Grandpa Carl and Gaga visit!

We were thrilled that Grandpa Carl and Gaga trekked 1/2 way across the world (and brought Jake's aunt, uncle and four more friends) this spring to come see a new part of the world.  I didn't take as many pictures during their visit but took a few that I'll share here.

First they flew into Dubai and spent a couple of days there getting over the jet lag and sightseeing there.  We sent them to my favorite place for visitors - the Sheikh Muhammad Center for Cultural Understanding.  Unfortunately they weren't able to do one of the great breakfast or lunches they do there but they were able to do a fantastic walking tour.  This place is really one of the best places for visitors to the UAE to learn about the local history and culture.

Jake, the girls and I had a 40th birthday celebration at school on Friday but we headed up to Dubai to see the crew on Saturday.  We met them for lunch and then some of us walked over to the Dubai Boating and Yacht Show to see how the top 0.01% live.  It was fun seeing some of the crazy boats there!  We headed back to Abu Dhabi since it was a school night but the Dalton group were able to eat at probably the best restaurant in the UAE - Zuma is yummy!

The group then headed out to the desert to our favorite UAE hotel called the Qasr al Sarab.  They enjoyed the amazingly beautiful sand dunes and had quite the adventure going dune bashing (sounds like it was a little too much for some of the group but very fun for the rest!).  

On Wednesday they came to Abu Dhabi.  We fed them dinner at our house that night and it was really a lot of fun to catch up and meet new friends from Dalton.  Carl and Lynne, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Lester sure brought some nice friends with them here!  We had a lot of fun seeing Rachel and Jim again and getting to meet Cortland and Carol.  They did some sightseeing in Abu Dhabi (Emirates Palace, Grand Mosque, Central Souk) and Nancy made a good attempt to find some high quality rugs here but no luck there.

Six of us hit the golf course on day, we had a great night at a beach barbecue where Cortland was the brave one to check out what the shisha was all about.  Another night we ate some middle eastern food and the last night they were here, we all went on a sunset boat cruise from our beach club one evening.

Lots of fun having visitors and we sincerely hope they enjoyed their time here (and can I just add that I can't believe these are the only photos I took of their visit!  I know Grandpa Carl took a lot more, thankfully!).

Sunset boat cruise

Boat sandwich

Relaxing on the dhow

Dancing and singing on the dhow (friend Maria on the left
whose grandparents were also visiting)

Girls with Maria and Emma singing and dancing and just
generally entertaining us

Goodnight, sun!

At the yacht show in Dubai

Parachuters landing at the yacht show

$20M yacht anyone?

Golfing with Carl and Jake

Gazelle spotting at the golf course