.... in the desert on a camel with no name....
Saturday, 26 February, 2005
Hi guys
Just a quick hello from Al Ain - 1 1/2 hours from
Dubai. Its perfect temperature here. About 25
degrees C. Have almost forgotten how cold it was in
the US, Canada and England!
We had a good flight down and were picked up at the
airport. No sooner had we arrived, and it was
raining. Quite a strange thing here it seems, as it
only rains about 3 or 4 days of the year total. It
rained almost all day yesterday too. So yes, we do
bring the weather with us wherever we go.
I had a close encounter with a camel yesterday as it
came up to kiss me (or slobber on me) in the middle of
no where. Got a great movie on the camera though as
he came up. Are hopefully going camel riding
tomorrow. Today is running around Al Ain and checking
out the local deal. Very weird seeing every second
local in traditional muslim attire... actually, all
are very nice and friendly. We stopped to ask
directions yesterday in some wee town in the middle of
nowhere and the police men were obviously bored,
because they leapt in their car and acted as our tour
guides escorting us to a fort. We then got a flat
tyre in the desert, and had to borrow a jack off some
other random guy that was also stopped. He was pretty
nice whicn was lucky as we didn't have any other
options. Spare tyre turned out to be flat too - but
luckily a slow enough leak to get us home (stopping at
every service station to inflate it again!).
Had a 'typical' emirate breakfast yesterday which was
essentially cheese pizza. Tasty...
We also drove around some local palm plantations where
they harvest dates, and went to a goat market. Very
cute goats. Not so nice seeing the locals buying them
and literally shoving them into the boot of their car
to take them home!
75% of all people here are expats so its pretty
different than I imagined. English is almost more
widely spoken than arabic - a sigh of relief for us!
Anyway, internet is not too accessible for us, so will
be in touch again when we reach Hong Kong in a few
days.
love
nic and andrew
[Leaving London]
Thursday, 24 February, 2005
Hi guys
Just a quick note to let you know where we are up to.
We are packing tonight and catching a midday flight
tomorrow to Dubai - that is if there is not too much
snow on the runway. It has snowed every day since we
have been here. Just flurries though, nothing has
settled in the city but I think it is out in the
country. We will be in Dubai for about 4 days I think
and then onto Hong Kong.
we visited Valerie and her husband for lunch which was
nice. then went to see cathy and gary in Kent - an
hour south by fast train from london, the friends we
travelled with in bolivia for a couple of months with.
It was fantastic to see them, and their 4 cats. They
showed us around the countryside, saw the white cliffs
of Dova, drank lots of tea and ate way too much. Was
a lovely relaxing day and a half, and I was so sad to
leave them. Would love to have stayed.
We also went to the Ballet at the royal opera house
too. Jason and his girlfriend had bought us tickets
and gave them to us in Canada. It was a great
performance in an amazing building. Nice to do
something a bit different!
Anyway, still have to pack and its late so better get
stuck into it.
Have a fun few days.
Love nicola
[Calgary to Vancouver to London]
Saturday, 19 February, 2005
Hi everyone
We left Calgary in a rush after a great weekend skiing
- except for the blisters. Did 32km ski touring on
Saturday, so a pass in the middle, lots of undulating
country, some up and a great downhill run. Sunday was
another small walk - I bailed half way up because I
had sore feet. We had Monday and Tuesday off in
Calgary just mooching around recovering and sorting
flights, buses and purchasing a few last minute things
from MEC - the large outdoor store in Calgary. its
excellent. Other great thing is that we can claim
back all Canadian tax and they will send us a cheque
in the mail when we get home. So things a pretty
cheap for us overall.
The bus to Vancouver was about 15 hours. Great
scenery, loads of snow. Lots of roofs over the road
protecting it from the huge winter avalanches that
rocket down frequently. Mountains are moderately big,
but so much snow - very light and fluffy. We arrived
in Vancouver pretty late at night and stayed at a
hostel near the bus station. Got a room to ourselves
cause we were tired and needed to sleep in. We had
basically 3/4 of a day in the city. We originally
wanted more time in the city, but decided to spend it
with friends in Calgary instead. We did however
wander around downtown Vancouver, and went up the sky
tower for a view. It was a georgous day, relatively
warm and no clouds. Nice city, but a lot of poverty
and homelss people. They are totally ramping up for
the winter olympics in 2010 too. Lots of new
structures and roads being built. We wanted to go
over to Vancouver Island for a day, but not quite
enough time. Went instead in search of some new
alpine ski touring boots - but no success. I have
feet that are way too big and too wide. Just a
difficult person. I'm a little annoyed that its
turned out that way. Andrew can pretty much put on
any boot, it fits and feels good. i try on 50 types,
and can't find one that fits without really hurting!
Oh well.
We got to the airport early to claim our tax back and
make sure we were there the 2 hours before the flight
takes off etc, and turns out that we were way too
early. The flight was late. Typical. So lots of
waiting for our plane to eventually board. Still we
were with Brittish Airways which was a breath of fresh
air after american airlines. At least we got given
food and some enternainment. Flight was packed with
crying children because it is school holidays, so
didn't get much sleep.
Jeremy picked us up from Heathrow and now we are at
his place. London today is just how it appears on the
telly. Its cold, and very grey. Its been a long day,
and now as I am writing this, Andrew and Jeremy are
drinking port and talking politics. "sigh"
We are meeting up with 7 other friends tomorrow night,
maybe do a day trip out into the country... Then we
fly out again next thursday to Dubai to stay with
Liam.
Its been a long day and its bedtime. Hope you are all
well and getting some sun.
Bye for now
Love Nicola
Back Next
