Baker and Spice, Souq al Bahar - April 2016
January 2016 - Dubai
Dubai Winter Sunset - January 2016
Office view
Back to work in 2016. With all the construction in Business Bay the view from my office seems to change daily.
Tibert looking regal- January 2016
Our Dubai Garden January 2016
Breakfast at Bait al Bahar, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, February 2016
View from our bedroom, Viceroy Hotel, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Viceroy Hotel, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
View from our bedroom, Viceroy Hotel, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
Sundowners at Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons, Dubai.
Photo from another website
Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons
Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons
View from Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons
Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons
Muscat, Oman - March 2016
An excellent weekend away at Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat. Muscat is a 1 hour flight from Dubai's Terminal 2 on Fly Dubai and the hotel is another 30' drive from Muscat airport.
Near the Shangri-la Resort, Muscat
Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
View from our balcony, room 1021, Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
Beach at Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
The hotel did an excellent job with complementary breakfast, afternoon tea, a pre-dinner cocktail hour and in-room mini-bar. They even provided complementary iced cool boxes with water, soft drinks and cooling face spray for residents using the pool area. What particularly impressed me was the fact that the hotel was 100% full but did not feel crowded. No queues for using any of the restaurants, pool area or bars. Also no children are allowed in this part of the hotel!
Clair Incense burner monument near Mutrah Harbour.
Fish Market, Muscat
near Mutrah Harbour.
Sultan's Palace, Muscat
Fort near Mutrah Harbour, Muscat.
Fort near Mutrah Harbour, Muscat.
Shangri-la al Husn Hotel, Muscat
Brunch at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club - March 2016
Excellent brunch at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. The highlight was the cheese room, which had 60 different cheeses but sadly the house wine was not up to scratch.
Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
Desert at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
Beef and Lamb at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
Coya and Mercury Lounge - Four Seasons, Dubai
Edward and Verity peruse the drinks menu - Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons, Dubai
My birthday celebrations included a taster menu at Coya, an excellent Peruvian restaurant in Dubai and drinks at the Mercury lounge, the best bar in Dubai.
Taster Menu - Coya Restaurant Verity at Mercury Lounge, Rooftop Bar, Four Seasons, Dubai
Edward and Verity, Mercury Lounge, Rooftop Bar, Four Seasons, Dubai
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016 - April 2016
The Dubai Beach Polo competition in 2016 was delayed 24 hours because of rain. It finally got under way near Skydive Dubai and the Marina, which provided a spectacular backdrop. We enjoyed plenty of Jacob's Creek wine, Grey Goose vodka, gin and whisky cocktails, passable fast food and excellent service. The organisation was superb with a large TV screen and live commentary. There was an after-party with fireworks and a band. Will definitely be on our itinerary in 2017.
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016
Dubai Beach Polo
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016 - After party.
Fireworks - Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016
Dubai Beach Polo Cup 2016
Dubai - April 2016
Our desert rose enjoying the last of the cool weather.
London - April 2016
London Taxi
Royal Opera House, London.
Tickets for Giselle at The Royal Opera House. Akane Takada as Giselle. Superb.
Tenerife, Canary Islands - Business Trip, April 2016
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
A very pleasant conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Abama resort, Tenerife. We were last on this island in 1993 for a yachting holiday.
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Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Whale Watching, Tenerife.
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Whale Watching, Tenerife
Pilot Whale, Tenerife.
Boat Trip, Tenerife.
Dolphins, Tenerife
Cocktails and Dinner at a Banana Plantation.
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
St. George's Day Ball, 2016.
St. George's Day Ball 2016
Royal Marines
Dinner
Dancing
England, June 2016
Clair and Verity at Joe and Sally's Wedding
We spent a week in England to attend Clair's nephews wedding in Cheshire. The venue was the bride's parents dairy farm and despite a wet June the sun shone on the occasion.
Joe and Sally's Wedding
Joe and Sally's Wedding
Joe and Sally's Wedding
Joe and Sally's Wedding
Edward & Verity at Joe and Sally's Wedding
Joe and Sally at their Wedding
We then moved to Nottingham to see England play Sri Lanka in a ODI Cricket match.
England vs. Sri Lanka ODI, Trent Bridge
An excellent One Day International cricket match at Trent Bridge. The sun shone, the beer flowed and Liam Plunkett hit the last ball for six to tie game. Amazing match and well worth the entrance fee.
Pre-cricket breakfast at Brown's Nottingham
Nottingham Castle
A couple of pints of ale in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which is one of a few pubs to claim to be England's oldest. Part of the pub was the brew-house for the castle soldiers, which appears to date from around the time of the construction of the castle in 1068 AD. They claim to have been serving beer continuously since 1189 (827 years).
Very friendly Barmaids at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Market Square, Nottingham
Market Square, Nottingham
Cock & Hoop Nottingham
Cock & Hoop Nottingham
Truro, Cornwall - June 2016
Then we spent a few days house hunting in Truro...
Truro, Cornwall
Truro, Cornwall
Truro, Cornwall
Truro, Cornwall
We were very impressed with Truro, which seemed to have the right balance of city amenities, retail, pubs and restaurants but without the overcrowding of big city life. It had all the top shops, a theatre, cinema and is on the doorstep of an area of outstanding natural beauty. The house prices are also very reasonable, which would enable us to live within a 10 minute walk of the city centre and a short walk from beautiful countryside.
Excellent Sunday Lunch, The Rising Sun, Truro.
If we do move to Truro we would hope to be near The Rising Sun, which serves an excellent pint and an outstanding Sunday Lunch.
Truro, Cornwall
Truro, Cornwall
Charlestown, Cornwall.
Cornwall
Marlow - June 2016
And then finally a brief stay for business at The Compleat Angler in Marlow, on the river Thames.....
The Compleat Angler, Marlow.
...before decamping to The East India Club in London for some business meetings and lunch with friends and family.
Pre-lunch Pimms with sister 3/4 in East India Club
Wonderful lunch with my little sister 3/4 who gave me this wonderful present accurately portraying what I like.....
Richard's Likes - Thank you!
New York (for 2nd Kobe Old Boys Brag Reunion), July 2016
Dubai to New York - Emirates Business Class Bar
Emirates First Class Bathroom with Shower Excellent British Cheese Course with 40 year old Port.
I was fortuitously upgraded to 1st Class on Emirates Airline for the 14 hour flight to JFK. The highlight of which was a 40 year old Taylor's Tawny Port served with English Cheeses at the end of lunch. Afternoon tea was scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and English tea. Who could guess that Emirates was set up and is run by a British senior management team?
New York
Press Lounge Roof Bar, Manhattan
New York
Swing 46 Jazz Club, New York
Bar in Princeton
Princeton
Princeton
Princeton
London - Royal Opera House
Pre-performance dinner in Crush Room, Royal Opera House
Swan Lake by Bolshoi Ballet at Royal Opera House
Swan Lake by Bolshoi Ballet at Royal Opera House
Photo from another website
Swan Lake by Bolshoi Ballet at Royal Opera House
Family Reunion, Smollensky's, The Strand, London
Piccadilly Circus London
Georgia, August 2016
Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia
An excellent and economical holiday in Georgia. Tbilisi is a relatively cheap 3.5 hour direct flight from Dubai Airport's Terminal 2 on Fly Dubai. We based ourselves in a three bedroom apartment in Tbilisi for a week. From here we were within walking distance of the restaurants and sights of Tbilisi. Each alternate day we did a day trip to see the countryside and sights with our excellent and knowledgeable English speaking guide, George (from Georgia). He apparently speaks another 5 languages.
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
Uplistsikhe is identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Variant River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages.
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
The Uplistsikhe cave complex with a 9th/10th century three-nave basilica
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
Uplistsikhe, Georgia
Wine tasting, Kvareli wine tunnels
Georgia is justifiably very proud of its wines. They have unique flavour as they ferment the grapes with the skin and pips, which increases the levels of tannin. An excellent way to taste the different varieties is at the Khareba wine tunnels in Kvareli. The tunnels are quite cold, despite summer temperatures outside exceeding 40ºC. The tunnels provide an ideal temperature and humidity to mature the wine and there are over 7km of tunnels of full wine bottles.
The whites are stronger and more robust than the reds, which are relatively light. Apparently reds are drunk mostly by women in Georgia, with men preferring the whites.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Georgia
Mtskheta was founded in the 5th century BC. It was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia (Kartli) from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was a site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Kartli in 337. It remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Georgia
Brides were queuing up to get married in the local cathedral. There was a wedding ceremony and a christening when we looked around. It seems everybody is welcome at weddings in Georgia
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Georgia
Stalin's Museum
Stalin was born in 1878 in Gori, Georgia. He remains a controversial figure today, with many regarding him as a tyrant. However, popular opinion within the Russian Federation is mixed with the older generation being more forgiving than the young. The exact number of deaths caused by Stalin's regime is still a subject of debate, but it is widely agreed to be in the order of millions.
The museum has three sections, all located in the town's central square: Stalin's House; Stalin's Museum and Stalin's railway carriage. The museum was officially dedicated to Stalin in 1957. With the downfall of the Soviet Union and independence movement of Georgia, the museum was closed in 1989, but has since been reopened, and is a popular tourist attraction.
Stalin's Train
Stalin was scared of flying and only ever took two flights. One to Iran and the other back again. Since then he insisted on travelling by train and converted an old Czar railway carriage for his own use.
Stalin's Train - bathroom Stalin's Desk
One wonders how many death warrants were signed at this desk.
Stalin's Train, Meeting and Dining Room
Stalin's Birthplace
Stalin was born into poor circumstances. The house where he was born has been moved into the museum site.
Stalin's Birthplace
Tbilisi, Georgia
Friendship Monument, Military Road, Georgia.
The Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument or Treaty of Georgievsk Monument is a monument build in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and ongoing friendship between Georgia and Soviet Russia. It is located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari pass.
Friendship Monument, Military Road, Georgia.
Since the Russian invasion of Georgia in August 2008 and subsequent annexation of South Ossetia this monument is seen as hypocritical and patronising by the locals. It depicts a "mother Russia" patting the "infant" Georgia on the head. There are now bullet marks on Mother Russia's head.
Military Road, Georgia.
Friendship Monument
Trucks queue for up to 2 weeks to cross from Georgia to Russia - Military Road, Georgia.
Apparently trucks must park up and queue for up to two weeks to cross the border into Russia. When they are allowed to enter the authorities come and escort the truck to the border. We drove past many kilometres of parked trucks waiting to cross the border.
Dariali Gorge, Georgia
Jvari Monastery, Georgia
View from Jvari Monastery, Georgia
Ananuri Fortress
Ananuri Fortress
Ananuri Fortress
Ananuri Fortress
Georgia
Georgia
Lunch, Tbilisi
Prince Chavchavadze Palace
Wine tasting at Prince Chavchavadze Palace
Edward & Verity
Roadside Cafe, Georgia
Roadside Cafe, Georgia
Roadside Cafe, Georgia
Alaverdi Cathedral
Cathedral
Funicular Restaurant Tbilisi
We recommend a trip up the Funicular railway in Tbilisi. There are great views at the top and a variety of restaurants to choose from.
Funicular Restaurant Tbilisi
The Funicular restaurant had an excellent range of cocktails, the best view over the city (on the balcony) and served good local and western style food.
Drinks, Tbilisi
Drinks are very cheap if you consume the local produce. The local beer is excellent and they have excellent wines, although the high tannin levels will not be to everybody’s taste. They also make a local spirit called Cha-cha, which can be up to 60% alcohol. Edward described one brand as "apocalyptic".
Drinks, Tbilisi
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Barbarestan Restaurant, Tbilisi
There are excellent restaurants in Tbilisi. We would highly recommend Barbarestan. The excellent food was all local recipes from local ingredients and they had an excellent range of local wine. The service was superb, with knowledgeable English speaking staff. We can also recommend the Organique Jospar Bar in Old Tbilisi.
Old Tbilisi
Old Tbilisi
Dinner, Old Tbilisi
There are plenty of local restaurants in the old town, and they are generally very good. They have a good line in pork, veal, dumplings, trout, potatoes and a tomato, cucumber and walnut salad. Their cheese bread is great, a bit like a pizza with local cheese.
Lake Lapota Resort, Georgia
We spent an enjoyable and relaxing three days at Lake Lapota Resort. Good accommodation and friendly staff. The local Georgian restaurant on the resort site was good but the food in the buffet and at breakfast was quite basic. We enjoyed the poolside bar, (with the "apocalyptic" Cha-Cha) crazy golf and swimming pool. They had a spa with an excellent Israeli masseur, free Wi-Fi access across the whole resort and comfortable air conditioned rooms with large balconies .
Lake Lapota Resort, Georgian Restaurant.
Lake Lapota Resort
Lake Lapota Resort, Georgia - view from our balcony.
Back to Dubai, August 2016
The Dubai Canal is taking shape. Should be finished next year,
New Bridge over the future canal on Jumeirah Beach Road.
Canal taking shape looking towards Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR).
Canal construction under Jumeirah Beach Road.
Dubai - Autumn 2016
Ravi's Restaurant Dubai, October 2016.
Ravi's restaurant in Satwa is a Dubai institution. Excellent Indian food served on the pavement in Satwa. Impossible to spend more than AED 50 (£10) per head and eat it all. But we try.
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Thurday evening brunch at the excellent Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel, Dubai. November 2016.
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Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel, Dubai. November 2016.
We were invited to the soft launch of the Thursday evening brunch at the excellent Mercury Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel, Dubai.
Dubai Canal Opens - November 2016
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal is now open, albeit with much landscaping and beautifying still in progress. One can walk along the canal from the coast in Jumeirah to Business Bay and beyond. A lot has been achieved since I took photographs of the project in 2015 and last August.
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal Water Taxi
Water taxis and ferries can take you the length of the canal and out to sea to reach Dubai Marina and Palm Dubai.
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal
Dubai Canal Boat Trip
Edward, Fisherman's Village, Dubai
Christmas Eve
