The 50th Blog Post !!!

Well, here it is -- the 50th Blog from the FrenchamFamily! Who thought we would get this far (and for the few still reading it, who would believe anyone would still care about a bunch of far flung Aussies who are simply reporting how much fun they are having). On that subject, do you guys back in Oz know that 5% of all Australians (over 1 million) are at any time off-shore? We have met most of them as they seem to hang around bars and airports!

Anyway, for this 50th Blog (and by the way there is no commemorative hat or medalion) we want to cover the winter that was in Dubai and the visit of our God-daughter, Laura Willingham. For those that care (or would like to sign up as one of our adopted God-children), we try to make up for the fact that we are not around enough on a day-to-day basis by gifting to all the God-children a trip to our location in the world on their 18th birthday. As such, Laura winged her way to Dubai a couple of weeks ago and those of you connected on Facebook know she had an "awesome" time. For the rest of you (and sponsored by the Department of Tourism for the United Arab Emirates), here is some of the fun that ensued:

Burj Khalifa: (click on the link at left) is, as you all should know, the world's tallest building by any measure (building, tower, etc). On a clear day everyone in any direction for 90km can see this majestic 828 metre building. And despite seeing it every day, and being inspired by it, we had not actually been up it (because it was there every day!). Aside from being a uniquely attractive building (as is Taipei 101), it has a a fabulous elevator system which accelerates slowly so that you don't realize you are moving until you realise your ears are popping and the floors are going by at 3 a second -- it then decelerates as cleverly and the door opens and you are on the 124th floor looking out at all that is Dubai. The observation deck is only three quarters of the way up the building, but it is still the world's highest observation deck. It has some cool telescopes that show you what you are looking at, but at the push of a button show you film of the same view at night time, and of what it looked like before Dubai was developed.

Ferrari World: (click on link at left) in Abu Dhabi continues the theme of biggest and best -- largest indoor theme park, and home to the world's fastest roller coaster at 240 kmh! The Formula Rossa coaster is more than just speed -- it takes you from 0 to 240 in just over 5 seconds so you experience the same G forces as an F1 car (though safely in a straight line) before it starts the twists and turns that are just as exhilarating. This is the only ride we have ever been on that when it finishes everyone on board claps and cheers. Awesome is inadequate as a description, but this is a family blog and so we can't tell you what we really said.

Lots of other touristy things as well: desert safaris; tour buses; historic locations; shopping; etc. Photo of Alexander, Laura and Sarah on a sand dune on a particularly windy day!

Sarah has also been off to school camp at Dibba, and she reports there were a lot less goats there than during the camp last year. The photo here is with the Arabian Sea behind her. Aside from hiking they did mountain biking which turned into mud-biking as there had unusually been a lot of winter rain. Apparently lots of fun and a cold to come home with.

Alexander heads off to his camp this coming week and so we'll see if there is an adventure to report from him when he gets back.

Well, that's it from us for now, and thanks for your interest over these first 50 postings. Love to all.