Chef Andrew Robertson, the Executive Chef at Drakensberg Sun, asked me to photograph the new Terrace Menu for the Hotel. While I was there I got to taste many of the menu items, and let me tell you there were delicious!! If you visit there you are guaranteed not only spectacular views, but absolutely fabulous food too.
Unfortunately we did not go into Ferrari World. We were supposed to go with the group but golf went on longer than anticipated and we ran out of time in the day. J and I did manage to make it there and have a look around the entrance and the shop, but we didn’t manage to go on any rides inside the pay area.
Abu Dhabi is a beautiful city. It is clean, you don’t see so much as a sweet wrapper laying around in the streets. The grass verges are manicured (not just cut occasionally) and the flower beds are immaculate.
Besides being so clean, Abu Dhabi is the most family friendly city I have visited. The pedestrian crossings have timed lights so you can see exactly how much time you have left to cross the road.
Then we were off to Dubai for 3 days
Next stop Dubai …
L’s friends in Abu Dhabi organised for us to go on a desert safari. For those of you who don’t know what this is let me explain. You get into a 4×4 with your group, they take you into the desert. When you reach the soft sand they stop and let some of the air out of the tyres. They then take you on the drive of your life. If you are prone to getting sea sick you are pretty much guaranteed to be sick on this drive. I do not get sea sick, fortunately for everyone in the car with me. However, I was terrified out of my wits. I should have known there was trouble on the way when I saw the padded roll bar inside the car!!! I couldn’t get awesome pics because I was seated in the back. You can take my word though that watching the car in front go flying over, down and around dunes was spectacular and hair raising at the same time. When the roller coaster ride is over, they take you to a Bedouin camp where you are treated to traditional Bedouin food, belly dancers, the men doing their dances, falcon show, camel rides, dune surfing and henna tattoos. All in all it was a wonderful, hair raising and exhausting evening 
Definitely worth it.
In this post I’m going to share with you the spectacular Emirates Palace Hotel. Again, WOW and amazing and just spectacular. One of the “must do” items when in a hotel of this calibre is to visit the bathrooms. The ladies was exactly the same as the hotel, perfect and opulent. We were visiting the hotel with another couple. The husband went to the bathroom too. Apparently in the mens bathroom there is an attendant who sprays soap into your hand, turns on the tap for you and then hands you a clean towel!! The ladies had no such service we had to spray our own soap, turn on the tap for ourselves and even collect our own towel from a basket.
I recently had the good fortune to travel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on holiday. Actually it was a golf tour, L played golf, J and I toured We had an absolutely glorious time. I have spent the past week going through my photos and trying to decide what to post (and catching up on washing, ironing and admin). I have decided to break it up into smaller posts so that you are not overwhelmed. This is the first part of the trip and covers the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. I was so overwhelmed with the absolute opulence of this building. It was truly spectacular and I really wanted to devote a single blog post to the beauty of this building. Some of the photos of the mosque are from weird angles, you will notice that there was tape and cones up preventing us from walking wherever we wanted to. I was trying to get shots without the awful red tape and cones. I hope I manage to convey the enormity and beauty of this magnificent structure to you.
The Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m diameter and a 15 m height
The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy
Frank needed updated portrait headshots for his CV as well as his LinkedIn Profile. We got together on Saturday morning and did a few formal photographs. We didn’t have time for the more casual photographs as he had urgent work that he needed to attend to and we decided to get to the social media photographs another time.
On Saturday night J and I went up the road to go and see the Christmas lights. I don’t think this is as well known as the lights in Lawley Street, and it is certainly not as big, but it is wonderful. There are about 4 houses that are all on one corner who really go all out and have literally covered their houses in lights. One house has statues outside of the 3 wise men, another has a laser show on the wall of their house and another has their lights flashing in time to music! It is absolutely wonderful and is a huge hit with the locals. Last night I took a blanket along and J and I sat on the grass in front of the “music house” and just listened to music and watched people walking and driving past. It is so festive and really creates a sense of community. We will definitely be going back a few nights (if there is no rain) and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lyndsay contacted me and said she wanted a “Fun” Family Shoot. She didn’t want formal poses, or everyone dressing alike. She wanted it to be as relaxed and natural as possible. We met at Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary on Saturday morning to do their photos. Her eldest 2 were very excited when they saw the venue, the large open spaces, water and trees really appealed to them.
I had so much fun with them. Lots of laughter and lots of being goofy made for a fun morning and some stunning memories captured too. Have a look and judge for yourself
Look at her gorgeous big blue eyes!!
Uncles can just be so silly sometimes 
Formal Family Photograph
Mad Hatter Family
The biggest little dude loved the bridge and wanted his photo taken on the bridge
Last year the estate where I live organised a “Fun Day” for the children of the estate as a celebration of Christmas and something fun to do to celebrate the end of the school year. This year the directors decided to do so again, with a few improvements. Amelia was the events organiser and I think she and her team did an amazing job. The children and parents had a wonderful time and those of us directors who were there received many compliments from residents. I think it is safe to say that a wonderful time was had by all who attended. I’d also like to thank Ryan Kay from Sotheby’s Realty who attended the fun day and graciously gave children goodie bags. An estate agent who is prepared to go the extra mile is very much appreciated.
Be warned this is a bumper post with photos
The estate have put up the Christmas Lights at the entrance already. Don’t they look pretty? Really gets people in a festive mood coming home to such prettiness at night.
