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.

Venitta's New Ride

Venitta has been at the merci of the Dubai taxis for the last two months and could take it no more. When she got the call that her Yaris was ready for pick up, she couldn't have been happier.

We all agree, she is the proudest Yaris owner we know.


So happy with her new ride.

While her preference is for her Yaris sedan back home, she is adjusting to the hatchback and lighter colour.

Angela's Birthday

We celebrated my birthday in Vietnam because Jeff had a meeting to attend in the morning and would have otherwise missed it had I not joined him - cannot complain.

I started my day with a leisurely breakfast and the newspaper, then was joined by Jeff at the pool around noon. We were scheduled for spa treatments in the afternoon at the incredible resort spa. After thoroughly being pampered, we got a ride into the quaint town of Hoi An to look around and have dinner.

What an amazing day!


The spa at the Nam Hai.

Spa reception - huge bouquets of white roses where everywhere in the resort.

Hundreds of koi greeting us.

Our private spa rooms - the front room was for relaxation and the back one was the actual treatment room.

Our foot baths.

Jeff enjoying chamomile tea and a foot bath.

Exploring Hoi An.

Handmade lanterns in every shape and colour.

The market at Hoi An. Check out this guys load.

Birthday dinner in Hoi An.

Singapore & Vietnam

Once again, I had the privilege of joining Jeff on one of his business trips to Asia. While I have visited Singapore before, Vietnam was high on my list of places to see and this was my chance.

I met Jeff in Singapore for a few days, where I strolled the streets of Chinatown, Arab and Orchard Street and took advantage of the sales at Raffles City Centre. We then flew to Da Nang, Vietnam, where we had the good fortune of staying at an amazing resort, the Nam Hai. I was to travel on to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for 2-nights on my own, however Jeff's schedule was changed at last minute, which required him to meet with some colleagues there as well.

While Jeff was quite busy with work, we managed to find some time together and I finally got to see Vietnam. I would go back in a heartbeat.


Jeff's office in Singapore.

View from our room -the signature Raffles Hotel in the forefront.

View from the second balcony of our room at the Fairmont in Singapore.

Out and about in Singapore.

Chinatown in Singapore.

The signature Raffles Hotel.

The famous Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling was made. Didn't go this time.

Our villa at the Nam Hai in Da Nang.

Jeff's office in Da Nang.

Our villa was amazing...the photos don't do it justice.

The bed was raised above the living room to provide unobstructed views of the beach.

The indoor area of the bathroom.

The outdoor shower surrounded by lush, tropicl landscape.

The neighboring villas.

View from our patio.

Jeff relaxing on our outdoor furniture.

Biting off more than he could chew.

The spa at the Nam Hai.

The main pool...1 of 3 large infinity pools.

Enjoying coffee poolside.

Jeff come to join me at the pool.

Our last afternoon at the Nam Hai.

Out and about in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

One of the many, talented artists in Vietnam. I left with 9 paintings in total!

The Indepence Palace.

Ho Chi Minh

Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City.

War Reminants Museum.

I got caught in a downpour, which had all the guests of the museum huddled undercover for a good 30 mins.

The bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City.