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Off to a Foreign Land

this blog Captures the sights and stories as we
​venture off to saudi arabia

Fall 2017 - Dublin, London, and a big Birthday!

11/30/2017

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It's been a while since we've posted, so it's time for a fairly lengthy update.  Here's a look into what we've been up to this fall...

Bahrain Tribfest - October 20

We had a great time at the bi-annual Tribfest event with our friends.  The weather was perfect, the beers were cold, and the music was awesome...especially Pink!  Here are some pics and videos.
Tribfest Schedule
Round 1
Tracey & Luc photobombing us
Lisa & Tracey

Halloween Party - October 26

We gathered with some friends to dress up and go see a concert at a local compound in Saudi.  Had a great time until a random bush came out and attacked Jeff.  Long story, short evening, but a fun time!
Slaw & Angie
Melyse painting James up
Hayden & Christy
Funyun cake...awesome!!
Yes it is!!!

Ireland - October 30-November 2

We spent 3 days on the Emerald Isle, enjoying the short time we spent there.  As you can imagine, we loved the pubs and live music throughout Dublin.  And yes... Jeff did pick up a leprechaun hat with full ginger hair and beard attached to ado his crazy hat collection.
​
Some highlights:
- the Temple Bar area was fantastic - really loved the live music and free-flowing Guinness.  Our favourite pub was the Oliver St.John Gogarty pub.
- Guinness Factory was an incredible highlight - Lisa enjoyed her first ever pint of Vitamin G.  Jeff savoured his favourite beer!  Spent a ton at the Guinness Store afterwards!
- Gin Palace - a unique concept - over 200 different types of gin!  Sipsmith was a favourite.  Enjoyed some with strawberry infusion, as well as a gin with orange and cinnamon.  Yum!
- Church - a restored former 18th century church transformed into a pub.  Wicked!
- We took a day trip to the west coast of Ireland to see the amazing countryside and the spectacular
​Cliffs of Moher.  After a nice stop at a pub in ​Doolin for lunch and a pint, we ventured back to Dublin for our last night!

We highly recommend Ireland - it is everything you have heard...amazing scenery, great pubs, and some tasty food!

Dublin pole - right in the heart of downtown!
Dublin Castle
Guinness Time!!
Look at the focus
Pretty friggin proud!
To be framed and put up in our bar
Lisa's 1st ever Guinness
Cool bar - the Dublin Church
Amazing concept - over 200 gins
Golf course on the west coast of Ireland
Dublin at night
Gotta love the Irish!
Airport beers

London - November 2-8

This was our first time together in London and we had a great time!  We stayed in the Soho area, which was walking distance to everything we wanted to see, averaging about 15km per day.  Don't worry - we found a way to stay hydrated.  In fact, that is one thing that was quite unique - the British pubs quite often had more people standing outside sipping pints than sitting inside.  Not sure why, but it was a good way to get some fresh air.  We loved sipping some Canadian beer at the Maple Leaf bar!

Some highlights...

We met up with a great friend, Jason Gagnon, who we met working with FS back in the old Chilliwack days.  An amazing guy and it sure was great to catch up with him as he continues to pile up Oscars for his awesome work!
​
There were Christmas lights set up everywhere.  We don't get that in Saudi and it really makes you miss those small things when you see them.  Very impressive, especially along Oxford Street.

We saw a couple shows - The Book of Mormon and Michael Jackson Thriller.  Good tunes at Thriller but we highly recommend the Book of Mormon.  So funny!

We saw our first "football" game - Chelsea vs Manchester United.  Went with our friends Jason & Danielle.  Had a great time pre-gaming and enjoying the atmosphere...not so sure we like the game and definitely not the beer rules in the stadium.   But it was great to see such an event!

Saw some famous London attractions:
- Hyde Park
- Marble Arch
- Buckingham Palace
- St.James Park - beautiful!
- Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- Houses of Parliament
- London Eye - Lisa was freaked out! 
- Loved Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Leicester Square, & Piccadilly Circus
- the National History Museum was very cool
- Tower of London
- ​Tower Bridge
- St.Paul's Cathedral

We were very lucky to have great weather in Dublin and London - only one day with some sprinkles.
We'll be back for sure!
Love the name of this place!
We LOVE Canada!
Lego Store
Lego Store
Old church by our hotel
Hard Rock cocktails to start our day
St.James Park - beautiful! Don't get these colours in Saudi!
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
London Eye
Wicked view from London Eye
Overhead view of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament
Chinatown
Carnaby Street - great place at night
Loved the Clachan Pub
Beers with Jason Gagnon
Was great to see this fella!
Rain? In London? Really??
Piccadilly Circus
Gametime - our first soccer game!
Us with Jason & Danielle
WTF!
Post-game celebration
Cool bar wall
Marble Arch
National History Museum
A piece of the moon
Humpback whale flippers
Blue whale skeleton - HUGE!
Mastodon
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
St.Paul's Cathedral
St.Paul's Cathedral
Big Man meets us for a nightcap

Lisa's 40th in Dubai - November 23-25

Lisa wanted to "party like she was 20 again!"  And we did that for sure!

Night 1 was Lisa's birthday.  We were going to go see Ed Sheehan - We had paid extra for tickets to have 'The Castle on the Hill', including drinks - a nice way to spend your birthday.  One week before the event, the arena owners changed it to a dry event and offered us either a $50 soft drink credit or a refund.  We went for the refund and went to the Cavalli Club for the night.  A pretty wild club for sure.  Great people watching, especially the Russian hookers that were swarming the place!  Back to the hotel for 3AM.  Ouch!

The next day we went to the Barasti Beach Bar for the afternoon - a great location with drinks at the beach or pool, and some crazy scenery by the water.

At night we went down to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) and to a killer bar called Lock, Stock, and Barrel.  We watched a great cover band called Gorgeous George rock the place until 2AM.

Our last day was spent shopping and sight seeing at the Dubai Mall - quite a spectacle.
Burj Khalifa
Sofitel pool
Birthday cocktails
Who else gets a red carpet for their birthday??
Happy 40th Liza!
Barasti Beach Bar = awesome time
Look at this yacht! Wow!
Water jet pack guy
Not a bad place to spend the afternoon
Lisa looking good at Lock, Stock, & Barrel
Cool bar wall
Another cool bar wall - recognize any?
The dance floor is packed!
Fountain at Dubai Mall
Outdoor fountain
Burj Khalifa - tallest building in the world
Shark exhibit in the mall
Timmy's and Starbucks beside each other??
Airport beers

2018 Travel Updates 

We list these all well in advance because we're looking for friends to join us on any of these adventures.  The more the merrier!
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T&A 2018 - we're looking forward to our annual T&A trip with great friends to Negril Jamaica.  Yes, the home of reggae music, jerk chicken, rum, Red Stripe, cliff jumping, a beautiful 7 mile beach, and now the home of the T&A group from Feb 15-26.  Looking forward to seeing everyone, the crazy costumes, wild sunglasses, and showing Jamaica how to party!! 

As for the rest of 2018?  

Hoping to land on a plan for July soon - possibly in Canada July 9-19.

Also, we're looking for travel friends to join us for Maldives in June, Spain/France/Italy in August, and Thailand in November - would love to see you join us!


We hope everyone is having a great fall season and ready for some Christmas spirit.  Have a safe and Merry Christmas season and all the best in 2018!  
​
Love, from Lisa and Jeff
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