If I had a boat...

Bryn's birthday was in February.  It was about that time that Robert and Jan said that for his birthday present, they would like to treat us all to a chartered boat ride out into the Arabian Gulf!  Well, it took a while with everyone's busy schedules, but last weekend we finally made it out to Dubai for the trip. 

It was a beautiful day, as most of them are here - clear and sunny.  It was also hot, hot, HOT!  (For the past few weeks it has been going up to 40/100+ degrees).  However being on the water made a huge difference.

Our Vessel

 Bryn and his Dad (staying in the shade)

Jan - videographer for the day!

Me, getting every bit of sun I can! 

The boat ride was really nice.  It took about an hour, and went through the canals in the city and out into the Gulf for some spectacular views of Dubai and the Burj al Arab.  The Gulf was surprisingly smooth, so it was really pleasant to stretch out on the boat and get some sun (for me at least!)

A different - very cool - view of Dubai

 Burj Al Arab

I even stuck my toes into the water when we stopped for a photo op...man, I was tempted to jump in!  The water was nice and warm, and would have been perfect for a swim. 

All in all it was a really great day - thanks so much for the treat, Robert and Jan!! 

In other news...

We are counting down our last 5 weeks til summer vacation.  I think Bryn and I are both ready to get away for a while (two whole months!  Yay!)  We already have some home improvement plans in the works for when we get back though...a little more painting, gardening, and I think we are even going to claim ourselves a little patio behind the building.

I am officially finished with my teacher's certification course!  While we are away this summer I need to take a couple of exams to finish the official certification process, but everything is working out well.  I have been offered and accepted a position for next school year...teaching 1st grade :)  In fact, the teacher I am replacing will be leaving the country a bit early, so they have asked me to take over her class for the last month of school. Very exciting!

Desert Sands

A few weeks ago, Liz's parents came to visit us in the UAE. Their visit coincided with our spring break (not coincidentally), so we had lots of free time to tour around and discover new things.
One of the several cool things we did was a trip into the desert (well, two trips actually).

When I say we "took a trip into the desert" I don't mean we went on a desert safari or anything exotic like that, we simply drove five minutes or so from our house and up a narrow pot-hole-filled road into the desert. We really didn't go far in, partly because we didn't really know where we were going, and partly because we didn't really need to go far in.  Once I thought we'd got far away enough from the main road I pulled over, parked the car and we wandered into the sand dunes. We had fun walking in the dust-like orangey sand, and taking some great pictures. Here are a few:

 

The little road we took into the desert

 

Footprints in the sand. Come on, EVERYONE takes a footprints in the sand picture. It HAS to be done...

 

This wee clump of grass seems lonely. How is it alive and green?!?!

 

Having conquered the dune, Liz contemplates the vast expanse of arid beauty stretching from horizon to horizon, the great unknown... things which have been and are yet to be... or perhaps she's thinking about what to have for dinner once we get home... haha

 

I like this one. Liz of Arabia

 

It's like a giant fingerprint.

 

Tom battles the wind to get that perfect photo.

 

As the wind blows, sand flies off the ridge at the top of the dune.

Two Years

Two years ago today...

Here's to many more to come!