Capetown

We also got to go to Capetown, which was so beautiful!
Much like myself (see above) lol, only kidding. This is me on the bus on the way to the hotel thinking about what I'm having for dinner!

The weather was perfect for sightseeing. We got to the hotel late in the afternoon and hurried to change and catch a taxi to the cable car at Table Mountain. We got there just in time to catch the last car, 6:30pm. The view from the mountain was breathtaking, you really get a sense of being at the end of the world.

The view of The Cape of Good Hope (the most southern tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet) from the top of Table Mountain. The Great Ocean Road has nothing on this!

A view over Capetown.

The view down to Camps Bay (where we went for dinner).

The next day at the waterfront, where we had GREAT fish and chips.

We will definately be going back to Capetown!

Beijing 2009

Mehdi and I went to Beijing this month, which was a little cold but all sunny skies!
We hired a car (with driver) for the day went to the Forbidden City and Tianamen Square and the Great Wall.... Here are some pics of Lovers in Beijing xxx

Me in the car on the way to the Forbidden City

The outer walls and moat, we walked most of the perimiter.

Inside the forbidden city there were heaps of tourist groups but they seemed to be mostly regional. You can see them here wearing matching hats or jackets.

Me at the wal

Mehdi on Mongol Patrol

One last look at the wall.

Deutchland- Belgie

We just had five days off so we thought we head over to Europe. We flew into Dussledorf and drove down to Liege via Nurburg and Malmedi. Here is Mehdi at the Nurburg-ring race track (we went on a mission to get some stickers for Mehdi's car).

Here I am on some tiny country road close the the German-Belgian boundary, we almost got a little bit lost but due to my superior navigation skills we stayed mostly on the right track.

Mamy and I in a pizzeria in Mastricht just across the Dutch border.

Pizza Dough!!!

It was really great to catch up with everyone! It had been a while, hope to be back soon, as always the food was great but still no match for the company!!! xxx

Doro, Ingrid and I.

Cyrinne, Sam, Wajdi and Mehdi.

Rania and Us

Rania is here in Dubai doing some work experience for her degree. Last weekend we went to the beach together. Here we are!

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.