Revolving dinner

Pia and I also did a Ladies Night, together with Nina and Linda. We had been recommended to go to Stratos, the revolving restaurant, and it was a good recommendation.
Nice food, and free flow bubbly - we like!

I had only been here once before, but that was during daytime for an Afternoon Tea when Linnea celebrated her 15th birthday.

It was really nice to see Abu Dhabi from above, in the evening time as well. It is really pretty with all the lights, and as the restaurant revolves (one turn takes 1h40min), so you see it all!

Lush day

While Pia was here we treated ourselves to a lush day at the mall. First we had some mani-pedi, a nice lunch, and then we went to the movies to see Wicked.

We decided to treat us to the special experience that is the Vox Theatre, where you sit in huge recliners with pillows and blankets, and can order your food and drinks to come to your seat.

Lush! Lush! Lush!

Christmas ready

This year I had good reason to decorate early, as I am off to Sweden for a bit as per usual in the middle of December. Hence there is not so much time for me to enjoy it all otherwise.
It is a rather big job though, took me a whole day!

Got some electric candles for my Advent candle stick. They are so real looking nowadays, and while still bringing all the vibes, they don't make the house warm - perfect!

Of course I also have my calendar candle, counting down; and my big Santa has got some lights on his tree in the stairs.

The flying Santa is back, I still love him so so much!

The new additions to the tree are coming from both here and there, from this years travels. First I bought two ornaments in Denmark this summer, one from Tivoli and one from Rosenborg Castle:

I also bough an ornament while on the West Coast, in Fjällbacka; and one down in Brighton when we were there in June. A chippie-stealing sea gull:

And from Lisbon I got two baubles, one in papier-mâché and a handmade ceramic one:

Bring it on - I am Christmas ready

Swedish Candy

On the weekend there was a big happening here in Abu Dhabi, at least if you were a Swedish person - the opening of the Swedish Candy shop in Yas Mall.
A whole shop full of Swedish pick-n-mix!!

It is run by a Swedish couple, in a collaboration with the Swedish chain 'Hemmakväll'. It felt almost exactly the same, with hundreds of different kinds of Swedish candy. Not just pick-n-mix but also Marabou chocolates, Estrella snacks, flavoured sparkling Loka water and other kind of goodies.

Obviously, the price is not the same as in Sweden... Usually you would pay anywhere from 6,98 SEK (yes, at EKO) to around 14,90 SEK per 100 gram at the usual supermarkets; that is the equivalent of 2,30 AED to 5 AED.
Here, the price is 20 AED (60 SEK) for 100 gram... wowsa!

I still had to pick myself a small bag though, of course! A very small bag, just two of each of my absolute favourites. You have to support small businesses!

So no, I will not come every week for my lördagsgodis (=Saturday candy), but it's good to be able to on the days when the Swedish candy cravings become too big!

Advent sunset cruise

Pia has just spent a week here in Abu Dhabi, and we started her visit by joining a SwedishLadies group going on a sunset cruise last Friday to celebrate the 1st of Advent.
We were 18 ladies who set out from Al Bateen Marina on a beautiful yacht, all dressed "yacht chic"; we had delicious food, lots of bubbles and dancing music.

 

Admittedly I am not a fan of boat trips, and this was no exception. As we sailed out of the marina and hit some more open water the boat started rocking so I spent most of the time standing at the back of the boat focusing on the horizon, holding on for dear life... ha ha.

Every now and then it was calm, and I could sit down and enjoy the food together with the others, but no... I shouldn't go on boats... It is a bit hard to just step off when you have had enough...

The sunset was gorgeous though, and Abu Dhabi is always at its most beautiful in the dark when all the lights come on.

There was a lot of dancing, so much fun! What a great way to enter into the weekend, what a great life this is!

The Pyxis

We have received a very prestigious loan at the museum, from the Islamic Arts Department at the Louvre Paris - the Pyxis of Prince Al-Mughira.
It has been placed in its own gallery which has been especially changed and decorated for it. There are large size images of the Pyxis projected on the walls, and era-inspired music is playing. It is a special immersive experience, which presents this artwork in a very exiting way.

This Pyxis is a true masterpiece of Islamic ivory craftsmanship. It showcases both the status of the Prince, and the advanced artistry of the time. It was gifted as a "coming-of-age"-present to the Prince of al-Mughira in 968.

Four capitols from Madinal al-Zahra, Cordoba, Spain are also included in the presentation; all to enhance the ambiance and evoking the palatial setting in which the Pyxis originally belonged.

A big, fat Greek reunion

The evening I landed from Portugal, another plane had got in from Athens just a few hours earlier; with a dear old friend of mine and his family - Kostas!

They had come to Abu Dhabi only for a long weekend, and we were so happy that they wanted to spend one evening with us!
We invited them to Craft - of course, where else?

Kostas was my the owner of the night club I worked at in Lefkas back in the day (yes, we are talking in the nineties!) and we have kept in touch ever since, for nearly 30 years now! Last time we saw each other was as the kids and I visited Athens in 2020, on our last trip before Covid shut the world down.

It was so nice to have Kostas and his family on my home turf! Next time I hope they stay for a little bit longer!

In the meantime

While we were away having a good time in Lisbon, my cousin Johan and his family were having a good time in Abu Dhabi!
Because of changes in Nathan's schedule and our trip to Lisbon happening earlier than initially planned, we only ended up overlapping with one day before we left. Ah well, we made the most out of that day!

Then they stayed in our apartment, which meant they had access to the pool and the beach; even some old toys and Swedish books; and could cook their own food some days, which made their holiday easier.

Johan and Beatrice have been to visit us twice before in our old house, but that was many years ago. This time it was with the addition of Ralph, so their choice of activities were slightly different.
They went to the National Aquarium, to the desert to ride camels, and to the Louvre Abu Dhabi to explore the Children's Museum, amongst many other things.

It was also Bea's birthday, which got celebrated on the beach! Happy Birthday!

Next time you come, we promise to be home!

Lisbon - Day 6 - Solo day

So, the last day in Lisbon I was on my own, as Nathan got up at the crack of dawn to go catch his homebound flight.
It was a sunny day, and I was on a mission to source a Lisbon Christmas bauble for my tree, so I decided to walk into the city to find a souvenir shop we had passed on the first day.

The city Christmas tree was now fully up, but no lights yet.

I found my Christmas tree baubles, and some other small souvenirs. Mission complete and after another coffee and pastel de nata-break, I then decided to walk up to a view point we had passed in an Uber earlier in the week. I got well rewarded with beautiful views!

Around 15 kms later I stopped by a restaurant not far from the hotel and ordered myself some dinner to take-away. Lonesome dinner in the hotel room, while Zooming with Linnea and Mormor.

And early the next morning, waiting for my Uber to take me to the airport - this little getaway was over.

Thank you Lisbon! It was a great week!