Dubai International Kite Festval

this weekend here we had International Kite Festival. I saw one picture on instagram and after quick search, i found myself on the Kite Beach. 

Yesterday there was amazing kites all around world. Here Taiwan team is performing their show. It was just amazing. I will post a couple of picture from this festival. 

beach time

Yesterday I was bit lazy to prepare today's post. :(
this morning we went to The beach for breakfast and I took this picture on the way back.
this is the best season for the beach. :)

Morning beam

street cats

In every corner there are street cats in Dubai.
People from neighborhood take care of them.

Linked for ABC Wednesday
Now it is round 16. I will try to catch letters as much as I can.. Check the link for different subjects with letter C.

Salute

Another bird which salutes the morning.

Welcome to UAE

Here we have another detail from Rehlatna; world longest graffiti scroll

posted for Monday Mural.

weekend reflection

a very classic reflection photo..
you can see Wafi Mall in blurred behind the mirror.
posted for weekend reflection. taken beginning of this week.

Stormtrooper in Dubai Marathon

Today, I would like to share another picture from yesterday's run, Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. I took this picture at 10 K.
I was trying to find good location just before the finish. these two runners in Stormtrooper costume started late from the crowd.

For the record, a couple scene from Star Wars 7 were filmed in desert near Abu Dhabi last summer.

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2015

I took this picture at the start of 10 K runners.
I was little bit late for the Marathoner's start this morning.
the winner of Marathon (42km 195m) is Mekonnen Asefa Tsegaye from Ethiopia, with 2:04:32 .

#boostdubai

Tomorrow, here we will have Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon.

Elite athletes will run for the highest price in marathon, There are 10 km and 4 km family run sections as well.

This year they have changed the number / chip collection point from one of hotel to Skydive Dubai's area.
The moment I went there I liked this change. There are plenty of space, relaxed atmosphere, enough parking area no congestion ect..
only negative thing is carpet on uneven surface. I was so careful after I noticed that. But sometimes, things just happen even you tired to avoid.
I injured my left ankle on the way out :(
Hope it will be OK till Friday morning.

756 accidents within 8 hours

Another picture from the rain on Monday.
According to news, there was 756 accidents within 8 hours related with rain.

I am not sure if this also a kind of world record or not..

Its raining in Dubai..

Yesterday morning I woke up with thunderstorm. It was very strong.
it rained all day and night.

When it rains in Dubai, life is getting harder.. there is no rain water collection system, there are many water ponds on highway.
Drivers are not used to this weather. they are driving either too slow or too fast. Both cases increase the accident possibility.

Emirati Burqa - Rehlatna

Another details from World's longest graffiti scroll.

Here we see local lady with traditional face mask. It is called Emirati Burqa. Not to be confused with the head to toe blue cover used in Afghanistan. The Emirati Burga is a traditional metallic coloured cloth used to cover only some part of the face. I found one interview with Burqa Maker in UAE explaining different styles from different cities and how to do it,, ect.

You can not see the whole mask here in this detail. This mask doesn't cover all the face, it goes down only to the upper lips.

Before read about Burqa, I was sure that it is not related with the religion but comes from the culture. Which is true, I had good guess.  I was also thinking it may coming from the desert climate conditions. I was wrong on this part. :)

According to one blog that I found, it comes from falcon.

It was designed to imitate the falcon's feature, as the falcon has always been a symbol of elegance, pride and power in the Gulf countries.

In public, you see elderly women only wear this burqa. The mask is not much popular among young generation nowadays.

Posted for Monday Mural.

Burj Al Arab

Taken at this weekend. On the left Dubai's one of first iconic building, Burj Al Arab with 7 stars. On the left part is Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Anar Fruit

Yesterday I was invited for breakfast at newly opened restaurant, By chance I got two invitation for the same place, at the same time but from different friends. In those moments I think Dubai is not a big city. :)

I thought there is something important, somehow I should see it on Friday.

I was not wrong, after I had nice and long breakfast, on the way back, I noticed this tree.

Actually first I saw its flower. Even I recognised the flower I was not sure until I saw the fruits on it. I was not expecting to see pomegranate tree in Dubai. I grab my camera and try to take couple of pictures.

I really like the colour of its flower, in this picture you can see those small flowers on the up right side of the picture. Flowers became fruit like this,This fruit is not mature yet, It has to be in red colour.

This is also new to me, I didn't know that this tree can survive from deserted climate.

It is symbolize fertility and prosperity in Iran & Turkey, also it was known as "fruit of the dead" in Ancient Greek mythology.

It is considered to have originated in the region between the Himalayas and Egypt. It has been cultivated since ancient times. Today it is getting more famous and commercialized with vitamins & antioxidant content. You can read more about on Pomegranate from here.

I like the fruit and the juice but the pomegranate sauce is my favourite in all forms. it is good with salads even I use it while cooking.

If you are a foodie, you can give a try once on one of your salad. It will perfectly match with olive oil. afterwards you may use it more often :)

Burj Khalifa from Festival City

Another view of Burj Khalifa.. this time from Festival City. you can see all the Dubai city line from far distance.

Birds

Most people would not expect to see that much bird in Dubai, thinking it is deserted area.
Surprisingly there are many, in terms of number of different species as well.

Especially during sunrise and sunset, they are more visible.. of course if you are not spending your time indoor, you can enjoy their presence.

There is one bird sanctuary here at the end of the Creek. I tried to reach there once, but I lost my way at that time, :))
There, you may see even flamingos in their nature. One day, I would like to visit.
this picture at taken at Jumeirah Beach

Burj Khalifa

Here we have another Burj Khalifa, The world highest manmade building.

The photo taken at 2nd of December, UAE National Day.

Hairdressing shop

Taken at Jumeirah Beach Road. I took it while I was waiting on the traffic light.

Pearl Diving

Today is Monday and it the day for the Monday Mural theme.

Thank's to the World longest graffiti scroll (Rehlatna) I have many details to share on every Monday for next couple of months :)
This week, we have a detail which is showing another cultural value of UAE.

Pearl Diving...

It was economically very important in the 1800s in the region. it was done by locals. The pearls were used to trade for goods. Even though it is very dangerous, Today cultured pearl is dominant in the market in these days. Today very few people still dive in traditional way.

If you want to learn more about pearl diving and experience it by yourself, there are some Pearl Diving Tours. During the tour, there are experienced divers who can pass all the information and their stories about pearl diving. At the end you can dive in a traditional way. If you are lucky enough you may find your own pearl. They say, you can keep it as souvenir. :)

Here is one short interview with Emirati Pearl Divers,

Traffic in Dubai

Taken at traffic lights at JLT on the way to the office. There are so many lanes, if you don't want to miss exit, you should find your lane far before hand most of the case before see the sign boards :)

weekend reflection

Sunset reflection at the balcony, thanks to the filtered window glass.

posted for weekend reflection.

spot the bird

Yesterday evening the sunset was really good. I really like the weather in winter time. We have fog early in the morning but afterwards most of the time we have clear view unlike summer time.

Posted for Skywatch Friday.

fog

beach time

Taken at the beginning of the December. These flags were there because of the National Day on 2nd of December.

Decoration

As you know, there are so many construction projects going on around the city.
when the shift is over, all workers going their accommodation camp with these buses. Some of them has more decoration, some has little like this one.

Palm from the space

Here we have another detail from Rehlatna about UAE's space plan.

Posted for Monday Mural

ready for departure?

It's the time for departure from Istanbul to Dubai.

I took this photo at Dubai International Airport.

In fact you can take better, far better pictures from this airport.

first of all taking pictures are not forbidden, of course not at the custom : )
secondly it has great architecture and the last one, many different nationalities walking around with their national dress..

I saw so many great pictures from terminal 1 & terminal 3

Sorry to disappoint you, I am not good at taking picture in this place. I am always in hurry to catch the flight on the way go, or extra tired from short trip on the way return to Dubai.

Marina

Most of my Marina pictures from other side of the complex. Here we have a view from the sea side.

More than 80 nationalities

Around 80 different nationalities are living in UAE.
Here is the brief list.

Time is...

I am happy to have new years or anniversaries just because they are good opportunities to have fun, and enjoyment with family & friends.

Most of people has new year resolutions. Such as
starting a new healthier diet, lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, less alcohol, get rid of bad habits, to learn new language or new dance, to meet "the one"and live happily ever after, to improve career.. ect

Unfortunately most of them will be forgotten after couple of days or at most weeks. 

Time & calendar are created by human-being. They are good to organize our daily life but in Nature they are not much use of them.

Birds don't check the calender to decide migrant, They just fell it, it is the time.

Babies don't check the calendar to start talking or walking. They just do it, when they are ready..

Please do not wait till the beginning of the new year / or first day of the next month or the next Monday to start something you really want to do it.

I saw below quote on Facebook this year. When ever I see someone is depressed on Monday or postpone something for the next "beginning" I am repeating this to them also to myself time to time.

"there is no Monday in Nature"

Just do it once you fell that you are ready for it.

Happy new year to all of us.