We love living in Abu Dhabi and wouldn’t want to change where we live in the UAE, but once in a while the big city of Dubai is calling us with its shiny high-rises, fancy hotels and promenade along the beach. My husband discovered the Jumeirah beach area a few weeks ago when he visited the Canadian restaurant Eggspectations. We arrived after a 90 minute drive from Abu Dhabi and found parking in the underground garage and exited into a nice open-air shopping area with many well-known international brandname stores. Jumeirah beach looks very new and the squishy asphalt walking path is fun to stroll along. Equipped with exercise stations to train muscles not used while walking or jogging, plenty of change and washrooms and a no fee beach access was a pleasant outing on a sunny and breezy day. In the distance we could see Skydive Dubai releasing tandem jumpers every 20-30 minutes to sail over the Palm Jumeirah area to their landing spot. It was fascinating to see so many people trying  this adventure which does not appeal to us at all.

Further along the beach we found a small carnival with bumper car rides and carousels for children and finally we had a rest and delicious lunch at Eggspectations. The crepe filled with creamy vegetables and a green salad were enough to keep me going for the afternoon. My husband’s eggs benedict and crispy, fried potato slices were fresh and yummy, too. I wish we had taken photos to show, but were hungry and dug right in. The restaurant is frequented by Canadians and locals alike and seemed to be a popular spot with families, as well. The restaurant is located at the end of the public beach next to the Hilton Jumeirah Beach and other beach hotels. We explored a little further, but found only more upscale hotels and stores. Nice to view, but expensive to shop.

Off to our next destination the Ibn Battuta Mall: This mall was dedicated to the explorer and traveler Ibn Battuta who started travelling in 1335 as a 21-year old to six different countries including China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunesia and Andalusia. His life is  a legend and was the idea behind the different architectural styles for each part of the mall. We explored them from China to Persia, but missed the Egyptian area.

Cupola of the Persian Halll

mechanical elephant in the Indian Hall

A Chinese Dhow

Besides incorporating the different building styles an exhibit of scientific excellence for that time was displayed and described. Just for these educational exhibits it is worth exploring. Oh yes, there are plenty of stores and cafes as well if you are in need of a rest or some new clothes. Being the end of the year and “pre-Christmas” a lot part sales were advertised. Even though Christmas is not a local holiday it is widely advertised and displays for children are common. The Chinese sailboat had a long line-up of families waiting for their turn with Santa entering on one side of the boat and exiting after crossing the deck decorated as Santa’s living room. The strangest thing happening in the same hall was the parade of Christmas-themed adults as Christmas ball decoration, a sugar cane, sugar plum fairies and a Santa cycling with a gift.

Santa’s living room aboard a Chinese ship

Parade of Christmas figures

It was a lovely and at the same time strange moment as we feel not a little bit like Christmas without the cold, rain and snow that normally accompanies this time of year in Canada. We are certainly looking forward to experience New Years in the UAE once we return from our visit back home.

Thank you, for a great year of comments and feedback for my blog! That is what keeps me going! May you all have a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful  New Year!                                        Maike