Amazing pics

I get lots of emails from the Emirates Natural History Group in which Brien, Brigitte and others share their unique knowledge of this place. The links they send are fantastic but this one takes the cake. The photos are amazing and if you keep your cursor on the pics there's an explanation. I love the dunes, they are constantly moving making for an ever changing, living landscape.

To do....

The weekend's rolled around again, my how the weeks seem to fly here. I've got a huge to do list, most things didn't get done this week so must over the weekend or early next week. Important things like booking my ticket home for the summer break. I can't wait to meet Noah, to get some family time so booking the ticket is critical for that.

I'm hoping to get a magical ticket, one that will take me home and back via Australia then on to Europe, to Belgium to see Di and to Italy for a holiday. For that I have to go to the airlines office and that's a little tricky to find here in Al Ain. I'm sure there is such a ticket, I'm sure it won't cost me a fortune.

Also on the to do list is a trip to the bank to sort my finances and a trip to the rugby club to book my dive course. Then there's getting ready to move into Kate's place, taking her to the airport and catching up with Sarah. She brought some pineapple lumps for me from her recent trip to NZ, can't wait to see her!

We had Kate's farewell tonight. I got to make the Margaritas, we had a lovely evening saying our goodbyes. We bought her a gift, an antique Omani necklace framed beautifully. I'm sad Kate's going. I've really enjoyed her friendship and although I'll see her in July, this place won't be the same about that kiwi girl. So it's off to bed for me now, an early night for a Thursday.

Marilyn's birthday bash

It's been a bit of a social whirl here lately. We've had busy weekends, last night the rugby club ball and the night before Marilyn's birthday, an unmentionable birthday according to her. Marilyn's my neighbour, she's South African and a woman of the world. A great traveller. We all gathered at the top of Jebel Hafeet to celebrate her birthday with her. The meal was lovely, the wine flowed, the girls looked glamorous. We had a great time.

Marilyn wanted us to all dress up, we obliged. The shoes tell the story, sparkly pretty shoes. Guess which ones are mine? It's lovely being with a relaxed group of friends for an evening, we even got to dance a little.

Fish talking

OK so I didn't find exactly what I was after on YouTube, surprising really, but I liked the music on this clip. I'm enrolling for a dive course next week, can't wait to do this. Enjoy.

Out cruising

Don't you hate it when you have such a good book that you resent not being somewhere on your own reading. Well unfortunately I took the final in the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson on the dhow with me. I was almost finished it so decided to lay about reading, Lesley tells me she has a photo of this. I really enjoyed all the books in the series, it's a shame there won't be more. Lisbeth Salander is an unconventional heroine, I found her story riveting.

Actually so riveting that I didn't take many photos of our trip. I have been there before but that's no excuse. I did get some good ones of a friend's son who was enjoying himself immensely as children do when out cruising. He jumped from the top of the dhow, amazing courage for such a young lad.

Another reason for so few photos is that I had a slight case of camera envy. Corneil had just brought her new Nikon, what a camera. I had a small play and really, really want one...... I don't need one of course, mine takes good photos. I got some shots of her jumping from the top of the dhow, apparently the ones she took of me doing the same are nasty. I really wanted to update my Facebook photo, won't be with a photo of me in my new bikini. Rita had a small waterproof camera, that's on my list to take next trip.

I spent heaps of time in the water and yes, I got sunburnt in the same way as last time. Only this time it wasn't as bad as I did put on sunscreen. I love snorkeling amongst the reef fish. This time there were less fish and the coral reef looked to be more silted up. The sea was rough initially and as the day progressed, the sea calmed and the tide dropped making the snorkeling much more interesting.

I made a comment to others about the noises the fish make when they talk to each other, yes I got ridiculed. But my observation is true apparently. The noises are the fish grinding the coral and the pips and squeaks are them feeding. I prefer my theory that they're talking to each other. I suspect they might have been saying, "another bloody tourist, where's a good shark when you need one?"

The photos are of the dhow next to us in the bay and the dhows in the harbour when we returned sunbaked and relaxed, and ready for the drive home.

Oh forgot to add, on the way home Kate, Corneil, Mary-Anne and I stopped for a meal at a small diner. It was across a busy road from where we'd parked. As we waited for a break in the traffic, the big 4 WDs stopped and the smiling faces of the local male drivers beamed out at us as they waved us across the road. This happened on both sides of the dual carriage way, 4 lanes of traffic stopped for the 4, by now giggling, ladies trying to cross. Our waves and smiles and thank yous caused more havoc, it just goes to show that you're never too old to stop traffic!

Sandy Beach Resort

It never fails to amaze me how many wonderful places there are to stay here. Sandy Beach Resort was full when I first tried to book but I managed to get a room in the older part, a room with a view of the sea and island surround by palms. The photo show the view, fantastic. The light sea breeze wafted to where Mary-Anne and I sat relaxing, cooling us pleasantly.

We were going to meet others at a nearby resort, we were too relaxed, too lazy to do anything other than meet Kate and Corneil for a meal, drinks and a shisha at the poolside cafe. We ate, chatted, enjoyed the ambience until the staff turned out the lights. I love this relaxed way of life, it's seductive.

Rau and Deidre arrived late, we joined them for a drink and then hit the hay as we had an early start, we were going to another country for the day. Coming from New Zealand, I always have a small giggle when I say that. We have to fly to get to another country, it's a big adventure. Here I duck in and out of borders at will. I only need to show my residency card to get into this part of Oman.

Dibba

The weeks been full so far, full after a lovely restful weekend in Dibba. Kate organised a dhow cruise as part of her farewell package, very well received by all who went. We staying the night at the Sandy Beach Resort, a sort of holiday park with some up market units alongside some older ones. It was right on a sandy beach, hence the name, with Snoopy Island a short swim away.

We stopped at the Friday Market, an odd market on both sides of a main highway, selling all sorts to the tourists that pass. I got some yummy fresh mangos and banana as well as a wonderful Indian meal seated beside an Indian family out for the day. They had a baby the same age as Noah, a conversation starter. He was so cute but not a patch on the shy 3 year old peeking around his grandmother and flashing me a smile, such lovely big brown eyes.

Mary-Anne and I settled into the sand chairs in our swimmers and then had a dip when it got too hot, I so miss swimming in the sea. I really feel at home there. I always sing the song I've included as I swim, float and just enjoy the smells and sounds of the sea. Enjoy, it's an oldie but a goodie. More about the weekend, including pics, soon.