Boats set the sails and headed off to China today after spending 10 days in Abu Dhabi. I really enjoyed seeing them so close after watching the competition from tv so many years. It is crazy what these people are doing! I really respect the effort and hard work and extreme skills they put in order to complete the 9 months race. Good job guys and good luck!

Here's an interesting live tv from the racing boats for all of you enthusiasts:

Watch live streaming video from volvooceanracesd at livestream.com

Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi

We have been very lucky to have the Volvo Ocean Race leg here in Abu Dhabi. The boats are here right in the middle of the city and the event area is totally free for public to enter and enjoy.

Volvo Ocean Race is the toughest sailing competition in the world. The teams are sailing around the world during 9 months and visiting 10 ports. I have seen the competitions from the tv before and I feel very lucky to be able to see the boats live this year :) These people have to be crazy and totally made out of iron to be able to stay alive those massive storms they face in the seas. True giants of adventurers.

Yesterday the leading boat Team Telefonica was the first boat to set sails. The boat looks beautiful!

Our team is 5th at the moment and it's going to be interesting to see how the future looks like.

This Suunto compass is from the Team Abu Dhabi training boat but I hope even Azzam has this finnish quality on board :)

The Destination Village is beautiful with many restaurants, games, promotions, free outdoor movies etc. I've been in the area three times already and I'm going there again in few days. Because on 13th they will have a small race just outside Abu Dhabi so the public can see the boats sailing and competing. And on 14th the competition is going to continue to the next destination China so it's going to be a big event to send the teams on their way.

Just few days ago we had a world famous dj Louie Vega performing live in the Puma club. It's a small trendy place with a club downstairs and an open air bar upstairs. So beautiful and comfortable. We stayed there the whole evening yesterday as well just laying in soft Fatboys and listening acoustic band. Not bad in early January :)

More information:

Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi

Volvo Ocean Race official page

My favourite place in Abu Dhabi <3

After spending over a week on a sick leave because of this damn flue, I decided to spend a day outside in a sunshine. Before it has just been too hot so it has been impossible to enjoy at the beach. But now the weather is getting so much better :)

There is a huge white sandy beach just in the city center called "Corniche beach". I think it's artificial like everything else over here but it doesn't matter! The sand is pure white colour, whiter than in Thailand.. and the water is sooo clear, turquoise and warm. You can just stay there for hours and people do..

So i went there today after seing my doctor who told me I have to rest few more days. But spending over a week inside I had to get out! And it was the best idea I had for a while! For now I know what is ultimatelly the best thing about the city and why it's a priviledge for a finnish girl to be able to live here :) The beach is amazing, the sea is amazing!! It is so beautiful, so peaceful, you only hear the waves hitting the shore and the sand is full of beautiful seashells..

I decided that every time that I'm off and in the city I will come to the beach, to relax, to have some sun and to swim in the ocean. Because most of the people are paying thousands of euros to be able to enjoy a weather like this for few weeks a year. And I have got the priviledge to be able to enjoy it every single day of the year! I truly appreciate it and I'm very grateful to be able to experience this in my life :)

Desert island outside Abu Dhabi | 22/07/2011

Locals spend their weekends outside the hot & humid city by driving a speadboat to one of the desert islands or Maya island which is famous for it's beach parties.

Graduation party - Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

View to the city from Heritage Village