August 2016
One fine Thursday in late August, three generations of family took in an adventure at Marina Mall. A wonderful day for a stay at home Mumma and her charge (as well as a JiaJia here on holidays) involving catching a metro train, then a tram, having coffee with old SANOFI colleague and friend here in Dubai on holidays, strolling along the glorious Marina in the afternoon sun, meeting up with friend Min and her daughter Haarleen for a grocery shop then attending a kiddie concert – Barney On tour! – before taking a ride inside the mall on the delightful Choo-Choo train. Finally we head to The Address Hotel for refreshments and dates; very Arabia and necessary as we all need to use the loo’s. And we haven’t even left the Marina! Next destination is home, which we reach by 6pm after long walks and yet more metro rides. All this with no toilet training accidents; full use of metro station toilets and hotel amenities included.
Out of the house for seven hours, using so many means of transportation, sightseeing, meeting up with so many friends, taking in a concert, dancing, dealing with hundreds of babies / toddlers, parents and badly parked strollers, frequent stops for wees, even a tense shopping excursion for groceries (believe me: Waitrose know how to charge like a cranky bull) but not ever did the day include any tantrums or crying. And Kingsley behaved impeccably too!
Outside our apartment walking to the metro
First time on the tram
Thrilled with the tram ride
Alighting at Marina Tram Statiom with JLT in the background
After 2.5 years not seeing one another, reunions with Cate
Old friend and colleague from SANOFI, Cate, In Dubai
The Marina
Millionaires boats in the Marina
Taking a ride on the Choo-Choo train inside Marina Mall
Proudly holding his Choo-Choo train ticket
Big day out now ready to head home