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Dubai

A 10-day adventure by Vander Wonders Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 9, 2017
    Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Dubai mense

    March 9, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Die twee freaks verwelkom ons op die lughawe!! Hulle bly op die 61ste verdieping so die view is pretty epic. Ons settle in bestel Nandos en kuier in pieta se bar. Ons volg die devries pic tradisie - funny faces obviously, why anything normal? Dis om n magneet te maak en om op hul yskas the plak- great idee vir visitors dokumenteer!! Wel Nes ek vir Brood ken het hy 'n chic fully stocked Dubai bar met al die trimmings.

    {Issy}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Boating Dubai

    March 10, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    There is no better to way to explore the city from the water. We took the boat from the Palm and cruised all afternoon, planned to wakeboard but it was too choppy and too much boat traffic.

    It's awesome to really get to know Robyn, and just spend time together, we had sundowners and lekker biltong randomly next to a flashy Bermuda yacht, where we docked.

    Fun times with the fellow crazies

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Bootkuier

    March 10, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Ons kuier 'n hond uit 'n bos, share expat lewe perspektiewe en besin oor die huis. Brood maak seker ons kry 'n goeie orientering van die sights, die name is effens volksvreemd dit is immers Arabies, so ek vergeet die heeltyd die name. Dis 'n lekker middag op die water en ons word bederf met 'n ongelooflike oranjerooi sonsondergang.

    {Issy}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Meat Co Dubai

    March 10, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    We enjoyed a good old South African dinner at the Meat Company with the beautifully lit up Burj Al Arab 7 star hotel in the background.

    This long awaited steak tasted phenomenal, just goes to show we are built for meat 🍖!

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Golf at Montgomery

    March 11, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Heerlike golfie saam die boys!

    Ek het beter gespeel as wat ek verwag het na dat ek meer as 5 maande laas gespeel het. Ek was bang ek breek nie 100 nie, toe skiet ek 89, happiness!

    {Roedolf}

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Girly time

    March 11, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Everything I❤!! Started my day with a run on Marina bay, it turned out to be a 10km run as I crossed a few bridges too many, there was a nice breeze and for the first time in months I felt like I am flying. Rushed home a little confused as I did not know how I ended up on the wrong side of the road anyhow enough time to wash my hair and get ready. Oats and berries to refuel and then my other favorite pastime, pampering. We went for mani's and pedi's at Sisters, a wonderful salon with very upmarket facilities, when we arrived we were welcomed with a freshly brewed cappuccino. We picked our colors and we could watch a movie on netflix or just chat.

    Afterwards we strolled through the beach market went for lunch and bought cheesecake at the cheesecake factory for later.

    Then we hopped on the tram to Marina bay mall for some more girly time, the shops are amazing, we had a great time bonding and trying on dresses.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Marina

    March 12, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Vinnige draffie op die Marina vanoggend saam 'n paar locals en flashy yachts. Dis baie skoon hier en hulle reken dis die tweede veiligste stad in die wêreld. Die Moslems het defnitief baie gekorformeer hier met die westerse wêreld ek was bang my shorts is te kort om hier te draf. Ek het dit baie geniet.

    {Issy}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Beach bliss Dubai

    March 13, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    A Complete new experience, a wonderful beach club surrounded by yachts and skyscrapers. A different "idyllic" probably more convenience at your doorstop, its like 400m's from the Devrieses apartment. The world just never seize to entertain. The entrance at the famous Basarati is free, you can enjoy their world class facilities like loungers umbrellas and beach beds. They also have a cool beach bar, obviously we are enjoying a nice cold one to show some gratitude to enjoy this gem in the middle of the buzzing city. Bronzing and reflecting over the past few months, by far the coldest water I swam in the past few months.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Dubai Fountains

    March 13, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    We enjoyed a Lebanese dinner at Abdel Wahab ( on the Ferreira's recommendation) with fresh pita bread, hummus and lots of meat skewers. This is so much better than Asian food!

    Every so often the Dubai fountains next to the restaurant ignites into a spectacular show and we enjoy front row seats to the spectacle.

    These fountains are clearly a huge attraction as the area around it is swamped with people who catch a glimpse of the water fountain show. The massive Burj Khalifa towering over the fountains is a seriously impressive building, unreal that man made structures can be this big.

    {Roedolf}

    Ek is soos 'n vark in palestina!! Die Arabiere maak uit met 'n vleisie; die lebanese vleis is rerig geurig en'n hengse upgrade van rys af. Die fonteine is vrek mooi om in in die aand te beleef met die opera en arabiese musiek.

    {Issy}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Zero gravity

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    A day at zero gravity's beach club, this is close to Marina bay. Tuesday is Ladies day, so I get free entrance; a really cool concept, can't believe Bermuda don't have something like this. A pool next to the beach with great loungers and really good facilities. Even cold towels in between to refreshen.
    I walked over at 9.30am to be there when they open to get a nice spot. Roedolf joined a bit later as he met Ben's dad. Enjoyed a relaxing day in the sun.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Old Dubai with Ron Pegna

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    I met up with Ronny Pegna (Ben Pegna's dad), he has been in Dubai since 1983 and pretty much saw this place transform from a modest Arabic town to a world class mega city.

    Obviously his favorite part of the city is to show visitors the old part which has a lot of the original character of Dubai, according to Ronny, Dubai is in danger of losing the historic heritage to the expense of modernization.

    We crossed the creek in an old-fashion wood boat and walked through a few souks (Arabic markets). On the way back he showed me where they used to live and basically where Ben grew up.

    It was amazing to catch up with Ronny and I am really grateful for his unique perspective on Dubai.

    When Ronny picked me up Luke (Ben's little brother) came along to just say hi. Luke also works in Dubai, the last time I saw him he was 15 years old and Ben and I took him to boarding school in the UK. It was great to see him, his turned into a solid young man from the teenager I remember.

    Both Ron and Luke reminds me so much of Ben and it just makes me miss my friend so much, can't wait to see him again soon.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler
    11

    Dubai mall

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Afternoon outing to the mall, its massive, almost too big to navigate, I prefer a smaller mall where you don't need a map to find your bearings.

    People in Dubai, specially the females portrays an image of style & being taken care of; much more than London even. It is clear that there is lots of wealth floating about. I can just sit and watch all the classy outfits. The mall has a huge variety of shops. I was ecstatic to find a french connection; one of my favorite shops. I am slowly transforming my wardrobe from the shorts and vests backpacker look to something a little bit more sophisticated. Roedolf was not impressed with the limited men fashion stores- he was on a jean hunt mission and unsuccessful. He reckons all jeans are made for gays, I think its a combination of he's built and the fact that he is not used to something fitting him properly he's jeans are super old and 4 sizes too big, but he loves it🙈. I enjoyed going with him but still prefer shopping on my own, I am not overly keen on feeling rushed or knowing someone is waiting outside the door bored out of their head!!

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Expat living

    March 14, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We joined Pieter's work team on their regular Tuesday night volleyball league, it was fun and we won all three games. It's great to take part in all the expat activities Dubai offers.

    Barasti next door has ladies night with free flow prosecco till 11pm on Tuesday nights. We moved over there after the game for some shenanigans, we had a great night out dancing in our volleyball kit!

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    RTA

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Surprisingly in a city where most things are so expensive its borderline extortion, the public transport is some of the cheapest we have experienced on our travels.

    The train system is excellent and very clean. Each train has a gold and a woman only cabin.

    This afternoon the train was so full I barely got in while Isabel walked into the woman only cart no problem. Ironically it was the same train cart with a line in the middle that men are not allowed over. The woman side was half empty while the other side looked like a can of sardines.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Souk soek soek soek

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Isabel was in haar element by die old Souk vandag. Ek verstaan hoekom hulle dit 'n "Souk" noem, want mens loop daar rond en soek vir goedjies om te koop.

    Ek het dit geniet om vir Isabel so gelukkig te sien. Ek gaan nie jok nie, ek verstaan glad nie hoe sy so gelukkig kan wees om rond te loop en eintlik vir niks spesiefiek te soek nie.

    Hierdie verkoopsmanne kort net n pinkie dan gryp hulle die hand, hulle probeer so hard om jou in hulle winkel te kry en dan is dit verby met jou. Hulle sal jou nie sommer laat uitloop sonder dat jy iets koop nie, en hulle werk vir elke verkoop. Mense kan baie by hulle leer, hulle ken hulle produkte baie goed. Die snaakste ding is hoe hulle met n sakrekenaar werk om jou te wys hoeveel die prys vir iets is. Hulle tip die "first price" op die sakrekenaar. Dan doen hulle die som om jou eerste afslag te gee wat wonderlik klink want dis 20% van die "first price" af, maar in werklikheid seker nog dubble wat jy eintlik moet betaal. Sekerlik val baie mense vir dit en hulle dink het lekker afslag gekry. Jou doel moet wees om by hulle "best and final price" uit te kom. Dis gewoonlik die "first price" gedeel deur 3 of 4, anders het jy te veel betaal.

    Die juweliers winkels is op n ander level as wat mens gewoond is, daar is selfs 'n ring wat om my middel sal pas. Dis die Guinness World Rekords se swaarste goue ring.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Souk outing

    March 15, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Ons is vroeg aan die gang na heelparty freeflow prosecco. Ek en Roedolf ry saam Robyn werk toe, vanwaar ons die trein vang. My man is heel committed om vir my die Souks te wys nadat hy dit gister op 'n "man manier" besoek het. Hy hou sy beloftes mooi en drentel geduldig saam. Ek pas ringe aan en kwyl by die goue souk, ek stry die knape af, maar is steeds nie convince of dit 'n goeie prys vir 'n ring is nie. Roedolf het effens afgeskakel terwyl ek emerald ringe en dinge aanpas, duidelik nie hier vir "groot" aankope nie. Dis rerig lekker om die tyd te he om by die souks rond te snuffel. Ons het lekker gelag hoe die ouens vir jou in die straat se wat hulle als smous en jou dan in klein stegies inly, op met 'n random lift en siedaar 'n shop met alles en nog wat. 'n Heerlike reis deur "wheel en deal" Arabier styl, ek het vir ons huisie mooi handgemaakte kussingslope gekoop.

    {Issy}    Read more

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  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Desert safari

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The "real" experience.... well like many things the desert once again confirmed that you can't contest or control nature and ultimately thats the beauty of it. The 4x4 safari over the sanddunes was an epic experience, I loved the rollercoaster version of the desert and the places we stopped at was breathtaking. Pieter made some pre-mix which obviously made the sunset & dunes a world class experience The camel ride and boudin dinner was basically a sand fest due to the unexpected sandstorm, but truly an authentic experience. I got an Arabic tattoo and Roedolf loved the Sisha, we had a great sandy time with the De Vriese.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler
    1

    Sunset in the desert

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    This is the one place we have been in the last 6 months that surprised me. Its so beautiful which is totally unexpected.

    The desert sort of feel like a different planet, I now get why star wars movies always have some desert scenes.

    Just and awesome experience with the Nuwe Devriese!

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Camel ride

    March 16, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The only thing romantic about a desert camel ride is the cool photos. Camels stink, their noisy and extremely uncomfortable to sit on.

    We definitely got the full experience with a good old sand storm rolling in as we arrived at the camp. The combination of wind and sand is less desirable. I recon we will still have sand in our ears a month from now.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Dubai run

    March 17, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    I headed out to the new Jumeirah Corniche considered number one of Dubais top running routes. This is the city’s latest leisurely beachfront track for running enthusiasts. I took a bus to the end, accidentally got of the wrong stop and then had to run an additional 3km over the creek. It actually starts at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and continues on to the Burj Al Arab Hotel. A fabulous point to point route for me today past Kite beach, the mosque all the way back to Marina Bay. I picked up my mileage a bit since Thailand so starting to reap the benefits.

    {Issy}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Dubai ski

    March 18, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    In the spirit of being in the moment and not thinking about going home until we actually get to the airport we packed the day full of excitement.

    First Isabel and I went for a 5km run which brings us a full circle as we also did a 5km with the Jaanferds the morning before we left Bermuda.

    Then we bought new running watches for us and then it was time to hit the fake indoor slopes at Dubai Ski.

    This was truly ending with a bang, it was loads of fun. We are amazed again by what the UAE 🇦🇪 are capable of. Yes everything in Dubai is man made but its pretty well done!

    We had a great time in Dubai with our "wêreld klas" friends, Pieta brood and Rowwe Robyn!

    {Roedolf}    Read more

  • Vander WondersDubaiTraveler

    Stopover in Doha

    March 18, 2017 in Qatar ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Stopover in Qatar Doha before we start the final leg of our amazing journey around the world.

    This airport is spectacularly fancy, so is Qatar airlines.

    We are both pretty tired, so we have a little night cap at an Italian/french restaurant in the hope that we will both fall asleep as soon as we sit down in the next flight.

    {Roedolf}    Read more

    Trip end
    March 18, 2017
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