JANUARY 2007

 As Dubai is suffering from a cold spell with temperatures dipping to 10 at night and 22 during the day, people are beginning to feel cold. The shops selling heaters are pretty happy about the situation whereas doctors give advise on how to avoid catching a cold: avoid crowded places (HELLOO: it's shopping festival and there are crowds everywhere) and wash your hands (sensible advise at all times)
 Dubai has just recently erected electronic road signs to give motorists guidance - and they have so far been used to wish everyone Happy New Year and Eid Mubarak. Today they congratulate Shaikh Mohammed on his first anniversary as Ruler of Dubai
 During the Asian Games in Qatar recently there wereheated discussions as to whether it was suitable for women to watch the athletes in varying degrees of nudity(!). These women clearly look forward to seeing the mens and womens track events - if they can see anything at all through the niqab (face veil).
 The UAE held elections for the Federal National Council (an advisory body to the government). Only members of an especially appointed electoral college were able to vote to send 20 candidates in total to the council. The other 20 members are appointed by the government. Even so only between 60 and 80% did actually vote, but the process of creating an arab style democracy has started. The country was very focused on the whole thing and approached the actual voting procedure with the same enthusiasm as they approach all new things: e-voting was the buzz-word, and it actually worked quite well.
 In Abu Dhabi Dr Amal Abdullah Juma Karam Al Qubaisi became the first woman to be elected to the council with 1048 voters casting their vote (=60,2%)
 
In Liseleje we were thrilled to see the extension to our house		  It looks very big but is actually only 35m2  
Poul standing in one of the guest rooms - you can just see the "floor" of the bathroom at the front of the picture
 On a two-car-only drive in the desert with the Tindborg family and their guests    
A camel farm on the way to Fossil Rock 		 

ha ha ha, funny!

 

Even camels can be cute....

    
 
desert squash which are not eadible to humans		  - but rodents live off the seeds.  
Lunch break - important detail on a drive into the unknown.....
And the obligatory scene: a car stuck on a ridge    
Here follows a manual: first tie tow rope to car stuck in sand		  
second: tie rope to towing car
 
third: dig, dig, dig		  
fourth: pull, pull, pull, and hey presto the car is free again. Phew. This is why two cars is an absolute minimum on a drive in the sand.		  next: coffee break
 Isn't the desert beautiful after the rain???    
 
The Guldberg family came to visit and we took them to the Creek for a sample of "authentic Dubai"  
Our captain for the day		  Charlotte, Simon, Pia, Signe and Thomas
 
Simon was more interested i the rubbish people had thrown in the Creek than in the buildings....		 and Signe was just taking it all in her stride.    Freshly pressed applejuice is a must after a strenuous cruise(!)
 
The Gold Souq never seizes to amaze 		 I kid you not: this is all for REAL  
   shopping for a dish-dash for the young shaikh  Isn't he looking good?
 
Thomas managed to play golf at Arabian Ranches		  
what a bunker!		  time for a beer with the danish golfers
 Mall of the Emirates provides suitable transport (at a price) for young motor-enthusiasts...  
a sales exhibit for Palm Jumeirah (Yes, THE palm built off the coast of Dubai)		  Signe was allowed to sit in the back as long as Simon could do the steering
 Maybe some of the scenery seems familiar? Well, we went here earlier in the month to look at the desert after the rains    and as we had promised Simon that he would see camels - this seemed an obvious choice. We had not counted on the camels being "free range", though.
 
A-K and Caroline 		 Pia, Signe and Simon enjoying a picni in the sand  and Simon "worked" on these branches.
 
The desert covered in green		  Young motorists - out to have some fun  Camel Rock
 
Pia and Simon looking for Mikkel and Rasmus		  
Wonder if this is Rasmus or Mikkel??		  
 
Signe enjoying herself on the grass in our garden		  
Poul and Simon 		 Dubai by night
Susannes friends from back home had not forgotten her special day!   23rd january we were invited to celebrate Susannes Birthday -  
- and we were treated to a delicious brunch!
 Birgit had composed one of her famous birthday cards with photos and text to remind the birthdaygirl of the fun moments we have had together for the past year.  The "White elephant" - gift - who will be the next (un)lucky person to receive this elegant lady???? Well, Anette certainly has looked after her well since their housewarmingparty.  The present from the coffeemorning-group