Watching the sunrise, at last!

Whilst I was away, one of the best things I experienced was an over night trip into the desert. Luckily, as I was staying with Samantha, I was able to go along as a chaperone with the NYU Abu Dhabi trip (another perk from my role at NYU!)

We left friday evening and came back Saturday morning; so it wasn't an extended trip. But it was well worth it. I had a go at sand boarding (I'm completely rubbish and gave up after one attempt), went dune bashing in a 4x4 (sooo much fun!) and had my second ever time making smores (still prefer a regular toasted mashmallow).

The greatest thing about this trip? the sunrise! I've been chasing the elusive sunrise for a while now. I once attempted this in Switzerland, then again in Bali and have been considering trying to catch one on Primrose Hill in London. The only problem is that from past experience, I've never actually managed to see a really good, clear, beautiful sunrise. And who wants to chance waking up at such a god-awful time, only to be disappointed?!

But in the desert? It was Amazing! I woke up as early as I could - just after the morning call to prayer - and made my way to the top of the nearby sand dune (a few of the others had slept up here but I was glad I didn't as it was uncomfortable and windy! Once at the top, I had to wait quite a while. But eventually the sun began to appear on the horizon.

Something I did learn from watching this sunrise, is that the sky gets bright a little while before the sun actually rises. Initially I thought I had again missed my chance at watching a clear, spectacular sunrise. But I just needed to wait. Below are a few of the photos and a video I took whilst up at the top of the dune.

The other pictures here are from the second best thing about this trip. As we were away with the students, the astronomy club had accompanied us, and in the evening we got a very clear and crisp view of the moon - and who knew you could take a photo through a telescope! I also got to see Jupiter and 4 of her moons! This was actually very small, even with the telescope, so I didn't take a photo. But believe me it was pretty incredible to see.

That long line was an aeroplane, and the cluster in the middle was something significant that I don't remember the name of! :-/

The glow just before the sun rises

Those dots were birds

For some reason, blogger has messed with the quality of this photo, but looking past the grainy image this was my first glimpse of the sun.

My next adventure

Living in Korea, I often felt I was living in the future; such a technologically advanced nation where electronic devices were incredibly hi-tech and widely available. My brother and sister-in-law recently bought an i-robot cleaning gadget. It seemed so out of place to see that in the UK, I'd only ever seen them in Korean electronics stores whizzing around the display showrooms. To me they seemed so futuristic! The kind of thing I'd have seen on the Jetsons when I was young.

Tomorrow I'm heading off to Amsterdam to visit Chelsea, a fellow teacher I met in Korea. From there, on Monday I'm off to Abu Dhabi. 

Looking through photos of my next new destination I'm struck by how much more ultra modern it looks. Whilst Korea was so technologically advanced, Abu Dhabi's modernistic architecture really makes it stand out as a hub of modern design. It really looks like a city of the future. How we mortals might view the world in 100 years from now. Except, it's 2013 and I'm going to be walking amid these modern giants in a few days.

I'm really excited to be heading to a new area of the world, the middle east. A place that's fascinating and incredibly far removed, architecturally, socially and culturally than anywhere I've visited previously. Travelling is such an education, and I can't wait for everything I'm sure to learn from this next trip!

Photos from visitabudhabi.ae

Capture the Colour 2013

I saw lots of blog posts entering this competition last year, but never got around to entering. Not only was this due to time contratints (as I was travelling across land last august/september), but I was also quite intimidated by the other entrants, and didn't think I would have any pictures that would be good enough to win. I actually still don't feel my pictures are professional quality enough to win, but as I've got more time this year to look though my pictures, it gives me an excuse to reminisce and look back over my last few years of travels I'm adding my own collection of photos to 'Capture the Colour' in travelsupermarket.com's competition.

So from around my travels here are my photos. I have to say, it was much easier for me to find photos showcasing beautifully rich shades of green and blue, whilst red and yellow were the hardest to find. I find this ironic since I've lived in communist China and travelled recently through Vietnam and Russia!

Blue: Jeju-do, South Korea.

How could I not include a picture from South Korea? I lived here for 2 years and Jeju was hands down the most beautiful place I visited. This picture finally won as my entry over one from Arundel, as I had to include something from Korea! I love how the blue of the sky and sea are so luminous and that fluffy cloud left floating in such an expanse of pure blue.

Red: Taipei, Taiwan.

At the alter in a temple whilst visiting Taipei during Mid-Autumn festival.

Yellow: Tokyo, Japan.

A gleaming yellow beacon in the centre of Tokyo.

 White: Hainan, China.

A statue of Guan Yin, at the Nan Shan Temple. The fourth tallest statue in the world. A three sided statue, one face is turned inland, and the other two look out over the South China sea.

Green: Ekaterinburg, Russia.

At the Ganina Yama Monastery, where the royal family were buried after being murdered, in a disused mine shaft. Now the site of nine churches (one for each victim of the brutal murders.)

 I wish there was a category for 'other' as I love the purple colour of this picture of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

My nominations go to five of my favourite bloggers;

Brenna of This Battered Suitcase
Naomi of Anywhere but Home
Ellie of One Day I'll Fly Away
Lauren of Lateral Movements
Kate of Adventurous Kate

Restaurant recommendation

 I don't really do much recommending of places to eat, usually just posting pictures of all the gorgeous (and not so gorgeous - here and here) food I'm eating whilst travelling. And whilst I was in Barcelona, and staying with my brother, we cooked for ourselves in his kitchen most days. Such is the convenience of not staying in a hotel. 

But on our last night, we headed off to eat at Ziryab, an Arabian/Cataluynian fusion restaurant, one which my brother often recommended to tourists having never actually eaten there himself (!) So in the name of research we decided to make it our splurge before I headed back to Southend the next morning.

We were certainly not disappointed.

The restaurant is quite small, which adds to the atmosphere. The menu is modest and the lighting very red (hence the red hue of all my photos). A tapas-mezze affair with wines from Palestine, Lebanon and Catalunya, here you are offered a blend of two cultures. A very delicious blend indeed! We ordered the set menu, which basically gave us everything except the Fig & Pumpkin soup (which we ordered separately) - all in the name of research of course! Small plates arrived gradually so our table was never overloaded, and the portions were generous, especially when we got to the pita bread & dips course near the end! 

Ziryab is really a wine bar, and the food meant to accompany as snacks. But we ate heartily as a dinner and were most satisfied. My particular highlight was the Serrano halloumi sticks.

We managed space for dessert also, which I was slightly less impressed with - I ordered the Traditional Catalan almond dessert which was basically balls of marzipan. Whilst I do like marzipan, it wasn't something I was expecting for pudding!

Overall I would definitely recommend eating here. The prices are reasonable, the service excellent (English meuns are available and our waitress spoke English - to me as I can't speak Spanish or Catalan). Their website is here, and google maps directions here.

If you're in Barcelona any time soon go! It's what your stomach deserves after all the walking and cycling tours! :-)

Free nuts for snacking

Greedy pig soup (pumpkin, fig & ginger)

Bacon wrapped dates (back) fig & smoked salmon crustinis (foreground)

Serrano halloumi sticks... yum

The very generous dips (and a complete wally in the background)

The only thing I wouldn't order again

Tiramisu dessert (from the specials board)

This is a completely unsponsored post. I just really really enjoyed the food here!

Arc De Triomf & Gaudi's Fountain

 Sometimes all you need for a lovely relaxing time, is a beautiful sunny afternoon, gorgeous architecture and some grass to sit and read a book. I spent a successful day in Barcelona photographing the Arc De Triomf and Gaudi's fountain in the Parc de la Ciutadella. Bliss.

I'm not sure what these little black things are, or the nature of the building. But it was something that caught my eye on the way to the Arc De Triomf.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Quite Majestic, more so than in Paris I think...

Gaudi's Fountain

The Zoology Museum

Mario Kart in Barcelona

On a day of wandering and hanging out in the park, I came across Mario Kart painted onto the floor!

Walking around Barcelona

On the walking tour (from Travel bound) of Barcelona, we headed off around the gothic quarter of the city, hearing lots of tales about the complex and fascinating history of the fabulous city. I finally got to see my brother in tour guide action, although we had quite a small group so he was a little toned down than normal (or so I've heard). I didn't take the cycling tour of the city, which takes you further up to see Sagrada Familia and Gaudi's various houses. I'd seen these a few years ago on my last visit to Barcelona. I did walk up to the Casa Oriental (and therefore past Gaudi's house) on another day, only to find the place closed!

If you're in Barcelona, definitely take one of the walking tours, they are free (aside from a tip to your guide) and a great way to see the city and hear the story of Barcelona - from a person rather than out of a guide book.

On this second trip to Barcelona, I really enjoyed wandering around this very walkable city, despite my sandals gave me blisters (ON THE BOTTOM OF MY FEET!) on the first day! I found the nicest place for a wander was around the area to the east of Las Rambla, along to the Arc De Triomf with a stop off in Parc de la Ciutadella (and the very ornate Gaudi fountain) You could also take the Mario Kart challenge behind the Arc!

Picasso's favourite absinthe bar!

Follow the modernist trail around the city

Picasso's drawings on the school of Architecture

The old gate of the city

Reused bricks from an old synagogue (identified by the remaining Hebrew)

Wilfred the Hairy (founder of Barcelona - I think)

The same steps that Columbus walked up

George; patron saint of just about everywhere!

Statue in George Orwell square - a camera (Big brother's watching you)

Gaudi's first piece of work - a lamp post

The destruction of war

The buildings in this small square particularly bare the scars from the civil war.

This is the fountain from this music video

Also in this square: Shoe museum!!