the hot goddess

Hello, March

As we welcome this first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, I am still basking in the wonders of a February that will be tough for March to beat. Here’s what has this midlife expat smiling heading into the third month of 2024.

Birthday Travel

I celebrated turning 64 with a long-planned birthday solo trip to the United Arab Emirates. A side-trip to the neighboring country of Oman didn’t happen, but my travel experience was spectacular.

One of the many perks of living in Portugal is the ease and increased affordability of travel here compared with departing from the United States. Cheap, direct international flights are plentiful from Lisbon’s airport. The cost of transportation from my house to the airport can be as much or more than a roundtrip economy flight to some European countries. I flew direct from Lisbon to Dubai — a seven-hour flight. The Emirates business class flight was cheaper than it would’ve been had I traveled from the U.S., and it included four complimentary chauffeur pick-ups to and from the airports in Lisbon and Dubai. That’s a $250 value.

This was my first Emirates flight experience, and yes, it lived up to the hype. The service. The food and spirits. The mattress and bedding. The Bulgari travel kits. The lounge in Dubai, where you board the plane directly from the lounge. Suffice it to say that my 5’10” body, its 36″ inseam legs, rapidly failing back and knees, and titanium-screw-attached shoulder were in total comfort during the flights. I am a frugal saver who plans and budgets for everything, and at this stage of my life I am making my physical comfort a priority. The Emirates first-class flight experience is much more luxurious, but business class gave me the physical comfort I require at a lower price.

When hacking coughs and juicy sneezing erupt, I am always ready. I will lower a mask, shoot down a martini, shovel in a filet mignon, and mask back up in 15.2 seconds.

My flights were the only “extravagance” I indulged. I stayed in an Airbnb condo on Dubai’s marina, with beautiful views, for a reasonable $71 a night. I stocked up on groceries and prepared entrees at a nearby supermarket, eating all breakfasts and nearly all dinners at “home.” This is my number-one money-saving hack whenever I travel.

Condo views
Condo interior
Surprisingly tasty grocery store dinners
Lunches eaten out
Mint lemonade is always on the menu

Portugal will ruin you for wine anyplace else. Going from having fantastic (and cheap) wine with every lunch and dinner, to a country where wine, beer, and liquor can only be served in hotels and not in outside restaurants, was, well, hard AF an adjustment. Bottles of wine and alcohol can only be purchased in special liquor stores in Dubai (not unlike my native U.S. state of Ohio, which is a government-controlled liquor state, though beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores), but you need a license to buy it. Getting the free license is easy — the liquor store gets it for you at the time of purchase —  and I got mine my first day there. When I travel solo I normally don’t drink when I go out. I typically buy the liquor I want at the airport duty-free stores upon arrival (I forgot to do this in Dubai), and then enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail in my hotel/lodging in the evenings. It’s much cheaper and, for me, feels safer.

I booked my tours and excursions through Airbnb Experiences and the Get Your Guide app.

Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Presidential Palace
Dubai souks
Private nightsky excursion in the desert with a Ukrainian astrophotographer and a French spacecraft engineer. No, I did not discover a new, purple galaxy. Despite my high excitement (exceeded only by my ignorance), those purple “planets” were just reflections in the lens of my telescope as I was trying to get it focused. Sigh.
Michelin-star high tea at the Burj Al Arab hotel. If you want to stay here, a room will cost you four figures a night.
Emirates travel

Nothing beats travel for opening your eyes, mind, and heart to the wonders of the world and all its people. We are more alike than different.

Thank you for reading. May your March be a month of discovery. 💜

All images are my own.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

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44 comments

  1. Wow, wow, wow! That looks like it was an amazing experience! Happy birthday! Did you buy your cover up clothes before going, or after you arrived? Always beautiful!

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    • Thank you so much, Tamara! 💜 I bought one abaya there, and the black one was included with the Abu Dhabi day trip — but it had to be returned at the end of the tour. I stupidly bought a large white shawl before I left for UAE, and then lost it there during a tour. The same type of shawl was only $2.50 there. 🙄

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  2. What an amazing looking trip! (So much better than mine, LOL). That’s what a vacation should be. The astronomy excursion – wow! I’d have signed up for that one too. And of course, the high tea!!! Some good travel tips in there. Haven’t used AirBnB in a while, need to check them out again. Thanks for sharing, Natalie!

    Deb

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    • Aww, thank you Deb! 💜 I still can’t believe all the mishaps you had to deal with, but your vacay destination is tops in gorgeousness. And yes, yes to stars and high tea, right?! Airbnb was great for this trip, but sometimes their cleaning and service fees can double the price of lodging. I lucked out this time. Thank you for reading, Deb!

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  5. Natalie Girldriend! Living the good life on your terms. I loved this post. The pictures are beautiful, fabulous and amazing. High tea was my jam not to mention, your style of dress and colors should be in a high fashion magazine. Happy Grand Birthday Celebration to you. 💐

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  10. A lovely Good morning indeed. Here’s to March??!

    Happy Birthday to you and I loved ???? each posted picture – breathtaking!

    We all need to love and treasure ourselves and treat ourselves to the best of everything that life affords.?? You are so beautiful and your aura glows brightly. I love your poise, style and charm. My approach to travel very similar to yours. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and travel experiences. Looking forward to your next post. Keep on flourishing and living your best life??

    sandra

    Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/ghei36 ________________________________

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  11. Wow that looked like an amazing trip! I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai and fly Emirates too! Looks just like I imagined. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful Birthday adventure! Happy Birthday Natalie! 🙂

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  14. I’m so glad I can live vicariously through you – otherwise I’d never see the world 😍 It looks like you had a fabulous Birthday trip and I agree, at this age I’m all about comfort when traveling! Great pics and videos – thank you for sharing 🤗

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  18. Hey Natalie! I’m slowly catching up on the blogs…Your trip sounds so interesting and the places on your pics look splendid. What a wonderful way, travelling solo, to celebrate your special! Thanks for the inspiration, and I love your frugal ways, btw. 😀

    Happy Spring & Women’s Day! ❤

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