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My Big OE

March - May 2017
A 53-day adventure by Belinda Read more
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  • TravelerMy Big OE
    1
    1
    Day 1

    It all begins...

    March 26, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The day is finally here. My bags are packed and I'm all checked in for the first flight Wellington to Melbourne. Nervously excited about the adventures ahead and happy it's finally starting. I look forward to many new places and experiences along the way.

    My lovely daughters gave me a gift of a punga greenstone necklace. It is to give me security, stability, peace and strength to endure in the days ahead.    Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    113
    Day 2

    ... in Dubai

    March 27, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    After nearly 18 hours of flying (with about 7 of sleep) I arrived in Dubai. I was impressed by the sheer size and luxury of the buildings, even the airport. My hotel is on the other hand nice and small with staff that go out of their way to help. I arrived way before check in time so they upgraded me to a suite on the top floor for free so they could get me into a room early. My only criticism would be that the coffee cost 20 AED (or $7.70 NZD). After a quick shower I headed off to the Dubai Mall...Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    1
    2
    Day 2

    Dubai Mall

    March 27, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The Dubai Mall lived up to its reputation for being more than a shopping destination with an aquarium, an ice skating rink, a beautiful waterfall and a great fountain. It had a very American, Las Vegas feel to me with just the odd different looking shop and some Arabic signs setting it apart.Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    2
    Day 3

    Desert Adventure

    March 28, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    I got picked up for my desert safari by Ahmed driving a plain 4 wheel drive and the adventure began from that moment! As we collected more people and drove to our destination in the desert he drove like an absolute maniac! As we sped at up to 140 km/hour he wove around the lanes (no indicators of course,they seem entirely optional here) while tailgating those in his way and simultaneously having furious conversations in Arabic on his phone. He asked us with a wicked glint every now and then if we liked his driving. What was it going to be like on the desert!

    It actually was so much fun hooning around the desert, as we had realised he was actually in full control all the time (or was a good bluffer!).He delighted in making us shriek and often took a path with no other tire marks to add to the adventure. We stopped for photos and eventually made it safely to the desert camp We had some surprisingly yummy food (given it was a touristy affair) and some great entertainment with belly dancers and fire eaters!. I made friends with three lovely young Swedish girls and was so glad I went on this little adventure.    Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    Day 3

    Old Dubai

    March 28, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This morning I went on a historical and cultural walking tour of the older part of Dubai. While I waited for the tour to start I went into this lovely tea shop and had a "blooming" tea. The waitress dropped what looked like a ball of dry grass into a glass teapot of hot water. As I watched the ball opened and bloomed into a bunch of flowers that flavored the tea. So lovely and refreshing.

    The tour started at the Dubai museum which is housed in the restored Al Fahaidi fort. We then walked through the old town and visited a coffee museum. We tried some freshly brewed coffee and Mohammad (the guide) talked to us about Dubai history and cultural practices. A short boat ride across the creek, took us to a gold souk (market) and a spice souk. A fascinating tour that took almost four hours to complete and contributed to the 16,000 steps I walked today!    Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    1
    Day 3

    The Burj Khalifa

    March 28, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This afternoon I went up the tallest building in the world. The lift ride was smooth and ear popping fast. I went up at 5:00pm so that I could see the view in daylight, catch the sunset and then enjoy the lights. It was truly spectacular.Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    1
    Day 3

    Dubai Night Lights

    March 28, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    After my trip up the Burj I managed to catch the fountains music display in the lake by the Dubai Mall.I had seen them from the top looking down but it was much more rewarding at ground level. Set to Bond 007 theme music, it was a spectacular show. The Burj was twinkling to one side and the lights were all very pretty. A great day!Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    11
    Day 5

    Dubai to London

    March 30, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Time to leave Dubai and head for London. I went for a walk around the hotel area early in the morning before it got too hot. It was nice to visit some of the local businesses and see the less commercial side of Dubai. I had time to laze by the rooftop pool at the hotel and read a book before heading to the airport.

    The Emerites terminal was enormous and full of travelers but check in was very efficient. I was offered an exit row to my delight and it ended up being the very front row of the plane. Lots of legroom and I was close to all the drama. We were delayed takeoff while a very privileged young Arabic man insisted he should be in business class and that someone with the same name had stolen his seat! The front seat drama continued when an elderly lady collapsed and a makeshift bed was made at the front while they gave her oxygen and took her blood pressure etc..

    Finally made it to Heathrow and after speedy customs (thank you British passport) I was on my way via train and taxi to my hotel. The room in my London hotel is tiny with a single bed but very cute and the location looks very good.    Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    Day 6

    London Wandering

    March 31, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    I was up early on my first day in London (time keeps shifting around!) so I decided to walk to my first booked activity. I had read about the free Sky Garden and had luckily seen it early enough to book a time slot for late morning. Mr Google told me the walk was about 80 minutes and it went close to Buckingham Palace and then around a waterfront walk by the Thames.

    It was a lovely fresh spring day and just perfect for exploring. The palace was very impressive and wasn't crowded that early in the day. I then made my way through the picturesque St James Park where the spring flowers were starting to bloom all around.

    Nearby Trafalgar square was chaotic and busy as I think everyone was trying to get to work! I loved seeing all the names of the streets so familiar after playing Monopoly. My walk then veered off to a path along the lovely embankment park by the river. I passed by the Savoy, which had only been my second choice of Hotel!. I passed the "border" to the city of London guarded by some Lion Statues and finally reached the impressive building housing the Sky Garden. I'll post a separate footprint for my time there.

    I next headed for the other side of the Thames, braving the underground to save time and my feet, before walking over a foot and rail bridge to where the London Eye sat dominating the skyline. I had fast track tickets to avoid the large queue of tourist waiting in the very warm sun (getting a better summer in London). There will be a separate footprint for this stop too.

    After a nice lunch in the park, bought from the huge range of prepared food in a local Tesco's, I headed to Covent Gardens and wandered around exploring the area. By now it was about 6:00pm and I had exceeded 20,000 steps, so I found a bus to my Hotel and called it a day with a takeaway burger and a glass of wine for dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerMy Big OE
    1
    Day 6

    London Skygarden

    March 31, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    This was a hidden gem that I only read about a couple of weeks before I left for this trip. Free entry but you reserved a time slot in advance. An impressive building with amazing views from the greenhouse like gardens up the top. Several cafes to choose from with lots of seating near the views. I had a nice flat white and on the coffee price index it was a medium ($5NZD so cheaper than Dubai's $7).Read more

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