Dawson

We had a wonderful time at Dawson. While time flew by, we managed to fit in many of the things that we love to do at the cottage: sit on the dock, soak up the sun, get caught up with family and friends, enjoy plenty to eat and drink and just relax.


The rental car...a Dodge Charger. Jeff loved it!

We have arrived!

Unwinding by the dock...

Gayle showing us the way it is done.

I am having no problems adjusting.

Aisha arriving by boat for a day at Dawson.

Too cute.

This is the life!

Aisha, can you please take me over there? ;)

More dock time.

Look what I caught! Jeff got two minos for Aisha, which they released together later.

I won't likely be asked to babysit for Aisha again.

You can now stay connected on Dawson!

Another great meal.

Cheers to the hosts - Thanks Bob & Gayle!

Trev came over for a short visit.

On our last night, we took the boat over to Bruce Mines for dinner.

Trying to stay warm.

Sad to have to leave.

Visit Home

After counting down the number of sleeps until our visit home, the time has finally come. So exciting!!!

We will be staying in Toronto for a night before driving up to the Sault to spend just under 2-weeks at Dawson and Cind, Lee Aisha's new cottage. We are then headed to Vancouver for just over 2-weeks to visit with more family and friends.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!


Checking in. We have a few bags.

Last few e-mails before taking off.

Baby Bump - Week 27

Two thirds down, One more trimester to go!



How could I feel any less than great...I just spent the day at the spa with Venitta. I can't wait to go back. In just over a week, we will be heading home for our summer visit. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and getting out of this crazy heat.

Day at the Spa with Venitta

Venitta took a much deserved day off work, so we booked ourselves in to the Talise Spa at the Madinat. What a great spa!

We started the day with Starbucks, then took the resort abra to the spa. We both enjoyed facials and Venitta also got a massage. Unfortunately, they wouldn't touch the pregnant lady with a ten foot pole, when it came to a massage, so I relaxed with ginger tea and a magazine, while Venitta finished her treatments. We had a great lunch at Toscana's before heading to the Mall of the Emirates to get a few gifts for people back home, as we are both nearing our summer break!

What a wonderful day!


Checking in for our spa treatments.

All ready to go.

Venitta waiting patiently for her turn.

Venitta at Ski Dubai.

Weekend in Muscat

This weekend, we finally hit the open road to explore some of the region. Our destination was Muscat, the capital of Oman.



It took just over 5 hours to get to the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort. While much of our travels were in the dark, it was apparent that the landscape in Oman was dramatically different from Dubai. There were mountains! We spent all of Friday relaxing by the beach, where the ocean breezes were warmly welcomed. That evening, we had dinner at Bait Al Bahr, the resort's seafood restaurant. Saturday morning after breakfast, we found loungers by the resort pool and enjoyed a few more hours of relaxation before having to head back home. We stopped briefly in the old part of Muscat, which has much more history than Dubai with several old forts and distinctly Arabic architecture.

All in all, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend - hopefully, we will go back soon.


Al Husn - the 6-star hotel within the resort.

Going in for a dip to cool off.

Al Waha - the family hotel within the resort.

Peanut in Muscat.

Relaxing by the beach.

A beached whale. ;P

Enjoying our last few hours at the pool.

Lookout over a small fishing town.

New marina being built close to our hotel.

Old Muscat.

Government buildings - were much more impressive in person.

One of many old forts within Muscat.

Border crossing between Oman & the UAE - fun!

Happy Canada Day!

This year's Canada Day celebrations were pretty low key - no long weekend and few Canadian were to be found in scorching Dubai.

What better way to celebrate Canada than with sushi!

Venitta & Jeff with their sashimi boat.

One Year of Married Life

It is hard to believe that it was a year ago that we were married on the beautiful, serene island of Mayne and today we are half way around the world, living in the developing city of Dubai.

Jeff made us dinner reservations at Pierchic. We enjoyed an incredible evening with great food and the best views of the Burj, the hotels at the Madinat, as well as the emerging Palm Jumeirah.


Celebrating our one year anniversary in Dubai.

Pierchic.

Jeff with the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Mina A'Salam in the background.

Looking the other way. Me with the Marina in the background.

Unobstructed views of the Burj Al Arab. Impressive!

Chocolate mousse cake - compliments of Pierchic. So good.

Flowers from Jeff on the eve of our anniversary.

Summer Golf has Arrived!

With temperatures averaging 38 degrees with uncomfortable humidity, most people have gone home to escape Dubai's summer. For us, it makes for the perfect time to get back into golf. With tee times readily available and green fees more reasonable, we headed out to Arabian Ranches Golf Club for our first summer round.

The most difficult thing was finding a pair of pants that would accomodate my growing belly.

Baby Bump - Week 22

We are just over the half way point and doing well.

Last week, we went in for our detailed organ scan, where most expectant parents walk away with some of the clearest images of their baby, prior to arrival. Not us - Peanut decided to turn towards my back at the first sign of the camera, so while we were able to confirm all is well, no pictures this time. He/she needs to spend more time with the Iwasaki clan.


Feeling big.

At Hayya, ecstatic to be getting my photo taken in a bathing suit.