999Places

Local Fish Market - (Dibba, Oman)

After returning from an overnight snorkeling and diving cruise off the coast of Oman, we pulled into the marina to find locals unloading and selling their day's catch.

Below: The boats you see are known as a Dhow. They are used by local fishermen in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. However there is debate whether Dhows were first constructed by Arabs or if they originated in China.

 

Below: Local fisherman unloading their catch from smaller speed boats as well for fishing closer to shore.

Below: Fishermen hand seperate the nets once out of the water to prepare them for the next day

Below: I'll opt for the metal nets which look much easier to prepare!

Below: A future captain taking in the scene

Where to Eat in Dubai - Aroos Al Bahar Seafood (Dubai Marina)

The vast majority of restaurants and nightlife in Dubai Marina is located near the Dubai International Marine Club end. However, make your way in the opposite direction toward the quieter Marina Beach area and you'll come across one of the best seafood restaurants I've eaten at in Dubai.

 
Aroos Al Bahar Seafood is run by friendly locals who understand the success of their restaurant is based not just on the food but also the service. They are attentive and even invite you to select your exact fish, prawns or lobster from the fresh catch display inside the restaurant.

Below: The restaurant has outside seating right on Dubai Marina. Go in the evening around sun set to get the best views.

When the food comes out you'll be just as happy as you were with the service. I had Sole, Tiger Prawns, rice and salad, all for a reasonable 100 AED ($27 USD). The prawns and sole were fresh caught and the chef didn't overwhelm you with seasonings and sauces. Stick with having your fish grilled and I can promise you'll love it.

Below: Aroos Al Bahar is located down the quieter end of the marina so it doesn't get the same amount of visitors as it should. But that's an advantage for you as there is always great outside waterfront seating availalbe!

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - (Nairobi, Kenya)

I came across the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on perhaps my favorite travel app, CNNGo. I was looking for places to visit on my recent trip to Kenya. The article "10 things you probably didn't know you can do in Kenya" has some great suggestions, but this one particularly caught me. The trust specilaizes in rescuing young elephants that have been affected by poaching.

Below: Visitors gathering to watch the young elephants feed and interact with eachother

The elephant orphange, run by the Sheldrick Wildlife trust, is a must visit when in Nairobi. It's just a short 25 minute drive from the city. While there you can get up close with these young elephants, watching them feed and interact as they are rehabbed to the point that they can be released back into the wild.

The best part about the entire experiance is the opportunity the trust offers to support these young elephants. With a $50 USD donation per year, you're able to choose an elephant to adopt. The orphanage then sends you monthly updates and pictures on your elephant keeping you informed of their journey back to the wild. You're also able to arrange sessions to meet the actual elephant you've adopted. It was truly an inspiring visit and a fantastic way to help support Africa's wildlife.

For more information, please visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust online 

Below: This is the elephant I chose to adopt after spending time at the orphanage. I went with Orwa because of his love of football (you can't be calling it soccer in Kenya).

Sea Stallion: Yacht of the Dubai Royal Family - (The Palm, Dubai)

I was looking out the hotel window the other day when this beauty of a yacht cruised into the harbor and dropped anchor. I didn't need to be a sea captain to know this particular yacht didn't belong to your typical millionaire.

(Below: A Google image of the sea stallion cruising at 19 knots)

so armed with a little free time and Google, I came to learn the yacht belongs to The Royal Family of Dubai, The Al Maktoum family. The Stallion comes in at 254 feet in lenght (77m) and, well, is just awesome. Perhaps even more fascinating is that the Sea Stallion is not even the largest yacht the family owns. That title belongs to their other floating palace called, fittingly enough, "Dubai". That yacht comes in at a whopping 524 feet long.

Below is a series of pictures I snapped of the Sea Stallion at anchor just of the Palm in Dubai.

 

Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament - (Emirates Golf Club, Dubai)

364 days a year, Dubai is sunny and blue skies with no rain. Leave it to me in managing to attend the Dubai Desert Classic on the one day a year it rains. And so it was the case on Saturday when I took in round 3 of the event at the Emirates Golf Club.

Above: Picture I took from grandstands of Sergio Garcia teeing of on the 17th holeHowever the damp conditions were probably a welcome change for the players who are used to navigating the course in some pretty hot weather, with temperatures often in the 90's for the event. Britain’s Stephen Gallacher captured this year's edition of the tournament with an eagle on the 17th hole in round 4. That shot put him 3 shots clear of his playing partner Richard Sterne, who had taken the lead back from Gallacher earlier in the round.

Above: the "Village" area where you could get food, watch the play and visit sponsor's tents.

Facts about the Dubai Desert Classic:

- Tiger Woods has played the even 6 times with 2 victories. Ernie Els has participated 12 times earning 3 titles.

- Tiger Woods has played 24 rounds at the tournament and is a combined 84 under par, shooting an average score of -14 for those tournaments.

- Rory Mcllroy is the youngest winner of the Classic, with his victory coming in 1009 at the age of 19

- Mark O'Meara is the oldest winner of the tournament, with his 2004 victory at 47 years old

- The 2011 tournament featured a hole-in-one in every round. It's just the 2nd time in the history of the European Tour that this has been accomplished.

Above: the driving range looking back at the city of Dubai

Above: Lee Westwood signing autogrpahs on the practice putting green

Above: Lee Westwood works on his putting with the supervision of his caddie

 

Above: the club house at the Emirates Golf Course

Above: volunteers working the leaderboard

Above: practice putting green

Above: Emirates Golf Club was dedicated by the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Al Maktoum

Above: Sergio Garcia passes through the fans while heading for the 17th tee box

Below: Sergio and playing partner Romain Wattle approaching the 18th green

 

 

Dubai Creek Golf Club at Park Hyatt Hotel and Resort - (Dubai, U.A.E)

Above: The club house is one of the most recognizable and photographed landmarks in all of Dubai

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than the Park Hyatt Dubai is the golf course which is part of this resort, the Dubai Creek Golf Club . The course has hosted the Dubai Desert Classic two times.  The scoring record on the course is 63 and is held by both Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.

Below: A series of pictures I took while visiting the Park Hyatt for Saturday brunch over the weekend:

The Jetty Lounge at The One and Only Hotel - (Dubai, U.A.E.)

Hands down my favorite place to enjoy a drink anywhere in Dubai. If you really want to get a feel for life in this vibrant city, The Jetty Lounge is the place you want to visit. 

Below: Get to the Jetty Lounge in the afternoon to secure a seat and stay till after sunset!

Located at one of the most exlusive resorts in the world, the One and Only at the Palm, the Jetty Lounge sits right on the sun splashed shores of Dubai. It offers increadible views of the Gulf and of the Palm itself, the incredible man made sand creation in the shape of a palm tree. Not to mention you might rub elbows with the many celebs who visit the hotel routinely, including David Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo, Condoleezza Rice and Tom Cruise.  

Below: Looking back up at the Jetty Lounge from the beach

Below: On the right you can see apartments lining the base of the Palm

Best time to get your drink on at the Jetty Lounge is sunset, as you may never see a more spectacular site as this.

Trip Advisor Review of the One and Only and also The Jetty Lounge

Below: One of the most spectacular sunsets you'll find on earth can be seen at the One and Only

Below: Guests and visitors (including myself) enjoying the beachfront views and laid back atmosphere the lounge offers.

Where to Eat: Shakespeare and Co. Cafe - (Dubai, U.A.E.)

Looking like something out of Alice in Wonderland, this restaurant is a great place to meet up for lazy morning breakfast or an afternoon tea. However, they provide an all day breakfast, lunch and dinner menu which make it a great stop in at anytime of the day. 

Below: The decor is fairytale inspired and very relaxing

The restaurant started in 2001 and now features 14 locations in the U.A.E.  We paid a visit for breakfast this past weekend and I wasn't disappointed. The English breakfast is excellent and I also recommend treating yourself afterwards to an Oreo Cookie shake! We ate at the Dubai Marina Mall location, which offers great views of the surrounding waterways and architecture.

Below: With sun all year round in Dubai, you'll want to sit outside to take in the marina views

You can find all their locations at http://www.shakespeareandco.ae/restaurant.php

Above: Even though it's breakfast, is there really ever a wrong time for Oreo Cookie shakes?

Below: Very cool looking menu!

Travel Photos of the Week - A Wednesday Morning at Marina Bay - (Singapore)

A series of pictures I took this morning on a walk about 6:30am while getting a Starbucks Coffee . . .

Below: A lone photographer getting up early to capture a wonderful sunrise over The Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino.

Below: In the foreground the famed symbol of Singapore, the Merlion, looking out at the world's largest Ferris Wheel, the Singapore Flyer. 

Below: The larger Merlion's smaller cousin

Below: A tourist enjoys some quiet time at the edge of Marina Bay before all the crowds that will arrive later in the day.

Exhibit - "In the Affair of Cats and Dogs" - (Esplanade, Singapore)

Above: The Esplande at Marina Bay where the art exhibit is being shown 

On display at one of Singapore's most iconic buildings, the Esplanade located in Marina Bay, I came across one of the coolest art exhibits I've seen. Titled "In the Affair of Cats & Dogs, the Government's Involved and So Shall We", the display was the imagination of artist Chua Boon Kee, who's been displaying his work around Singapore since 2000. 

The exhibit was created in reference to "a light-hearted anecdote to encourage Singaporeans to be more proactive, the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech last year — said that ministers should not be doing everything, including culling cats and saving dogs". 

Chua Boon Kee created the sculptures of these Cats and Dogs to capture the message of the Prime Minister and "create awareness of pet abandonment and the growing stray population". 

Check out more information on the exhibit and artist at the official exhibit site

Below: A series of pictures I took while viewing the exhibit