Back to Australia for a Visit

LukeDubai will take a short hiatus over the next few days as the desert-dude escapes to Australia to catch up with family and friends. 

For those interested, there has been no more rain but the weather last night was delightfully cool (slipped under 30 degrees) with a breeze as we had cocktails on the beach at the Hilton.  Even during the day, it was a bit cooler (had got up to 43 this week).  Back to Melbourne to experience cool breezes, extensive visibility and gum-tree green.

Today It Rained!

Hard to believe but two months of hardly seeing a cloud, I woke today to the usual sunrise, turned on the computer, got down to checking emails, etc and about half an hour later, thought I heard thunder.  Looked outside and whoa - clouds!  And a little bit of rain to follow.  Did not last long and did not cool things down but an amazing change of weather.  A lot of raised dust occurred as the storm passed through.  The car washers would have been very happy!

       

East Coast Road Trip with the Boys

Today headed off to the East Coast on a road trip with Peter and David.  We headed off much later than I would have if I was going by myself but great to have the company on such a long trip.  Left Dubai at 7.30 am and first stop was Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba.  We got there around 9.15 am when it had already hit 37 degrees.  Walked around the farm for a while spotting a few birds but not too many.  The Hoopoes and an Isabelline Wheater were the highlights.

Back in the car to rehydrate and cool down as we drove into Dibba to look around and tick off another couple of Omani border posts before heading down the coast where we had lunch at the Sandy Beach Resort to escape the heat of the day.  David felt like he got second degree burns on his feet walking in sandals across the hot sand of the beach.

Off south towards Fujairah where we stopped at some ponds at Al Qurrayah to wander around for a while (only 39 – 40 degrees now).  Felt like we’d had enough birding so time to see some culture.  Visited the Fujeirah Fort which is being redeveloped and we could not get in so went off to Al Hayl fort – not that old at 150-200 years but very interesting.  Well preserved and amazing how the updrafts from the rifle holes of the fort managed to keep the inside relatively cool in the 43 degree heat.  Even though it was that hot, it was a very dry heat and a bit of wind so not that uncomfortable.  Little stairwells in the corners to go from one floor to the other of the forts and houses which were not that easy to navigate.  Fascinating place and well worth the journey.  Saw a skink, a dragon lizard and a couple of geckos which was nice to see some reptilian wildlife. 

    

And here are two shots of a few asses on the trip as well.

 

Final stop was at Khor Kalba south of Fujairah to spot the Collared Kingfisher of which there are only 50 pairs around.  Saw one and that was enough. Then headed to the beach where we were going to swim but with the fisherman pulling in the nets, there was a heap of dead baitfish around so not that pleasant.  The gulls and terns and Sanderlings were loving it though (and so was I).  David managed to bog the car in the sand and we needed a bit of help from a couple of passing policeman to help push it out (by hand).  By this stage, sun going down, gentle sea breeze and only a relatively pleasant 35 degrees but still managed a lather of sweat with trying to push the car out.

Only 90 minute drive home on the 116 through the mountains - and exactly that - through the mountains in tunnels!  A wonderful round trip.

A very pleasant Australian evening!

Last night, I headed off to a dinner party at a couple’s villa who we met through ANZA.  A wonderful night of great Australian company, delicious lamb shanks (probably Australian!), washed down with Australian red wine (Mt Langhi Ghiran from western Victoria).  There was even an Australian dog for me to play with - which Hanna enjoyed as well. 

 Unfortunately, in calling home today I found out that one of my own dogs has jumped the fence (again) during a thunderstorm today and lost her collar in the process.  Hopefully, she will be found by some good people which has happened in the past and they will check her microchip.  (Update:  Dog came home at 5 am - a bit bedraggled but safe - other dog very happy to have his friend back)

Today, I went off to Dubai Creeklands Park by the Dubai Creek for a little wander before it filled up with people and I was treated to a lovely pair of Golden Orioles.  The off to Mushrif National Park which was very hot and another hot wander around the pivot fields for half an hour.  Back home for a swim in the sea at sunset with Peter.

Tomorrow, the boys are off on a road trip to the East coast. 

Cars of a feather flock together

A while ago I was parking my car at one of the car parks in a nearby Mall - probably Mall of the Emirates from memory. 

 

I was intrigued that my car, Yuri the Yaris, was parked amongst the smaller less fuel-guzzling cars and in a nearby aisle was this row of square tanks.  Now bear in mind that the size of each car park space is the same.  A mathematical possibility for sure that this could occur but I think there is something more psychological going on.  Certainly as a small car driver I would prefer to park amongst my own kind than with these behemoths as I am less likely to see my car get scratched, scraped or squashed.   Particularly by those Yellow Hummers you can see in that photo!

Next time you go to a car park, see if this is random or if there is some flocking behaviour occurring!