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Surviving Summer in Muscat: Dubai Adventures, Potty Training and More...

Writer's picture: Ellie HamiltonEllie Hamilton

We've hit that point in the Muscat summer where running the shower on "cold" for five minutes is essential to avoid scalding yourself with what can only be described as molten lava. It's like the sun decided to relocate to our rooftop water tank. Yep, it's HOT!



To Dubai and back


Earlier this year, during Ramadan, we decided to escape the heat with a short holiday to Dubai. We stayed at the Shangri-La, which is conveniently next to the Burj Khalifa, and to top it off, we got a complimentary upgrade to a suite! The service was phenomenal, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. We aimed for a balanced holiday—fun for the kids and a bit of relaxation for us too. Here's our day-by-day itinerary:


Day 1: Arrival and the Burj Khalifa

We arrived, checked into the hotel, then took a quick taxi to see the Burj Khalifa. Dinner at Time Out Market and the Burj Fountain Show were on the agenda. If you haven't been to Dubai, Time Out Market is next to the Dubai Mall and the Burj. It’s packed with pop-up restaurants offering everything from Mexican to sushi, and it's very kid-friendly. We ended the night watching the fountain and light show at the Burj, which was truly spectacular. The kids were mesmerised, and honestly, so were we. It was the perfect way to kick off our holiday.


Day 2: Legoland

Out of all the theme parks in the UAE, we chose Legoland, thinking it was perfect for Teddy's age. Neither of my kids are huge Lego fans, but they enjoyed the park. The Lego displays are impressive, and the rides are cute, though Emma found them a bit tame after Warner Brothers last year. Ted, despite some height restrictions, loved every bit he could try. We spent the day exploring the various themed areas, marvelling at the intricate Lego creations, and hopping on the rides that Ted could go on. Emma did her best to enjoy the rides, though she missed the thrill of more intense attractions. All in all, it was a fun-filled day that left us all tired but happy.


Day 3: Mall of the Emirates & Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen

Despite being next to Dubai Mall, we ventured to the Mall of the Emirates—smaller but still massive. Danny knew his way around, which helped. For dinner, we headed to Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant on the Palm. Sadly, it was a bit lacklustre. The entrance chaos from the Atlantis waterpark didn’t help, and inside, the atmosphere was meh. Despite our high hopes, the experience didn't quite live up to our expectations. The food was decent, but not extraordinary, and the overall vibe just wasn't there. However, the kids enjoyed their meals, and we still had a good time together.


Day 4: Hotel Pool & Family Brunch

We spent a leisurely morning by the hotel pool, soaking up the sun and letting the kids splash around. Then, we indulged in a Family Brunch. Dubai brunches are in a league of their own. The brunch was at the Palazzo Versace and is called Into The Jungle. As it was Easter, it was Easter-themed, complete with hot cross buns and chocolate eggs. The entertainment for kids was excellent - flower pot planting, face painting, a comedy magic show, and Moana! The variety of food was amazing, and with Veuve Clicquot flowing, a fun day was had by all. The kids were thrilled with the activities, and we loved the relaxed atmosphere and delicious food. It was one of those perfect days where everything just falls into place, and everyone has a great time.


Day 5: Last-Minute Shopping at Dubai Mall

We made a quick stop at Dubai Mall to stock up on essentials (pork from Waitrose #IYKYK) and let the kids pick a toy each. If you haven't been, Dubai Mall is an endless maze of shops and people-watching opportunities. We only had two hours, which flew by. It's incredible how quickly time can pass when you're surrounded by so many enticing stores and interesting people. We managed to grab what we needed, but I could easily spend an entire day, scrap that, a week exploring that place. The kids were thrilled with their new toys, and we headed back to the hotel, ready to pack up and head home.


All in all, we had the best time, fitting in as much as we could, whilst spending some quality time together.


Potty Training Adventures

During our trip, Teddy started showing interest in using the toilet. So, one Friday after we got back, the potty came out, and the nappy came off. Miraculously, he had minimal accidents. I thought, "Could this be easier than I imagined?" Ha! The first day was a fluke, but we've persevered. He’s pretty good with wees, but he seems to think pooping in his pants is a special gift for me. Potty training is a journey, to say the least. Some days are better than others, but we're making progress. It's a mix of triumphs and setbacks but I keep telling myself that hopefully by the end of the year he will have nailed it!


Joining the Women’s Guild of Oman

I joined the Women’s Guild of Oman (WGO) mainly for the cracking deal with F45, up to 30% off the monthly membership, but they also had another perk, which was too good not to try out. Access to the pool, sauna, and steam room at the JW Marriott. A group of us took full advantage one morning and had a fantastic time, relaxing by the pool and the service was spot on. The WGO also host weekly coffee mornings at various locations in Muscat and they are a great opportunity to meet new people. They also have a plethora of business partners that you can benefit from a variety of discounts.


Pavo Real Brunch

For a while now, Danny has been trying to take me to the Friday brunch at Pavo Real, a Mexican spot in MQ. I finally relented, and I’m so glad I did. The food and margaritas were excellent, despite my initial reluctance. I would even highly recommend the largaritas (margaritas mixed with lager and they taste better than they sound I promise).  I'm already looking forward to going back—maybe even for my birthday! The atmosphere was lively, the staff were friendly, and the food was surprisingly good.


Embracing F45

As I mentioned in my last blog I recently joined F45, a global brand offering 45-minute functional training classes. If you follow me on Instagram (@the_muscat_diaries), you know I used to post about Muay Thai, but it aggravated my plantar fasciitis (which can be super painful). F45 has been a game-changer for me. The workouts are intense but fun, and the community is incredibly supportive. I'm feeling fitter and more energized than ever, and I can't wait to see how much further I can push myself. With regular resistance training and also working with an online nutrition coach, I’ve lost 4 kg and over 16 inches. I'm stronger than ever and loving the endorphin rush after every class. My end-of-year goals? One unassisted pull-up and a box jump. Watch this space!


Girls’ Night Out

Before the mass exodus of my friends seeking cooler climates when the school term finished, I organised a girls' night out. Moving to a new country can be daunting, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to meet new people. I’m lucky to have found an amazing group of women from all over the world here in Muscat. It didn’t happen overnight, but with effort and saying yes to opportunities, you can make fantastic friends. We started off our night with a quick cocktail at the new Mandarin Oriental in Shatti, which is a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing hotel, followed by the ladies night at the W. Our night was a blast, full of laughter, great conversation, and a few too many cocktails. It's evenings like these that remind me how important it is to have a strong support network, especially when living abroad.


Summer Holidays

We're in the thick of the school summer holidays. The kids finished on June 13 and don’t go back until August 25—10 whole weeks (insert crying emoji). Thank goodness for summer camp twice a week until we jet off to Cyprus this month. The holidays are a mix of fun and chaos, with the kids full of energy and me trying to keep up. But I wouldn't trade these moments for anything (most of the time). We're looking forward to our trip to Cyprus, where we can relax and enjoy some quality family time.

In my next post, I’ll share how we survived the holidays, our family trip to Cyprus, my pull-up progress, and most excitingly, news about my new venture. If you can’t wait and you’ve made it this far, click the link below for a hint!



Until next time x


 

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