I’m doing Silent Sunday a day early because I’m never quite sure when Twelfth Night is (is it the 5th or the 6th?). Just in case it’s the 5th, and the bad luck associated with keeping your decorations up after Twelfth Night also applies to blogs, I’m posting this Gulf sunset photo now. It’s from a day out at Jumeirah Beach Residence and is a lovely reminder of the fun times we’ve had on the beach this Christmas school holiday.
So what do you think happened to the third wise man?
The temperature was perfect. Just a hint of summer heat hanging in the air. Turquoise highlights glistened on the surface of the Arabian Gulf and sail boats dotted the horizon.
A kite danced in the sea breeze. There were sculpted bodies in beautiful bikinis. Children playing happily. Mums reading – the sand cushioning their toes with marshmallow softness.
Waves rolled towards the shore, lapping the white sand. Kids squealed as the watery haven moved perpetually closer. The smell of sea salt and sunscreen filled the air.
Expat life at its finest.
Except this Easter weekend, BB wasn’t in the mood for the beach. All he wanted to do was play with his new Lego helicopter, a present from my parents, who’ve just arrived (and are providing the most wonderful distraction at silly o clock, when the kids – on school holidays – leap out of bed).
A bigger hit than the Easter eggs
And scorpions.
As the rest of us enjoyed some sun, sea and sand and LB busied himself jumping waves – dissolving into laughter every time there was an incoming rush of water – his brother looked on forlornly.
“Mumm-EEE! Can we go home?” he pleaded. “I really W.A.N.T to go home.”
For a few moments at this point, I’m sure I saw a knowing smile flicker across my mum’s face – a kind of ‘been there, experienced that many years ago’ expression that was quickly hidden.
And then, “Mumm-eeee, I don’t like the beach. I just want to go home and sit on the sofa.”
Oh my goodness. I’m raising a couch potato. And there are 15 more days of Easter holidays to go!
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
It’s warming up in the desert (highs of 39°c / 102°F on Thursday and it’s only March!).
While this was (hopefully) just a blip, a reality of living in the United Arab Emirates is while other parts of the world are celebrating the arrival of spring daffodils (like these) and life bursting forth, in a few short months we’ll witness life being scorched.
But the good news is the rising temps mean it’s beach season – and I’ve been here long enough now to know we need to make the most of Dubai’s beautiful seaside in Spring, before it gets too hot to go to the beach in July and August (lobster is not a good look, but is what you get if you brave the burning-hot sand and soup-like ocean during the hottest part of the year).
This weekend, I discovered a beach we’d never been to before – and decided I loved it so much, I’d like to move there.
Lapped by the aquamarine waters of the Arabian Gulf, Sunset Mall beach is flanked by gorgeous Miami-style condos, with views of Dubai Offshore Sailing Club boats as well as ducking-and-diving kite surfers.
If you tire of this driveable and surprisingly shrubby beach, you can walk to the adjacent glass-walled Sunset Mall to browse the newly opened high-end fashion boutiques inside.
Beach and shopping: now there’s something for everyone!
With fish, kite surfers and sail boats, there's lots of entertainment on Sunset Mall beach