Rory and I went to Atlantis in Dubai this weekend for what we have now nicknamed our 3rd honeymoon. It was freaking awesome! I always wanted to go to Atlantis since they opened the original in the Bahamas but could never afford to actually GO.
We got to play in the water park all day the first day which was great fun, minus the huge purple bruise on my rear end from one of the rides. At some point on one of the rides we actually managed to fall out of our two person inner tube, which kind of hurt - but the best part was when the next set of folks came rushing down the slide after us. I got whopped in the head by some feet just before their tube hit, which knocked Rory clean off his feet and into the tube as we shot down the remaining portion of the ride. We couldn't stop laughing.
The best part of that day was playing with Piphali!! We participated in a deep water interaction with a dolphin and it ROCKED! She kissed us, danced with us, we gave her hugs, she spun us in circles, and my favorite part - she gave us a ride on her belly! I couldn't believe how soft and warm she was. I just expected something a little tougher and colder, but now I know!
That night we went through The Lost Chambers, which is the coolest aquarium I've ever been in. I loved the imagination they used in creating ruins of an ancient advanced civilization (photos on that tomorrow). It was also the largest tank in the world, which had a WHALE SHARK in it! Granted I think it was a very young one, but huge nonetheless.
The next day we rode the new metro system they just opened up. It's not entirely finished, but some of the major stops are running, such as Mall of the Emirates, which is ridiculously huge. We stopped at Dubai Mall as well because it was right next to Burj Khalifa, which is now the world's tallest building. We wanted to go up to the observation deck but seems they are experiencing technical issues with their elevators and weren't allowing people up. We'll have to do it next time.
Now, meet Piphali!
twirlies!
dancing!
belly ride!
kisses!
Ladycroft's Journal
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02/14/2010 09:10 #51011
atlantis!Category: travel
02/08/2010 07:39 #50987
wordleCategory: potpourri
01/20/2010 07:48 #50864
baby name popularityCategory: potpourri
Timika is not in the top 1000 female names for any year of birth in the last 40 years.
Why am I not surprised by this?
Why am I not surprised by this?
leetee - 02/09/10 18:53
I'm sure mine isn't either! So, here's to us unique chicks!!
I'm sure mine isn't either! So, here's to us unique chicks!!
metalpeter - 01/20/10 18:47
Well it isn't even close to common or at least in this country maybe someplace else it is. That being said I figured out why I always think I'm spelling your name wrong I went to school with a Tamika (I think that is how it is spelled) the point I'm also getting to is that there are other names that are simalur to your name but aren't. I may have even known as a second Tamika but not sure on how it is spelled maybe there is a version with and e in there. So I'm guessing that means on Facebook your parents would get an A+ .
Well it isn't even close to common or at least in this country maybe someplace else it is. That being said I figured out why I always think I'm spelling your name wrong I went to school with a Tamika (I think that is how it is spelled) the point I'm also getting to is that there are other names that are simalur to your name but aren't. I may have even known as a second Tamika but not sure on how it is spelled maybe there is a version with and e in there. So I'm guessing that means on Facebook your parents would get an A+ .
mrmike - 01/20/10 14:50
Just adds to your uniqueness.
Just adds to your uniqueness.
01/19/2010 06:15 #50855
that's AFRICA!Category: dreams
I had the most amazing dream last night, I wish I could have it again and again!
In my dream we had already mastered trips to space for common folk. Naturally, (e:theecarey) and myself were on board one of these flights. We were taking a 'cruise ship' to the 'Asteroid Islands'. Yeah, clever.
The ship looked just like a space shuttle, except is was about 20 times bigger, maybe more. It launched vertically with some type of blue flame that burned entirely clean. Humankind had created a way to eliminate g-force on the internal compartments of the ship, so passengers felt nothing at all. In fact, Carey and I were involved in a game of Wizard Chess before we realized we had taken off.
There were only a few observation decks but they were closed for the journey to the first island. A creepy robotic voice announced our arrival; the sweet British accent makes me nervous. I momentarily wonder if she'll try to kill us all in some act of AI rebellion. Then the observation deck windows opened. Slowly, very slowly, the dark gray walls lowered and I caught my first glimpse of bright blue as Earth came into view. Then, browns and greens....and I screamed with excitement, "Carey come look, that's AAAFFFRIICAAA"! The massive continent came into full view as the grinding metal came to a halt. It was so real. So real. I was standing on board a ship looking at Africa from 20,000 miles away. A shroud of tranquility fell over everyone in that room. I could hear my own heart beating.
We were interrupted by the voice announcing not our doom, but our freedom to access the first island - which looked remarkably like one out of Mario Galaxy. Imagine a jagged lump of gray rock floating in space with a perfect layer of bright fluffy green grass on the top side. This island of course doesn't rotate, it remains idle save for it's orbit around Earth.
We descended to the surface via ladder. Humankind had also figured out a way to create force fields allowing for prime environmental conditions. It was perfect. No air tanks, no eye wear, just a sexy white jumpsuit was all that separated my skin from the vast universe.
In my dream we had already mastered trips to space for common folk. Naturally, (e:theecarey) and myself were on board one of these flights. We were taking a 'cruise ship' to the 'Asteroid Islands'. Yeah, clever.
The ship looked just like a space shuttle, except is was about 20 times bigger, maybe more. It launched vertically with some type of blue flame that burned entirely clean. Humankind had created a way to eliminate g-force on the internal compartments of the ship, so passengers felt nothing at all. In fact, Carey and I were involved in a game of Wizard Chess before we realized we had taken off.
There were only a few observation decks but they were closed for the journey to the first island. A creepy robotic voice announced our arrival; the sweet British accent makes me nervous. I momentarily wonder if she'll try to kill us all in some act of AI rebellion. Then the observation deck windows opened. Slowly, very slowly, the dark gray walls lowered and I caught my first glimpse of bright blue as Earth came into view. Then, browns and greens....and I screamed with excitement, "Carey come look, that's AAAFFFRIICAAA"! The massive continent came into full view as the grinding metal came to a halt. It was so real. So real. I was standing on board a ship looking at Africa from 20,000 miles away. A shroud of tranquility fell over everyone in that room. I could hear my own heart beating.
We were interrupted by the voice announcing not our doom, but our freedom to access the first island - which looked remarkably like one out of Mario Galaxy. Imagine a jagged lump of gray rock floating in space with a perfect layer of bright fluffy green grass on the top side. This island of course doesn't rotate, it remains idle save for it's orbit around Earth.
We descended to the surface via ladder. Humankind had also figured out a way to create force fields allowing for prime environmental conditions. It was perfect. No air tanks, no eye wear, just a sexy white jumpsuit was all that separated my skin from the vast universe.
metalpeter - 01/20/10 18:52
Sounds Like a movie. In fact a couple aspects sound a little bit like Star Trek. By glad you remember your dreams many people don't.
Sounds Like a movie. In fact a couple aspects sound a little bit like Star Trek. By glad you remember your dreams many people don't.
01/18/2010 07:04 #50842
my new motto for 2010Category: potpourri
I'm stealing this line from "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs".....
Carpe the Diem!
Carpe the Diem!
dimartiste - 02/24/10 21:25
Wait was is not in the Roin Williams film, where he was the teacher and he taught english and told his students to dream. I can not think of the movie title and I own it, somewhere. Carpe Dentum! No, that was Seize the Teeth and that was also Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. I mean Carpe Diem, Seize the day! Yes, it is spelled correctly. See fours years of high school latin paid off.
OH - The Dead Poets Society or something like that...right. Yes, right! Semper ubi sub ubi! Always wear underwear!
Wait was is not in the Roin Williams film, where he was the teacher and he taught english and told his students to dream. I can not think of the movie title and I own it, somewhere. Carpe Dentum! No, that was Seize the Teeth and that was also Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. I mean Carpe Diem, Seize the day! Yes, it is spelled correctly. See fours years of high school latin paid off.
OH - The Dead Poets Society or something like that...right. Yes, right! Semper ubi sub ubi! Always wear underwear!
metalpeter - 01/20/10 18:51
You May also be stealing it from a Metallica song but not sure with the spelling if that is correct or not, HA.
You May also be stealing it from a Metallica song but not sure with the spelling if that is correct or not, HA.
I can not tell you how happy I am that you are HAPPY! Seeing your thank you dvd was a big pick me up over break. I have a cd of photos to send you. I need an address - if you could email me it - I will try to get it out asap! 3rd Honeymoon how absolutely awesome! Keep spreading the love!
Incredible doesn't seem to be enough of a word, but it is all I got at the moment.
nice!!!
I am so jealous, that sounds totally amazing.
Sounds like a great time. Nice photos to (having a water camera or water prof one is a big help). I read about that tower in the news if it is the one I'm thinking of some people got caught in an elevator. I'm not sure if that is the same place that had a closed observation deck also. I just remember people who went their for vacation that was one of things they where planning and where disappointed also. Might have read it in the Buffalo News not sure really. In terms of the Atlantis in Nassau Don't feel bad about not being able to go there it is pretty pricey. I saw the public areas of it on a cruise or I should say the one cruise I was on and just the part I saw was pretty amazing. Glad it was a good time and looking forward to more pictures.
That is amazing. Thanks for sharing the photos! :)