1st of Advent

Even though we traveled and I have been working non-stop since we got back, I still managed to decorate the house for Christmas in time for 1st of Advent, something that is important to me.
We are staying in Abu Dhabi as per usual, and both the kids are coming down for two weeks which we are looking forward to of course; but also my Mum, for the first time in a long time! 
It will be a very special Christmas indeed!

It makes me so so so happy every year to open the box(es! of Christmas decorations, and I always save the tree for last. Each and every bauble and decoration reminds me of sweet memories, and I get to relive them again and again every Christmas.

Here are the ones I collected from this years adventures.
First a decoration from the Harry Potter World-visit Linnea and I did when I came to see her in May:

A couple of decorations from Australia, even though we have been there before, why not add some more? This time I got a kangaroo to add to the menagerie of Australian animals we already have in the tree:

I also bought two handmade baubles from a gallery, painted by Aboriginal artists. The left one is of the famous Seven Sisters constellation which is one of the most painted 'Dreaming Stories' in Aboriginal art:

I bought this palette also in London, during my visit to the National Portrait Gallery with Anna:

A heavy porcelain bauble with Iznik decorations, bought in Istanbul:

Another heavy bauble with decorations in relief, from Milan:

And finally, Dublin rendered a few new ones, as I couldn't decide. This first one is also made out of porcelain:

This one from the Guinness Storehouse Experience, obviously:

And finally, a Shamrock, for Ireland!

Now Christmas has started! Happy 1st of Advent!

Brunch at White

It had been quite a while since I last went to a brunch, so when Linda & Johan asked if I wanted to join them at the White on Saadiyat, I said yes. 

I hadn’t been there before, so why not. I opted for the Soft Package, so I drove myself there. 

It was a lush brunch, just the right amount of choices for the food, and the place was beautiful, bright and light. 

I especially enjoyed the musical entertainment actually, which is rare nowadays, as it is more often than not way too loud. Here we could have a nice conversation, even between all six of us; and the music was not just at the right volume, but also very good. Bonus points!

I went back to the ‘starter’ section several times. I much prefer seafood than to go for heavy meat. Starters and desserts, that’s my thing at brunches.

This was a brunch I would consider revisiting for sure.

The saddest farewell

Today at work it was the last work day for two of our colleagues in our Education team, Richa and Ann. It was time to get together and say farewell to them, with cake of course! 

It was a bit of a sad day, as we will really really miss Ann, above all. Richa worked in a different place in Education but Ann was our Team Leader, and our work days will be looking very different without her. She was the true rock of the team, and the one everyone leaned on. 

Richa is continuing her journey at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Ann is moving to a manager position in the newly opened Natural History Museum. I wish them both good luck!

Game Night Xmas Fun & Festivities

I came right back to our last Game Night before Christmas break. Fun and festivities all around!

We got served home made focaccia and a delicious fish soup, mmm. One of my favourites!

Then it was time for the 'Christmas gift game', we had all brought a small Christmas gift, and after an intense match - I came away with a scented candle, and some earrings.

Happy Holidays from the Game Night group!

The Chester Beatty

The Storehouse experience was a bit outside of the city center, and when we walked back we passed this beautiful cathedral. Not really in the mood for visiting, we were happy to snap some photos of its exterior at least, as it had a Scandinavian connection.
This cathedral, called the Christ Church Cathedral, was founded in the early 11th century, under the Viking king Sigtrygg Silkeskägg.

We also walked past the Dublin Castle. It was first founded as a defensive work of typical Norman design largely complete in 1230. It served as the seat of the British rule in Ireland for centuries, and is now a major government site. 

The Dublin Gardens, completed in 1680, adjacent to the castle.

We were aiming for the Chester Beatty museum, a place that Ciara had recommended.

This was founded by the mining magnate and collector Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968). Beatty, born in America, spent his life collecting rare books, manuscripts, prints and artworks. He eventually formed one of the world's greatest private collections.

He moved to Ireland for a quieter life in 1950, and donated his vast collection to the Irish people in 1953. In gratitude, Ireland granted him honorary citizenship. He was the first person to ever receive that honour.

This museum now tells a global story of religions, art and cross-cultural exchange and continues to be celebrated as one of the top museums in Europe.

And - another place completely free to visit!

On display were delicate Japanese woodblock prints, Chinese jade books, shimmering Qurans written in gold and some of the earliest surviving Christian papyrus texts.

A global collection gathered by one single man, a man with an insatiable curiousity. This collection remains one of Ireland's most remarkable cultural gifts.

Come the late afternoon, it was time for us to say goodbye to Dublin and head to the airport to return to Abu Dhabi. Another week full of adventures and new memories in the books!

 

The Guinness Storehouse experience

The day we were flying home our flight didn’t leave until late evening, so we actually had most of the day to continue to explore Dublin. It was time we did something that was tailored solely for Nathan - the Guinness Storehouse experience!

Well, to be honest, even if I don’t drink Guinness, this self-guided visit through the seven-story pint-shaped building was actually very interesting. 

It felt less like a museum and more like stepping into the living story of the Guinness family. We got to explore every aspect of the birthplace of Ireland’s most iconic stout.

We got introduced to the brewing essentials with the help of interactive displays where we could touch the barley and smell the citrusy punch of the hops. Very sensory, and playful. 

The narrative followed the evolution of a beer that became a global symbol. Vintage advertising posters lined the walls, we saw quirky animals from advertising in decades past, and the famous harp of course.

 

On one level we got to use our noses, and get little tasters, to learn how to enjoy the Guinness properly.

Nathan had a nice little conversation with the taster guide, about the "artworks" on the walls. He wanted to know who was who from the Guinness family, now that he had been busy watching the TV-series.

Talking about art in unexpected places, here some pieces produced using digital tools. These three paintings by the Irish artist James Early captures the rich legacy of Guinness in Dublin, through three themes: buildings, gardens and transport.
His practice is rooted in graffiti, graphic design and his family's heritage in stained glass.

The tour ended up at the Gravity Bar, the circular glass bar on the top floor of the building with a 360-degree outlook to Dublin's skyline. 

Included in the tour was a complimentary pint of Guinness, which we could enjoy surrounded by centuries of brewing heritage, and with the grand views of Dublin.

 

We certainly left with an even deeper appreciation for the craft that goes into making each pint of Guinness. A nice visit!