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Water Overhead

June 14, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

small water heater installed in ceiling space

We are having water heater fun this week. Even though this is a new building and this water heater is only about 2 years old, it decided to spring a leak. This is extra fun, because water heaters are installed in ceiling spaces. Each bathroom and the kitchen have a small water heater rather than having one large one for the whole apartment. I don’t know how widespread this practice is in the world, but in the States houses and apartments usually have one large water heater installed in a closet or garage area. It wouldn’t occur to Americans to put something like this in the ceiling area. Just last month a 5 year old girl in Ajman was killed by a falling water heater. Placing a heavy water filled tank over your head just doesn’t seem smart.

So, the bathroom is off limits until we can find a maintenance request form and get the ball rolling toward some repairs or replacement. I suspect this will take a while. Good thing we have more than one bathroom.

Posted in Ajman, Fujairah, oddities | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

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Caesars in Fujairah

June 11, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

restaurant decor simulating ruins

A new Caesars restaurant opened recently in Fujairah.

catsup, HP sauce, hot sauce, and soy sauce

Condiments can be proof of a varied menu. Something for everyone.

green salad and rocca salad

The size of the salads was a welcome sight. There were tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots hiding under all that lettuce.

main courses

I ordered beef with mushroom and broccoli. Daddybird ordered chili chicken and a garlic steak. We ended up splitting the steak.

There are Caesars Restaurants all over the UAE, so this isn’t a Fujairah discovery, but it is nice to have another option that is somewhat amenable to our diet.

Posted in food, Fujairah, restaurant | Leave a Comment »

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Goats

May 30, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

goats

Fujairah may be building skyscrapers, but there are still date palm groves and farms in the middle of the city.

goats

Goat herds are a common sight.

goats

Posted in animals, Fujairah | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Another Water Feature Bites the Dust

May 3, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

Another one of our favorite water features –

Festival City Fountain
Is now wrapped in a death shroud.

white sheeting

The reasoning is

The future is clearer. We're clearing away obstacles to make way for better shopping.

“The future is clearer. We’re clearing away obstacles to make way for better shopping. Project: Opening sight lines. It’s all happy-ning.”

I have no idea what will replace this distinctive fountain, but it sounds like it will be more kiosks selling stuff. Very sad.

Posted in Dubai, fountains, malls | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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Too Courageous To Be Met With

April 26, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

toy kitchen set with Hello Kitty and another cartoon cat on the package
Hello Kitty and Spaz Cat? or Winky Cat?

toy kitchen set with Snoopy and a duck on the package
Snoopy and Random Duck?

toy race car labeled "alacrity"
Alacrity? “Brisk and cheerful readiness.” I guess it fits.

toy houses labeled "angry birds"
We find that they are putting “Angry Birds” on everything, whether relevant or not. “Welcome to my little world. Let’s play together.”

toy train
“Train Energy Powerful: Too courageous to be met with”

wall covered with serving spoons
Serving spoon, anyone?

Posted in Fujairah, Shopping, toys | Tagged , , | 3 Comments »

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New Damascus

April 17, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

We’ve done it again – found another good restaurant.

restaurant sign

We ventured out to try a “new to us” restaurant. As we drove up, we checked to see if the restaurant was busy and were a little concerned that there were only two tables occupied by customers. But, we checked the time, which was 8 pm, and realized that it wasn’t the local dinner time, yet.

plate of carrots and limes and a bowl of soup

There didn’t seem to be any menus to choose from, so we had to ask the waiter what they offered. We decided on mixed grills and asked about salad. He assured us they had salad. First came the soup which was tangy and had onions and liver in it.

four plates of salad

Then came the salads – two rocca (arugula) salads, cabbage & tomato & cucumber salad, and tabouleh. Also, two small plates of hummus. The salads were perfect.

plate of varied meats

And then the mixed grill – chicken tikka, lamb tikka, kabab, lamb chop, and arayes (spice mincemeat-filled oven-baked flatbread sandwiches).

two small cups of tea

The waiter brought us tea to finish the meal without our having to ask. It is like he read our minds. The bill came to 62 AED ($17.00). New Damascus is located in Fujairah, just north of the souk.

Posted in food, Fujairah, restaurant | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Jerash

April 13, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

Our last site to see was Jerash. It was established by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. and later expanded as a Roman city, one of the Decapolis cities.

triple arched gate

Much of the city was toppled by the earthquake in 749 A.D., but it is one of the best preserved sites.

steps and massive Corinthian pillars

The pillars of the Temple of Artemis remained standing despite the earthquake.

Roman street lined with columns

We had a guide and it was worthwhile. Sometimes the guides can get in the way of the experience (such as the one at the Citadel). This guide went slowly, told us important information without it being too much and gave us lots of time to take pictures and enjoy ourselves.

To see all the pictures, click here.

Posted in historical site, Jordan, travel adventures | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Ajlun Castle

April 13, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

medieval castle

Our last day of site seeing in Jordan started with Ajlun Castle. It was built by a nephew of Saladin in 1184-1185 A.D. and enlarged in 1214-1215 A.D.

bearded man with 4 Nigerians

Before we even got into the castle, we encountered a bus load of Nigerians who all wanted to have their picture taken with DaddyBird. Some even decided that they needed a picture with me also.

large castle room with arched ceilings

The castle was larger than it appeared and very interesting. To see all the pictures, click here.

Posted in historical site, Jordan | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Amman Street Food

April 11, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

Al Reef shwarma stand sign

We headed out for dinner. First was shwarma at Al Reem. (3.00 dinar $4.25 for four)

hand holding a shwarma sandwich

Followed by falafel sandwiches at Al Quds Falafel. (1.40 dinar $2 for two)

falafel being cooked

falafel sandwich

Followed by one of everything at Hamish Restaurant. (6 dinar $8.50 for full dinner for two)

three bowls of food

restaurant in an alley

Posted in food, Jordan, restaurant | Tagged , | 3 Comments »

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Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and the Dead Sea

April 10, 2013

Posted by Kanga.

After Wadi Rum and Petra, it seems to be downhill. Perhaps we should have reversed the order of our itinerary.

Dead Sea, beach, feet

On our way to the Dead Sea, we stopped at St. George Church in Madaba where there is a mosaic map from the 6th Century. Neither of us is very interested in the Byzantine era. I enjoyed some of the newer mosaics that were hanging in the church (21st Century).

We also stopped at the Mosaic School, where we were briefly (very briefly) shown how new mosaics are made in a small workroom and then ushered into the expansive gift shop. The school teaches Jordanians, some of whom are physically disabled, how to create and restore mosaics. They do good work.

Next was Mt. Nebo, where there are more remains of mosaic flooring from a Byzantine church. The view of the Jordan Valley was lovely, despite the cloudiness.

By mid-afternoon we were at our Dead Sea hotel, ready for a late, late lunch and a long nap. Testing the waters waited until the next morning.

See all the pictures – click here.

Posted in Jordan, travel adventures | 1 Comment »

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