Finding Fun in Abu Dhabi...Dune Bashing

After being in Abu Dhabi for nearly six months, our team is/was becoming a bit skeptical about how much new exploring and fun was left to be had in our neighborhood. After all, you can only wander the Corniche, drink gold-dusted cappuccinos at Emirates Palace and explore the wide array of Indian restaurants so much. Actually, I could probably continue the Indian grubbing for at least a few more years :)

Anyhow, right when new excitement was starting looking to run dry, our co-worker Sam came to rescue...in her Jeep. Part of a weekend dune-bashing club, Sam loaded us up in her Sahara model Jeep and treated us to a day of bouncing, sliding, and cruising in the HOT desert heat. I even managed to pop one of her tires in my short time behind the wheel...although I strategically managed to NOT take a picture. A few pics of the fun are below and if that's not enough, check out the full set HERE

Our crazy, Metallica-blasting, French Canadian leader - "9 Ball"

The pirate approaching a "side crest"

The weapons of choice...

The boys

Al Ain: An Oasis Escape from Citylife

As some of you might remember, Al Ain crossed my radar back in October when Rasika, Rob and I had one hell of a time getting across the border into Oman. Fortunately, things were much more relaxed this weekend when I visited Al Ain - the town bordering Oman and the birthplace of UAE's founding father - with Ben and Yamen.

Instead of massive border headaches, Yamen - a former "Al Ain-ite" introduced us to some real desert fun which included a visit to the last operating camel souk in the UAE, a stop by an oasis, and a long overdue sand dune climb. A few pics of what Al Ain had to offer...

Ben and Yamen enjoying the view...

Me and Yamen...

The old fort that used to house the ruling family

The Last Six Weeks: A Month and a Half to Remember

Wow, I can breathe...and it feels odd. This thought has run through my head about 72 times in the last few days. Why? Because up until about 48 hours ago, I experienced the fastest, most hectic, craziest, rewarding, tiring, depressing, exciting, maddening and fun six weeks of my life. Long story short, things have been just a bit busy since the New Year.

A whole lot of work, including the great experience of the World Future Energy Summit in mid-January, along with a few whirlwind amazing days in the southern coastal Indian state of Kerala, has made for a memorable January and February. (For a full slideshow of the adventures in Kerala CLICK HERE).

Staying true to my M.O. of more pictures and less words, I'll let the images (of the fun stuff) take it from here:

UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-Moon opens up the Summit in Abu Dhabi

Finally...a bit of peace on the shores of Kochi, India

Mopeds, cows and tuk-tuks -- the three essentials on Indian streets

Surveying life from the train - I'm convinced there's no better way to travel

A dime a dozen throughout in the mountains of the Wayand

Cruising through the tea plantations of the Wayand in a tuk-tuk

Coming from Juneau, AK I'm pretty snobby when it comes to beautiful places on Earth -- but the Wayand might be the winner...

Not only was it unbelievably beautiful, the people of Kerala were friendly as can be

And the crowning jewel - the food. I'm convinced I'll never again experience meals so fresh, flavorful, vibrant. Hands down, the best food I've ever tasted. Period.

Not a bad way to end our India visit: deserted, perfect beaches in Kannur

Finding fun in the UAE: meeting Pharrell Williams after his concert in Dubai

Cross this off the bucket list: watching Eric Clapton mesmerize live

Holiday Hopping Through the Middle East: Egypt and Jordan

One of the biggest attractions about moving out to Abu Dhabi was the opportunity to experience new cultures, see new places, taste new foods - basically get to know another side of the world. The UAE is at the crossroads of so many interesting places: India to the east, Africa to the (far) west, amazing Middle East countries all next door. After 2.5 months in Abu Dhabi, I'd only made it out of the country once, a memorable trip to neighboring Oman in Muscat. Things changed in late-December when my Middle East exploration when into overdrive, having the chance to visit both Cairo,Egypt and Amman, Jordan within a one week time span. Can't say I ever expected to spend Christmas Day in Cairo and New Years Eve floating in the Dead Sea!

I was lucky enough to join my family in Cairo for 3.5 days on a long weekend, for one of the most memorable few days of my life. Not knowing what to expect, I found Cairo to be a massive, colorful, vibrant city packed with some of the best food, most friendly people and truly stunning sites I've ever been around. Pictures have little ability to capture the character of the city, but here's shot:

They called it the city of 1,000 mosques...I think

Stuffed pigeon might be my new favorite food

Side streets

Even saw a few of the famous sites - the Sphinx and Great Pyramid in the background

A highlight: climbing a random mosque at dusk to watch the sunset during the call to prayer

Sheesha - the national pasttime

It's hard to take a bad picture in this city

A visit to Coptic Cairo

Amman, Jordan was a bit more of a spur-of-the-moment whirlwind adventure: Plane tickets bought Thursday afternoon; flight to Amman Friday morning; back to Abu Dhabi by Saturday afternoon. It was perfect - about 24 hours of New Years adventure in a completely different feeling area of the Middle East.

Mt. Nebo, where Moses is said to rest. Views across to the Holy Land are also possible on a clear day.

The Dead Sea: want to feel like a human cork? Or feel every paper cut burn like hell? This is the spot

The Temple of Hercules atop the Citadel in downtown Amman

Winter is the real deal in Amman - it was COLD...like Juneau, AK cold