Leijonstedt » Visual Diary

Another day, another dune

Mia — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:14:52 +0000

Not many weekends left now for endless walkabouts before the summer heat kicks in, so making the most of it while we can. Having tried some barefooted daytime dune walking in May on our first year here, I know not to make the same mistake again. I recently read about someone having been up near an active volcano in such scorching heat that trees practically burst on fire – and another commented, ‘This is nothing, you should try a summer in Dubai’. Although, having spent the first half of my life in freezing northly minus grades, I believe there’s still enough chill in my bones to last a few more Dubai summers yet. When no one else wants to sit outside on a restaurant terrace in mid-July as you can hardly catch your breath from the heat, you might still spot one brave Finn out there. But dunes… I’ll leave those for next winter.

That local cafe

Mia — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:25:02 +0000

I realised I’ve not yet posted any images of our local cafe. It’s not that I’d be taking this one for granted, no. Still three years on, I enjoy this place just as much. Like I’ve said before, whether one likes the style over here or not, isn’t particularly relevant. What I admire, is the attention to detail – that someone cares to make a place like this. Just as much that I like a normal cozy corner cafe, it’s different kind of wonderful to relax in grandeur like this.

For those of you who might want to head for a cuppa in this beautiful Starbucks, it’s located in Dubai’s Ibn Battuta Mall, in its ‘Persia Court’. It’s also worth finding out about the explorer Ibn Battuta, who is the Arabian equivalent of Marco Polo. This mall bearing his name is themed around his travels, therefore you find areas such as ‘China Court’, ‘India Court’ and ‘Egypt Court’ among others, all paying equally stunning attention to the details of their interiors.

Call of the dunes

Mia — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:35:34 +0000

For me, as a child, it was growing up near the sea and the forest that left its deepest impression within me for life. It is different now for our little ones. I’m so happy to have similarly strong natural surroundings to take them to which in turn will no doubt leave an impression deep within them. This time it’ll just be the desert and the mountains instead. But the call of the dunes is palpable – only five, she quietly gazes towards the horizon, whispers “Beautiful…” and takes off. Just walks, walks straight ahead, not looking back, just walks. And I have no other option than to follow. I have no doubt, she would just carry on walking, such is the determination in her step. Up and down, over the dunes, into the future…

Light at night

Mia — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:50:33 +0000

What amazes me time and again is how beautifully this place is always lit up when it’s dark. Spot lights on palm trees, small sparkles of light in the nooks and crannies of buildings. Walking around the souk Madinat Jumeirah in the tastefully lit up dark is always atmospheric. One of my most favourite evening spots. And now that winter starts to be over and we’re heading to the scorching summer once more, night time will be soon again the only time to go out.

Hatta Pools

Mia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:58:59 +0000

The beautiful mountains of Hatta are only just over an hour’s drive away for us. The peculiar water-shaped rocks of Hatta Pools are a lovely area for a picnic and a paddle. On the way, might even pass some baby camels…

Welcoming in 2010!

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:57:07 +0000

Burj al Arab fireworks, stunning as ever. I’m looking forward to this brand new year with great excitement and know it in my bones it’s going to be very special. I wish you all an inspired, uplifting year ahead! (Jan10)

Souk Khan Murjan at Wafi

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:30:08 +0000

There’s a hidden treasure of a place in the basement of Wafi Mall, Souk Khan Murjan, a modern-made traditional souk (‘Bazaar’ is the word many might recognise better) where no effort has been spared when it comes to decorative details. One might argue that this shiny brand new place lacks the charm of the real old souks but for an artist like myself who creates by visual details, this place is just beautiful. I don’t compare it to the old – like I don’t compare the musty leather bindings of the past to the contemporary designer bindings created these days. Some of this place might be over the top, but just the plain fact that someone goes through such trouble to create a space like this nowadays, is wonderful. It is meant to offer artisan made traditional Arabian arts and crafts. The real shame then is that an increasing amount of these little charming shops are going empty and looks like half of the beautiful heavy wooden doors are shut permanently. I assume the rent is way too high for the footfall there should be to bring in any sales. It is sad to see as this place in particular would be more than ideal to create a buzzling modern artist market in Dubai. Would be great to see something individual and different sold here, as every mall sells the same wares and brands. Although the monthly Arte Souk in Times Square Mall is doing well, all in all contemporary designer crafts have not found their way to Dubai yet, not the way they’re represented in London and the UK in general for example. Hopefully one day… (Dec09)

Colours of the Evening

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:05:07 +0000

I’m having this eternal quest to capture the pastel hue moment that occurs just before sunset. But I won’t. Maybe it’s even better that way. Winter is nearly here and it’s possible to stay outside again without melting. So plenty of time to go and see the real thing whenever I wish. (Dec09)

Evening in the desert

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:25:39 +0000

It may still be rather hot but since it has been way too long since our last visit to the dunes, we thought to bear the heat and go anyway. It’s always such a treat, away from the city, like another world. There’s a luxurious desert resort called Bab al Shams, with just the best roof terrace where to lounge and watch the sun go down behind the dunes. But the best of all is just to run up and down the sand waves until out of breath. (Oct09)

The beautiful Buddha Bar

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:26:17 +0000

It’s not often nowadays that I choose to swap my precious evening hours in the atelier to a bar instead. I had never visited Buddha Bar in Dubai, although had heard it to be very nice. What an understatement… I was blown away. And applaud the interior designers as I don’t think it’s possible to get it any more right. A blissful place to spend an evening. (Sept09)