(15th January 2025) I woke a few minutes before my mobile phone alarm, set for 5 am, went off. Without disturbing Jamie, I dressed and checked the taxi app to confirm our driver to the airport was en route. Jamie was up and dressed when I made my wake-up coffee, followed by a refreshing glass… Continue Reading

14th January 2025 A late start today, the hire car would be picked up sometime, thus tethering us to the Palm. Still, by 10 a.m., we were both awake, showered, and semi-functional. Jamie spent the morning commandeering the restaurant’s Wi-Fi, diligently ploughing through his emails. I, on the other hand, opted for a less ambitious… Continue Reading

(13th January 2025) It was Monday, and for some reason, we both woke early at 7 am. The day was overcast, and for the first time, I put on a fleece over my T-shirt while enjoying my coffee on the balcony. Last night, I discovered I could pick up the restaurant’s Wi-Fi from the balcony,… Continue Reading

(12th January 2025) The internet was still down when we woke, so Jamie had to head to the restaurant to catch up on his emails, while I relaxed on the balcony in the sunshine, watching the boats drift by and reflecting on the Dubai skyline from my vantage point on the sixth floor. It was… Continue Reading

11th January 2025 It was a Saturday, and I was determined to enjoy a lazy start to the day. I woke up around 7 am, stayed in bed, and wrote yesterday’s blog before publishing it. Jamie remained asleep on his fold-out bed in the lounge until just before 9 am. Meanwhile, I made myself a… Continue Reading

(10th January 2025) From our balcony, we could see the iconic Burj Al Arab emerging through the early morning mist as we began preparing for the day. It was a leisurely start, as Jamie needed to catch up on some online work, while I used the time to edit a few past blogs. It was… Continue Reading

(9th January 2025) Jamie opted for the fold-out bed in the lounge, generously giving up the double bed in the bedroom for me. As we couldn’t find a spare duvet, he had to make do with a couple of blankets. Despite this, he slept well. The air conditioning, however, kept the room a little too… Continue Reading

(8th January 2025) It was a chilly 0°C on Tuesday, the 7th, when I walked into town for my 9:30 a.m. six-month dentist appointment. After a couple of X-rays, an appointment was made for February to repair a tooth the dentist said had a small crack developing (though I remain unconvinced). Everything dental seemed fine… Continue Reading

22nd December 2024 Today I discovered a quote by Carl Sagan the American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator which he made over 30 years ago and is rapidly becoming true: “I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time — when the United States is a service and information economy;… Continue Reading

21st December 2024 Disembarkation day began early, in the dark, at 5:30 am. Although we had set the alarm for later, we were both awake and unable to get back to sleep. A shower and breakfast on Deck 9 seemed the best course of action. It was a leisurely meal; there was no rush, and… Continue Reading