First of all, yesterday we had a very busy day. Starting off with a trip to Al Hamra Fort hotel, where we were given a tour of the facilities available to members. This was a very nice resort but it was also the most expensive of all the resorts which we have been shown. We then headed across the car park for a tour of Al Hamra Golf Club, which is a nice resort  but again very expensive. However, I did get a free golf lesson in the mid-day sun! Which was very mad dogs and English men! Best of all I managed to just about hit the ball with a good projectile to 100m reasonably consistently. So maybe my previous experience of this has been not so good because maybe David just wasn’t such a good teacher and thats how he ended up being clubbed round the head the last time he took me to the driving range!

Did get a little sun stroke after the golfing as I had forgotten my hat! But I was fine after a couple of paracetamol.

Oh I haven’t mentioned yet about Poonam. Poonam is a lovely Indian girl who I have met and we have become quite close. She’s about 2 months older than me and we just seem to have jelled really nicely! Then there’s Becky who is Canadian (update: American), nice enough but I can’t always work out what she’s thinking. Maureen is an older version of me when it comes to being a Japanese tourist! She’s definitely taken more photos than me so far! Ellis is a nice Scottish lass who was here last year and has been doing some of the tours, she’s a really good laugh and has now made me social co-ordinator for my building.

Update on the men: J is married with children who are joining him later. But last night I met the principles son who is really nice. He’s only 27 and apparently his girlfriend is back in London but he doesn’t want to go back. But anyway, its looking very much more like I will have to go up to Dubai to meet myself a nice single young man! Luckily I have plenty going on anyway to keep me busy!

Roy our principle had spent all morning with us out and about in the bus at Al Hamra which was nice as it was good to chat with him. He’s Australian and very nice, genuine guy. The total opposite it has to be said to Mike! Last night he had a party/BBQ at his house for all new staff. There were tons of people there and he was so hospitable. His wife Marleen is lovely as well; a really nice woman. She’s organising us a trip to IKEA at Dubai tomorrow, so we can get a few bits and pieces in that we feel we still need. I’m going to look at buying a mattress topper as I will never get used to how hard the mattress’ are here!

But yesterday afternoon I got my aircargo.... yeah!!!! It was brilliant as I now have all my gadgets and so it feels more like home! I’m sat here just chilling in my flat playing Shania Twain. Home sweet home 

Then finally yesterday we went to Cove Rotana, which was amazing views and really nice pools which were built into the side of the mountain, looking out to sea! The place was lovely and the gym was actually quite nice. So I now have a difficult decision to make about which to join. As Cove Rotana is further away but has a better gym than The Hilton. So think I will probably just wait to see where everyone else in my block is moving to and then go with the flow. At least that way I will be sure of company.

Today, was a very early start. We were picked up by bus at 7am! We were then taken to the RAK medical centre to have blood taken for HIV testing! I was not looking forward to this considering how much hassle I always have getting it done. Amazingly/Impressively the UAE nurse was able to find a vein and take blood for my arm in the normal place without any hassle at all! So either our nurses are crap or UAE nurses are amazing or maybe the heat of living here just means my veins are nearer the surface.

I did check the temperature when I got my baggage yesterday and at around 4pm it was 42.5 degrees with 77% humidity! It’s nearly 5pm here at the moment and temperature is 43.5 degrees but thankfully humidity is down to 23% today which is far more bearable. Even if my flat is still 33.5 degrees even with the air-conditioning throughout the apartment on!

Also went to get finger prints taken today and that was sooo funny! First of all the guys who were with us for the blood tests were told they couldn’t get there’s done before the blood test results were back, but the lasses were able to. Then we had to go down a ladies only section in the police station. Then 3 of our group were standing and this quite scary looking police woman told Karen to sit down and made 2 children move so she could. Karen who is lovely but of the quite bubbly, chatty type. Sat down silently, without any delay like a naughty school girl. We all found it quite funny as we’ve never known Karen to be silent since we got here but she said the woman was scary! Lets hope Karen can be scary with year 7 and 8 as she will be my head of year! Then we were all called behind the desk to get fingerprints done. But we kept getting told that as men had to walk through we had to stand well back in case they touched us!  We of course found this concept a little amusing. So then one of the gentleman officers got cross with the female officer so we got sent back to the ladies waiting area to keep us safe! Fingerprinting was digital, but now that and the blood tests are done we should apparently have our VISA’s within about 3-4 weeks! YEAH!!! Because then I can buy a car!

Then it was back to school to be shown the school network and introduced to the IB Diploma programme.

Then we went to Spinney’s where we did some food shopping but were most importantly able to buy pork products from a special room at the back of the shop!

Now, got to get dressed to head out as being picked up at 6pm to go to Tower Links Golf course, for a tour of facilities then an evening social event!