residence bring your rental contract and NOC from your company.

You will need your Emirates I'd

Your actual passport.

200 dis in cash

You get in line. Turn in all of your documents.

They take your photo.

Pay your fee.

Halas, now you can drive. No more taxis. Yay!!!

License office is located near Mushrif Mall. All taxi drivers will know this.

Entertain Coupons Januray

Used the following Entertsiner Coupons in January:
1.) El Chico- Saved 60dhs
2.) La Brioche- Saved 45dhs
3.) Charleys-Saved 29dhs
4.) HSBC Golf- 2 Free tickets for having the app. Value 150dhs
5.) HOP ON HOP OFF BUS: 220DHS
6.) Organic Cafe- 50dhs
7.) Rogos- Saved 62dhs

More savings to come in February!!

Bubbilicious at The Westin Dubai

Friday we did Bubbalicious brunch at the Westin, Dubai. There are 3 packages. 1) nonalcogol 450  2) Liquor Beer 550 3) Champagne 690

The setting was pretty. The service was lacking. The alcohol stopped 40 minutes before end time. Who does that?
There was a watermelon stand. We went at 3:20 & it was already closed. Margaritas were already stopped before 4 as well.

Food was decent.

Seafood, arabic cuisine, mexican, asian.

Qatar..

First trip to Qatar was not as fun as I had expected.

Bad: taxis...no meter or doesn't work yet they have gps. 

Moevenpick was nasty. 

Expensive 

Plus: Good food

Shakespeare and Co

Butter looks like a bell!!

Heading back on Monday so I hope this trip is better. Will be working so no sightseeing.

HSBC Golf Championship

Stenson

HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Saw many great golfers today.

The big crowd draw was group 25: Mcilroy, Spieth & Fowler then next was Stenson.

Sullivan from England did well.