Moving

Our time in Abu Dhabi is coming to a close after 3 1/2 years of living aboard.  What started out as 18 months ended up being more then we thought when we first got here, but I am glad we stayed as long as we did.  We have gotten to see some amazing things along the way and the girls got to attended two amazing schools and Paul had a wonderful job.  I also got to continue staying home which I love.  I never thought I would be sad about leaving here, but the UAE has become our home and the friends we have made will stay with us forever.

We are moving to Leesburg, VA.  Paul will be working at Leesburg airport and we plan to find a house close to his work and other amenities.  I am looking forward to having 4 seasons again and having our own home again, but our villa here is huge.  Somehow when we go back I am sure we will think the homes are small compared to what we are used to.  Leesburg and Loundoun County seem to be really great with lots of things to do that are rich in history and some small towns which we love.  You are close to bigger city life if you want to go and visit, but go back to a smaller community feel.  All within a close drive.  Washington DC is a hour away and I can't wait to take the girls to see the buildings there and the Cherry Blossoms.

We have already started looking online for housing at have found a realtor, but can't wait to see the area in person.  I hope we find something we all love.  It is great to be moving back to the USA can't wait to see family and friends when we get back.

End of Term 1

December seems to be flying bye and school is now out.  What are we going to do now?  Time to take in all we can before we start the next chapter of our life.


Year 1 didn't have a Winter concert this year, but they did have an art exhibition that you could walk the halls to see all the children's art work.  The art work focused on themselves and they did one for eyes and one of there face and I got to see two pieces Sydney made and walk around the school with her class.  I have to say they all did a wonderful job.


Heather school had a Winter concert so Paul and I went to see them sing and I am so proud of her.  She didn't really sing, but she did some motions to the songs and she didn't come running to Mommy or Daddy or cry during the concert.  Way to go Heather.

Spirit of the Union

The UAE is about to celebrate 41 years as a country on December 2.  As I look at what this country as done in such a short time I can only imagine what the country will be like in another 41 years from now.  This country seems so young compared to the USA.  I can't believe the USA was founded  236 years ago.

This picture below is a silhouette of the iconic image between the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates, lead by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Time to give Thanks

I can't believe it is November already a time to give thanks for what we have.  I am thankful for our family and friends, but most importantly I am thankful for a wonderful husband and two wonderful daughters.  God has blessed us with the chance to be parents and what a blessing it is.  I am thankful we have a home and we can provide for our family.  We have been blessed to experience living in another culture for 3 years now.  This adventure has opened my eyes to a culture that is different than our own.  I am grateful we have gotten to live here and to be able to show our children some amazing sites, but one thing for sure there is no place like home.  A place where some people only dream about.  After living abroad it gives you prospective to never take for grated our beliefs and our freedoms.  I hope everyone is grateful for what they have and always be thankful everyday of the year not just at Thanksgiving.

Al Ain Paradise Garden

This expansive park – the size of four football pitches – is home to approximately 10 million flowers, a 12 metre tall replica of the Eiffel Tower and it holds the Guinness World Record for the most hanging baskets, having 2,968 in total.


 http://forum.xcitefun.net/the-garden-city-al-ain-paradise-t63017.html
 http://visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.see/attractions/al.ain.paradise.garden.aspx

Murjan Splash Park

This entertaining children destination in Khalifa Park features no less than seven water-based attractions, all for children up to the age of 12. Its main feature - the ‘Water Play Structure’ - is a shallow pool with four small waterslides, a giant tipping bucket, a crawl tunnel, water guns, a water umbrella, small tipping buckets, a water wheel, and water showers.

Murjan also features a 257 metre long, 0.6 metre deep ‘lazy river’, ready for kids to float on. The more adventurous ones can try their hand at the ‘Water Balloon Wars’. The Lili Pad Hop features four trampolines with harnesses where children can jump and flip on. For kids off 11 years and under, the park offers the ‘Surf Wrangler’- an attraction inviting kids to try their balancing skills by riding a mechanical surfboard and the ‘Bumper Boat Lagoon’ - small steerable, battery-operated boats for kids to drive around and lightly bump into each other.  http://visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.see/attractions/more.attractions/murjan.splash.park.aspx

New Waterpark

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Opening End of 2012
Spread over 15 hectares, the waterpark will feature a thrilling range of 43 rides, slides and attractions. Four rides will be one-of-a-kind rides that have never been seen in a waterpark.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi's theme is based on a legend that represents local Emirati culture and heritage. Visitors will be able to enjoy attractions that follow the adventures of the waterpark's main character Dana – a young Emirati girl in search of a legendary pearl that brought prosperity to her village.
Building on the legend, the park will have a unique pearl diving attraction that showcases the role pearl diving played in the UAE’s rich history.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is developed by Aldar Properties and will be operated by Farah Leisure Parks Management LLC. 

Building on the legend, the park will have a unique pearl diving attraction that showcases the role pearl diving played in the UAE’s rich history.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is developed by Aldar Properties and will be operated by Farah Leisure Parks Management LLC.  http://abudhabiliving.net/page/yas-waterworld-abu-dhabi

3 Years in the Sand

I am just writing about our 3 year Anniversary because it just came to me that I never wrote anything about it.  It is hard to believe that we have been here for 3 years this past July.  I still remember like it was yesterday getting on a plane and moving clear across the world to what I thought would be nothing more than sand boy was I wrong.

I asked Sydney one day about moving back to the US and she said she doesn't want to live in the US she wants to stay here.  I guess she sees the US as a place she visits and not her actual home and she said she would miss her friends.  Oh when we do move it will be hard on her.  I am glad she has found friends in our home away from home and I have to say we all have adjusted well here.  I never thought I would call the Middle East home, but we have made it our home here.

Fog

October weather some call it haze, but I call it fog.  It has been really been foggy for two days now and it always brings in the cooler weather.  I am looking forward to being able to enjoy being outside and taking the girls to the play ground.  I am however glad it burns off otherwise we would have crazy traffic all day long.


The UAE woke up to a foggy morning on Wednesday with reduced visibility causing traffic snarls, accidents and flight delays in various emirates. — KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd.

… The UAE woke up to a foggy morning on Wednesday with reduced visibility causing traffic snarls, accidents and flight delays in various emirates. — KT photo by JuidiBernarrd

White Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros born at Al Ain Zoo

Anna Zacharias

Mar 14, 2012 

       

 

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AL AIN // Al Ain Zoo is seeking the public’s help in finding a name for their new baby rhinoceros.

The southern white rhino calf, born on February 19, loves mud baths and shaking his budding horn.
It is the first birth for his eight-year-old mother and nine-year-old father.  His parents are unnamed, semi-wild rhinos who were moved to Al Ain in November 2007 from South Africa, the home of most white rhinos. The calf sleeps indoors with his mother and a heater to help keep him warm since the temperature has been low in recent weeks. “In the morning when he comes out of his room he is very playful,” said Dr Arshad Toosy, the zoo’s manager of veterinary operations. “He is doing all the normal things that rhinos do. He has a mud bath every day. He loves playing in the mud and the water.”  Despite the calf’s penchant for muck, he is known for his cleanliness – he urinates in one spot and covers his mess, a habit shared by cats. “He was doing it from the first day,” said Dr Toosy with pride. At times, the calf nibbles treats straight from Dr Toosy’s hands. On other occasions he shows “the normal aggressive behaviour” of rhinos and butts the air.  But overall, the calf is a mummy’s boy and has yet to be weighed because it will not stray from the mother’s side. “We still cannot separate him – she will not let him go beyond a few metres. He’s always next to her,” Dr Toosy said. The rhino weighed between 40 and 50 kilograms at birth, which is considered a healthy weight, and is gaining about 5kg a day. As a newborn he was fed every 30 minutes but he is now fed every hour. “They grow fast so they can protect themselves and stay away from predators,” Dr Toosy said. “He has put on about 50 per cent of his weight. He’s a mini rhino, he’s not a newborn anymore.” The rhino’s horn will start to appear when he is five or six months and will be fully developed when the animal reaches maturity at age seven or eight.  The calf and his mother are being attended by two carers.  Al Ain Zoo has two groups of rhinos – one male and one female, and one male and two females. The calf will soon join its father and “aunt”. “We are doing some soft introduction so they can see each other, they can sniff each other,” Dr Toosy said. At that point, the public will be able to meet the calf.  The zoo will offer more information about how people can suggest names soon.

azacharias@thenational.ae

Hippos

Rare hippos set to draw visitors to Al Ain Zoo

    

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A special exhibit is set to draw visitors to Al Ain Zoo during the Eid holidays - rare hippopotamuses.

• From the first day of Eid Al Fitr, five hippos can be seen in an outdoor setting, including greenery and a water pool, similar to the species' natural environment.

Shaded areas and water showers will reduce the effect of the summer heat, while trees and shrubs will provide additional shade without obstructing the clear view of the animals and their setting.
"We are pleased to offer a new exciting experience for our visitors. Hippos have been part of our animal collection for many years, but have not been on display for the public," said Muna Al Dhaheri, acting director of life science and education at the zoo.
"Now, with the new exhibit being launched, visitors will be able to watch this extraordinary species enjoying their new home."
Wild hippos are naturally found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species because of a significant decline in their population over the past three decades.
Primary threats to hippos include illegal and unregulated hunting for meat and ivory from their teeth, and habitat loss. It is estimated that there are only between 125,000 and 148,000 hippos remaining.
The hippo exhibit will be between the Mixed African display and the giraffe feeding area opposite the Arabian wolf exhibit at the zoo.
Al Ain Zoo will be open during the Eid Al Fitr holiday from 10am to 10pm. After the holiday, the zoo will be open from 4pm to 10pm.
mismail@thenational.ae

The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is a record-setting choreographed fountain system set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, at the center of the Downtown Dubai development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was designed by WET Design, the California-based company responsible for the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, it is 275 m (902 ft) long and shoots water 240 feet into the air accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.^[1] It was built at a cost of AED 800 million (USD 218 million).

The Dubai Fountain in the United Arab Emirates (2009) is currently the largest and tallest musical fountain in the world.

Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah

The newly named Al Majaz Waterfront is located between Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and Khalid Lagoon Corniche, a vital residential and commercial district and an important part of the city.

The popular park, which lies next to Buhaira Corniche, has been undergoing Dh100 million renovation work since July 2010.  The amenities include restaurants, cafes, open and covered children's play areas, entertainment and cultural areas, the Sharjah Fountain, a waterfront mosque, jogging and bike tracks, a sculpture park, children's art area, mini golf course, splash park and 1,000 parking spaces.  Sharjah's musical fountain is the Waterfront's star attraction with the ability to shoot water up to 100 metres high and 220 metres wide, and which is also equipped with sound, light and laser techniques.

"The 4,700 square metre food court, situated on the banks of the lagoon opposite the dancing fountain, will house outlets and restaurants.  By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter

Eurasian collared dove

	A eurasian collared dove is at home in a nest made on a cloth stand in the balcony of a flat at Discovery Gardens. - KT photo by Rahul Gajjar

Heather's new phrase

I can't believe Heather's new phrase today was "Mommy where are you"? You can't be talking like this already. You are only 20 months old.

Resale bargin from one villa to another

One of the best things about people moving here is they sale so much stuff before they move. Yesterday I got some plants from a neighbor since mine died over the summer and I didn't have to go far it was down the street from our villa. The front of our villa looks better already and I didn't have to go to the port to get them.  I got one bougainvillaea pink and white with a trellis in a clay pot, two clay pots one round and one square of Moss Rose and one free since it was seedlings from another plant called the Geiger Tree and it will have orange flower's I hope.   All for $40.84.  

Nursery for Heather

Heather started nursery last week and she would cry at first, but I hear she is doing really well.  She will be going three days a week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I hope she makes a lot of new friends and enjoys being in nursery.  It is hard to believe she is old enough for nursery, but I hope with her starting earlier she will break her separation anxiety.  Heather comes home with purple fingers today because she was finger painting and I can't wait to see her art work.

Currency

Abu Dhabi currency is in fact known as the United Arab Emirates Dirham. (AED) There are 100 fils in one Dirham. The UAE Dirham is closely linked to the US Dollar.

There are Dirham notes in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. Coins can be found in the following denominations: 1 AED, 50 fils, 25 fils, 10 fils and 5 fils.

Back to school 2012

Sydney started school today and her bus went from a baby van to a big bus.  The bus monitor said they have 15 or 16 kids this year on the bus, wow.  I can't wait to see how her first day went.  I am said to say that Mrs. Thomas is no longer her teacher.  She resigned, but she has Mrs. Duffield until Sunday and she is over Head of Student Support Services.  Sydney's new teacher will start on Sunday her name is Carmel Lundy and Paul just loves her first name. :)  She has 27 years of teaching experience and I hope is she good as she sounds.  Since Sydney loves the bus so much she is riding to school and home from school.  I am sad I am not picking her up, but it will allow Heather to sleep better during nap time.

Summer 2012

Our summer vacation to the US began on July 1 and ends on Aug. 16.  I packed up the girls and myself and headed to the wonderful state of West Virginia to spend a month with my parents.  While we were there we spent time with family and friends and even manged to go camping with the girls.  The highlight was fishing, roosting marshmallows and feeding the swans.  While I was there Heather fractured her arm and had to wear an ace bandage for two weeks.  Poor baby!

After a month Paul came over so we could spend time with his family on Aug. 2.  While we were in Texas we spent time with family and watched the girls play.  We even headed to Aunt Kathy's and Uncle Jimmy's house The Resort.  We also went to the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and got to see a couple of birds and two butterfly's, but I think we would have seen more if it wasn't so hot.

We left the US on Aug. 16 my grandma's birthday and we flow to Frankfurt, Germany where we planed on visiting the Römerberg old town Frankfurt.  We are only staying a day and a half and we hope to see some friends from Abu Dhabi.  Shavon and her family came up for the afternoon for a visit and we got to walk around the streets of Germany around our hotel and saw some amazing sights.  We even got to eat some Bratwurst aka Sausage.

I have enjoyed being home, but I am ready to go back and have Sydney start school and hope to have Heather start nursery in September as well.  Time goes by so fast that I can't believe Heather will be 20 months old in September.  I hope they both have a wonderful school year.

Sydney's Portfolio

Portfolio day is my favorite day at BISAD.  It is where you get to see your child's work from the whole year and they take pictures of your child and they put art work and other wonder things they have done throughout the year.  We received one last year and I have to say it was wonderful and I plan to treasure it always.  Our little girl has grown so much this year and I can't wait to see how she grows next year in Key Stage 1 which is year 1.  Sydney is in the school newsletter again and this time she gets to share a photo with the school Principal Mrs. Wallace which is shown above.

Big Girl Potty

I am excited to share that Heather has been sitting on her big girl potty when I go to the bathroom to, but so far she has had her clothes on, but she is enjoying seating on there with Mommy, but I plan on waiting until we come back from the US to start potty training, but for now she enjoys seating there.  I hope she will be easier to potty train than Sydney was.

Mommy

I am excited to share that a couple of days ago Heather said Mommy for the first time.  I am over whelmed with excitement that she said this at 17 months old.  I treasure this little moments in her life.

Graceful Prinia Warbler

The Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis, is a small warbler (in some older works it is referred to as Graceful Warbler). This prinia is a resident breeder in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, from Egypt and Somalia east to Pakistan and North India, where it is sometimes called Streaked Wren-Warbler.^[2]This active passerine bird is typically found in shrub or tall grass in a variety of habitats with thick undergrowth, tamarisks or similar cover. Graceful Prinia builds its nest in a bush or grass and lays 3-5 eggs.  These 10-11 cm long warblers have short rounded wings, and a long tapering tail with each feather tipped with black and white. In breeding plumage, adults are grey-brown above, with dark streaking. The underparts are whitish with buff flanks, and the bill is short and black.  The sexes are similar. In winter, adults are brighter sandy brown above with weaker streaking, there is more buff on the sides, and the bill is paler.  There are 12 subspecies, of which P. g. akyildizi, of southern Turkey is the darkest, brownest, and most heavily streaked above, and has the brightest buff flanks.  The long tail is often cocked, and the flight of this species is weak. Like most warblers, Graceful Prinia is insectivorous. The call is a rolling trilled breep, and the song is a hard rolling repletion of zerlip.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  

Ghaf tree-The Umbrella Tree

I learned something new today that the UAE has a National tree called the Ghaf tree, but I am surprised that it is not the Date Palm.   It is sad to here that the tree is endangered and the WWF has partnered with the UAE to help bring awareness to the problem of  it being cut down and eaten by camels and other wild animals.

Ghaf – The Umbrella Tree
Family – Fabaceae
Species – Prosopis cineraria

These are ever green trees. It has a valuable part in the UAE heritage and culture. It is found in desert regions of the Middle east and Asia. It can be seen in all emirates and is common in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. It is the ancient native tree of the Arabian Peninsula and it is designated as UAE national tree.

It provides shelter and shade for man and animals especially in summer days. It has a good medicinal value and well known to cure most diseases. So the Ghaf trees are most lovable and respectable to the people.

Ghaf trees are very important in the desert ecosystem .
1.The desert animal camel can eat the fruits and leaves of this tree.
2. Bees can collect nectar from the ghaf flowers.
3.Some small animals making burrows between the roots.
4.Desert birds can make nest in this tree
5. Desert animals getting shade and shelter under the tree inorder to survive from the hot summer days.

Umbrella Tree:- Ghaf tree is popularly known as “Umbrella Tree or The Tree of the Dunes".As a sapling it is known as “ haddeb” “nashwa “ as a young tree. Many have shown their love by naming their children after the tree name such as Ghafa,Ghafan,Ghuafa etc.

Peculiarities of the Ghaf Tree
It can survive in desert climate and ability to withstand prolonged drought and high salinity. So it can live hundreds of years with little water. The growth of the tree is very slow due to its habitat and lack of water and nutrition in its surroundings. It can grow approximately 1.5 m in five years.
The fruits, flowers, leaves are rich in protein. Its Wood is an important soure of timber. It releases more carbondioxie at night than any other tree. It has a very strong root system which can penetrate as deep as 30 metres.When they became damaged or die root nodules release nitrogen in to the soil.

Campaigns: - Numerous campaigns have been introduced for giving awareness about this tree to protect from endangering and preserve the tree. Various laws are implemented to protect the gifted tree of the desert.

It is really something that the tree can survive on little water and do so much for us and for animals and one would ask themselves why is in endangered?  That is why we need to raise awareness and stop the cutting down of this tree and save the animals and ourselves.  So take the time to read about this tree and most importantly if you can donate to help save the Ghaf tree.

 http://npqueen.hubpages.com/hub/Ghaf-The-Umbrella-Tree

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/project/projects/index.cfm?uProjectID=AE0013&source=ge

 

 
Graceful Prinia warbler perched on a Ghaf tree in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

 

Paul's birthday

I am finally posting about Paul's birthday back in April.  I booked him a once in a life time chance to scuba dive with a dolphin and we went to Aquaventure at Atlantis the palm.  I think it will go down as a birthday he will never forget.  I also booked a sitter and we got to have lunch just the two of us which is special since we have little ones.  He also got a few ps 3 games and some shirts.  Not to bad if you ask me.

Spoon

Tonight at dinner Heather feed herself with a spoon. She also continues to climb and climb on almost everything, I think I need to find a baby gate for the upstairs asap. Praying she doesn't figure out how to climb out of the baby bed anytime soon.

Spring Break

Spring is just around the corner and we will be going to the US from March 20-April 10. Sydney is on Spring Break for two weeks, but we are taking an extra week to be with family for Easter. For a totally of three weeks in the US. I can't believe it when we come back home we will be in the summer term of school only 2 and 1/2 months left. This year has gone by so fast.

March 20-24 Lake Jackson, TX

March 24-28 Key West, FL

March 28-April 1 Key Largo, FL

April 1-10 Scott Depot, WV

Push Toy and Teeth

Heather has moved onto the push toys....From the fire truck to the baby stroller and the bug push toy. I miss seeing her in the walker, but she does use it off and on. I keep asking myself why does she grow up so fast.

Today's big accomplishment I had the double stroller down and on the one side it has the handles at reach Heather was able to walk and push it at the same time, wow....

I counted today Heather has 6 teeth now and all she wants to do is feed herself and she is wanting to cut out the baby food. Oh boy, just in time to go to the US what are we going to do on the plane now that she is walking and eating regular food.

Walking Continued

Heather is walking more now and it seems she went from crawling to cruising to walking in a matter of days. It seems all she wants to do now is walk. I love seeing her walk and then she crawls. I was hoping she would hold off to walk before we went to the US, but now we can get her some shoes. It is funny to see how things work out. All of this by March 18. It seems like she just turned 14 months old. I have to say I miss the baby days, but the toddler years have just started and one can only imagine what she will do next.

Walking

Heather is walking some now at 14 months old. She takes about 7 steps, but then decides to crawl, put a couple of days ago I saw her stand up in the middle of the floor and start walking. It is something to see, but then another day I was looking down and then I looked up she was walking. I couldn't believe it. I still keep looking for her on the ground somewhere, but soon she will be walking full time. I wish she didn't have to grow up so fast.

Mini Break

We went to Sir Bani Yas Island on Sydney's mini break from school. We spent our time taking in some activities that included a safari, mastery and a bicycle ride. The late president of the UAE started a Arabian Wildlife Park on the island that is home to all kinds of animals. We got to see some Giraffes, peacocks, Arabian Gazelle and Hyena. The Mastery was dated back to 600 AD. They found glassware and pots that they plan to put in a museum. Monks must have been short back then because the areas weren't vary big. It is kind of neat that we got to see the Mastery since we saw one in Jordan as well. You have to take a ferry to the island and then ride a bus to the hotel. They try to keep cars coming to a few SUV to sight see and golf carts since some of the animals walk around freely on the island. It was really peaceful there. I can see why the late president loved it there. We also got to see flamingo's. I also took the girls to a kids play area and they enjoyed playing with the toys inside and playing on the playground outside. Then, we walked on the beach and picked up some sea shells. I even found some coral. A rock that is dried out now, but it is really cool to say the least. They also plan on scuba diving there soon and it is are hope that we can do that before we move. I know Paul loves to scuba dive.

Sydney's 5th Birthday

I can't believe it is March, but I need to do a posting on Sydney's birthday. I am not sure where February went, but on February 8 our little girl turned 5 yes that's right 5. I can't believe it. It seems like it was yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. She has grown so much this year with attending a great school and making some wonderful friends along the way. We had two small parties for Sydney this year. Dad came home early from work and we had our neighbors come over for some cupcakes and playtime and then we headed out to dinner and I invited Sydney's best friend from school to come to dinner with us. It was totally a surprise to Sydney because I wasn't even sure they were even coming, but they did and you should have seen the look on Sydney's face when I said Manel was here. We also had the employee's of the restaurant sing happy birthday and they brought out a cake. I think she had a special day with friends coming over to celebrate her birthday and going out to eat with her best friend. I think two small parties was better then one big party. I hope she had a wonderful time.

Tupperware

Heather got into my cabinet today full of tupperware. I can't get over how fast she is growing. Look out world we are exploring at 13 months old.

School newsletter

Sydney is in the newsletter at BISAD. They had a concert on Valentine's day. Sydney is the third child on the left side of the photo right up front. I have to say we are proud of our little girl.

Penguins

Meet the Ski Dubai penguins!

Someone told me a few weeks ago that you’re statistically 10 per cent happier after coming into contact with a real life penguin. Whilst I can’t verify this fact, I can verify that after meeting the new additions to the Snow Park in Ski Dubai, I am a lot happier. More than 10 per cent in fact.

February sees the beginning of a new era for the six year old ski park. It’s now home to a colony of Gentoo and King Snow penguins. More commonly found at the South Pole, these 20 flip floppers were raised by humans at SeaWorld in the USA as part of a multi-generational breeding programme. Ski Dubai is the first place in the Middle East to partner in such an endeavour and provide a home to the iconic birds.

In a cave type setting at -3 degrees, visitors can experience the Peng-Friend encounter. Part of me was terrified these little cuties would be overawed by the snow facility and stuck in a pen at the side of a ski lift, so I was heartily relieved to see that, actually, the penguins are as happy to see us as we are to see them.

With 13 trainers who all have over 50 years’ worth of experience in looking after the birds (that’s nearly one for every penguin), visitors get to interact with the two types of penguins, playing with them, stroking them and yes taking the obligatory photos with them.

The King Snow penguins are the larger type of bird, coming up to around knee high, with broad white bellies and a mischievous look in their eye. Happy Feet might have tried to persuade us that penguins like to dance and sing, but they definitely like to play! The trainers use balls and bubbles to stimulate the birds who love nothing more than to chase things around and they love being stroked. Much like dolphins, they pick up on humans’ emotions and having been raised by humans they’re completely open to being petted. In fact they’re quite keen on a hug!

The smaller Gentoo penguins sit at about half the size of the King Snow birds but have just as much character – they’re also very keen to make new friends and seem completely in their element in amongst new people.

Visitors also have the chance to learn all about these wonderful animals as the trainers explain their environment and the challenges they face in the real world. Teaching guests about environmental awareness is a key objective for Ski Dubai.

“This programme is all about love, love for the environment, love for the penguins and we’re fortunate enough to be able to create this environment for the birds, show them to the public and show them how wonderful they are,” says Tom Shephard, Operations Director at Ski Dubai.

Six penguins at a time will be made available for encounters and seven times a day there will be a ‘March of the Penguins’ through the Snow Park so that Ski Dubai guests and Mall of the Emirates’ visitors can catch a glimpse of the waddling wonders for free. But rest assured, says Tom, the birds aren’t forced to do anything they don’t want to do.

“The birds’ home exceeds all international standards, so that we can offer the birds the most relaxing home. We want them to be happy, so they fall in love and start to lay eggs.”

Ski Dubai is hoping that in time these birds will give birth to the first generation of penguins born in Dubai. But for now, Mona Lisa, Jumeirah, Pebbles and the other penguins are quite happy to make some new friends, starting with you.

To book a Peng-Friend encounter, call (+971) 4 409 4090 or for more info go to www.skidubaipenguins.com

Gulf Antiques

	A collection of traditional items and antiques displayed at Gulf Antiques in Souq Al Arsah in Sharjah. - KT photo by M. Sajjad

Tiger Woods

Tiger set for season debut in United Arab Emirates

Woods will play first 2012 PGA Tour event alongside Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo By Mark Soltau / TigerWoods.com

AP Tiger and Tony Romo also played together in the 2009 Pro-Am at the AT&T National.

Tiger Woods will make his 2012 season debut next week in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

It marks his first appearance in the European Tour event.

"I'm very excited to get going," said Woods. "HSBC has been a great supporter of my foundation, and I'm looking forward to testing my game against a very strong field."

Woods has been working hard with swing coach Sean Foley and is hoping late-year momentum generated by his victory at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., will carry over. He birdied the last two holes on Sunday to edge Zach Johnson by one stroke for his first win in more than two years.

"It's hard to believe it was that long," Woods said. "It was a nice way to end the season and hopefully I'll win a few more in 2012."

The 36-year-old Woods will make his first PGA Tour start Feb. 9-12 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the spectacular Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. He will partner with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in the pro-am portion of the tournament.

"Tony is a great guy and a good player," said Woods. "We played together at my AT&T National event and really enjoyed ourselves. I'm looking forward to teeing it up with him again."

Freezing in the sand

I can't believe it is cold in the sand today. 63 F and I am freezing, but it is a far cry from 120 F. The wind is blowing and we have gray skies, I wonder if it will rain? Not likely.....

Heather's first birthday

Our little girl is 1. What a milestone that is....She got to try her first cupcake for her birthday. I think she liked it. She wasn't sure what to do with it. It doesn't seem like she should be 1. The time has gone by really fast. Heather is still pulling to stand up, but she hasn't took any steps on her own yet. I saw today she was standing beside Sydney in the playpen and she let go of Sydney and she was standing there with no hands and she fell on her butt. Poor Thing. She is starting to let Sydney know she wants something if she has her toy, she starts crying. She seems to be eating me out of house and home, but I pray she shows some weight gain when I take her for her 1 year check up. We had a birthday party at our Community Center and we had a few friends come. We had a great time and she got some really cool gifts. I am still wondering when she will take her first steps on her own?