Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be moving to a foreign country to live, let alone a country in the Middle East. Over the 2009 Christmas and New Year’s holidays, my husband Roger and I discussed what we wanted the next part of our life to be like. He thought that before retiring, he would like to do one more airport project but only if he could find something very interesting. I half-jokingly agreed that would be fine but could he try for an exotic location? As usual, Roger came through and soon we were headed to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This blog is a recap of our "leap-of- faith" wanderings around the Middle East and beyond. We joyfully share these expat experiences.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Travel to India - The Ultimate Elegant Journey . . .Oh my! The Oberoi Hotels



Jani, Kathryn, Paty & Katie at the Taj Mahal
As an voracious traveler, arm chair and otherwise, I have many beautiful memories of extraordinary trips – a romantic sunset camel ride in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan; a dreamy interlude in an idyllic inn in the small village of Sirince near Ephesus, Turkey; flying falcons and eagles in the desert of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; a harrowing transatlantic crossing from Lisbon, Portugal to Miami, USA; and superbly simple Corvette road trips exploring Florida’s back roads.

But I have to say that now I have one that tops all of these. India!

This was not just any trip to India – this was the ultimate Elegant Journey (EJ).

Sunday, June 17, 2012

A new Blog Carnival for Boomers, while Colorado burns!


This week Boomer Carnival Blogs captures the devastation of the Colorado fires, picks the top 3 food magazine to make you drool, shows you how to read Kindle & Nook books for free,  reports on a recent incredibly elegant journey to India, quizzes you on whether these baby boomer icons are dead and shares a great way to avoid analysis paralysis.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

TripAdvisor EveryTrail Walking Tour . . . The Ultimate - Downtown Dubai


My assignment from TripAdvisor to create five walking tours of Dubai has been great fun to develop. Doing the research for the tours has led me to find such interesting facts about my adopted city.

Burj Khalifa - the tallest
building in the world.
Do you know how many “Ultimates” – the superlatives - there are in the Downtown Dubai area? 

It is amazing . . . but then again in Dubai being the first, the biggest, the best is a much sought after quest!







Monday, June 11, 2012

The Chedi Muscat . . . A Weekend Excursion to Oman


Chedi Muscat
There is something about the lure of a new road that sets Roger’s motor humming! The recently opened highway from Dubai to Fujairah #102 is calling his name.

“Up for little road trip this weekend?” Roger asks.  

I am thinking, why go for just a "little" ride when you can go for a "real" ride and enjoy an entire weekend away?

Responding with a wry grin I offer, “Good Idea. How about a run to Muscat, Oman? I hear the Chedi Muscat hotel is very nice.” 

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Blogging Boomer Carnival #263


This week we review books for boomers, mourn the loss of a very special farm, enjoy my trip to Oman and have quiz to see if you are really a boomer. But the REAL bonus is a poem . . . Boomers in the Land that Made You and Me . . .. if you are a boomer - don't miss it!  

Saturday, June 2, 2012

TripAdvisor EveryTrail Walking Guides . . .Dubai Souqs & Bastakiya


I recently picked up a small assignment from TripAdvisor that has been so much fun - create 5 walking tours of Dubai. 


It was easy to come up with the first four – 1) my favorite place in all of Dubai – The Souqs; 2) a very close second - the historic Bastakiya area in Burj Dubai; 3) DIFC Art Galleries – something that has been on my bucket list for some time and so glad I finally went; and 4) The Ultimate Dubai – I was amazed to find so many world records all in one place – Downtown Dubai.  

But, number 5 has been a bit more difficult to identify. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Boomer Blog Carnival #262


The Blogging Boomers have a variety of offering for you this week. What emotional type are you? What about your spouse/partner? SoBabyBoomer wonders what happens when opposites get together. The Midlife Crisis Queen is blowing OFF STEAM with her new blog while the Accidental Locavore cooked up a tasty baked asparagus fries recipe for us. And Tom Sightings wonders how one goes on vacation when you are already retired! On the financial front, Rita Robison tackles the problem of switching banks. And from Arabian Tales, Dubai walking tours of the souqs and the historic Bastakiya neighborhood. Even if you can't get to Dubai you will enjoy an "arm chair" walk through these exotic locations. 

Boomer Blog Carnival #261

Today we honor the brave men & women who have sacrificed for our country.

Arabian Tales Katie Foster (who lives in Dubai) tells of a friend’s Trip to Normandy Beach. “To these we owe the highest resolve that the cause for which they died shall live,” Omaha Beach Memorial, Normandy, France. Because of the sacrifice of our military personnel and their families, Americans and the people of manyother countries now live in freedom and peace. A big salute to all our USA military war veterans on this Monday’s Memorial Day.