DANY & BEA

2009-03-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

And here we are, just the 2 of us. Because the blog is named after us after all!! It shouldn't just be about Maymay :))

Et nous voila que nous 2, le blog est nomme apres nous apres tout, ce n est pas que pour May. :))

2009-03-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

May was like a movie star in the resort. Everyone wanted to hold her and play with her. Her she is ready to go for dinner, and walking near the restaurant.

May a bien fait sa star a l hotel Tout le monde la connaissait et voulait jouer avec elle. La voila qui se degourdit les jambes, et prete pour aller dinner.

2009-03-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Jour important hier pour liverpool. Apres avoir gagne contre Real Madrid de 4 buts a zero, ils ont humilies Manchester united, a Manchester 4-1!! Voila la preuve en photo.

Amazing day yesterday for Liverpool. After winning 4 nil against real Madrid, they humiliated Man U in manchester by winning 4-1. Here is a pic to prove it!!

2009-03-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here is May in the famous pool. A real little fish. She is already trying to bodysurf!!

Voila May dans la fameuse piscine, un vrai petit poisson. Elle essaie deja le bodysurf!!

2009-03-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

Apres 5 jours de repos total, il etait temps de rentrer vers panama city, mais juste

pour une nuit. Apres c'est week end a la plage avec Christof, dans l hotel qui a la 2eme plus grande piscine au monde. Retour en bateau donc, le pire de notre vie, vaques enormes, vitesse de dingue, bref on etait content d arriver a panama city vivant!!

After 5 days of pure relaxation it was time to get back to panama city, but for 1 night only. as were then off to the beach again with christof, in the hotel with the second biggest pool in the world. the boat ride back was the worse we have ever had. Enormous waves and crazy speed, we were glad to get to shore!!

2009-03-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

When we got tired of the beach, we went to the pool instead. May loves water, and chilling with her daddy.

Apres la plage c etait piscine, programme charge!! :)

May adore l eau et se reposer tranquille avec son daddy.

2009-03-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

The hotel's owner let May use their kid's push bike. She was

so happy.

Les proprios de l hotel nous on prete le velo de leur gosse pour May. Elle etait super contente!!

2009-03-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

The island was really tiny so no taxis. The only way around the island was a golfcart. A lot of fun.

L ile etait tres petite donc pas de taxi ou de moyen de locomotion apart la voiture de golf. On s est bien marre, surtout May.

2009-03-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

2009-03-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

May loves the beach and more importantly water which I am very happy about!! She spent the week playing in the sand with us.

2009-03-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

Finally we found what we were looking for. Just beautiful, picture perfect. 5 days of absolutely nothing to do exept relax and swim.

Enfin, on a trouve ce que l on cherchait. Superbe!! Au programme farniente pendant 5 jours!!

2009-03-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

The day after the birthday we left very early to catch our 7 am boat to the Contadora Island, hoping to find the beautifull beaches and weather we were longing for. May slept all the way through the 1 hour ride. Here is a view of panama from the boat.

le lendemain de l anniversaire, on s est leve tres top pour prendre notre bateau de 7 heure du mat, direction Isla Contadora, en esperant y trouver des plages magnifiques et le soleil.

2009-03-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

We were kindly invited along with Christof's collegue 1 year old birthday party. May loved it, it was a really big big party with inflatable castle, pinata, clown...

On a gentillement ete invite a la fete d anniversaire des 1 ans de la fille d un collegue de christof. Une grosse fete avec clowns, chateau gonflable, pinata... May a adore!!

2009-03-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

On part demain ou après demain a la recherche d’iles ensolleillees. Direction islas de leas perlas dans le pacifique. Plages paradisiaques, tentative numero 2!

We are off tomorrow in search of sunny islands. Pearl islands here we come!!

2009-03-07T08:05:00.001-08:00

On a fait les touristes dans l aprem, et on est alle voir le canal de Panama (grand raccourci qui evite aux bateaux de contourner l amerique latine)

It was then time for some proper touristic activities. The panama canal.

2009-03-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

2009-03-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

Enfin de retour a Panama city et au soleil!! On se baladait dans un centre commercial quand May a vue le petit cheval rouge electrique. Voila ca tete, joie absolue.

We were in a shopping centre when May spotted a kiddy moving horse (don’t know the word). Pure joy!!

2009-03-07T07:59:00.001-08:00

Retour a Panama city dans un avion pourrit et tout petit, en plein orage. J ai cru que j allais vomir!! C’etait horrible. May a dormit tout le long biensur.
La voila devant l aeroport, notre avion sous la pluie et l interieur de l avion.

Back to panama in a tiny airplane and in a storm. I thought I was going to be sick!! Horrible. May slept all the way!! Here she is in front of the airport, and our plane.

2009-03-07T07:58:00.001-08:00

May ressemble a une tortue dans cette photo. Et avec son papa, elle deguste le sable.

May looks like a tortoise on this pic. Eating sand with her daddy.

2009-03-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

2009-03-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

2009-03-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

May a adore la plage, ca a ete dur de repartir!!

May really enjoyed the beach and did not want to leave!!

2009-03-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

Meme si le temps etait pourri on etait determine a se baigner dans les jolies plages des caraibes, et puis il faisait super chaud. Donc après un bateau et 30 minutes de marche dans la boue on a enfin atterit sur la plage des grenouilles rouge (on a eu la chance d’en voir une en vrai). On les imaginait plus grande!!

Although the weather was not on our side we were determined to go to the beach, and it was still boiling hot!! So after another boat ride, and a 30 minute trek through mud, we arrived in the infamous red frog beach, where we were lucky enough to be able to see one of the very tiny frogs.

2009-03-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

Le village de Bocas, avec notre nouvel hotel sans caffards, sur la droite avec les balcons jaunes.
Et la vue du petit dej. Pour aller n importe ou il fallait prendre un taxi-bateau, assez chaud avec un bebe en sac a dos et dans les orages , mais bien marrant quand meme. May et moi sur un des ‘taxi’.

Here is the village of Bocas, and our new hotel minus cockroaches, on the right with yellow balconies. And the view from the breakfast table.
To go anywhere in bocas we had to take a water taxi (speed boat), not easy and a bit scary with a baby in a backpack, in the middle of a storm!! But still a lot of fun (here is a picture of me and May enjoying the ride).

2009-03-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

We arrived in beautiful Bocas to find rain and storm. Here is a picture of the view from the first hotel room we stayed in and one of the many pelicans. Looks great, but we had to move hotel the next day after a long sleepless night surrounded by cockroches. Also we didn't like the fact we had to put May on and off boats

On est donc arrive a Bocas pour y trouver la pluie, les boules!! Voila une photo de la vue de notre chambre d hotel. Tres beau non? Et bien le lendemain matin on a du changer d hotel, apres une tres longue nuit blanche entouree de plein plein de cafards!!! Si, si...

2009-03-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the crossway that leads to a little island that's part of panama city, we had dinner there. Little May waiting for her food.

Voila la route qui mene a une petite ile qui fait partie de panama city. On est alle dinner las bas pour profiter de la jolie vue. May qui attend son assiette.

2009-03-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

So we are back from bocas del toro a bit early as it did not stop raining!! That's what happens in the caribbean. Before I start with the pictures of bocas, here are some pictures of the boys doing what they do best: playing pro evolution soccer!! And the beautiful view from Christof's balcony.

Nous voila rentre des iles Bocas plus tot, vu qu il n'a pas arrete de pleuvoir!!! les caraibes c'est ca!! Avant de poster les photos de bocas voila quelques photos de panama avant de partir. Les mecs en pleine action de pro evolution soccer et la vue de l appart de christof.

2009-02-27T11:28:00.001-08:00

We are off to the amazing beaches of el Archipelago de Bocas del torro (on the caribean side)on monday for a week. Back soon for more pics.

On part Lundi pour 1 semaines, sur les plages paradisiaques d'el Archipelago de Bocas del torro dans la mer des caraibes. On postera plus de photos a notre retour.

2009-02-27T11:24:00.001-08:00

May enjoying her first swim in a pool with friends

La premiere plongee dans une piscine pour May. Elle a adore!!

2009-02-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

May and her new best friend Sofia. Back in Panama city

May et sa copine Sofia. De retour a Panama city.

2009-02-27T11:16:00.001-08:00

Panama city - looks a bit like Dubai...though smaller and with nicer people (sorry had to give a little dig to my favourite city :)

Panama city ressemble un peu a Doubai.

Panama Bridge

People trying to go home after Carnaval

(les gens qui rentrent du Carnaval)

2009-02-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the crazy weather in Boquetes, we got to witness the most amazing rainbow we have ever see.

Grace au temps de dingo a Boquetes , on a pu voir cet arc-en-ciel impressionant. On est reste scotche.

2009-02-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

Funny things of Panama. On our way to get some food in Boquetes, we came across this sign that advertises 'husbands for rent'!!! And when we got to the street of the restaurant, the bridge we had to cross had collapsed. We had to change our eating plans....

Seulement au Panama. Un panneau sur l autoroute 'maris a louer', et le pont que l on devait traverse en voiture pour aller au resto a Boquetes, s'etait ecroule, on

a donc pas pu aller au resto prevu.

2009-02-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

little Maymay

2009-02-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

After a good night sleep, it was back to more trekking. Here is little May on Cristof 4x4.

Apres une bonne nuit de repos, c'etait repartit pour une petite rando. May sur le capot de la 4x4 de Cristof.

2009-02-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

On our way back to the hostel, we came across the funniest airport we have ever seen. Here I am in the middle.

Voila l aeroport le plus marrant qu on est jamais vu. On s'est retrouve en plein milieu de la piste d atterissage (moi sur la photo).

2009-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here is May taking a well deserved break while enjoying the view. She loves trekking, well sitting in the backpack that her Daddy has to carry!!

Voila May pendant une petite pause repos, en train d'admirer le beay paysage. Elle adore la rando, enfin etre assise dans le sac a dos que son pauvre Daddy doit porter!!

2009-02-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

Starting the trek near Volcano.

The guys with the girls May and Sofia.

Le debut de la rando pres du village Volcano. Les mecs avec les filles May et Sofia.

2009-02-27T09:11:00.001-08:00

After a 24 hour journey from London, through Madrid and Guatemala, we finally arrived in Panama city where Christof was waiting for us. May was great on the plane, but she must have though the journey would never end! 1 day to recover from jet lag, and we were off to the Chiriqui province near the Costa Rican border (9 hour car journey) to do some trekking in the forest. Unfortunately for us we forgot our passport and got stopped by migration officers, and kept waiting for 2 hours while they checked our story. Here is the picture of Christof, Dany and May starting the waiting game. And a picture of a truck we saw on the way. Bad luck!!

Apres un long voyage de plus de 24 heures, via Madrid et Guatemala city, nous sommes enfin arrive a destination, Panama city ou notre pote christof nous attendait. Apres 1 journee de remise a l heure (le decalage horaire nous a bien allume cette fois ci), c’etait depart pour La province de Chiriqui, a cote du Costa Rica, a 9 heures de route pour faire de la rando dans la montagne. Pas de pot pour nous, on s’est fait controller par les flics, et on n’avait pas nos passports. 2 heures d attentes, et de questions plus tard, ils nous ont laisse partir!! Voila une petite photos des mecs au bord de la route, ils avaient encore le sourire aux levres. Et aussi une photo d’un pauvre camion qui s’est retrouve dans la mouise!

2009-02-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

So much has happened since the last update. Given how much we hated Dubai, and the behaviour of some of the people, we moved back to London. Our little angel was also born (her name is May), and she is now 13 months old. Its amazing how quickly life can change, and we are loving every minute in London, and the frequent trips to the centre of the universe.....Liverpool. Little May seems to have caught the travelling bug too, and has really enjoyed joining us in our travelling adventures… Cuba, France, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and now Panama. She is loving filling her little passport pages, and has already racked up 46 flights..... not bad for 13 months old! So we decided to start this blog again, we are now in Panama for a month, we will post pictures of the other trips later.

Une annee bien chargee depuis notre derniere mise a jour. Pour commencer on a eu une superbe petite fille appellee May (13 mois), et on est revenue s’installer a Londres après Dubai. On a decide de pas trop frainer nos pulsions voyageuses, et de plutot faire decouvrir le monde a notre petit pigeon voyageur. Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Portugal, Afrique du Sud et maintenant Panama. Elle s amuse bien a remplir les pages de son passport.
On a donc decide de se remettre a ‘blogger’ et de poster les photos des autres voyages plus tard.

2007-08-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

After the heat of Amman, we went to the even hotter Egypt... Here I am on the balcony of our hotel room. Great view. Because of the temperature, we spent most of our time by the pool. Nice and relaxing! Sharm el Sheik airport was really funny: the only one in the world where you can't buy your visa in the local currency!! Only dollars, funny, when the airport exchange bureau doesn't have any!!!

Aprés Amman, il était temps de partir vers la chaleur étouffante egyptienne. Me voilà sur le balcon de notre chambre d'hotel. Parfait, pour apprecier la vue magnifique de la lune, et du couché du soleil. A cause de la chaleur on a pas fait grand chose apart lézarder au bord de la piscine. Bonne annecdote quand meme: l'aeroport de Sharm el Sheik est le seul au monde ou on ne peut pas acheter le visa dans la monnaie locale, ils n'acceptent que des dollars. Intéressant quand il n'y a pas de dollars au bureau de change de l'aéroport!

2007-08-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

We were very lucky to be in Amman at the same time as Dany's collegue Ibrahim, who is from there. He was great, he drove us around the city and even invited us to his parents house where his mum cooked a lovely jordanian lunch for us!!

On a eu de la chance, et on s'est retrouvé à Amman en meme temps qu'un collègue de Dany, originaire de là bas. Il nous a fait visiter la ville, et nous a meme invité chez ses parents, ou sa maman nous a préparé un repas typique. Super!

2007-08-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

One thing we did not expect from Amman was the crazy heat that we found!! it was 46° and the sun was blazing. We still went to a few touristic spots but couldn't stay long. Beautiful though.

En arrivant en Jordanie, on a été frappé par une vague de chaleur : 46°!!! Et nous qui voulions échapper au fourneau de Dubai... On a quand meme fait un petit effort, et on est allé visiter quelques sites touristiques (rapidement...).

2007-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

So, after Dany's

trip to the beautiful Beirut, it was time for our long awaited holiday. We decided to stay in the middle east and planned a few days in Amman, Jordan; and sharm el Sheik, Egypt. Here is a nice view of Amman, and its colosseum.

Aprés le week end à Beirut de Dany, nous sommes enfin partit en vacances... Direction Amman en Jordanie, et Sharm el Sheik en Egypte. Voilà une jolie vue de la ville et de son coliseum.

2007-08-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

BEIRUT

View of the city from Harissa. The really strange thing is that even though the Lebanese are quite rude in Dubai, I met some of the nicest people ever in Beirut. Its geographically very similar to Ibiza (but without the calas, but very still nice), and although the options are very limited, they are of very high quality, and they are limited only due to the current level of security. Once they all stop arguing (hopefully in my lifetime) we will definately go back to travel the whole country, way better than the gulf, no comparison (though still alot of arrogance for normal standards, its moderate for this region). They have an energy which really reminds me of Spain, and the nightlife was not comparable to the rest of the region (easliy better) - Ostras, cuanto hecho de menos espana!!!

2007-08-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Bittedein - Built high in the mountains by the Ottamans, its now used by the president as a summer retreat.

2007-08-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Beirut

Picture of Byblos

2007-08-13T03:14:00.000-07:00

Nicholas's B'day in the mountains. Even got to go to Sky bar and Whites!

2007-08-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

Some guy grinding coffee and singing

2007-08-13T02:47:00.000-07:00

Harissa - Nice view of the city!

2007-08-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

Beirut

Figured it would be a shame to come to the region and not see Beirut. Everyone goes on about it (well the Lebanese at least), so I spent a w/e there while the calm lasts!

The beach of the Movenpick

2007-08-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

After visiting what seemed like a million flats, we finally decided not to buy, and to go back to the flat we already have. We had therefore a few days to relax and enjoy the London life we miss so much. We went to visit Giri, Julie and Meera, and met up with Amit, Sanjivani and Lola for a lovely afternoon strawberry and rasberry picking. A sweet escape from the city... and loads of fun!

Apres avoir visite une centaine d'appart on a finalement decide de ne pas acheter, et de garder celui que l'on a. Du coup, il nous restait quelques jours pour profiter de la vie Londonienne, et de nos amis qui nous manques tellement. On est alle passer une apres-midi avec Giri, Julie, leur petite Meera, et Amit, Sanjivani et la petite Lola. Ils nous onts fait decouvrir une plantation de fruits et legumes. C'etait genial. Londres n'arretera jamais de nous surprendre!!

2007-08-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

So, we finally take the time to update the blog. After a lovely trip to Germany, we had a few days back in Dubai (well Riyadh for Dany), and then we were off again. I went to France for our nephew Zack's christening (here with his mummy and daddy). After France, I was off to London where Dany joined me for a week of flat hunting.

On prend enfin le temps de poster quelques photos sur le blog. Apres un superbe sejour en Allemagne, nous sommes revenu a Doubai quelques jours (Riyadh pour Dany). Juste le temps de changer de valises, et je partais en France pour le bateme de notre neveu Zack.

Apres ca, c'etait direction London rejoindre Dany, pour 1 semaine de chasse a l appart intensive.

2007-06-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

We just came back to Dubai, and this time for a few weeks. Then I'll be off to France again, and then we will on go on holiday somewhere.

On vient juste de rentrer a Dubai, et cette fois ci pour quelques semaines... Apres je repart en France, et apres ca on part en vacance, mais on sait pas encore ou.

2007-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the middle east office team including dany. I was actually impressed bt the way he played. They did really well and we had a really fun day.

Voila l'equipe qui representait le bureau du moyen orient. Dany et ses collegues ont vraiment bien joue. J'etait impressione, Dany a vachement bien joue. On a passe une super journee.

2007-06-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

After a few days spent enjoying the city, it was time for the tournament.

Apres quelques jours a faire les touristes, le jour du tournoi est arrive.

2007-06-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is the strangest thing I've ever see. The statue is painted and right in front of the Cathedrale!! We had to take that picture.

On a trouve cette vue plutot sympa... la statue etait peinte, et posee juste en face de la belle Catedrale . c'etait bien space!!!

2007-06-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

While we were there, we decided to go visit the beautiful city of Cologne. We took the train and went there for the day.

On en a profiter pour passer une apres-midi a Cologne, une tres jolie ville a une 100ene de km de Dusseldorf. On a donc prit le train.

2007-06-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures of Dusseldorf.

D'autres photos de la ville.

2007-06-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

After a few days in Dubai, It was time to go again: this time to Germany. Dany's company organised a football tournament in Dusseldorf. So off we went to spend 5 days in the beutiful little city. We were very impressed, the people were great, (and for a change had good manners!), the city beautiful... We definately want to see more of this great country.

Apres quelques jours a Dubai, il etait deja temps de repartir... cette fois ci pour l Allemagne. L'entreprise de Dany a organise un tournoi de foot a Dusseldorf, donc on est partit y passer 5 jours. C'etait genial, un super pays. On a ete bien impressione: les gens sont super sympa, et c'est super beau. On a envie de decouvrir ce beau pays maintenant...

2007-06-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

After a great few days in Barcelona, it was back to Riyadh for Dany and France for me. We then met up in Dubai for a few days. Here we are on the beach in front of the Burj al Arab. We had a great brunch to celebrate our friend Duncan's 31st birthday.

Apres le superbe sejour a Barcelone, Dany est rentre a Riyadh et moi en France. On s'est retrouve a Dubai pur quelques jours. Nous voila devant le Burj al Arab, sur la plage ou a celebre les 31 ans de notre pote Duncan.

2007-06-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

We couldn't go to Barcelona without going to la Obeja Negra. Headquarters of the table football club, where we spent many many tuesday nights playing foozball!! Here is Juan Ma, Cristof, Pedro, Dany and Nils.

On ne pouvait pas aller a Barcelone sans retourner a L'obeja Negra, bar legendaire ou on passait tous nos mardi soir a jouer au babyfoot. Voila Juan Ma, Cristof, Pedro, Dany and Nils apres un match.

2007-06-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

So we finally slow down a bit and take the time to post a few pics on the blog. So while I was in France relaxing with my family, Dany went to london to see everyone, and then to Barcelona, where I joined him for the Iese reunion. It was lovely to see everyone and see the city. Now we are in Dubai we appreciate 'normal' cities a lot more!!! Here we are, by the harbour and the beach.

On prend enfin le temps de se poser un peu, et de poster quelques photos... Pendant que j'etait en France, Dany est alle a Londres, avant de venir me retrouver a Barcelone, pour la soiree de reunion de Iese. C'etait genial de revoir tout le monde, et de redecouvrir Barcelone.... On l' apprecie beaucoup plus maintenant qu on est a Dubai!!!

2007-05-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

And here is my niece Andrea (brother's daughter) celebrating her 6th birthday.
And me and Tristan enjoying the garden. Can't really tell his mum is my sister!!!

Voilà Andrea, ma niece, qui souffle ses 6 bougies sur cette photos. Tristan et moi sur la 2eme image: on dirait pas que sa mère est ma soeur!!!!!

2007-05-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in france, having fun with my family, and my beautiful nephews Zachary (my brother's son, dark hair) and Tristan (my sister's

son, blond). They are enjoying the new slide and swing, with their daddies. They are 1 year old, 3 month difference.

Me voilà donc en france, profitant de la famille et surtout de mes petit neveux. Zachary et Tristan. Ils profitents bien de la nouvelle balançoire avec leurs papas.

2007-05-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

After all everyone left, I went to France where I am now, and Dany went back to Saudi for a very long 10-4 (10 working days, 4 days off) in order to take a few days off to go to Barcelona for the iese reunion. We can't wait, it's going to be a lot of fun to go back to Barcelona and see everyone.

Aprés que tout le monde soit parti, je me suis en route vers la France, un long voyage via l'Autriche. Je suis maintenant en France avec la famille et les bébés. Dany, quand à lui est repartit en Arabie Saoudite pour une longue semaine de 10 jours d'affilé pour pouvoir aller à Barcelone le week end d'aprés, pour la reunion des étudiants de Iese. On a hate d'y aller!!!!!

2007-05-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

But the big surprise od the day came when Giovanni caught a small shark!!!! He had a hard time pulling it to the boat, but with a bit of help he got it... After a few moments of hesitation wa decided to keep it and cook it. Ali invited us to his place where Giovanni and Stine cooked a massive amount of shark meat ... Delicious!

La grosse surprise de la journée c'était la pèche d'un petit requin, que Giovanni a eu du mal à ammener jusqu'au bateau. On a un peu hesité, mais finalement décidé de le garder et le manger. Des kilos de poissons à toutes les sauces, mais c'était bien bon!!!!!!!

2007-05-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

We did all the usual Dubai stuff with them: shopping, dining... But the highlight was the fishing trip we took. We rented a boat and went fishing. Dany caught a massive and very ugly baracuda. He was scared to hold the fish with its big teeth... We released the fish in the end, because it was too scary to eat!!!

On a fait tout le programme typique de Doubai avec eux... Mais le top, c'était la journée pèche que l'on s'est organisée. Dany a péché un baracuda énorme et bien laid, que l'on a relaché parce qu'il était trop moche pour le manger!!! Dany avait meme peur de le porter parcequ'il avait des dents énormes...

2007-05-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

After My mum and Grand ma left, I didn't have time to be sad and depressed, as I had to prepare the arrival of our friends Giovanni, Stine and Christof, who came visit for Dany's 32nd birthday. Fist days off for Dany... We had a really good time. It was like a mini iese reunion; as Ali joined us as well. Here we are in front of the Burj Al Arab, trademark of the city.

Aprés le départ de ma maman et mamie, je n'ai pas eu trop le temps de déprimer, vu qu'il fallait préparer l'arrivé de nos potes Giovanni, Stine et Christof por les 32 ans de Dany. C'était bien sympa... Nous voilà tous devant le Burj Al Arab, hotel 7 étoiles et symbole de la ville.

2007-05-15T04:22:00.000-07:00

And finally, before they left, and when Dany joined us, we took them to the beautiful beach where we go at week ends to relax. Great weather, nice turquoise water, and funny looking camels...

Et avant qu'elles ne repartent, quand Dany est venu nous rejoindre, on est allé se reposer au bord de la super plage du Hilton. Temps magnifique, eau turquoise, Dromadaires et pure relaxation!!!

2007-05-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

We've done a lot of shopping, but we also visited the old part of the city, with its beautiful Mosques, and port.

On a fait beaucoup de shopping, mais on a aussi prit le temps de découvrir le vieux coté de Doubai avec ses belles

Mosquées, et le joli port.

2007-05-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

So here are a few pictures of Dubai. What are 3 women to do in Dubai? Shopping of course!!! We hit all the malls and beautifull souks of the city. Clothes, fabric, gold, Spices....

Voilà donc quelaues photos de Doubai. Que peuvent faire 3 femmes à Doubai? Du shopping biensur. On est allé dévaliser tous les centre commerciaux et souks de la ville...

2007-05-15T03:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we ubdated the blog, but we are back. Dany is still working very hard in Saudi, so I'm still in charge of the blog. My mum and grand ma came to Dubai for a week, and we had a lot of fun . 3 generations of women discovering the city, going for manucures... It was great to celebrate my 25th birthday with them!! So here are a few pictures of us 3.

Ca fait pas mal de temps que l'on a pas mis de photos, donc il va y en avoir pas mal d'un coup. Ma mère et grand mère sont venu me voir à Doubai une semaine, et c'était génial. On a bien profité de se retrouver entre 3 générations de femmes avec manicures, pédicure... et découverte de laville. Super façon de célébrer mes 25 ans!

2007-03-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

And yesterday night, we went to see Shakira in concert along with 25000 people at the Dubai autodrome. It was very badly organised, we were stuck in traffic for hours, the queues were enormous... they had to delay the concert as so many were stranded. But in the end, it was worth it. She was simply amazing, the atmosphere was terrific and it turned out to be a great show... very impressed...

Hier soir on est alle voir Shakira en concert avec 25000 autre personnes, a l'autodrome de Dubai. C'etait tres mal organise, des milliers de personnes coinces dans les emboutellages (nous y compris), les queues etaient interminables. Bref ils ont fini par retarder le concert d une heures... Mais ca vallait le coup. Elle etait impressionante. Des dizaines de millier de gens en train de chanter et danser, elle a vraiment un voix magnifique. Inoubliable!

2007-03-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we decided to do somethimg different than what we usually do (mainly beach), so we decided to play golf. And we were embarassingly bad. Well mainly me (Bea). People were scared of us, but we had a really good time and we are now thinking of taking a few lessons.

Ce week end on a decide d'aller jouer au golf, pour dire de faire autre chose que bronzette a la plage. C'etait bien sympa bien qu'on soit completement nuls!! les gens avaient peur de jouer a cote de nous... et c'etait tres posh... On a decide de prendre quelques cours, surtout Dany...

2007-03-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

The weather is finally back to normal now. Sun is out and humidity out of control. scary scary but still bearable. So here is Dany in the cafe at the bottom of our bulding, and the view from our balcony.

Le temps et redevenu normal, beau soleil et humidite comperise. Donc on a pu enfin retourner a nos activites normales: seance lecture et bronzette a la terrace du cafe en bas de notre immeuble. Et jolie vue de notre balcon.

2007-03-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

Our first sand storm in Dubai: just to remind us that we live very close to the desert. It was strange and a little bit scary too... And it is getting very very hot already... Summer is going to be a great experience... :)

Voila une belle tempete de sable pour nous rappeler qu'on vit dans le desert. Ca faisait un peu peur, et c'etait tres bizarre. Mais il faisait quand meme tres tres chaud et humide. Vivement l'ete ... lol

2007-03-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi, it's Bea again as Dany is very busy so I'll take over. Here are some news from Dubai. Dany is still in Saudi, working very hard and long hours but enjoying the job and project. I still don't have my visa (amazing after 3 months!!), but it should come through next week... So I am starting arabic class, and yoga and enjoying the weather (before it gets frying hot).Here are pictures of us in the cinema (gold class), what better way to relax than watching a movie on big leather chairs, with waiter service...

Nouvelles de Doubai. Dany est toujours en Arabie Saoudite, et travaille comme un fou... Mais il apprend plein de choses et adore son boulot, c le principal. Quand a moi , je n ai toujours pas mon visa (apres 3 mois c'est dingue), donc je commence mes cours d'arabes, de yoga et je profite du soleil avant que la temperature monte et devienne insupportable. Voila 2 photos de Dany et moi au cinoche en classe gold. Relaxation total sur les gros fauteuils en cuir, et serveur perso...

2007-02-26T05:21:00.000-08:00

The day after that, we went to see Tiesto in Dubai, and I know why he is the world's number 1 DJ!!! Truly superb!!! We also saw him in virgin during a press conference.

Jeudi soir, c'etait le superbe Dj tiesto, dans une soiree strictement blanche. C'etait vraiment genial, Tiesto est top!!! tout le monde etait habille en blanc, c'etait vraiment cool. On l'a aussi vu a Virgin pendant une conference de presse.

2007-02-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

Bea came back from france, and landed just in time to watch the second half of Liverpool-Barcelona. 2-1 pure happiness!!!!

Je suis arrive juste a temps a dubai (direct de l'aeroport) pour voir le match Liverpool-Barcelona. Et Liverpool a biensur gagne!!!

2007-02-25T05:43:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Georgetown. After this it was back to Dubai via london... What a long journey back to Saudi for work. Ouch!!

Le beau quartier de George Town.

2007-02-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

I also got the chance to meet up with some mates from IESE who moved to DC, Andres and Carolina. I had dinner in Georgetown with them, a nice catch up and then rejoined the group.

Dany en a profite pour aller voir Andres et sa femme Carolina qui vivent la bas depuis la fin de la MBA.

2007-02-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

une photo bien typique: les distributeurs de journaux americains sous la neige...

2007-02-25T05:34:00.000-08:00

Then I left on the Sunday morning, to the US, and Bea left for France.It was weird landing, and being interegated for 1.5 hours!! There was a large amount of snow, and even more fell after landing!! The taxis could not drive in the weather, so we had to walk through the snow to the training!!! Coming from the sun, it was a real shock to see so much snow in so few days!! Training was good, and the people were really nice. We learnt a lot, had a good laugh, fell down a few times in the snow as well.

Apres Londres, Dany est partit a Washington, pour y trouver encore plus de neige. Voila Washington sous la neige.

2007-02-25T05:17:00.000-08:00

After that we me up with some old friends from level 3 andd uni - its amazing how fast babies grow!! It was really nice to catch up with everyone, especially as it was an unexpected trip.

Enfin, on a retrouve le 'groupe londonien' a midi avant de partir: Giri et Julie avec la jolie petite Meera, Ripa et Brian, et Rat avec son nouveau copain.
le joli nouveau couple qui s'est rencontre au club de saut en parachute.

2007-02-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

The old IESE gang were in good form, and we met up with Lev and Laura, and Will on the Friday, and had a nice dinner with Stine and Gio on the Saturday.

Diner chez Giovanni et Stine. Ils viennent nous voir a Dubai en Mai....

2007-02-25T05:09:00.000-08:00

A new cute baby was born since we moved to Dubai, and we popped in to see Luis and Raquel's new addition.

Apres, on est alle rencontrer la nouvelle petite addition Brazilienne, Marcela qui a 6 semaines et ses parents biensur: Luis Pedro et Raquel. Charly etait venu la rencontrer aussi.

2007-02-25T05:04:00.000-08:00

We caught up with my brothers and sisters, and went for a really nice lebanese meal in brick lane. Then there was a surprise visit by Amit, who lost his baby's passport,and so could not go on a holiday for a while, until a new one was issued.

Avec seulement 3 jours a Londres pour faire plein de choses, et surtout voir tout le monde c'etait un vrai marathon. D'abord reunion entre frere et soeur, et coucou en coup de vent a Amit et Sanj, mais surtout notre petite filleule Lola.

2007-02-25T04:59:00.000-08:00

It was a nice surprise when I was told that I have to go to the US for training, and me and bea first had a stop of in london.We caught up with everyone, and were met with a pleasant surprise when we landed -snow everywhere!!! Some airports in London were even shut down.

Comme Dany devait partir a Washington 1 semaine en business, on en a profite pour s arretter a Londres... On a donc laisse le soleil de Dubai, pour la neige londonienne.
Londres est magnifique sous la neige...

2007-02-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

Night out in Dubai with Zaid and Tima .
Une soiree a Dubai avec Z et sa femme Tima. Z allait a la fac avec Dany il y a 10 ans!!!

2007-01-25T03:46:00.000-08:00

Au retour de Riyhad, dany s est retrouve dans l avion, en business class, avec des aigles!!! vive le moyen orient!!!!

A picture Dany took on his flight back to Dubai, in Business class! You ve got to love the middle east!!!

2007-01-25T03:44:00.000-08:00

Le mec qui bosse pour Dany devant le mac do, avec cote femme et cote homme...

A guy that works with Dany in front of the Mac donald, with a side for men and for women. Dany said it was a weird experience to see expat women in the elevator puting on the full black robe over their jeans before going outside... I am not sure I will go visit him there...

2007-01-25T03:41:00.000-08:00

la vue du bureau de dany: la ville de Riyhad, capital d Arabie Saoudite. Et Ali, notre pote de Barcelone qui bosse dans la meme boite que Dany, et qui est de labas, avec sa belle tenue traditionelle.

The view from Dany's office: the capital of Saudi, Riyhad; and Ali in wearing the full gear.

2007-01-25T03:37:00.000-08:00

voila les voitures garees devant le bureau... une belle lamborgini jaune, avec la plaque d immatriculation personnalisee: 007. et deriere une ferrari blanche qui a l air d une voiture de mamie en comparaison!!.

Here you can see the cars parked in front of Dany's office. A bright yellow lamborgini (with 007 on the number plate)that makes the white ferrari behind look like an old lady car!!

2007-01-25T03:33:00.000-08:00

Dany a vraiment commence a bosser cette semaine, il est parti en Arabie Saudite (il bossera la bas pendant les prochain 6 mois.). C etait dur de dire aurevoir mais on va s habituer... Il a travaille non stop pendant 5 jours et est de retour pour le week end... et il a rapporte quelques photos de son nouveau pays adoptif voila la photo de l entree de son bureau.

Dany started working on his first project in Saudi, and hardly has time to eat, let alone do the blog, so I ll take it from here. Here is a picture of the entrance of his office in Riyhad. Dany said that working in Saudi is a weird and funny experience...

2007-01-25T03:19:00.000-08:00

Le jour de l an. La fin de l annee 2006 et le debut de l annee 2007. Une grosse bringue a Dubai, au World trade centre, avec comme dj le super Paul Oakenfold!!! Quelle soiree, on a connu plein de gens sympa...

New year's eve in dubai, what a start to 2007... with Paul Oakenfold!! We met a lot of great people that night.

2007-01-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

Voila le centre commercial le plus enorme que j ai vu de ma vie, un vrai petit paradis du shopping, il y a des centaines de magasins, de zara, a celio, a gucci, des dizaines de restos et surtout une station de ski artificielle couverte!!! la seule piste noire artificielle dans le monde, il y des tir fesses, des telesieges, une piste bleu, rouge, et une verte, des pistes a luge...

The famous Mall of the Emirates. All the shops you can think of and a full indoor ski resort, with the only indoor black slope in the world... Bea has found paradise...

2007-01-17T04:09:00.000-08:00

Apres quelques pas dans Doubai, le decalage horraire nous a rattrape et on est donc aller s'effondrer a l hotel... Et quel hotel!!! Dany a eu un peu peur, en pensant a la quantite de boulot qu il va avoir si son entreprise nous paye 3 semaines, dans une suite dans un hotel 5 etoiles... mais il a vite oublie ses soucis quand il a vu la vue de notre balcons. Entre la plage, l eau turquoise, la vue sur le palmier en construction (des villas de luxe sur une iles artificielle en forme de palmier),la course de bateau, le port et surtout le Burj, le seul hotel 7 etoiles au monde, en forme de voile (en haut a gauche de la photo) on a ete servi!!

Here is the view from our hotel. Amazing 5 star hotel where we set home for 3 great weeks.

2007-01-17T02:25:00.000-08:00

Nos premiers pas a Doubai (du moins les miens :). Le truc impresionant a Doubai c'est le fait qu il n'y a personne qui marche dans les rues, aucun pietons... tout le monde a soit une voiture ou un chauffeur, soit prend un taxi. Le ciel etait bleue, et il faisait 24 degrees quand on est arrive, et c'etait 7h45 du mat!! Ca nous change de Londres!!! La photo avec Dany est prise sur le quais de Doubai Marina, on a adore tout de suite et on a decide d'y vivre...

First steps in Dubai straight from the airport.

2007-01-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

Voila les demenageurs envoyes par l entreprise de Dany pour nous faciliter les choses. Ces mecs sont super fort, il ont tout emballe an 45 minutes. Si seulement on avait pu faire la meme chose pour Barcelone, ca nous aurait evite de faite Londres-Barcelone, 2 fois en voiture.

THE BIG MOVE. the moving company in our flat in london. So much easier when you don't have to do anything! I wish we had done the same for Barcelona...