Kite Beach, Dubai

I arrived in Dubai over 5 months ago as a fresh faced expat, ready to take on the city and enjoy a few weeks of unemployment in this super sunny land and make friends with beach that's a mere 10 min walk from our apartment.

And then I realised that it's summer in Dubai, it's ramadan and quite frankly it's too hot to even leave the apartment. I managed one trip to the beach which lasted about and hour and left me sweaty and delirious. 

So as the temperatures started to decline over the last few weeks, a beach trip was very very high on my priority list. Two weekends ago (that shows you how quickly time is passing) we decided to explore the infamous Kite Beach in Jumeriah, that we had heard so much about. People rave about this beach and I have to say it's rather beautiful. 

It's not a fancy beach lined with beach bars or beach clubs; there are plenty of hotels in the area if that's what your after. No it's a beautiful white sandy beach, with amazing views of the Burj Al Arab and a handful of uber cool little foodie concepts ( some of which haven't opened yet as the area is still having a bit of a makeover). 

We went very early in Saturday morning and it was blissful; a handful of families were dotted around, a morning kids sports club were doing activities and early bird couples like ourselves were enjoying the fresh morning air. 

The vibe at this beach is totally up my street. I can't be bothered to get dressed up or put makeup on for the beach and hit up a trendy beach club; no I would much rather let my hair absorb the salt water, kick back on my towel with my toes in the sand and sip on my home made juice. 

Anyone looking for a laid back beach to enjoy lazy winter weekends in Dubai, this is the one. 

sunday sound #46

midweek mix #44

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Life versus Blogging

In the game of life versus blogging, life is definitely winning right now. You may have figured that out for yourself given the distinct lack of content on this blog for nearly a week!

But I am actually not going to apologise for that. There have been many times in the past that blog silence had me kicking myself but not this time because I am enjoying every moment of expat life in Dubai and I don't think that is something I should apologise for. Previously blogging was such a concern for me because it was something to focus my energy on and it was something to keep me sane during those lonely solo expat stages at the end of last year. But that's not the case anymore and life has become much more fulfilling since moving to Dubai.

Granted a large part of the life winning thing comes down to work. The #ripemarket in Dubai is now on its fifth week and spending my Friday mornings in Zabeel Park has been tiring yes, but exciting at the same time. I have met some fantastic people at the market and my eyes have been opened to the amazing small businesses that this city has to offer. On the surface this city is a plethora of shiny skyscrapers, soaring temperatures and commercial businesses overflowing from every mall. But dig a little deeper and you find a huge community of locally established, independent businesses with über talented people at their core. I think it is the hard work and dedication I witness every week from the team at Ripe and the amazing artisans who join us every Friday that have brought out my new found enthusiasm for life so to speak.

The Ripe market is about to return to Sharjah at the end of November and will be conquering Abu Dhabi for the first time next weekend so at the moment I am eating, breathing and sleeping all things markets. Life has been taken over by veggies but I don't care because it's the first time in my life that I wake up in the morning and cannot wait to get to work.

Somehow I am also managing to fit in several social engagements although that might explain the distinct lack of gym time recently right. I guess at the end of the day it comes down to juggling; juggling work, the dog, expat life and blogging and at the moment there are not enough hours in the day for everything so blogging has to take a backseat. Not because I don't have the motivation but because I don't have the time. And as a part time blogger and someone who does it because she loves writing rather than needs an income, I can't give it 100% so id rather stay silent.

But now I have found so many inspirational artists, jewellers and foodies I don't think I will be staying silent for much longer.

sunday sound #45