The Blue Voyage

I grew up in Texas and spent many memorable summer days with my friends at the Gulf of Mexico. I often do not remember everything from high school, but those carefree days at the beach are some of the most vivid.  The smell of salt and sand mixed with coconut suntan oil are still just as vivid as laughing so hard I could cry or pee my pants - or both.  These smells and the sound of me and my friends singing to Def Leppard, Poison, or our favorite classic rock tapes from the 60's and 70's are what I most often recall.

Just about 15 years ago I stepped foot on a random gulet boat in southern Turkey for a day trip near Bodrum.  Enter my second love affair with the sea.

Turkish Gulets in Bodrum, Turkey

Deep Blue Sea
Bodrum, Turkey

I can still remember being in awe of the water and how blue, clean and cool it was.  It's blue was so hypnotizing I could not stop looking at it.

Since then I have taken several of these trips called mavi yolculuk, or blue voyages, by day or for several days with friends.  The smells are similar - salt, sea and sunscreen.  We still listen to our favorite music, but now on iPods instead of cassettes.  We still laugh very hard until we cry, or almost pee our pants - well, I can't speak for everyone on the boat, but we laugh a lot.

I always bring a book, but I honestly am never able to read much.  The sea is so blue I can only stare.

Yes, the water is that blue, and there are that many fish.    Bodrum, Turkey

There is still a lot of untouched nature to experience from a Blue Voyage.
Bodrum, Turkey

Burj Khalifa

As usual, its that time of year again... busy.  We are in the last days of "spring" in Dubai.  It is warming up here during the day.  Today I saw what I am sure will be the first of many car thermometers on Facebook - it was 40C.  I do not mind and will take it over snow and ice any day.

I haven't been taking many pictures for a few weeks, except the occasional screen shot at work!  I was going through some files and came across these from a visit to the top of the Burj Khalifa.

When they built it, it seemed to take forever for the windows to arrive.  It was rumored to be late.  However, after seeing it at different times of day, I think it was worth the wait.  It reflects color and light beautifully at all times of day.

Burj Khalifa towers over the "tall" buildings of Dubai

Burj Khalifa

Zighy Bay

Musandam, Oman is part of Oman, but separated from the rest of the country geographically by the UAE.  It is the strategic tip of the penninsula at the Strait of Horumz.  Visited by many, it is easily accessible from the UAE - about a 1.5 hour drive from Dubai.  Although close, the landscape changes quickly as you head to Fujeriah to cross border and the Mountains of Hajar.  

Zighy Bay used to only be accessible by boat until the Six Senses came to town - well, there really wasn't much of a town there.  It was a very small fishing bay where locals still fish today.  

The resort is made with as much local material as possible.  The rooms for example, use local rocks, trees and other finds for everything from walls to lamps.  As much food as possible is grown locally.  This includes all salad ingredients from the organic garden on the property.  

We were there only two nights, so barely had the chance to unwind.  However, it did not take long to not want to leave our isolated ocean-front property.  

I think my son summed up our experience best as he wanted to move there from the first day.  The kids club had a certified teacher, so he had a well thought out plan.  There were many times he told me he did not want to leave - as we packed, as we got in the car, on the drive home, before he went to sleep when we got home.  I thought maybe he would come to terms with it by morning as there was no mention of it at breakfast before school.  However, as we walked from the car to school he said, "You know mommy, I really did not want to leave that place".... in all honesty, neither did I.

No cars - walking or biking only.

Zighy Bay's Organic Garden

A full moon by the sea

Dubai Global Village

Lanterns in the Turkish section of Dubai Global Village

Another fun thing to do when the weather is good in Dubai is head out to Global Village.  Located off of Emirates Road, Global Village is a kind of amusement park, market and festival.  It only runs a few months a year in winter, and is usually close to the Shopping Festival.  It brings together traditions and goods from many countries and cultures around the world.  There are also shows with local dances from each country, different foods to try and many rides and games for the kids - and big kids too.  

A painter in the African market of Dubai Global Village

My favorite part is the market.  Each country has a market in a different section with several vendors.  There are so many countries participating that I have still never been able to make it through all the countries.  

There are a few I do not miss.  The Turkish market is always crowded - great olives, cheese and Turkish goods.  They also had some good looking lahmacun and live music this year.  

Spices at the Global Village in Dubai

There is also one honey for "married only".  My husband was out at the rides with my son while I shopped, so the vendor would not let me taste any!  I don't know what the big deal is because I am married. The honey claims to be a miracle cure.  According to the description, it could cure any reproductive ailment you could think of - both male and female! Move over Dr. Oz, I've found the next cure-all!