Reliving Adu Dhabi.

Hi there - how are you?

How's the Christmas shopping going?  Is your house bedecked with decorations?  Yes mine is and I adore seeing the house festooned and looking all Christmassy.



If you've been watching me on Instagram you'll see I've just returned from a week in Abu Dhabi to watch the Grand Prix.
I had made a start on my gift buying before I went on holiday, but now home I'll be tackling the job full on, aiming to get all the presents within the next week - ha ha, who am I kidding?  I'll still be running around on Christmas Eve buying last minute gifts & wrapping them whilst stuffing the turkey and making pate! 😁

We flew with a wonderful airline that I knew nothing about.  Etihad Airways have got long haul flights sorted.  With a speedy on line check-in meaning you only have to drop your bag and go. 
The usual security checks completed we were now free to start enjoying ourselves.  Into the bar for a bite to eat and drink.  Followed by a quick wiz around a couple of shops for last minute goodies!
I had been a little nervous about the time of the flight, having only been on one long distance flight many years ago, but I need not have concerned myself the flight was a breeze!  Drinks served and dinner eaten I settled down to watch the in-flight films.  I was rather taken by the camera views - watching take off and landing, along with all the details of the flight!

Arriving at the Intercontinental Hotel, I couldn't get enough of the opulence and beauty.  Enormous Chandeliers, beautiful couches, grand piano and an aroma to die for!  Whisked away to our room on the 7th floor, I was wide awake and wanting to see more!



Attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix on both Saturday and Sunday filled our day, although there was time for breakfast and a lay in the sun on the beach.

I chose to wear dresses on both days, which I'm glad I did.  Normally I would have worn shorts and a tee shirt, but on this occasion dresses were much more acceptable. There were an abundance of pretty ladies in gorgeous dress, making a much more picturesque view - lots of vibrant, bright colours in the hot sunshine.

This heavy cotton lace dress is over a long cami tee shirt dress, I bought both separately but love the outcome of this dress up - dress down outfit.  I've also worn it with heeled sandals in the past - which looked equally as good.

We sat opposite Yas Marina, and the Yas Viceroy Hotel wondering what it would be like watching form there?  However we got just as good a view if not better because the sun wasn't shinning on us or in our eyes!

My OTS floral dress proved a winner on race day, cool but comfy - stylish and understated.  Coming from George back in the summer I'm pleased I got to wear it again.

By Monday all we had to do was lay in the sun on the half full beach, sun beds aplenty, and a bar on hand for the odd cocktail and water.  Lunch was gorgeous salads, along with burgers & nachos - with plenty of choice for the fussiest of eaters.

On Wednesday we visited the Mall, much the same as ours but absolutely huge!  We went in the evening when it was very quiet, but I was surprised to see all the same shops as home .... Next, Zara, H & M, F & F M & S to name but a few.  Came home with a dress and a gift for my princess and prince.  Will share the dress with you on the blog soon.

Thursday the girls in the party visited The Grand Mosque ... well what can I say, just stunning.  It was enormous, pristine, and very mesmerising.  All the ladies had to cover up even though we all wore long dresses and took pashminas!  We all looked the same, as did every other lady!

Guess which one is me?

Fitting in with the locals in our free-to-hire Abayas, fortunately they weren't too hot, but quite long.  We had to be careful not to trip up.  We also had to remove our shoes whilst in the mosque.

 The Grand Mosque at dusk is the best time yo visit.

Our last evening was spent in one of the several restaurants that had to be pre-booked. 
Chamas Churrascaria & Bar was out of this world. Live Samba music to create the mood of party and fiesta.
With a buffet selection of everything you can imagine by way of salads, cold meats and bread.
Back at the table you were visited by the waiters carrying long heavy metal kebab skewers with mouth watering BBQ'd meat. Truly tasty and tender, taking as much or little as we needed.  Finally the desserts - well honestly they were amazing.  Tiny portions of tarts, cakes, jellies and fruit, with the 'piece de resistance'...  BBQ'd pineapple -  oh wow this was divine!!
(Sorry I didn't get any photos of this, I was too busy eating!!)

In the picture above my unusual stripy dress from a collection at Asos, & below turned out to be my least liked dress - funny when you look at something on the website and in reality it's not quite how you imagined it.  That's the trouble with on-line shopping and why I prefer to shop IRL.
Here's said 'not liked' dress from Asos.   Chiffon is always great on warm, sultry nights abroad so I figure it would be the perfect pick. I love the colour! The colour is me! However, I just don't think the dress is me!
What do you think?

You might remember this dress from way back in June.
It's ended up being a real go-to dress.  A dress that is so comfortable to wear come rain or shine.  I've worn it so many times already.  These colours work great in all seasons, it just the accessories that change.  Again I've worn the blue strappy sandals with it, the perfect colour match.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like my little bit of Abu Dhabi, I'd recommend a visit to this enchanting city.


Have you missed something?  Yes the 5Over50 challenge didn't happen last Monday, but don't worry the five over 50 bloggers will be tackling the latest task on Monday 18th December, so I hope you'll pay me a visit to check out the latest offerings for  December's edition.

Glad to see you - it's much appreciated.

Bye for today. X

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