Dubai

Our four days in Dubai started very slowly. Although it was my birthday, we had flown from Lisbon overnight. We didn't sleep very much so when we arrived in Dubai all we wanted to do was sleep. Unfortunately we didn’t have a room so we lazed around the pool and slept on the pool lounges.

For dinner we caught the metro to watch the water fountain show outside the Burj Khalifa. It was really spectacular, as was the Burj itself. Inside the mall there is a skating rink as well as an Aquarium - massive complex.

Ice Skating Rink

Aquarium

The next day we had a late start - we didn’t get out of bed until lunch time ! We went to the beach for a swim - it is over 35oC in Dubai which is cool for them. For us it was a bit hot so the beach was a lovely refreshing dip. No waves but heaps of shells and coral for the kids to collect.A refreshing dip in the complex pool and then off on a bus tour to see Dubai at night.

It was lovely to sit at the top of the double decker bus and enjoy the breeze. The city looks so stunning with all the lights, and architectural creations.

Atlantis - The Palm

On the way home we dropped into Mall of the Emirates to have a look around. They have the largest indoor snow skiing area in the world.

The next day we attempted to go to the Burj Khalifa - but it is booked out for days in advance. Unless you want to spend $120 each to go up - $600 was a bit expensive for the family to go! We have been in the tallest building in the world - just not 'up' the tallest building. We got to have a look around Dubai - so many changes since Peter & I were here in 2001.

That afternoon we were collected from our apartment for our heritage overnight safari and breakfast with a bedouin tour. Dubai is interesting - as soon as the city stops you are in the desert. We drove 40km outside the city to a wildlife conservation area. 

Oryx

The Mitchell kids ! Run.....

The dunes 

Nick in the dunes

    We got to watch a great falcon show - such an impressive killing machine. 

 

Nina & Addison

Sunset over the desert

   

We met some lovely people from French Guiana (South America) and Addison made a friend called Nina. She was 5 years old and speaks French - not English. As we know Addison is 6 and speaks English - not French. However they both managed to play together and had a wonderful time despite the language barrier. Nothing like hunting for bugs at night to bring together two kids !

Arabian lady dressed in hijab, abaya & niqab - henna painting

We all had a turn getting a henna tattoo, except Peter who had a turn at the sheisha pipe instead. We had a great traditional arabian dinner of rice, roast meat and grilled kebabs, and in the morning a not so traditional breakfast of pancakes! It was all delicious.

Cooking the traditional

In the morning we had a long talk with a local bedouin - finding out lots of interesting information about the old nomadic way of life.

This camp was permanent and had toilet facilities. We had a choice of sleeping in a traditional goat hair tent, or under the stars. We all chose to sleep out in the open so we could look for falling stars.

The Mitchell camp

Sunrise

Surprisingly the night temperature was a little cool and very damp - a nice change from 38oC in Dubai. Our covers were all wet in the morning - we had wet the bed (ha ha). 

The kids favourite activity for the camp was camel riding - they had at least 10 rides during the night and then the next day. 

We were glad to have done the overnight camp as in the morning the temperature quickly rose and became very uncomfortable.

When we got back to our motel it was the middle of our last day in Dubai. Peter & the kids went for a swim in the ocean while I packed our bags.

As a treat, and because we had saved money by not going up the Burj Khalifa and by not having afternoon tea in the Buj Al Arab, we went out for dinner at The Atlantis.

All you can eat buffet - but expensive and HUGE! It was so nice though. A great finish to a wonderful holiday. 

Portugal

We took a late night flight from Paris with Ryanair. Unknown to us when we booked it the airport is 2 hours outside of Paris. The shuttle bus cost half the price of our flight cost - I should have researched that better.

Our lovely german friend Jim collected us in a hire car and drove us to the villa at Quinta Do Lago Four season Fairways. It is a small part of the Algarve region of portugal - typical Mediterranean countryside.  Our villa is number 10 and has its own pool - although not heated. All the villas are white with coloured trims - ours is trimmed yellow (which Jordyn loves). The main reception building has a large outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, a spa plus a swedish sauna and a turkish steam room.

We spent our first day relaxing and enjoying the warmer weather - it was nice to go from 10oC to 25oC. We visited the local beach which is accessed by a wooden footbridge over the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. In summer the area is home to many migrating birds - but at this time of year there is just Mallard ducks, Water Hens and seagulls. Din't see any Flamingo's although they should have been around. Not great swimming weather - but the kids still managed to get 'a little wet' collecting shells!

On our second day we drove west along the coast to a town called Lagos where the beaches are at the bottom of the cliff. We had a little difficulty finding the beach we had been recommended (and we never did!) but had a lovely experience at a few others. The water was cool, but apparently not as cold as the pool at our villa.

Ana Beach - Largos

Paragliding - Lagos

Our third day was spent lazing around the Fairways pool - drinking sangria and reading. The kids spent all the time in the pool and only surfaced for food and drinks. Jordyn met a young girl called Ruby who is holidaying with her family just down the road from our villa. She is also 9 and lives in Wales.

Faro cathedral - 15th century

Our fourth day was wet and cool, so we went for a drive along the coast.

On our fifth day we drove to Faro after lunch to see the 13th century moorish walls of old Faro town. It was so picturesque - small winding streets with ancient cobblestone roads.

Follow the black brick road.....

Checking out how the locals live

Kids will be kids - even beside a moorish wall

NO!! No facebook......

The kids were fortunate - Faro was having their yearly Fair. So we stopped in for a few rides and a bite to eat.

Cotton Candy (Fairy Floss)

Our last day in Portugal and we flew from Faro to Lisbon. The weather was clear and sunny - a beautiful day to spend a few hours sightseeing the city. We caught a bus straight to the waterfront and started our uphill walk from the harbour. We just followed the tram line through the narrow cobblestone streets stopping every now and again to admire the uniqueness of the town.

Cherry liquor in chocolate cups - yum

Great place for lunch

 We stopped at this cafe (because the name indicated it would be good) for tapas and sandwiches. We walked to the walls of Castel S George but didn't have time for an inside tour (maybe another visit). On our way from the castle we managed to get lost in the winding back streets - we got to see some interesting sights.

Castle walls

Nice streets to get lost in

Beautiful day

Street Art

Disneyland

The long awaited day had arrived - we were off to Disneyland. However first - find the correct train!! We were getting good at this - didn't like paying $100 for the return train ticket though (in addition to the tickets). Oh well - it was Disneyland Paris after all.

Hollywood on holiday

Jack Sparrow & Jordyn

Eager to enter the park we were keen to get on all the rides - although we were distracted when we met some famous people along the way.

Wicked Queen from Snow White

Dr Facilier from the frog prince

Captain Hook

Goofy

Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty

Pluto

Minnie Mouse

We got to see the main parade and Jordyn got a lovely cuddle from Piglet and a high five from Tigger.

Peter tried to get himself a job at Luigi's, but they are a bit quiet at the moment and didn't need him.

We got to see both parks - Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. It was good to see both but it really would have been better to take two days, even at this quiet time of year.

The longest waiting for rides were on the rides for the smaller kids - Addison (and we) had to wait 20 minutes for the Dumbo Ride and then again 40 minutes for the Parachute ride.

Trying to be patient

The BEST ride ever (according to Nick & Jordyn)