The Arrival of Sand Land Son

Thursday night arrived hot and humid, ideal for an open top Jeep ride to Dubai to collect Sand Land Son (SLS). We left Dubai behind quickly and struck out cross the desert to the far and distant Ras Al Khaimah.

Friday started the weekend and also marked the last day before the start of Ramadan.
One last chance for eating, drinking and music without thought.

A full schedule of visiting and BBQ’s, and making plans for Saturday.

SLS wrote a brief email which summarizes his first weekend below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey all,Just wanted to let you guys know that I have arrived safely in the UAE and am now living in Ras Al Khaimah, which is about 100 km north of Dubai (I think) It is really really hot here, 38 degrees most days but everyone seems to be as sweaty as me so no worries there.
The country is quite strange, I don't think I experienced my first bout of "culture shock" until I went to the grocery store (Carrefour, a French chain) and was surrounded at one point by a bunch of women in abayas and chadors and all the men in dish-dashes (the white robes). However the shock quickly subsided when I found Velveeta shells and cheese and root beer and Oscar Mayer salami... All the stuff I could not find in Europe. :-)
I've made a bunch of new friends already, especially with some South African guys who are awesome. The ex-pat community is pretty close-knit. In two days we have gone to the beach,

gone snorkelling, hung out at the sailing club (climbed on a dhow under construction),

dug for clams, eaten at a proper Italian restaurant, had a party/BBQ with lots of beer (in case you were wondering about that, yes alcohol is available and cheaper than anywhere else I've been in the world and they have Molson and Labatt's!!!), and gone bowling.
I think the coolest thing so far was being at the Arab fish auction and bidding on fish that had just been dragged from the boats. The Arab auctioneers/barkers sound more or less the same as their English-speaking equivalent, strange as that may seem, I think they have their own language. But it was a situation completely foreign to me, and it was the first time in a long time that I felt like I was in a society completely alien to what I know, which makes living here all the more exciting.

Autumn (?) is coming

During the last couple of weeks, the searing grip of summer has been loosening. The humidity is now below 50% on a regular basis, and we can begin to see the sky without its perpetual haze.

Although the day time temperature is still reaching 40C, we will soon reach the first day in over 3 months when it drops below 38C (100F) and the winter season can be anticipated.

One of the first signs of summer's end is the return of flies and other insects. They retreat/hibernate in the summer which is one of the few summer benefits here.

The next sign is the return of the predators, as I caught a glimpse of one on my Jeep antenna.

Ramadan is coming

Moon-sighting panel meets tomorrow

ABU DHABI — Justice Minister Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhahiri has set up a Ramadan moon-sighting committee, which will meet tomorrow. The committee will be headed by the justice minister himself, while its members are: Justice Ministry Under-Secretary Sultan Al Badi, Federal High Court judge Al Siddique Abul Hassan,Senior Judicial Inspector at the Justice Ministry Salim Ali Al Hossani, Head of the Abu Dhabi Primary Shariah Court Ahmed Al Za’abi, Preacher at the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al Ahdel, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Association Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Amateur Astronomers Group Sakhr Saif and Member of the Emirates Astronomy Association Mohammed Odah. The committee will meet tomorrow after Maghreb prayers at the Shariah Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi.

Ramadan work hours

DUBAI — All ministries and federal government departments will work from 9am to 2pm during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the ministerial decrees no (16) of 1998 and no (21) of 2006.

Sailing Class

The new season is upon us so it is time to prepare for the upcoming regattas at the sailing club.

This year it is time to take proper classes so that at least we know how to act and talk like sailors.
Part of our usual gang of cutthroats decided to abscond to the big city this weekend to scout out the booty in the Abu Dhabi malls.
Wonders to be behold.

Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, we signed up to the mast with Captain “Black” Barbara to learn the intricacies of the Art of the Ancient Mariner.

Soon we were avasting and ahoying, and well versed in the art of tying the Figure 8 and Bowline. Then it was on to the sheet, the forestay, the block, until we could walk with bowed legs and rolling gait to the boat.

Soon we were tossed on the tempest of the sea as we tacked and jibbed our way through the maze of the khor,



and strange floating objects.

Then we could safely come ashore and enjoy the sea breeze as the class ended.

Then off to find some grub and grog at the local pub,

Charm the wenches,

While defending the fort.

Weekend done.

Al Jeer - Addendum

A few additional items from the weekend arrived today which you can download from the links below.

We have basement music recordings of Nalin,

NothingAtAll.mp3

BlackMagicWoman.mp3


and more photos from Frank.
More Beach Photos

Al Jeer

The end of summer is beckoning and we decided to make a beach picnic and snorkeling day at Al Jeer beach. A pleasant 41C day arrived and we wove our way through the throngs exiting the local mosque.













Once there we required coordinated activity to establish our beachhead on the “crowded” beach.













The first swim and after checking out the reef, all fishes, urchins and mermaids are in order, so return to shore.

















Lunch is devoured and the rest of the afternoon is spent in leisure recreation.



















Our newest RAK resident, Frank, provides us with the Monaco flavour (at least the wine).













Sri Lankan musicians round out the group, along with the usual suspects.
















As the day ends we race to Hulaya Island to dig for clams,













and then to the fish market to complete the hunting for dinner.













Shrimp and crabs in tow, Frank leads the bag toters back to the cars.













The 7UP queen rules as clams and crab are steamed, while the BBQ king grills the shrimp and ribs.



























The formal dinner ensues. Best manners everyone.













The neighbours look on in amusement.













Then the musical tones of Nalin (try and keep up Nic).













Perfect.

Dibba (Musandam) Dive

The day began dark, it was 5:00 AM, at 6:00 we left for the rendezvous at the dive center.













Of course some of us are better morning persons than others. (I am not going until I am awake)













The trip to Dibba was uneventful and we arrived at the Oman port for the dhow trip up the east coast of the Musandam.

http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/faraway-quest/dibba.zip
(collection of photos, unedited, for our companions on the trip - 24 MB)

Divers, snorkeller's and various hanger-ons lined the dock, sorting out gear and boat assignments.













We left the port and shortly afterward realized the cooling cloud cover also provided a rough sea.

http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/faraway-quest/dhow.3gp
(Quicktime mini movie)

We pitched and rolled up the coast, and most opted to relax and sleep in defense.













Finally we reached the entrance of the destination cove and calmer water beckoned.













Beautiful clear turquoise water beckoned and we all plunged in (except the queasy).










Some preferred less strenuous activities.













During a break we relaxed, traded stories (cette une blague avec une belle poitrine) and waited for lunch.













Lunch arrived prepared by the BBQ king, and Ayub examined the other mysteries of the table.













Some opted for safer packaging, but all was enjoyed.













Afternoon session began with a fashion statement, fear of the big jump, and further exploration of the coral beds below.




























Prepare for the trip back.













Pointing out.









Some chose sleep,














some preferred a party.













Calmer water allowed easy viewing of our sister ship and the sea caves in the cliffs.













All eventually succumbed (my blanky).













And then a sunset to close the day.