Baked treats from Sindibad

We frequent this delightful little bakery in Qasimia, Sharjah called Sindibad. You can find an array of freshly baked buns, muffins, breads, snacks, kuboos and local sweets. I particularly like their sausage rolls, mini pizzas and date buns. My cuppa of coffee with my favourite snacks.

On the trail of the Gulmohars

The heat might be a sweltering 40 degrees now but the charming Gulmohar (Flame tree) blossoms seem to withstand it all. From parks to sidewalks I spot them everywhere these days — merrily swaying their branches in gay abandon. The bright orange coloured flowers are an instant mood-lifters. As children we used to open up […]

Enjoying the outdoors at Mamzar park

It’s almost time to bid adieu to spring. A time of the year close to my heart when I love to head outdoors to enjoy the breeze and the beautiful colours of nature.  To compensate for all the miles of sand dunes and queues of high-rises the emirates has a small number of community parks that help […]

Learning the writer’s craft at the Emirates Lit Fest

If you visit author Marina Lewycka on a day she is writing expect to find her in her nightgown with the laptop in her bed. For that is the deal that she has with herself to not get dressed unless she has finished her share of writing for the day. Fellow author Louise Doughty on the other hand has […]

Guess the artist

Starting today my friend painter-journalist Archana RD King displays two of her works at the Ghaf art gallery in Abu Dhabi. ‘Guess the artist‘ exhibition is an interesting concept where the artists names are not displayed with their paintings. The artist is revealed only after you purchase the painting thus purely challenging the depth of […]

Feb flea market schedule

Strike a good bargain at the flea markets this month. Here’s where they are happening: Dubai Saturday February 5, 2011 Dubai Flea Market – Al Safa Park At Entrance Gate 5 Visitor timings 8am-3pm Friday February 11, 2011 Dubai Flea Market – Uptown Mirdiff At Promenade Courtyard, near Spinneys Visitor timings: 3pm – 9pm Abu DhabiSaturday […]

Bloom in boom

Winters is when we see lanes lined with petunias and marigolds all over the UAE.  In all colours the blooms add beauty to the  mundane sidewalks and roundabouts. There is something so captivating and refreshing about flowers that you cannot take your eyes off them. So, how could I be left behind in bringing these […]

It’s tea time

The weather is just awesome in this part of the world these days. Gray overcast skies, misty mornings, rain-drenched afternoons and breezy evenings – it’s been a perfect winter in the emirates this season. And what better way to enjoy the weather than with a hot cup of tea. I forever loved my milky tea […]

Drive to Kalba

Sometime in December we went on a long drive to Kalba. The original plan was to do a picnic on Kalba creek or near the mangroves. But because of a late start the picnic turned out to be just a drive with a short halt near the creek and for snacks in between. Kalba is […]

Happy 2011

Fireworks at the Burj Khalifa