A Speed Junkie’s Paradise

A treat for Justin – Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi with a view of the Flying Aces Roller Coaster. Behind that, the spike that pokes out of the red roof, is the Turbo Track ride, where the roller coaster shoots up to the top of the spike, and then falls back down at breakneck speed. Fun, but not for the faint-hearted…

And so, just like that, Justin’s one month break with us is done. He’s going back to Singapore tomorrow, to start school on Monday. How quick? We wish you all the best son. Study hard and stay focused. Do well, and the world’s opportunities will come your way!

Here’re some photos of a treat we gave him during his mid-year break last year, a day at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi. Although we’ve been in the UAE for more than 10 years, we’ve never visited Ferrari World, until this visit in 2023. Roller coasters aren’t Anu’s thing. But it definitely is Justin’s. He’s a total speed junkie. I took one ride on each of them, and have had enough. He kept going, while I rested to nurse the bloody motion-sickness induced headaches… No, no, no, I’m not too old for this. It’s just a minor setback, ahem…


Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, a view from Yas Mall


Ferrari World, here we go! This was Justin’s second Yas Island Theme Park treat last year. There’re 4 theme parks in Yas Island Abu Dhabi, and you could combine your visits to get cheaper tickets per park. We told him he could select 2. Justin selected the Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World as his treat


Nice, ...but impractical car, that seats only 1 person. What's the point?!?


A race at the Karting Academy. For the price we paid for the park’s ticket, I thought this’d be free, but no, this is extra!! Justin really wanted to do this, it’s the first thing he wanted to do in the park! So, I let him have a treat. Twice!! On his first race, he did quite well, for a novice who'd never driven a go-kart. His second race came after we tried all the other rides. He was full of confidence going into the second race, but didn't do as well as the first. He’s been in love with go-karting ever since. And all things speed-related, like skiing and mountain-biking. O God, look after him…


The Turbo Track ride lies in the middle of that funnel. The ride starts to the left of this photo (out of view), shoots out on the track (that’s lighted up with red), and goes up the spike in the middle of the funnel. It then starts falling down at breakneck speed and goes back to where you started. In the foreground of this photo, is the Karting Academy, where the karts are gearing up for a race


The Flying Aces ride


Well, fuck me, if I'm gonna do that! But I did, and survived. Hah!


Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest friggin roller coaster!


That’s the acceleration track that shoots you high up on the friggin track to the right. You HAVE to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes in the Formula Rossa ride. Justin went on this ride at least 3 times, …or was it 4?


Entrance to the Fiorano GT Challenge, a twin coaster ride, with coasters going side by side on separate tracks, to simulate two cars racing


And if you’ve had enough of the craziness, you can sit back and enjoy some treats at the Italian-themed restaurants and cafes… Here’s the place that we had our pizza lunch

Ciao!

Tomb of the Living King

The lovely ceiling of one of the many mausoleums in the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble of tombs, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

It’s Eid again! Eid Al Adha Mubarak everybody! Selamat Hari Raya Haji!

And I have just the post for this! Hehe…

It’s a short Eid this time. 4 days including weekends (unlike the last 9-day Eid). Looks like we won’t be going anywhere this time. It’s friggin baking outside, Justin’s here with us and we’re saving money for our home trip to Malaysia in August! We’d just be spending time here in the UAE. Hmmm… what is there to do?? Haven’t planned anything yet.

Anyway, here’s another short photo post, till I have time to write more (finishing that tendering work will help). (Oh, and by the way, our Company just won a new Project in Dubai. Yippee! A very welcome lifeline indeed!)

Here are photos of the time we visited the Shah-i-Zinda, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Shah-i-Zinda literally means “the Living King”, in Persian or Farsi. (Why Persian? Farsi is not an Uzbek language, izit? No, Uzbek is actually a Turkic language. I think it’s got to do with history. Somehow, Persian culture influenced big parts of Asia in the medieval ages, so much so that the modern languages of Asia Minor, Central Asia and South Asia have heavy doses of Persian words infused in them. Heck, even Hindi, the national language of India, is a heavily-Persianized version of Sanskrit! Thanks to the scores of Islamic kingdoms that ruled Delhi in the past). How Shah-i-Zinda got this name however, beats me, but it’s related to the story of Qutham ibn Abbas, a companion of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).


Shah-i-Zinda – a ‘street’ lined with exquisite tombs, Samarqand, Uzbekistan, Dec 2023


The tomb and shrine of Qutham (or Kusam) ibn Abbas, a companion and first cousin of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Qutham ibn Abbas took part in the Islamic conquest of Central Asia, and remained there to spread and teach Islam, thereby becoming the first Islamic preacher in Uzbekistan. Contrary to his ‘Living King’ title, he died, defending Samarkand against invaders

Shah-i-Zinda is an ensemble of mausoleums, in the middle of a huge cemetery in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It is one of the highlights of the city. Yes, a cemetery. Scary huh? Not Anu’s type of attraction, but somehow, the beauty of the tombs dispelled all the horror. You’ll see!


Our walk to Shah-i-Zinda. Now this tree is just the type of tree you’d put in a movie like The Omen…


We reached the Shah-i-Zinda complex. Anyone with an appetite for some tombs?? C’mon, we’ve bought the tickets, let’s get on with it!


We made it to the top. Family photo time! Before we venture any further. It was a cold and gloomy winter’s day as you can see. Brrrrr….


A view of the surrounding graveyard from Shah-i-Zinda. The mosque with the blue domes in the background is the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and the left-most blue dome is Bibi Khanym’s mausoleum. Bibi Khanym was the favourite wife of the Emperor Timur (Tamerlane), who founded the Timurid Empire


The exterior of the mausoleums. Each doorway leads to a separate mausoleum. Many of it are for relatives of Emperor Timur


Jayden, don't stand in the doorway. You'd look like a saint… YOU DO!


This is what I call ‘Resting in Peace’. How exquisite and pleasant… They have been painstakingly restored and maintained. Good for you Samarkand!


Each tomb has a different finishing. This is a barren one


Why is this door closed? Are there hidden treasures inside? Or the Mummy??


The prayer hall/ mosque at Kusam ibn Abbas’s mausoleum


Ending this on a less sombre note, souvenirs anyone??

That’s all for now. Enjoy your holidays!

The Island of Theme Parks

A slides extravaganza! Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Justin’s back from Singapore, for his mid-year school break!

This year, he’s gonna spend most of his 1-month break here in Dubai, revising, and catching up on his studies. It’s a crucial, make or break year! Fingers-crossed. But he doesn’t seem a bit worried. When is this seriousness going to get drummed into his big, fat head? Sigh!

Here’s a super, quick picture post of a treat we gave Justin during his last year’s mid-year break. A trip to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, where there’re 4 big theme parks! Here goes.


Yas Waterworld, here we come!


A map of the park. The world’s leading water park, izzit?


The Dolphin Gate?


Whoa! What’s that? A big fat trumpet? It’s a whirlpool ride! The Dawwama!




Water slides galore. Enjoy!


A slide for the Slytherins. Pick your serpent, each is different!


A relaxing ride on a river… (but scorching hot. It’s summer after all!)


Some water-splashing fun!


An artificial beach. Yup, it’s only the 2 of us. It’s a treat for Justin for getting that scholarship in Singapore. We went on a week day to beat the crowds. Jayden’s at school, and theme parks aren’t really mommy’s cup of tea


The view from above. Ferrari World’s (the red roofed structure) crazy roller coasters are just next door. We’ll do that next!

That’s all for now. Gotta get back to work. Got some urgent tendering stuff to finish. We love you son. We know it’s hard work, studying, but it’ll pay off. You’ll see.

Deep in Sheep Country

Dunstan Downs, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand

Happy Birthday Skye! It’s Skye’s 8th birthday! Time flies huh?!? The last time we met Skye, was in 2018 in Auckland, when she was only a tiny 2 years old!!

Dad, Hazel and Jason’s family are planning a New Zealand trip in November this year. It’d be Jason and family’s first trip to NZ to see Kim! Unfortunately, we’ll not be there for the ‘family reunion’ this year. NZ’s beyond our budget for the time being. Our plans aren’t fixed yet, but we’ll probably make a trip to our India home at the end of the year instead. Lots of unfinished stuff to attend to as usual. So, NZ will have to wait!

Anyway, here’s a continuation of where I left off in my last post of NZ. From Wanaka, we went north, into Canterbury. I wanted to see Mount Cook. What? It’s the highest peak in New Zealand! We’re this close, how can I not give it a try?!? But we had precious little time left, only 2 more nights in the South Island, before we fly back to Auckland. Here goes our adventure!


Heading to the Lindis Pass, on the Tarras - Lindis Pass Road (NZ State Highway No 8) – A view of the hills from the Cluden Hill Summit


North to Aoraki! On the road through the Lindis Pass, State Highway No 8, Otago, South Island, NZ


We’re in Canterbury! Lindis Pass Viewpoint


The track to the Lindis Pass Summit Lookout, at the Otago – Canterbury Border, NZ


We found our camper van spot for the night, Dunstan Downs, a sheep farm, with some facilities for camping. Not great, but not bad too. Ever used a thunderbox toilet? You can try it here. Guarantee, you’ll hate it, haha!


Anu at Dunstan Downs, South Island, NZ, Dec 2018


The main house and office of the Dunstan Downs High Country Sheep Station


OK, we’ve had a good night’s rest. Time to move again. A long journey awaits.


Another Lavender Farm? NZ Alpine Lavender, on the Mount Cook Road. We’re heading to Mount Cook!


Shucks! It’s all rainy, and clouds in Aoraki. Guess we’ll not be able to see Mt Cook after all. Better luck next time. But I consider ourselves lucky already because this was the first and only time that it rained during our entire 1 week trip of the South Island. New Zealand is famous infamous for its wet and windy climate. While we were enjoying ourselves in the South Island, Dad, Hazel and Kim’s lot were fending off the pounding rain in Auckland. For more photos of the Aoraki/ Mt Cook area, check this earlier post.


Heading back into civilization, Anu at Lake Pukaki. Behind in the horizon, below the storm clouds, is the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park


If only we could fly… Red Cat Biplane, near Twizel’s little airport

That’s all for now. Gotta head to Cromwell fast, have to find a place to sleep for our last night in the South Island before it turns dark. See ya!