Atlantis Aqaurium

Here I am in the Atlantis Aqaurium.
It's in the Atlantis hotel on the palm Jumeira.
They have a whale shark there that was found swimming around the Dubai Port. It's captivity has all been a bit controvercial coz it was sick, but as ALL the staff at the aquarium will tell you "It's doing great!". Anyway we were there for the feeding time and it was amazing how much krill it was vacuming up!! Really like a hoover...
The aqaurium is really impressive and it has a lost city of atlantis theme that is really well done!

Josie EM Hogan 1 mth old!

I had a BNE trip at the end of Feb. I went to stay at Jessie and Ayden's for a couple of days (in between Aukland) Here's Josie asleep in the washing basket on Grandma's blanket. I can't believe how much she's grown already! She's got big blue eyes just like Mum and Dad!

Here she is in a singlet that Ellie (Mum) embroidered with little bees and three little porcelaine elephants that Aunty Gail gave to Ellie when Jess was born.
Holding hands with Mum! Aww.....
Fast asleep in a little outfit that Ellie sent down with Mum's teddy.

Me in Moscow

Here I am in the Red Square (photo taken w/ phone bit dodgy :/ ) It was freezing! The ground is shinny coz it's frozen not wet! I was happy to go in winter though and get the real Russian deal.
Saw the Kremlin and all that, bought some Matrushka Dolls, ate the worst Maccas yet (even worse than thailand!!!), skipped the borsht eiww! A great trip!

Welcome to the World

29th Jan Josie was born weighing 7lb 11oz.

Here she is in her first moments of life.

I landed from DXB at 6:30am, Dad and Grandfather picked me up from the airport and drove me straight to Pindara where Jess and Ayden were already in labour. Josie arrived at about 1:30pm completely naturally and perfectly healthy.

1 day old! Too cute!!! xxx

I got to stay for about 4 days and then it was back to work! :(

Toronto

Mehdi also got a Toronto layover this Jan.

He went to Niagra Falls (see photo above), went to the Ice Winery (where they make wine from frozen grapes) and a NBA game (see photos below)

R32

This Jan (22nd to be exact) Mehdi ticked something off his 'things to do before I die' list.

-Buy Blue R32... check!

This german 3.2l AWD V6 is his second reason to smile right now!

He's already joined the VW Dubai Club and went for his first cruise to Oman last Friday.

"The Club"

Kilani and Cyrinne in DXB

When I got back from BNE, Cyrinne and Kilani were already there to greet me!
Here's a pic of them at the Burj.

Cyrinne and I at our pool on the roof.

Kilani and Cyrinne crossing the creek.

Taking Mum home

I had a few days off when Mum went home so I decided to make the trip with her. Mehdi was operating on our flight from DXB-BNE so even though he couldn't upgrade us he bought 1st class to us! This is a pic of Dad and I on top of the lookout, we FINALLY climbed up there with Mehdi.

Mum's Visit in Dubai

Just before christmas Mum had the chance to get off the island and followed us to arabia!

Here we are at the Dubai Mall Aquarium.

This one is taken on a lovely afternoon on the palm island.

Here is a pic of a mosque in a little village on the border of the UAE and Oman. We went for a drive out there and bought some terracotta lanterns from an Afghani guy, we even saw some camels!

MnM's

MEHDI IN MOSCOW

Just before christmas, Mehdi hopped over to Moscow for a look around. Looks freezing! Thanks for the Vod Mehdi!

MEHDI IN MILAN

In December Mehdi also had the chance to visit Milan! Lucky!! Here is is looking very handsome in a cafe.

A beautiful cathedral

Mmmmm.... Pizza!

Meanwhile

While I was at Jess's Baby Shower (see http://www.livingthedreaminhelensvale.blogspot.com/) Mehdi took the chance to sneak down to Brunswick Heads for the weekend with June, Gordon and the rest of the Numinbah crew. Here's a photo of Mehdi and Scoutmaster, I mean Gordon.

Mehdi on the beach at Brunswick

BIIIG UPDATE!

Hi guys,

Thanks for checking in, it looks like it's time for another huge update since I've been so slack!
So here comes three months worth...

Gitex

This week the Gitex Trade Fair was on in Dubai. It is a technology trade fair where you can go and check out all the latest gadgets. Here is Mehdi on Casey Stoner's Ducati. Stoner is sponsored by Sandisk who had a display there. I got a new label maker which I am super exited about and Mehdi came home with a new telly so he's also stoked!

Atlantis Aquaventure

Back in Dubai the weather is cooling down a bit. It's been averaging about mid thirties in the last few weeks.

A new aqua park has opened in time for winter in the new Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Island Jumeira. It's the biggest water park outside the USA, and it's pretty cool!

The Atlantis Hotel

A view of the Burj Al Arab from the park.

Me at the shark tank, there are two slides that go through it in perspex tubes!

The view from the top of the slide tower.

The view from the slide tower over the park and the palm back to the city.

Be Em Wee

During his visit to Munich, Mehdi also found time for the BMW museum and production tour.

He found Jess' old car.

And her next one! Plenty of room for a baby seat, don't know where Ayden's gonna sit though?

A 1951 concept car.

Grub vom Octoberfest

Mehdi and I both got the chance to go to Octoberfest this year, but not together : (
We still had a great time though, here are some of our pics!

A horse drawn beer cart, lay off Friar Tuck!
Look at all those barrels of beer, mmmm. The beer served at Octoberfest is specialy brewed with an extra kick just for this festival!

One of the many beer houses set up just for this festive month. There are fourteen in total and the challenge is to have a beer in each one. I got through a huge two...~

Inside one of the beer tents, it's chaos. Great umpa band though!

Broste! This is me and Carla already a bit unsteady half way through our second (litre of) beer!

Roma

Lunch from the deli.

A quick espresso.

Mehdi at the Bocca de la Verita (the mouth of truth) if you tell a lie it will bite your hand off!

Carefull Mehdi!

The Fontana di Trevi... SO beautiful!

Mehdi and I at the Fontana

Eating again!

Mehdi and I had lunch in an Alsace restaruant on the Champs Elysee on our last trip to Paris.

Here's Mehdi looking pretty tired (long day for us), food was great tho!

Fresh oysters still with seaweed on them!?