Expats celebrating UAE National Day our way...

UAE National Day celebrations have been going on all weekend, with everyone enjoying a 4 day weekend.   For expats, this long weekend is especially advantageous as it is not a 'dry' weekend, so with all the pubs, bars and restaurants open, it is a great time to go for a brunch and catch up with friends and, if you are lucky enough, family.   

Now don't get me wrong, if you are not into eating and/or drinking you too were taken care of; there have been parades, buildings adorned with flags and lights, street entertainers and programmes on TV empowering women and the younger generation (reminding them that they can achieve whatever it is that they want to achieve) as well as a stunning fireworks display over the beach last night.  Oh, and let's not forget about the Rugby Sevens! 

For us however, the highlight of our long weekend was taking my sister, her partner and my nephew to Beachcombers Brunch at The Jumierah Beach Hotel.  We were recommended the Beachcomber as it is family friendly with a magician, a man making poodles and such like out of balloons, and a children's play room containing everything from soft toys to Sega computer games.   

Beachcomber - From TripAdvisor

Located in a fantastic setting, right on the beach and in full view of the Burj Al Arab, we met with friends and had a 4 hour lunch;  for 900aeds per couple (or £163.63 - Seve ate for free).  We drank Laurent Perrier champagne, cocktails and just about any other drink that took our fancy, whilst eating from an amazing buffet of Asian food.

This being our first brunch, we had made assumptions on the drink choices.  Initially, Ian and myself opted for the champagne brunch when our waiter explained that without taking this option, the glasses of champagne retail for 150aeds (£28) each.  When they brought out the bottle, and Rachel saw it was Laurent Perrier, immediately the upgrade came along with her apology to the waiter, "I thought it would be like the UK - House sparkling wine.  Certainly not good champagne!"

The food was some of the best we have had whilst being in Dubai.  The first island contained an assortment of salads, from beef to chicken, with varying intensity of heat of spices.  Next to it, and away from the ice cream machine, was the desert islands, with an array of mouthwatering individual deserts and various pies that you were able to chose from.

Just a little on from the desert island, was the main course area.  Here, you could elect to have everything from Pad Thai to Nasi Goreng, Beef and Chicken Satay to Sweet and Sour Chicken.  As I am sure you can imagine, I loaded up on a selection of as much as I could possibly eat and before you ask, yes I did finish it all!  Ian and our friend Jerry, managed to find the Roast Beef station (everyone thinks about us Brits), but I completely missed this.  From Ian's plate, it looked to be cooked to perfection - medium rare; lovely and pink.

It was a chilled day.  Ian, Jerry and Bert went out to the beach just before the rain and lightening started and played football on the sand with a couple of dads who were out there already.  The girls, being much more civilised, stayed indoors with the champagne.

People may think that £81 on lunch per person is expensive, but I would vehemently disagree.  It was great value for money;  You could eat as much as you wanted and your glass was never more than half empty before being refilled.  My only complaint was that I realised I had forgotten about the chocolate fountain...  Luckily though, my sister agreed that next time they come over, we will definitely be taking them there again! 

UAE National Day

Today is the UAE National Day; a day when Emiratis celebrate that 41 years ago, they gained full independence from the UK and set up the unification of the seven emirates.

United Arab Emirates National day, as with all other holidays, is celebrated with by a long 4 day weekend for workers in public office (and most private companies take this up also).

Throughout the Emirates, flags and car stickers are sold; transforming cars to bespoke models by those whom cover the cars in them.  Younger adults, normally males, drive around town blaring their music and bibbing their horns until the early hours - Much like the Italians do when they win a football match!

It is lovely to see just how patriotic this young country is.  Buildings are lit up in red, green and white, fairy lights are strewn on public highways and everyone is out to have a good time.  Expats, though they may celebrate the long weekend differently, are not forgotten... Last night, both Ian and myself received a text welcoming us to the UAE and reminding us that this is a day of 'joy and pride in which we remember the journey' that the UAE has taken so far and which it continues to do.  

Whilst some may scoff at this, I thought that this was a lovely gesture - A little goes a long way to make you feel welcomed when you move somewhere new!  We all know that the UAE has a great vision, and wants to empower it's own people, but what many do not know, is that it wants to do so, whilst learning the lessons that other countries in the developed world have, and embrace their ideas and assistance.  

I know Ian would cringe at me writing this, despite him agreeing with the sentiment, but we are both excited to be a part of it all.  I have heard the UAE (particularly Dubai) being called the place where dreams are made.  When I look at the country with all the people we have met here, and what they have all achieved, I completely agree.