at JBR - Jumeirah Beach Residence - a new development along the beach front 
with a view of the Palm Island and Hotel Atlantis....
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Visiting relatives in Abu Dhabi....
It was wonderful to visit Hisham's relatives in Abu Dhabi! It's a 1.5-2hrs drive from Dubai on the highway. Not too much traffic.....
Somehow the time we have to spend together and to catch up is never enough. Ahlam cooked a wonderful feast again .... she is a great cook! I especially love her home made kibbeh...
Budoor and myself decided to go for a quick stroll in the park to digest all the good food.
Somehow the time we have to spend together and to catch up is never enough. Ahlam cooked a wonderful feast again .... she is a great cook! I especially love her home made kibbeh...
Budoor and myself decided to go for a quick stroll in the park to digest all the good food.
Then off to visit Mamoun, Rasha and their cute twins (sorry forgot to take photos.... next time)...
The city was getting ready with all the Ramadan lights in the streets (Ramadan starts 1 August 11). I am sorry I will miss it... I love Ramadan in Dubai - it's a very reflective time and a very social time.
But my journey continues... and I need to get ready and packed for my next leg: the US of A.....
Friday, 29 July 2011
Yvonne arrives in Dubai for her 1 day stopover....
How quickly my week in Dubai has gone! The first few days, I did nothing but chat with my friends... then suddenly I panicked, so much to do... and so little time.... the week is over and Yvonne arrives from the UK on her way back to Sydney. I am her tour guide for the day!
We had a full day and evening.. no chance for Yvonne to even feel tired.... (however I had a head cold and overdosed on vitamins!!)
1. Wafi shopping mall, modelled after the Egyptian pyramids
2. A detour via the Dubai creek (river that divides Dubai into two parts: Bur Dubai and Deira)
3. Over the bridge to Deira for a birds-eye view from the twin towers over the creek and all the dhows (wooden boats that bring goods from other parts of the world)
4. Dubai Museum, for some history and culture
5. Dubai Mall - largest mall in the world, next to Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world...
6. Drive along Jumeirah Beach, Yvonne had to test the sea to make sure the water really was as hot as I told her...
7. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, up and up in the glass lift to admire the view of Dubai from above....
8. Quick stop at my girlfriend Rima's place for a cold drink and then off to
9. Reem Al Bawardi, Arabic Restaurant for some yummie food and of course my Sheisha!!!! (this bit is sensored for any CCNSW staff.
I think Yvonne slept well that night... hi hi hi....
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
A day with Rima's Children
The least I could do for my dear friend Rima, whom I am staying with in Dubai, is give her a day off and take Daniel and Ayesha on an outing.....
Anybody know what creature this is? A mix between stingray and dolphin.. it looks like...
We had fun at the Aquarium and Underwater World @ Dubai Mall.
Shark attack....
Watch your fingers... piranhas at hand....
Afterwards we enjoyed burgers and icecream.... (am a big kid at heart myself!!)....with a view of the Burj Khalifa.
Anybody know what creature this is? A mix between stingray and dolphin.. it looks like...
Shark attack....
Watch your fingers... piranhas at hand....
Afterwards we enjoyed burgers and icecream.... (am a big kid at heart myself!!)....with a view of the Burj Khalifa.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Dubai, UAE
Dubai has changed so much - I lived here with Hisham from early 1998 for over 12 years. I just saw the end of the 'good times', small expat community, people knew each other, no traffic, cheap taxis, lots of desert, lots of 'freebies' (tickets to concerts, shows and events) and good times. We discovered corners of the UAE together, before the tourists even knew about them!
Then the property and building boom happened, big investments and lots of high profile projects.... this meant lots of people arriving in Dubai. It became overcrowded and expensive - the playgrounds for the rich and famous!
Dubai was now on the map of the world, and they had to make some changes, especially to labor laws and human rights issues. (in the old days laborers were transported in cattle trucks to and from their camps to work - now they are transported in buses). The cheap taxis disappeared and expensive metred taxis were introduced; an airconditioned waterbus was introduced to cross the Creek (they did keep the cheap abras though)! Highways were expanded and road toll was introduced. Rents shot through the roofs and became unaffordable for many, even western expats.
The real estate was traded like the stock market and property prices went skyhigh in a very short time. Business was going well!
Fortunately, Dubai realized they had to preserve some of their heritage and not just build modern highrises. They renovated the old and original Dubai - the Bastakia area and made a very good job of it. They renovated the Shindaga area, where the Sheikh's father's original palace is located. There is the heritage village and the fishing village (pearling was a big trade in the old days). Dubai Museum is a great place to go and visit and learn about the old and new Dubai. They replicated old traditional suqs inside shopping malls. And of course there is the famous Gold Suq - gold gallore quite amazing. (should have bought more when gold was cheap!)
Then came the crash - Lots of people lost a lot of money, companies closed down, people left... and Dubai was in a lot of debt - and still is. Construction sites are half finished and closed, roads are nice and empty-ish, not many jobs going, and life is still expensive. Sheikh Mohammed who was a high profile person before, has now disappeared from public view. However, rents have come down, and places are available in abundance. There are properties to buy, but the local banks do not give morgages. It will take many more years for Dubai to recover.
Dubai holds a lot of wonderful memories - it was an important part of my life - mainly because I was sharing it with Hisham (may his soul rest in peace)! Also most of my friends have left or are about to leave Dubai, my special connection with the place is gone. It's still a great place for shopping though.... so many bargains (when you know where to go...). Unfortunately, I am not allowed to shop, as my luggage weight can not increase!!! I am travelling light - that's my MANTRA.
S&D
Then the property and building boom happened, big investments and lots of high profile projects.... this meant lots of people arriving in Dubai. It became overcrowded and expensive - the playgrounds for the rich and famous!
Dubai was now on the map of the world, and they had to make some changes, especially to labor laws and human rights issues. (in the old days laborers were transported in cattle trucks to and from their camps to work - now they are transported in buses). The cheap taxis disappeared and expensive metred taxis were introduced; an airconditioned waterbus was introduced to cross the Creek (they did keep the cheap abras though)! Highways were expanded and road toll was introduced. Rents shot through the roofs and became unaffordable for many, even western expats.
The real estate was traded like the stock market and property prices went skyhigh in a very short time. Business was going well!
Fortunately, Dubai realized they had to preserve some of their heritage and not just build modern highrises. They renovated the old and original Dubai - the Bastakia area and made a very good job of it. They renovated the Shindaga area, where the Sheikh's father's original palace is located. There is the heritage village and the fishing village (pearling was a big trade in the old days). Dubai Museum is a great place to go and visit and learn about the old and new Dubai. They replicated old traditional suqs inside shopping malls. And of course there is the famous Gold Suq - gold gallore quite amazing. (should have bought more when gold was cheap!)
Then came the crash - Lots of people lost a lot of money, companies closed down, people left... and Dubai was in a lot of debt - and still is. Construction sites are half finished and closed, roads are nice and empty-ish, not many jobs going, and life is still expensive. Sheikh Mohammed who was a high profile person before, has now disappeared from public view. However, rents have come down, and places are available in abundance. There are properties to buy, but the local banks do not give morgages. It will take many more years for Dubai to recover.
Dubai holds a lot of wonderful memories - it was an important part of my life - mainly because I was sharing it with Hisham (may his soul rest in peace)! Also most of my friends have left or are about to leave Dubai, my special connection with the place is gone. It's still a great place for shopping though.... so many bargains (when you know where to go...). Unfortunately, I am not allowed to shop, as my luggage weight can not increase!!! I am travelling light - that's my MANTRA.
S&D
Monday, 25 July 2011
Marhaba fi Dubai
Welcome to hot and humid Dubai....
I slept through most of the 14.5 hours flight. Popped my 'pill' and off I went into lala land.
S&D
I slept through most of the 14.5 hours flight. Popped my 'pill' and off I went into lala land.
Arrived in Dubai @ 6.00a.m. and 33C. As usual I used my female charm to wiggle my way into the country without going through the long queues at passport control - I love it. I have an expired e-gate card, but pretended not to know and the nice man in charge let me through.
However, I was astonished how quickly I changed back into my 'Dubai character' when a minor issue arose at the car hire counter. (this is me screaming and shouting over 50Dhs = 12$A)... but this is the way here... I turn into a monster (I blame the jetlag....)
It is strange being back - somehow I have no attachment to Dubai anymore - now Hisham is gone.... and also my best friend Jenni moved away. I learnt that places are always about people. Without the people, places are just places......
Getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road and avoiding crazy Dubai drivers....
It's too hot and humid to go outside, but managed to take my friend's dog for a walk at 7am today....until I realized, I have no control over this unleashed dog. And in horror tried to avoid busy roads, people and especially other dogs....
Enough trivia for today... hanging out for my first sheisha.... maybe tonight!!!
Stay save
S&D
Friday, 22 July 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
What a farewell....
It is soo hard to say goodbye to friends! But then we (dougal lionheart and myself) are only saying Auf Wiedersehen!
It's been a physically and emotionally exhausting time - packing, repacking, storing too much stuff..., moving out, finishing work, farewells... and lots of chocolates and snakes...
We will be off on a plane tomorrow night! Can't wait to be on the plane, sleep and watch movies for 14 hours! First stop will be Dubai (45C and humid).
Watch this space....
It's been a physically and emotionally exhausting time - packing, repacking, storing too much stuff..., moving out, finishing work, farewells... and lots of chocolates and snakes...
We will be off on a plane tomorrow night! Can't wait to be on the plane, sleep and watch movies for 14 hours! First stop will be Dubai (45C and humid).
Watch this space....
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