Wednesday 26 August 2015

Ras al Khaimah - Places to visit- RAK ZOO , ICELAND WATER PARK, RAK MUSEUM and the HAUNTED HOUSE

Just as the summer vacations came to an end, in a sweltering 48 degrees centigrade we were on the road to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) for a weekend staycation, braving the desert and the Hajjar mountains.

We are not going to get into the nitty gritties of where we stayed, because Ras al khaimah has many options of good hotels. Instead here you will read what we ended up doing, in our 2 days there.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates of UAE and  it is the northernmost emirate. Its name could translate to 'Top of a Tent'

So if  you stay in UAE or are visiting it, it would be nice to drop into Ras Al Khaimah  where you can find lot of history, forts and some places which will excite the kids too.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


DAY 1:

AGENDA: Keeping our daughter entertained.

To tick off our places to visit for the day and majorly to soothe our highly impatient daughter we made our first visit in RAK to the newly opened RAK ZOO, the tickets of which were a freebie with our hotel package.

Driving along the airport road we took some to locate it (look for JULPHAR industries, it lies just on the opposite side of the road).
Its privately owned zoo, the huge billboard welcomes us with the owner posing with his lions.

Catch some more information in The National and here

Once in we rented a self- driven cart (50 dirhams for 30 minutes) to escape the heat. To what was advertised as the 3rd largest zoo in UAE, RAK zoo, it did not seem as good or as big enough. The animals were few, majorly lions and tigers. May be there is a plan of expansion later.  And we couldn't capture most of the animals on our camera as they were resting under their shaded benches. Probably we chose a wrong time to go.

Anyways we were done in half an hour, as there was not as much as to do.

There is a majlis or rest area at the entrance, an equestrian club for women and children who love horses, some shops and cafeteria and a play zone.

So if you are in RAK with kids then do try out this place once. but this is just for a lazy day out, nothing too exciting.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


After this off we headed, to ICE LAND water theme park to cool of the heat and to excite our disappointed daughter who didn't like that most animals were sleeping.

ICELAND water park has been done on a theme of artic, snow and penguins. Has many water rides for all age groups. Its on the road towards UMM AL QUWAIN just after COVE ROTANA Hotel.

The lockers are paid here unlike the Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain that we visited last summer. But may be due to that the facilities were very tidy in comparison.

We really liked the shaded pathways so that we did not roast in the full heat of the sun through the day. There are cabanas inside for rent too. The rides were pretty good. Our daughter had a nice time in the kids zone.

The part we did n't like much is that it closed at 6pm on a Friday!

Anyways tired after lot of fun in the sun we wound up for the day.

No snaps of the place as we did not take our cameras to the water:) Here the website for more information though


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/



DAY 2:

AGENDA : Peeking into the past


Ras Al Khaimah is well known in the UAE for its forts, and historical sites. Photographers and history enthusiasts do flock to RAK with this purpose, as many of these places have stood the test of time. Though we didn't land up exploring the archeological sites or abandoned villages we did go to the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah

We loved the courtyard. To see the life lived in those times. Trees within the dwelling. There were some collection of fossils and archaeological finds including pictures of burial sites, pottery,the ornaments, their living style, the trade, pearl diving. All a sharp contrast to the UAE of today.

It was nice to see our daughter asking questions about the houses and pots and pans of the yesteryear, a far cry from the apartments that we have now.

We indulged a bit with our camera, snapped a bit of the mannequins who were happy to pose to our inexperienced photography. Some of what we manged to capture of this beautiful piece of history.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Another place we went to at the end of our trip was KHATT SPRINGS in the KHATT Village of RAK. A therapeutic natural spring with mineral-laden water has been converted to a spa facility as a part of the GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL. Separate thermal pools for men and women, and some private rooms for families are available.

Warm water with pebbled bottom the hexagon shaped pool was a nice relaxation. The water is a bit warm so do go early in the morning or in the late evenings. The facility is open from 7 am to 9 pm.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/





Meanwhile in the late afternoon , we had driven around RAK checking out its malls when we spotted something very very interesting, something that we had read in the papers but not thought of discovering.

The HAUNTED HOUSE in Ras Al Khaimah.
Now not to spook anyone. But if you are a horror or paranormal buff and do like ghost hunts then do check this place out.
We were neither of these and were glad enough to snap happily from a distance.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Scary picture, right? Just kidding. It looked no where like this, This picture is just modified to look extra scary. Here are the real snaps.


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Unconventioal and fun places to visit @https://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.com/


Okay, the information online says that this is the AL QASSIMI Mansion or Palace which was abandoned 20 years ago by its inhabitants because of unexplained para normal activity in there.

From afar, this house looks well built to the glory of its time and since then in complete neglect and disrepair. Graffiti covered its compounds, windows broken, overgrown bushes and no humans in sight added up to the haunted feel.

There seems to be paintings and skylights staircases and a scary basement once on the inside, but we didn't venture that far :)

We chose the easy way out and did not dare to set foot inside, anyways there seemed to be no one at the gates.

We had enough ghost stories to talk about on our ride back from RAK, but only after our little girl slept away after her day of adventure..

We leave you brave hearts out there with the article about the entire story on this Haunted Palace in Ras Al Khaimah, just in case this has spiked up your interest.

Will be back with some more unconventional and fun things to be doing in UAE.
Till then adios.

ZAIN & FARZ

P.S. Here is out post on one more neighbouring emirate in UAE UMM AL QUWAIN

And a complete guide to camping in UAE here : http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/2015/10/camping-with-family-in-uae-beginners.html














Thursday 20 August 2015

A SPRINKLING OF "FROZEN": D-I-Y Elsa Dress and a FROZEN Birthday

This post has been due for long....our little one turned five this year. We had a memorable birthday.
It was a no-brainer that she wanted a FROZEN birthday complete with an ELSA dress.


A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

So here is the story of how we made it happen :)

The dress that Elsa wears as she goes up to the North Mountain is amazing, and the details were too good. I wanted to replicate the look but in a way that flatters a 5-year-old frame and can still be used as a party dress and not just for pretend play.

I got hold of some beautiful sequined net fabric and some organza and set about making this dress.

A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

The dress is not an exact replica of what ELSA wears, but a close inspiration.

The first step was to make an underskirt or crinoline. A simple layered 3-tier of a stiff tulle over an cotton skirt can easily make the skirt puff up. The shortest layer of tulle goes underneath and the longest on top. The layers can be increased to give more puff. But I stuck with three.



A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

The princess asked for a dress that would let her dance around with a lot of "woosh" to LET IT GO. So I settled for a two layer of circle skirt above this underskirt, the inner circle skirt would be of satin and the outer skirt made of organza.

Making a circle skirt seems easy, but a bit of maths is required. I stumbled upon this genius  Circle skirt APP by BYHANDLONDON.COM
Its so easy to calculate the length of fabric needed , and the radius of the waist and the length of the skirt.

Sewing both the circles and the underskirt, here's what it looks like.


A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

I kept the bodice simple with a cotton lining, as the fabric itself was a beautiful net with sequins and rhinestones. A sash in satin to the waist and I set out to sew by hand some sparkly rhinestones to the sash and in a cascading effect on the skirt. This took the longest time of all.



A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

The dress can never be complete without the cape, can it?? A good length of tulle and some elastic for the bands to put the arms through. The cape can be worn and removed on whim. I could not recreate the rhinestones on the train. But I cut some snowflakes out of a sparkly white organza and sewed it down to the end.

Here's the link forTHE SNOW FLAKE PATTERN I used. Just substitute paper for some sparkly and stiff fabric.

Some hard work and a lovely dress to keep the little one happy.


A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/


There was no over-the-top pinterest-y party. But we had planned a little sprinkling of FROZEN to keep the birthday girl happy.

An ice castle made of discarded cardboard boxes  for her new set of FROZEN dolls . It was so difficult to keep this in hiding till we revealed it to her on the birthday morning. Some silver christmas ornament balls strung from the ceiling instead of snowflakes.

I got hold of a cute little Happy Birthday Banner printable by LITTLE HOUSE ON THE CIRCLE.
This saved us some time as at the last moment as I was too busy with the dress.  Here is also a link for the fonts we used for the FROZEN Number.

Thus came about a frozen-themed Play Space to surprise the birthday girl as she woke up.




A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/



A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

Now all that was left was a custom birthday invite for a few of her friends. Some Frozen clipart  and we came up with this.
Superimpose a picture of the birthday girl in her ELSA dress over this add up your customized wordings and you have your own frozen personal invite.


A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/



We had around 5 of her friends over to a local learn and play center for lots of running around and fun, and some cake and snacks after wards.

But the biggest event we were lucky to manage to get hold of to celebrate was DISNEY ON ICE. She sang "LET IT GO" till the end.


A Frozen Birthday and DIY Elsa Dress @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/





We had one happy birthday girl :)

Frozen has been done a million times and is all over the internet.
But here is the list of printables and other resources I used to get this little delight up for my daughter.

FROZEN CLIP ART FOR A D-I-Y INVITE
http://www.great-kids-birthday-parties.com/frozen-clipart.html

FROZEN FONT FOR DECOR
http://www.great-kids-birthday-parties.com/frozen-font.html

FROZEN BANNER AND PRINTABLE
https://littlehouseonthecircle.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/a-frozen-birthday/

FROZEN isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon, most of the little girls would want to be ELSA for some more time. And one more Blog post on a FROZEN birthday wouldn't be too much would it?

SEE YA!!

FARZ & ZAIN


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Saturday 1 August 2015

LEARNING TIME: No-Sew Felt Activity Page with free printable

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/







My daughter had this time book since she was 3. Its based on routines that a bear follows through out the day. The bear book helped her understand time and daily routines and she used to love it.


LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/


But now was a time for an update.

Is telling time easy?? Most of us think so.
But sometimes I find myself confused with, say 16:50  (the 12 hour vs 24 hour clock) or why there is no indication of minutes in an analog clock  :)

I thought she was at the right age (soon to be 5) to start practicing
  • Time and how it links to day and night
  • Significance of AM and PM
  • Hour and Minute hands
  • The 60 minutes of a clock
But for older children there is so much more that can be covered, like
  • The difference between an analog and a digital clock
  • To correlate time in hours and in AM/PM
  • Midday, Midnight
  • Time zones of different places
I set upon teaching my daughter the basic time telling without confusing her much.

I have used felt here. But the paper version can be used as an activity sheet too.
So picked up some felt and created this template. Cut up the felt in all needed colors. Used double sided backing. Iron on the appliques.Voila, what a pretty little activity page in felt. It would be an amazing addition to a quiet book too.


LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/


LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

LEARNING TIME: No-sew Activity page with free printable @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/


Now grab a fabric pen and mark the hours and minutes and pin on a long and short clock hand.
Guess what we used for the clock hands here, cut outs from a plastic milk can colored with glitter nail polish :)
Now, the clock has some glitter.

This page in felt can become a part of a quiet book, is completely no sew, and wears down well even with a lot of usage. For now, I have filed this, planning to add more educational felt pages to the folder.

No felt? No problem, print out the page , let the kids color it an use it as an activity page. I think that would be cool too.

Here's your free printable:(the pdf downloadable format in hyperlink)
Free printable for NO-SEW Felt Clock Learning page



Well, I have used these sheets as test sheets and the Little Miss loves them.

Very good summer break activity for the little one.

FARZ

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