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Reptile Talk

September 24, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Last July we were having lunch in the Thai Express and overheard the conversation of the men sitting at another table. It’s a small restaurant and it is rare to hear an American accent, so we couldn’t help but notice. The conversation topic seemed to be mostly “snakes of Arizona,” so we also found that an odd thing to hear in Fujairah. The September issue of Fujairah Observer explained it all. “World Renowned Reptile Specialists Visit the Wadi.”

“In June 2011, Wadi Wurayah received the visit of two reptiles and amphibian specialists: Researcher Theodore J. Papenfuss form the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, and his assistant, Todd Pierson, University of Georgia, USA. … they spotted a tiny gecko on the gravel bed of the wadi: the Gallagher’s leaf-toed gecko (Asaccus gallagheri).”

Posted in animals, Fujairah | Tagged eavesdropping, reptile specialists | 4 Comments »

Cat Antics

September 11, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

It’s about time for some cat antics, don’t you think? It has been a busy and exciting two months for Oliver & Bert. Constant rearranging and unpacking of boxes meant lots of curiosity inducing movement.

A recurring theme is to be as high up as one can get. Even as I write this, Bert is on top of the bookshelves in the living room.

The arrival of the laundry machine resulted in a thorough examination, inside and out.

And the boxes, oh the boxes! To be up high AND in a box, that’s the best.

Apparently, my laptop bag is made of catnip, because it inspired a great deal of excitement.

Oliver frequently takes a respite in the corner behind the refrigerator.

Even the door tops had to be explored and the air conditioning vents as well.

The addition of several bookcases was a boon for the desire to be UP.

And, of course, there is the daily lounging in the sunny window.

Posted in cats | Tagged cats, moving | 1 Comment »

Goats and Donkeys and Bears, Oh My!

September 1, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Okay, there are no bears, but there are plenty of goats and donkeys just roaming around, nibbling on whatever they can find.

Donkeys come in a range of colors from light tan to black. They usually travel in pairs.

And sheep, too! In the background is the Ohala Fort/Castle. (Alternate spelling Wahla or Wahala) This is close to the Oman border.

It is amazing that they find anything to eat in this harsh environment, but they do.

Posted in animals, Fujairah, road trip | Tagged donkey, goats, sheep | 3 Comments »

Crested Bird

July 26, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

All our bird books are still packed in boxes, so I can’t tell you this fellow’s name.

Posted in birds, Fujairah | Tagged crested bird, Fujairah | 1 Comment »

Welcome to Oliver’s House

July 8, 2011

Posted by Oliver the Loud.

Mah-Woo, everybody! Kanga and DaddyBird are letting me guest post on their blog. So, I thought I would show you around my new home.

First, let me say that moving was TOTALLY traumatizing and I don’t ever want to do that again! Luckily, all my old stuff came along – cat toys, food dish, scratching pads, favorite napping chairs, Bert, Kanga and Daddybird, so it’s not so bad, after all.

The best, the very BEST, thing about this new place is the window sills. They are wide enough and long enough for Bert and I to lay/sleep/tussle on. Day or night this is my favorite place. You can see a lot from the 16th floor.

There are lots of cool tile floors to lie on. When I’ve been naughty, I run and flop down so that I look innocent.

This is the room I have to share with Bert. Kanga and DaddyBird lock us up in there when they go out, and I don’t like that much. Really drives Bert crazy. But, I just curl up inside the old suitcase and take a nap until they come back.

My one complaint is that the sinks make it hard to get a drink.

All in all, I am pretty happy.

Posted in cats, moving | Tagged cat's perspective, Fujairah, moving, new apartment | 2 Comments »

True Kitty Companions

June 23, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

It’s been a while since our cats have graced our blog. We must be slipping as devoted cat people, or is that doting cat people?

Oliver is, and always will be, high maintenance, but we are lucky that they both seem to adapt well to our occasional absences. Once we return, it only takes 15-20 minutes before they relax and get back to their ol’ selves. The purring and head butting begins again. There are some lasting repercussions. Bert tends to seek more petting and lap time, as well as being more vocal. Oliver tends to yell at us for a few days a bit louder than normal. Eventually, these wear off.

However, this time, they only have a short window before the next upheaval. We will be moving next week. Hopefully, it will be a straight across move from one apartment to another in a one day shot. I suspect that once they have smelled and explored every corner, they will settle in.

Posted in cats | 3 Comments »

Voyage, Not Particularly Bon

June 4, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

Oliver made his opinion about us packing baggage very clear. He did his best to get in the way and delay the inevitable.

We began our journey at the un-ostentatiously decorated DXB airport. The only frustration was the process required for paying an extra baggage fee for the third suitcase (because the website had stated clearly that we were allowed 2 each – LIE!). Instead of just being able to pay the person who was checking in our bags (as is done in any other airport) our boarding passes were carried to a different counter by a second person who turned it over to the staff of that counter. We then stood in line (too long) waiting for the first of the two people at this counter to match up our paperwork and ask us pointless questions. She then passed the paperwork to her coworker who actually took the money and gave us back our boarding passes. FOUR PEOPLE. Really, does it take four people to handle this transaction? No. It takes four people to delay you so that you stand in line saying, “we should have flown Emirates Airline.”

We proceeded to Heathrow Airport where getting to your connecting flight is so complex it requires a map.

And they give good advice.

It was not the best of trips. It was not the worst of trips. We really must stop this flying halfway around the Earth in one shot business.

Posted in cats, signs, travel adventures | Tagged cats, customer inconvenience, signs, travel | Leave a Comment »

Urban Bees

May 20, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

DaddyBird noticed these bees taking up residence in a potted plant just outside the entrance of our apartment.

There isn’t that much follage in our neighborhood – a few potted plants, but not a lot of gardens or parks, so it is a little surprising to see “wildlife” in the heart of the city. These little fellows are making the best of the situation.

Posted in animals, flowers, plants | Tagged bees, Dubai, hive, urban | 1 Comment »

Snappy Tom

May 12, 2011

Posted by Kanga.

I don’t think I’ve posted this picture before. If it’s a repeat, pardon me.

Our brand of kitty litter has an interesting mascot, Snappy Tom.

If only our cats were such dapper dressers and so well trained.

Recently, there’s been a change in labeling and Snappy Tom has been exiled to the bottom left corner of the label. I suspect that he will disappear altogether one day.

Posted in cats, oddities, products/ads | Tagged cartoon cat, cat litter, marketing, toilet | Leave a Comment »