Friday, July 31, 2009

Abu Dhabi Mina port area

If you look really closely you can see the faint outline of the buildings in the background

Today the sky was full of haze or sand or something! The buildings were barely visible.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Jebel Hafeet





Jebel Hafeet is the highest mountain in UAE. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1240 meters and offers an impressive view over the cityof Al Ain. Unfortunately some bright spark allowed Mecure Hotels to build a huge hotel complex on the summit which is such a shame to spoil such natural beauty. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jebel Hafeet. It is completely devoid of any trees as is most of UAE that I have seen so far except for the extensive roadside planting and tree farms.

Sand dunes

Can you see the plastic bag in the above photo? See the things are everywhere!

More photos from around Al Ain. I am amazed by the beauty of the desert and sand dunes. I expected them to be well....nothing, just sand!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Borat and the chicken




The young man who cleaned our hotel suite each day loved our chicken. Yesterday was his last day before he went back to Uzbekistan after two years in Abu Dhabi so he asked me to take his photo with the chicken. He did say then you put it on facebook so all your friends can laugh too.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Abu Dhabi Evangalical church.




Fabulous building, fabulous congregation. A bit over a thousand people from 60 countries.

Trip to Al Ain









The sand dunes are spectacular, much prettier and more interesting than I ever dreamed.






The sides of the highway are all lush and green with underground power but just a few metres beyond the green are the sand dunes.














We were warned

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Money in the desert

Wouldn't you think, if you could afford to build this house


In this environment

You could also afford a decent spell checker?



Thursday, July 23, 2009

Now for the important stuff


Yeah it does not taste like that nasty American coke either.

what is this chicken doing in our hotel room?


Bert went shopping in Dubai. I guess he misses our pet chickens but I don't think we will be getting a reliable source of eggs from this guy, he looks a little, well... stuffed.