As we had a few days to spend in Johannesburg we were keen to catch a few highlights including the Apartheid Museum.  It would be a tough learning experience for the kids (and adults too) but necessary when there are places in the world that still practice apartheid like habits.  No pictures were allowed in the museum.  https://www.apartheidmuseum.org/ It was very intense.  You learned a lot about how colour determined everything.  As with many situations students played a big part so the girls could see what some kids there age went thru.  They heard of Hector Pietersen, a 13 year …

Johannesburg has always had a bad reputation for personal safety and high crime.  My past experiences have always been good in Joburg and fingers were crossed that good luck would reign.  We found a lovely place near the airport where Skye and Willow befriended the owners 4 year old grand- daughter.  We chose it off the list of places the Baz Bus uses and it was fantastic especially the owners Game and Maria.  They had 2 rabbits, Clover and Blackie, so we lost our youngest two whenever we were ‘at home’.  Our room fit the five of us and inexplicably …

After three months in Asia and a variety of adventures, it was off to Africa for more adventures and some animal encounters!  Everyone was heartbroken to leave the hospitality of Tonya and Max in Abu Dhabi but the Dark Continent was waiting for us.   We had read mixed reviews of the Saudi airline but our flight from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah was great – not too crowded and a fine selection for in-flight entertainment.  Unfortunately the red eye from Jeddah to Johannesburg wasn’t as pleasant. Not crowded but no movies/tv at all.   A double edged sword as the …

Although Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the flight hub.  So it was off for an overnight in Dubai before our flight thru Jeddah, Saudi Arabia then on to Johannesburg South Africa.  Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world, the building with the most rotation in it as it goes up, one of the few 7 star hotels etc….basically a city of excess.   Just not so much when it comes to alcohol although our hotel had a bar with Philippine singers in the evening… We did not see much but …

Our route for our grand adventure unexpectedly  came through the Middle Easr so we could catch up with some of M.C.s closest old friends and on our last night we payed a visit to her dear friend Alison.  Marie-Christine had known Alison for over 20 years and I first met her 15 years ago.  We had missed Alison’s wedding to Lee and the birth of her daughter Betsy.  So this visit was also a chance to meet Lee and Betsy!  Skye, our ‘little mother’ was very excited to have a baby to play with….. The visit was great and we …

We promised the girls that we would do waterslide parks so it was off to YAS  Waterworld – we fell in love with water parks in Bali and  this one is Abu Dhabi was supposed to be good.  We all had a great time but I only got a few pix.  More to come when others add to the blog….

After the Falcon Hospital we continued our great day by visiting the Grand Mosque at sunset.  It truly lived up to its name and sunset is the only time to go IMHO.  I love arches and this place was full of them.  Our guide was pretty interesting and funny and the girls asked lots of questions – why are there tissue boxes all around the prayer area?   Where do they put the tissues when used?  Very key issues😂 I actually had to wear trousers and Marie- Christine had to wear the supplied abeya.  She looked great in the brown …

Marie-Christine’s friend Tonya wanted to show off her home city for 7 years and the Falcon Hopital showed us something amazing and different for sure. I was feeling better and as a big bird lover since my year in Africa in 2001, this was something I did not want to miss. Abu Dhabi like many Arab and Central Asian countries has a long history of using birds of prey to hunt.  In Mongolia we had all (but Willow) had a massive eagle on our arm.  They were bloody heavy and quite menacing due to their size.  Falcons are much smaller …

Back in Adu Dhabi but my system is still in full India mode so the rest of the family went with our hosts to the Louvre and an evening at Arabian Nights – a camp in the desert.  I visited the toilet…regularly!  I was sad to have missed some great Adu Dhabi sights. The Louvre As I missed this, it will be filled in by someone else.   Arabian Nights Tonya and Max and their daughter Gabrielle had done this a few times.  Max could not make it and with my no show, their 20 y.o son joined all the …

Leaving Oman we had decided to take a route through the mountains, just for a change of pace. Yet again, Oman did not disappoint – stunning views of desert, dunes, minarets, mosques and moonscapes.  No getting stuck this time…. p