Mon 3 Dec - Sun 9 Dec 2012 - Harare etc.

We have been having such a fun time we have neglected our blog! (Oh and the internet in Zim is poop!)

We arrived in Harare Monday evening and it was wonderful to be 'home'.  The next few days were spent catching up with mum and showing Chris around Harare. 

On Wednesday it was mum's maid Agnes 50th birthday so we took her out to lunch.  Chris, Agnes and I enjoyed a lovely fillet steak while mum dined out on chicken giblets!  (yuck).  Wednesday evening we went with mum to some friends for a bring and share Christmas dinner.  There were sixteen or so of us and everyone was so kind and welcoming. 

Shona, Agnes and Shirley

Thursday we ran the gauntlet of Harare city centre as mum had some official stuff to attend to.  We also had tea and scones at Meikles hotel which is still has a lovely old colonial feel to it.  The last time I was in Meikles hotel was for my school leavers dance in 1982!

Friday evening we went to the shopping centre nearby for the switching on of the Christmas lights and carol concert.  It was a lovely evening although heavy rain brought out all the umbrellas (just to make sure we didn't feel too homesick - although it was warm rain!)

 

Sam Levy's Village

Saturday we ventured out of town to Lake Chivero (formerly Lake MacIlwaine) so that Chris could see our old haunts.  En route we drove past our old house (No. 20) and school in Marlborough, both of which  had changed very little in 30 years! (Even the tree that I used to climb, outside the gate, is still there!!)

No. 20 Harare Drive (was Salisbury Drive)

I managed to get us lost trying to find the road to the lake (thought I would remember but someone had stolen all the road signs!!). After a long detour on terrible dirt roads we finally arrived at Admirals Cabin overlooking the lake.  We spent a lovely day walking around the bird gardens with over 320 species of birds.  They were all rescued a few years ago when Larvon Bird Gardens ran out of funds and flooded.  They were relocated to the Lake and the owners have done a wonderful job building aviaries for them all.  We had lunch under the trees in the tranquil gardens before heading back to town.

Fish Eagle

 

Saturday evening we went to see Mike's daughter Karen and her family for dinner al fresco - boerewors and beef steaks!  It was nice to catch up with them again and for Chris to meet more of the family!

Sunday we joined mum going to church and meeting all her friends afterwards at a bring and share tea.  It is amazing to see the assortment when everyone is asked to bring something.  A concept which would work so well in the UK and a great way to get together with friends without one person having to do all the hard work!

We had lunch in a nearby restaurant - t bone steak for me and HUGE prawns for Chris while mum had a lovely bowl of salad from the salad bar.  The restaurant  - The Butchers Kitchen - has a wonderful concept.  It is incorporated within a butchers shop and deli and you pick your meat or fish from the selection in the shop and they then cook and serve it to your table.

Sunday evening was spent packing our bags for our two day 'expedition' to Sable Lodge at Imire Game Park the following morning.

Sunday 2nd December 2012 - Dubai

Ryan spoilt us once again by taking us to a lovely restaurant for champagne and orange juice served with eggs benedict - the best I have ever tasted!

He then took us down to the old part of Dubai and showed us where the water taxis cross the creek to the souks and markets on the other side.  We had a quick look round but plan to return there on a later visit to Dubai as we were pushed for time.

After a quick change into our best bib and tucker we were whisked off for a magical evening.  Ryan had made a reservation at At-mosphere - the lounge on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa - the world's highest building.  On arrival Ryan's car was taken off by a valet to be parked while we were ushered through the Armani hotel to the dedicated lift for the lounge and restaurant.  A few seconds in the lift and the doors opened on the 123rd floor to the most amazing view.  We were seated at a table next to the floor to ceiling glass windows with an outlook over the skyscrapers of Dubai and out into the ocean beyond.  Below us was the worlds biggest musical fountains and from up there we had a brilliant view.  We were served fantastic cocktails and snacks while we looked down on the world below us. 

Burj Khalifa

 

In Atmosphere Bar

 

 

Later we descended down to the real world, (Helen and Aunty Judi would have had a problem - and not a fireman to be seen!!)  We then went for a walk around the lake and mall to a gorgeous Arabian restaurant where we lounged on sofas under a tent and had a wonderful meal under the stars.

 

 

A truly memorable end to a wonderful few days in Dubai - all thanks to Ryan.

Saturday 1st December 2012 - Dubai

An early start with Ryan's wake up call and we were off again into the desert for a morning of quad biking and motor biking in the dunes.  After getting kitted out we were off!  We had such a fantastic few hours, speeding up and down the dunes.  It was the third time I had been quad biking but the first time we were just left to ourselves to do our own thing, and of course having Ryan to show us the ropes made it ten times more fun.

Ryan and Chris whizzed past me while I was getting more and more confident.  We even managed to see a desert gazelle in the distance.  There is a track marked out by poles but you do not have to follow the track and can do your own thing.  All was going brilliantly until I got too confident and went off the track with Ryan following behind me on his trail bike. 

Chris 'looking cool'

 

 Me 'looking cooler'

 

Me and Ryan 'having fun' 

As I came to the top a huge dune I realised that there was a sheer drop on the other side and it was too late for me to stop.  As I went over the top I felt myself going head first over the bike and then sliding down the banking.  The next thing I knew the bike had followed me down the hill and run into me!  I lay there stunned for a while and could hear Ryans bike and then Chris's bike stopping.  All I could think of was that if I had seriously injured myself our travel insurance didn't cover quad biking!!  Ryan and Chris eventually hauled me up and although stunned and shaking I took Ryan's advice and got 'back on the horse'.  Chris looked at my back and said it was a bit red and grazed which explained the fact that I was a bit sore and after another half an hour or so we were all tired so called it a day.

We headed back to our hotel for a shower, some painkillers and to empty our pockets of sand.  Ryan went off to meet a friend and Chris and I went to a local restaurant for supper - huge prawns, houmous, kebab, salad - yum.

Just a small prawn for me thanks!!

We then joined Ryan and went to his friend Christines who was having a party.  Everyone was so friendly and welcoming so we had a lovely evening with  people from all over the world who are living and working in Dubai. 

We headed back to our hotel late that evening very tired after our busy day.  When I looked in the mirror I realised that the impact with the quad bike had been more serious than I had realised as I was in a lot of pain and on looking in the mirror realised that I now had an enormous bruise on my back and bottom which was by now turning black.  Thank goodness Aunty Judi had given me a stash of painkillers as for the next 4 days I needed to take them regularly and could only sleep on one side! 

'The Bruiser'

Poor me!!!! AAH.

Friday 30th November 2012 - Dubai

After a great comfy flight with emirates we landed early morning in Dubai to .... Rain! They get rain a few times a year and this was one of those days! Ryan was waiting for us at the airport and it is always great to see him with his cheeky smirk and bear hug! Out to the car park to get into the 4 x 4 he had hired for the day - turned out to be a tank. I felt like mum with her little legs trying to clamber up into it! We set off for a drive into the city with the most amazing views of the incredible architecture. One skyscraper after another and still so much building work going on everywhere.

Into the city.

A quick stop at Ryan's friends to collect tow rope and shovel and then we were off into the desert for a taste of what the locals do for fun! 4 x 4 dune bashing! As you leave the road to head into the desert you let most of the air out of the tyres to give the car more traction in the sand. Ryan was in his element driving up and down the sand dunes while Chris and I clung to the door handles! Unlike the last time he took me a few years ago at least he didn't manage to make me cry! What an amazing experience to be out in the desert just a few miles from one of the worlds newest cities. Stopping to admire the view and peace we were visited by a curious camel who was quite happy to just stand and keep us company while we stood and stroked him.

Ryan's new friend!

 

'Let me, let me!'

 

'Ooh hello!'

 

All was going great until we got back in the car and realised the front tyre was flat! Ha ha changing a tyre on desert sand is an interesting experience, especially in a hire car where just getting the jack and wheel out requires consulting the manual! Ryan and Chris did a great job while I made myself useful holding the manual, taking photos, and laughing.
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'Whoops!!'

Tyre changed we were off again and Ryan now had to regain his street cred! Taking a dune at speed and not knowing what was on the other side, we came to an abrupt stop. Ryan leapt out and we knew from his language that this was another lengthy stop - we were now bottomed out on the top of the dune. One rear wheel was not even touching the sand while another was deeply imbedded as was the bottom of the car. We all piled out and now we realised why the shovel was a crucial part of the day. Eventually we were dug out and off again. 
7

'Double whoops & poop!!'

  

Then we heard a now familiar thudding noise and realised that the spare wheel was now also flat - we had let too much air out of it, without another spare we had to limp slowly over to a nearby Bedouin camp where the men were all sitting around chatting. Ryan had to do the walk of shame, causing ugh hilarity in the camp. All twenty or so of them came piling over to see what the stupid tourists had done while trying to play in the desert! After a lengthy humiliation session and much hand shaking the wheel was now inflated enough for us to limp out of the desert. Ryan was keen to continue but chris and I had had enough excitement for one day and declined!

'Thanks guys!!'

We headed back into town and to check into our hotel.  The car valet took Ryan's car off to park it and we went for something to eat.  We had a lovely meal in a local Arabian restaurant. 

Shisha piping with Ryan...

By now we were all tired after our overnight flights so we decided to call it a night.  As we approached the hotel the cheerful car valet pointed to Ryan's car as the tyre had gone flat again.  The last we saw of Ryan that evening was him setting off in a taxi with a huge wheel in the boot to find a repair shop and someone to clean the desert out of his car!

All checked in and on our way! Hoorah!

Was that a 'final call' for the flight??

Nearly time to go

All aboard !!!

Three weeks and a day

Three weeks today we will be having our last sleep in our own bed.