Life in Doha: April 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Saturday, April 25, 2009

ANZAC Day BBQ

It's warming up in Doha, which means BBQ time!

Well-timed with ANZAC Day & Giselle's birthday, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the pool and then BBQ at home.

The kids outnumbered the adults, but were well-worn out from swimming, so a relaxing evening ensued.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Dukhan

We spent today at the QP (Qatar Petroleum) Dukhan Beach Club. The Crouse family invited us along to enjoy a day by the sea. It was a windy day, but that didn't stop the girls from having fun.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Svensk Pask Party

It's Easter, and the Swedish community go to great lengths to keep traditions alive. We're grateful for all they teach the girls.

The deal is you gotta dress up like an Easter witch called a 'paskkarring' and play games and go door-knocking for sweets.

Cute witch, huh?

Isabelle & Matilda are finalists in the egg bashing competition.

Kinda like Trick-or-Treating, the "paskkarringar" walk from house to house asking for sweeties.

"Look how much I got!"

Isabelle & Jessica hit the streets of Salwa Gardens compound.

It ain't a party without waffles and icecream.

"Mums filibaba" - Swedish for yummy!

The Easter egg hunt was successful!

Monday, April 13, 2009

After a late visa process and a couple of flat tyres, we finally set off to Dubai for the Easter weekend. We stayed with friends, the Selmans, caught up with the old Apache crew at a beautiful scrumptious outdoor dinner, went skiing in the desert, saw huge aquariums, and went to a waterpark in the middle of the sea. At the end of our trip, we were grinning from ear to ear... the girls wore a chocolate grin, Brendan a PORK grin, and me, I wore an IKEA grin!

It is an 8-hour drive, which includes wait time at the Saudi Arabian and UAE borders. Half an hour in and the girls finally got to indulge in watching a DVD.

Even camels get to go on holiday in the Middle East!

Just for comparison... the Saudi Arabian desert.

It's cover up time for Mummy.

Once we arrived at Duane & Lisa's house, the Easter activities started. Here the girls go on an Easter egg hunt with Eloise.

The girls and their found treasures. It may look like a pose, but none of them want to take their hands off the basket of chocolate eggs! Note the white knuckles.

The White family Easter photo goes awry.

The Selmans are expert posers. Nice.

Isabelle and I hit Ski Dubai. Weird experience, but awesome nonetheless. Isabelle remembers exactly what to do. I'm impressed.

Brrrr... we're so cold... can... hardly... smile...

Driving out to Atlantis, on the Palm. You drive under the sea since it is situated on the crescent around the fronds.

Entering Atlantis. We hit the water adventure park for the first four hours. Good fun, but sorry, no water proof camera, so no photos. I worked up the courage to go down the vertical leap of faith. Terrifying.

Once dry, we went into the Lost Chambers. We saw Horseshoe crabs... coolest thing I've seen in a while.

Daddy is bravest.

This is how our family photos go... c'mon, try to smile...

Daddy and his girls.

We found Nemo!

Sammy, the whale shark, gets fed.

This huge ugly fish was exiled from the giant aquarium after eating three sharks!

Watch out for the shark!

A full day at Atlantis takes its toll.

Last supper... Lisa rocks Brendan's world with a roast pork dinner.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Easter Egg Painting

It is day 6 of the school holidays, Wednesday morning, and we have no car, so we're busying ourselves getting into the Easter spirit! Eggs... look out!