Abu Dhabi in 36 hours

Although we all would had happily spent another day at the pool in the desert resort, Expat Mum was not about to miss the opportunity to visit the Abu Dhabi Louvre built on Saadiyat Island (the island of happiness), a natural 27-km² island a third of the size of Paris.

Oh, then there is Ferrari world, how could my Italian husband miss that experience? We had to see the Presidential Palace "Qaṣr Al-Waṭan" (Arabic for “Palace of the Nation”) that opened up to the public just last year. So many things to explore and such little time! Who said all you can do is shop in the UAE?

The next morning we were off to see the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque. Reminiscent of the Taj Mahal with its white marble domes, the building was completed in 2008 and combines Mamluk, Ottoman and Fatimid styles. We skipped the Wat Al Karama, the Qasr Al Hosn, the Emirate Palace and the Heritage village in order to catch our plane back to Paris at 1am in the morning... but I did need to buy at least one little item just before leaving the UAE!

Albeit my initial impression of this country being sterile and artificial, I came to enjoy the divers mixture of people, the soft climate and the lullaby of the Arabian vibes.

A comment I read made me smile: "Dubai is like a high school kid trying to hang out with working adults, it copies them but lacks the experience and similar goals and lifestyles to actually be one of them." However, the Emirates has a great potential, and I will always have a soft spot for it, as the standard of living was by many means OTT and the people heartwarmingly friendly.

Wouldn't it be nice if Paris' Louvre pyramid would be surrounded by palm trees?

A very happy Expat with Kids has made it to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi!

Now, if only I could read Arabic!

Change of gear... Ferrari World here we come...

... always with style!

Ferrari World looks much better from the outside if you want my honest opinion.

Qaṣr Al-Waṭan: prior to its opening to the public in 2019, the palace was used only for official purposes, namely hosting foreign leaders of states, and for meetings of the country's supreme council and federal cabinet.

Great photo ops

Breathtaking interior

This is what I call an Arabian sunset!

Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers reflecting the sunset

Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque, even for people with little interest in religion, this landmark building is worth visiting for the architecture alone.

Waiting for Aladdin to turn up on his flying carpet.

The one and only object I bought throughout my trip to the Emirates decorating my fridge in Paris

Instagrammable Dubai

Instagramable Dubai is definitely a thing... nearly 100 per cent of the UAE’s population uses social media – and one of the most popular platforms is Instagram. A quick search reveals Dubai is the 3rd most instagrammable city in the world after Sydney and Hong Kong. The popular 830m-tall Burj Khalifa tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline while traditional souks provide colourful photo opportunities.

Never have I seen so many people taking selfies as in this city. With its amazing architecture, colourful street art and plenty of record-breaking attractions, Dubai is a place that's perfect for selfies. I, however, prefer sticking to angles of everyday details that make me smile...

I certainly felt very welcome wherever I went.

View from The Palm onto Dubai Marina

Local Dubai street art

Women's prayer hall

Dubai Mall's humans water fall

Colourful contrasts

A patriotic shot

Probably the oldest resident in town

Time out at the beach

Another local street artist painting children

Dubai's old port bustling with activity

One of many souks, none of them very authentic

Central bus station at Dubai Mall

The typical tourist trap

Trompe l'deuil by the spice market

Luxury shopping taken to a whole new level

Victoria's secret in the UAE?!?

1 photo says it all

A photo that pretty much sums up my week... I am in heaven... or fairly close anyway. Could not think of a better place to be during this European heatwave than on a beach in Ibiza! Happy Summer everyone.

Window Shopping La Croisette

For a small town, Cannes is big on luxury shopping. Indeed, Cannes might just as well survive on the world tourist map exclusively by the wonderful shops hosted along La Croisette. So, if sunbathing sessions do not represent the best way of spending time you can think of, it is highly likely that the next best thing to opt for is shopping.

My friends will know that sunbathing is much farther up on my list of pampering than shopping but as the heat of the day had ebbed to a comforting warmth and the sunshine had lost its brightness, the family could not resist a stroll down La Croisette for some window shopping after dinner. 

However, I remain adamant, never underestimate the power of a good tan on a bad day!

La Croisette by night

A peculiar Louis Vuitton window display...

... but their courtyard garden is beautiful.

Gucci is in the pink...

... and features a pretty kinky interior deco

Chanel in black and white

Yves Saint Laurent with its eternal elegance.

Hermès gone minimalist.

Philip Plein... definitely not my cup of tea!

Just saying!

A Taste of Paris

My first encounter with Taste of Paris was not a happy one last year but rather than dwelling on it, I whole-heartedly gave the organization a piece of my mind. Turns out, they listened!

So a year later, I am holding two VIP tickets allowing my friend and I not only fast-track, free access to sample the finest in French cuisine in the magical setting of the Grand Palais but complimentary champagne on top of it with a bird's eye view from the mezzanine! Ca c'est la vie d'une Parisienne!

Taste of Paris is a place of encounters and live demonstrations encapsulated in a friendly atmosphere conducive to mingling, exploring, and exchanging ideas of artisans and producers. The event samples some of the most delicious food in taste-size signature dishes served by a stellar line up of Paris’s latest, greatest and most exciting world-class chefs at their pop-up stands.

We were lucky since Friday seemed to be a rather quiet day compared to the usual frenzied and overcrowded Paris' happenings. The event attracted 28'000 visitors over 4 days last year! Without too much queuing we got a chance to experience today’s most sought-after chefs offering us a gourmet experience to remember. Whether Michelin-starred, trend setting or future young talents did not much matter to me, I was guided by the dishes that were on offer and boy I was not disappointed.

Welcome to Taste of Paris

Heading towards the mezzanine but not without stopping chez Alain Ducasse first.

 Now, this monument can compete with the Eiffel Tower!

Pierre Sang Boyer, a rather gothic chef?!?

Who can name these Japanese ingredients?

Chef Kei Kobayashi serving...

... Mini burger de boeuf Wagyu, sauce teriyaki, condiments épicés.

Alain Solivérès proposing Epeautre du Pays de Sault cuisiné comme un risotto, homard et curry. 

Too temping not to move on to dessert.

Who can resist the taste of Ritz Paris?

All the apprentices are working hard to produce...

... La Barquette caramel, biscuit croustillant, caramel crémeux et mouse légère au caramel.

Ferrandi, Ecole Francaise de Gastronomie, is concocting...

... Pavlova fraise framboise with a gold dust finish!

Frederic Anton's team came up with Le Citron comme une tarte, meringue croustillante, sorbet basilic.

Bruno Doucet seduced us with Riz cuit au lait et à la vanille comme le faisait ma grand-mère, caramel laitier.

One last flûte de champagne for the way....