Smoothie on safari

When people say there is nothing on the desert I automatically contradict just to state the obvious: there is plenty of sand on the desert. For some the variety of things to see is essential to be satisfied but for others, which is mainly just me, the lesser, the better. Having said that, I found myself mesmerised by the simplicity of the desert and the power of nature you can feel while being there. The only drawback of the whole trip was that I felt terribly sick at some point which was due to the fact that the night before I had a long haul flight back to Dubai from Australia and did not get any sleep neither during the flight nor later during the day. Plus, jumping up and down the dunes might contribute slightly to upsetting my stomach. My body reaction was obvious: the immune system got crazy, I was sweating and shaking all over. Not to disclose any further, intimidating details let's concentrate on the trip itself. Everything went actually according to the plan - no frauds, no disappointments, which is usually the major concern while on safari: the pick up on time, handsome and/but too confident dune driver, the belly dancing, the food and the henna... Expectations met. That was quite an experience, I have to say, definitely worth my while and the one not to forget!

Talk to me

Today would be more talking. So unless you don't mind listening to my constant chattering you'd better leave now or remain silent forever or at least till the end of the discourse. Sitting on a pile of the softest pillows ever in my cozy room in on of the Aucklands' best hotels I've decided to share with you what I've experienced this week while in Paris. The city, being just another European city, just with more beautiful everything, proved to be surprisingly normal yet with a touch of astonishment around each corner. Firstly, why are the French so strange, especially the people working in the service, I really cannot tell. Secondly, I'd found myself understanding French, which came as a complimentary surprise treat since I haven't been learning much French at school. Thirdly, (should I go on with the numeration?) nowhere else is the rain and the wind and the cold so romantic as it certainly is in Paris. The most unexpected thing was, however, the surplus of time I've spent in a taxi. Let's just say, always confirm with chauffeur de taxi that they know exactly where do you want to go. Though, the views of the city at that gloomy, wet night were indeed unforgettable. Even if you're not in love, you'll be in love in Paris, be it with the city, the music playing in your head (or is it only me?), or yourself. 

Keeping on

Although I've been living in Dubai for quite a while now I'm still exploring new places, which actually comes with ease since Dubai is changing so quickly that you should be updating your GPS every week here. Thus, before my departure to Australia and New Zealand, in the premium company of my dearest ones I've visited one of the loveliest spots I had a good fortune to see so far, i. e. Jumeirah Madinat. This place consists of various restaurants, alleys, and shops all of which are well known under the familiar name of the souk. But if you're thinking Deira Souk you might be surprised as this souk is lot nicer a place, though it might get a little bit posh every now and then. So, if you would like to go and explore some old corner of Dubai with the utmost vintage, almost dilapidated ships and tons of mysterious cargo by the creek, you should see the Dubai Creek and Deira souks. However, if you're planning on purchasing sophisticated delicatessen and textiles, you'd better opt for Souk Madinat which is a souk indeed, but with very nice toilets, if you know what I mean. Honestly, I've spend a magical evening in this place, one that I think I'll remember for what seems like a very long time. 

Plans

My very first in life and last, as for this month, night in Hong Kong I've spent on murmuring the amiable lyrics of Milky Chance - "Stolen Dance" till the early morning hours. I have naturally made very specific plans regarding what to dos where paying a visit to the Big Buddha was, given my affection to religions of the Far East, a priority. Despite my eagerness and usually unrestrained motivation to do whatever and wherever, I woke up later than I should have done to complete the agenda. Although it was almost afternoon in Hong Kong, my body clock was strongly suggesting an anti-jet lag rest. Given the circumstances and my inability to sleep during the day, the plans had to be changed drastically into the most predictable thing which is sightseeing and, of course, shopping. Off I went, to the nearby park and a drugstore. The outcome: the humidity made my hair flat, but my bag has been volumed up with some very early holiday gifts for relatives. In the park I also spotted a few Tai Chi enthusiasts practicing just like that - in the middle of the alley, as you can see from the photographs. Afterwards, I sat down in a café which was nearby - not to bother myself too much with walking, to have yet another soya latte and scrutinise the streets of Hong Kong. To my surprise, I suddenly felt the Christmassy atmosphere accompanied with some jingles playing softly in the background. This moment of personal enlightment was suspended by a ferry driver waving at me (how he's noticed me among other coffee lovers sitting in a row by the window - I have no idea), so that I could come into realisation, again within these few seconds, that the vehicles were driving on the left side of the road. 

This day came out totally different than it was supposed to be, but hey, I truly believe that things happen for a reason even when you cannot see any sense or pattern in what's happening around. Perhaps sometimes there is nothing wrong in simply absorbing the vibe of the city spontaneously or even randomly choosing activities rather than visiting top ten tourist attractions. Though I hope I'll go to the Big Buddha sometime soon. As for now, I have my inner Buddha...

Random

Strange things are happening lately. On a daily basis I find myself scattered on different continents but under the same hospital white, hotel duvets. Best things seem to happen exactly when you don't have the slightest idea about them coming. Who would have known that Singapore would be such a friendly metropolis with beautiful Sentosa Island in the pocket? Who would have anticipated the heat and the moisture which is even more intense than in Dubai? The thing is, you see, that even if you see this weather forecast you actually don't have any idea what's it like until you see it yourself. And it's not about the weather anymore... Random places, random people - this is perhaps to become mundane at certain point. All I know is that I am here for a reason, I think. And there is this pulsating inquiry: who am I? In the end, entangled in this serpentine of movements, travelling, swirling life events and a patchwork of nationalities you have to get to know yourself better, right?

While in Melbourne

And we fall through empty corridors

And we talk in useless metaphors

Yeah we fall through empty corridors

And we talk in useless metaphors

And we fall through empty corridors

And we talk in useless metaphors

Only cause we're lonely

Ben Howard "Empty corridors"

November skies

Switching between the earth and the sky on a daily basis and jumping through the time zones like a monkey I totally forgot to update you guys about my November destinations. Although my watch is ticking Dubai time, my biological clock is a bit messy these days. Well, what to do... Coming back to the destinations that await me this month there is Singapore-Melbourne, which I am currently in the middle of, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris, Brisbane-Auckland, and Paris once more. I cannot guarantee that the order is reflected accordingly to the actual schedule nor that the posts will be revealed in exactly the same pattern. All I know is that I am extremely excited about the new places I have the opportunity to visit this month as well as the fact that very soon somebody is coming to pay me a visit in Dubai, which I am really, truly thankful for...

Uncontaminated

So this time I had the good fortune of visiting beautiful city of Singapore. Among litres of coconut water and impeccably clean pavements I strolled. As for the weather, Dubai heat is nothing in comparison to Singapore as the humidity levels are so much higher in Malaysia! After spending a day full of leisure activities in off we went, my and my colleagues, to Melbourne. With a little bit of jet lag, I'm actually back to Singapore now with one more day ahead. There are certain plans to be put in action but enough talking. Just wait for the outcome. Having very little sleep to catch up on and an aching tonsil I have to excuse myself as I'd like to leave you with this phrase I've randomly came into yesterday in Australia: "The world has need of you, - and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection and uncontaminated lives."