Greetings my friends!! It's been quite a while since I blogged. Friends were encouraging me to start up again so here I am...blogging from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
So why am I here? I have an auntie, uncle and two cousins that live here. Actually one cousin is studying in London, but was here for his mom and dad's 25th wedding anniversary...and that's what brought all of us together!
Celebrations included a desert safari ride and party filled with my auntie and uncle renewing their vows, my uncle riding in on a camel (FYI: not traditional, an elephant was not available for the desert ;)), lots of singing and dancing, a belly dancer performance and live professional singers! We ate and only I, partook in a little hookah time. My auntie and uncle looked stunning! The safari ride was in a land cruiser and up and down the sand dunes we went, yelping and hollering for more!! I forgot how fun a cultural gathering can be. It was great to see my mom and my aunties (her sisters) so happy to share this time together!
The next day's function was high class luncheon...just kidding! Those who got that, give yourselves a pat on the back! The next of the 25th wedding anniversary festivities was a Bollywood-style gala! My auntie and uncle dressed as their favorite movie actors! Others came dressed up as well. They had dozens of photographers and cameramen to capture the "star-studded" event. It actually looked as if they were being swarmed by the paparazzi!!! The rolled up in a rolls royce! Had a red carpet entry too! Very Hollywood/Bollywood! It was fun! Their elder son put on a dance performance with his friends and their younger son made a very endearing speech. We ate and danced. I unfortunately think I had an allergic reaction to dragon fruit! My tongue felt like it was swelling up. Fortunately it did not close off my airway and I was fine. But I ended up having a headache and left the party early. Overall though I had a great time!
The last day of festivities included a Pooja. And a South Indian style lunch party afterward. There was a Kathakali performance and a live band! (Another day of eating and dancing!) This was to bless their new home.
During the in between events times, my auntie and uncle gave all of us (100-150) even more great times. They scheduled a bus to take us around Dubai. We went to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world...~2700ft!!! Holy moly!! The views were spectacular!! We also had photo opportunities on the beach with the Burj Al Arab (one of the 15 most expensive hotels in the world) in the background. We saw the sheikh's home from a distance and there were peacocks walking around the courtyard. (Yes I'm thinking what world did I enter here???) Lastly a night cruise was arranged for us. Taking us right through the heart of Dubai on the Dubai Creek. The boat was beautiful and again another night of dancing and eating! The views of the night skyline were lit by towering buildings and the marina smelled of good eats and apple scented sheesha! The twisted
building or properly known as the Cayan Tower was my favorite building!
I've been to Dubai twice before, although the second time was a brief stopover. This time I did not spend much time in the gold souq (market), but if you want gold, this is the place to get it! It's displayed to adults like multicolored candies are to children in sweet shoppes! It sparkles in the day and night and many people come out with their neck, ear lobes, fingers and wrists glittering in that same way! I'm however perfectly content with my $3.00 earrings from H&M ;)
My parents and I were able to separate from the festivities a bit and take our own tour. Well, we took my auntie & uncle visiting from India with us too. We drove to Abu Dhabi to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Driving here is just the same as driving in the US except the is an aggression factor. People here will ride your tail to within inches until you move over. I was stressed out by the end of the journey secondary to the aggressive drivers, the six lanes, a GPS that took me in circles and traffic! Yikes! I refused to drive the car the next day and so it was returned! Hahaha! The next day I took in some Manali time and ran, yoga'd and saw Robocop! Excellent movie!!
Besides gold, silver and diamonds...you can also get some great knockoffs...Marty if you're reading this I no speak English! ;) most of you know brands aren't my thing unless it's mountain hardwear or REI. Everywhere I go people ask if I want knock-offs..." Madame, we have bags watches, prada, Gucci, etc." Aye-yai-yai!! Give me a break people!! So I hideout in the movie theater or at home reading about all the snow the east coast is getting, the drought in California :( and the Sochi Olympics.
Dubai has been fun because of my family! Next adventure...India! Come along with me!
Sorry I can't upload photos right now but will do as soon as I can.
Doubtful Sound and Bottlenose Dolphins!!!!
Besides catching up with my dear friend Kelly...this was the HIGHLIGHT of my NZ adventure!!!
Glaciers created this natural spectacle of beauty! This place is one reason why I LOVE nature!!
The Doubtful Sound is in a quite remote location. To get there: First by boat for 45-minutes across Lake Manapouri to the Power Station. Then picked up from there by coach for a 30-minute ride along a the 2 million dollar Wilmot Pass to arrive at the dock of the Doubtful Sound!
This overnight excursion is one that should NOT be missed on a trip to New Zealand! And the company Real Journey's is FANTASTIC!! The crew works so hard to deliver a memorable journey! The meals were outstanding...one of the passengers said, "I can't cook this well in my own kitchen, let alone on a boat!"
First activity: kayaking on the Doubtful Sound! Oh!! That was immensely liberating!! To see how small I was against the cliff faces that surrounded me is an experience that will I NEVER forget. I kayaked along the Fiordlands walls and in the spray of the waterfalls!
Second activity: swimming in the Doubtful Sound!! So while kayaking I put my hand in the water and it felt warm, so I thought great it's not going to be be too cold after all. I was too excited to go in more than ever!! So I took a leap off the stern of the boat and hit the water...the ice cold water!!!! BRRRRRRR!!! is an understatement. I really think my heart stopped and my body turned blue. So I flailed my arms around a bit in the water and called it a swim! It was FANTASTIC!! And I'd do it all over again!!! Maybe next time with a wet-suit ;)
Aboard the boat I had the pleasure of meeting three wonderful people!! Karen, Christine and Collin are from Australia. They befriended me while on the cruise and that just made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. They were so kind to me and took my photo when I requested without hesitation. We shared stories, food and drinks! Karen I'm still working off all that dessert! Cheers to my new friends! I will be over for a visit!!
The animal highlight of this cruise were dolphins...bottlenose dolphis and we saw them FOUR times!!! The crew said that was unusual to see them so many times. Usually they see them once! These characters were just as exciting as the Hector's Dolphins in Akaroa. It seems as if they even put on a little dance show for us! FANTASTIC!!!
So besides the activities, the food, the friends and the dolphins; the scenery was just amazing!! Extremely beautiful waterfalls and shear cliff faces!! We had the best weather!! A little overcast at times, rain at times and the sunshine at times!! All the weather changes made you see the Sound in many different lights.
The best part: The skipper stops in the middle of the sound on a really calm part and cuts the engine. He asks everyone to go outside and just be silent and enjoy the sounds of The Doubtful Sound. That was just AMAZING!! Very peaceful and calming...(sigh).
The Milford Sound and The Milford Road
A Hike in Arrowtown!
I hiked the Sawpit Gully Trail in Arrowtown. Initially a pretty tough hike but it was worth the view and the amazing landscape! I felt like I was on the set of Lord of the Rings...minus Frodo and the gang ;) But truly a spectacular landscape! Locals and tourists love this trail because of it's variety of terrain, views and rolling hills!
Arthur's Pass National Park
Even on a foggy overcast day this park is spectacular!! Driving up to and through the pass was thrilling!! Windy roads and scenic overlooks are a bad combination, but no worries, we arrived safely. A hike to Devils Punchbowl Waterfall was an easy 30-minute trek with a stunning reward at the end!! Once I arrived to the platform to see this gorgeous and powerful waterfall rushing down I embraced the spray! It was soft and cool and quite refreshing! This place I will definitely come back to for a more rigorous hike!
Hector's Dolphis and a Blue Penguin
Katy, Ryan and I drove to Akaroa for a harbour cruise and we saw Hector's dolphins, which can only be seen in New Zealand! Goodness these creatures are just soooo beautiful and graceful! They look like they are literally flying through the water! 
My favorite part of this cruise was laying eyes on the fairy penguin or more affectionately, little blue penguin. Soooo tiny and sooo cute! When I saw this little guy I immediately thought of my niece Esha, sooo tiny and sooo cute! These penguins are the smallest of the all the penguins and the fairy penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere. They only grow to about 16-17" tall. We were very fortunate to see one!
Definitely a must do if you decide to travel to New Zealand!
My favorite part of this cruise was laying eyes on the fairy penguin or more affectionately, little blue penguin. Soooo tiny and sooo cute! When I saw this little guy I immediately thought of my niece Esha, sooo tiny and sooo cute! These penguins are the smallest of the all the penguins and the fairy penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere. They only grow to about 16-17" tall. We were very fortunate to see one!
Definitely a must do if you decide to travel to New Zealand!
The South Island Adventure Begins...
After a great week on the North Island with Kelly, I'm on my own on the South Island...well kinda...
I met two Americans on the flight from MEL to CHC and have been their best buddy since ;) Upon my return to Christchurch, Katy, Ryan and I hired a car for two days and used it to travel to Akaroa, Lyttleton and Arthur's Pass National Park.
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