Indy International braided her hair, pulled on her boots and bounced down the stairs. She gulped down a drink with the last of her chores, for tonight she was off on her next trip abroad. When the clock in the hall struck a quarter past eight, she kissed mum and dad and skipped to the gate.
With her backpack strapped tight and guide book in hand, Indy jumped in her plane to explore the next land. Her co-pilot Percy gave a wink and a smile, and in just a few moments they were up in the sky.
Where to tonight? This part made her giddy. They studied the map to choose the next city. When the plane had ascended with a great deal of motion, they pulled left in pursuit of the Atlantic Ocean.
They flew through the night, just Percy and she, and took turns napping whilst over the sea. Then just before sunrise ignited the sky, they caught the first glimpse of the lights of Dubai.
Gliding over the desert, with a gentle descent, they touched down near a camp of bedouin tents. Grabbing her napsack and camera in an intrepid mood, Indy followed the alluring aroma of oud.
The Emirates were now lit by the hot morning sun, and on a jolt of excitement she started to run. While the camels peered on and the sand dunes got steeper, Indy ran straight for the gates of the grand Burj Khalifa.
Into the sky it soared 800 metres, as Indy gazed up in awe, her knees became weaker. A great feat of man built with steel and glass, there was no way she could let the opportunity pass. She shot to the lift and held onto her breath, as it climbed ninety stories, then on to the rest.
Reaching the top, she laid eyes on the city, boundless views of the glamorous and gritty. Then tapped on the arm by her Arabian guide, he whispered, "our skyline evolves with each tide".
"Once a pearl diving city, we rose from the sand, with Dubai's great marvels the talk of the land. And while up here it's only Dubai you see, seven Emirates actually make up the UAE."
He summoned her inside, now a quarter to three, and offered a warm cup of Arabic tea. "The majilis", he announced, was where Emiratis gathered, "to eat, to connect, and discuss things that mattered".
She took in the room, wide-eyed but shy. "Marhaba" said a voice, and she caught someone's eye. Nudged by her guide who had noticed her staring, Indy asked "what are those mysterious clothes they’re all wearing?”
Though a fascinated Indy was of course not to blame, and so the guide took his time to gently explain.
"The men wear white cloaks, known as Kanduras, and head scarves called Guthras, both very important."
"This clothing is traditional to our Bedouin lands, as it protected the men against the sun and the sand."
"What about the ladies", whispered Indy in awe, as she observed their long dresses that reached to the floor.
"It's called an abaya, elegant and flowing. You'll see intricate details in much of the sewing".
"The head scarf they wear is known as the Shela, you may see it up close if you sit next to Leila".
"Come dear" said the woman, and gestured to a seat. She shared crunchy dumplings, ever so sweet.
"We call this dish Luqaimat, take more if you wish, it's possibly the UAE's favourite sweet dish.
"May I ask" Indy said, whilst enjoying her treat, "what’s it like to live in a land of great heat?"
Leila smiled kindly, as she poured some more tea. "Dubai has been built to endure summer, you see".
She then walked to the window, and as far as could see, was a brilliant long coastline which met with sea.
"It's the Gulf", said her guide, stepping onto the balcony. It was there Indy witnessed a grand act of falconry.
"Our national symbol", he said with great pride. And with that, he released the bird to the sky.
As the falcon took flight, climbing higher and higher, she learned they were once key to desert survival.
"They were trained to hunt food, this great bird of prey. They're an integral part of the Bedouin way."
It was clear, up so high, that sunset was coming. It was time to find Percy, and get the plane engines running.
After thanking her hosts for their kindness and food, she was gifted a bottle of traditional oud. Delighted to have met locals so warm and so generous, Indy would never forget her trip to the Emirates.
And with that, she began the great elevator descent, then out of the building and back to the tents.
There Percy was waiting in the plane with a smile. "My oh my, you were certainly gone for a while!"
They brushed off the sand and buckled up tight, then their plane took off again into the night…
Indy International braided her hair, pulled on her boots and marched down the stairs. She gulped down a drink with the last of her chores, for tonight she was off on the next trip abroad. As the clock in the hall struck a quarter past eight, she kissed mum and dad and skipped to the gate.
With her backpack strapped tight and guide book in hand, Indy jumped in her plane to explore the next land. Her co-pilot Percy gave a wink and a smile, and in just a few moments they were up in the sky.
Where to tonight? This part made her giddy. They studied the map to choose the next city. So with growing momentum and grinning with glee, they pulled right in pursuit of the South China Sea.
As always, the duo flew right through the night. And took turns at napping while the plane was in flight. While admiring a dawn that was ever so pretty, they came soaring fast into Ho Chi Minh City.
Gliding over the harbour it was soon time to land, as Indy and Percy had arrived in Vietnam. Peering out of the cabin they spotted pagodas, and the roads seemed to pulsate with thousands of motors.
Then as they touched down in the former Saigon, a tuk tuk appeared with the OM of a gong. Waving farewell to Percy, in an intrepid mood, Indy first set off in search of some food.
When she arrived at the market the weather grew sticky, and there was so much to choose from one had to be picky. In need of advice she asked a young man, "what would you eat if you had just one day in 'nam?"
He flashed her a smile, and said "one thing to know, is the most famous dish in our country is Phở." She spotted a stall between dried fish and fruit, where an old woman stood pouring big bowls of soup.
Her hunger grew fierce, though the wait wasn't long, and she paid for her Phở in Vietnamese dong. Brimming with flavour, the broth was nutritious, with thick white rice noodles not short of delicious.
Indy finished her meal then decided to wait, and observe the big market while perched on crate. She sipped on a coconut served with a straw, and when it was finished she asked for one more.
Jumping back in the tuk tuk and into the crowds, Indy looked up and spotted some gathering clouds. Like the flick of a switch, the rain it came down, and her driver yelled "wet season just came to town!"
"Some of the areas most prone to flood, mean weeks upon months of both water and mud. Yet here in Vietnam they know what to do, and many will just swap their bike for canoe!"
Where to next? With just hours to go, Indy decided to go with the flow. The Saigon River was the next thing to see, she would then float north west to a town called Cu Chi.
Here a network of tunnels were built deep underground, so narrow and dark they were hard to be found. An historic village one must crawl to explore, these tunnels were built in the Vietnam War.
When Indy arrived, a kind man would explain, "these tunnels are built under jungle terrain. Guerilla troops known as the Viet Cong, dug a network 150 miles long".
These tunnels were used to transport supplies, lay booby traps and attack by surprise. It was North against South, and the US of A, a long war that still haunts our people today.
To be continued....
Indy International braided her hair, pulled on her boots and marched down the stairs. She hurried to finish the last of her chores, for tonight she was off on the next trip abroad. As the clock in the hall struck a quarter past eight, she kissed mum and dad and skipped to the gate.
With her backpack strapped tight and guide book in hand, Indy jumped in her plane to explore the next land. Her co-pilot Percy gave a wink and a smile, and in just a few moments they were up in the sky.
Where to tonight? This part made her giddy. She studied the map to choose the next city. With the plane gaining speed, they studied the way, then headed north west for the US of A.
They flew almost 10 hours, just Indy and Percy, the altitude making them ever so thirsty. Then after what seemed like a night and a day, they arrived on the sparkling coast of LA.
Parting white clouds revealed highways that crawled, and from the air they could see that the city fringe sprawled. Indy yelled, "I can't believe how lucky we are! We've arrived in the home of the Hollywood star!"
With a landing so smooth upon their arrival, Indy grabbed her new guidebook called "LA Survival". Reading it was a most happening place, she only hoped that she could keep up with the pace.
Where to now? The clock struck nine. The obvious place was the Hollywood sign. It was just like on TV, so bold and exciting. A great hillside covered in giant white writing.
The wild ride back down was a whirlwind of thrills, and the next place to check out was Beverly Hills. The journey through perfectly manicured streets made her think of the stars she might possibly meet. With people so fancy and houses so grand, it was clear why LA was the talk of the land.
Then from the front cabin, her driver called "Hey! If you'd like to make movies, then move here some day. For wannabe actors then this is the spot. They come here to show the whole world what they've got."
She looked at the map thinking where she might reach, as high on the list was the famed Venice Beach. A thrilling parade of the weird and the whacky, and a strange combination of trendy and tacky.
She saw skateboarding tricks that one never could teach, and her jaw hit the floor when she found Muscle Beach.
Gazing ‘round wide-eyed, she heard a man say, "In the City of Angels we do things our way."
He cheeks flushed pink as she dropped her green smoothie, tripping over that actor from her favourite movie. It was already a day that she wouldn’t forget when the actor yelled “Hey, you’re in the middle of set!"
Stumbling backwards, Indy turned red. "Oh why oh why can't I think with my head!" Then as she hid by a brick wall covered in art, the director yelled "Hey! Could you play a small part?!"
To be continued...
