LovelyLilies | ExpatWoman.com
 

LovelyLilies

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Latest post on 30 March 2016 - 13:24
I was also diagnosed with Hashimotos by dr Ana Sepiolo, very thankful to her for all the tests she'd run for me. She is very knowlegable about thyroid and she was the one who told me it was possible to get NDT in Dubai. Unfortunately i havent tried NDT, hence, I do not know the details of the pharmacy where you can get the sheep NDT, however, dr Ana can write a prescription for it. What helped me the most with Hashimotos was selenium! I take supplements now and eat 1-2 brasil nut every single day. Hope this helps.
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Latest post on 28 January 2016 - 16:22
I've been taking metformin for a while now but i see no difference. I am still gaining weight. I should add that I'm suffering from hypothyroidism which could be the reason. My mother, on the other hand, has succesfully lost 2st on metformin. I got Ovacure as well. For the first two weeks was ok, no difference, however, then i starrted to develop headaches. Took me a while to realise it could be Due to Ovacure. The headaches stopped as soon as i stopped taking Ovacure. Recently i was clearing the medicines and found my unfinished Ovacure bottle. I thought i'd give it another try since it was rather expensive (300aed). The same evening i was having severe headaches. I guess i wouldnt recommend it, esp that the reviews on the internet are mixed. I wonder if its a matter of doctors helping the pharma companies 'push' this expensive supplement in Dubai.
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Latest post on 27 August 2015 - 13:37
I'm seeing dr.Anna at Dubai London Clinic - great doctor! due to high demand it's always hard to get an appointments or there is a long wait. But still it's worth it IMO. (I have PCOS, insulin resistance & hypothyroidism) That is exactly who I was looking at LovelyLilies! When I saw in her profile she is interested in PCOS, I wondered if she would be good. Is she good for explaining things? I know that sounds like a strange question but I really want a doctor who can sit with me (and my husband hopefully!) and literally explain all my tests and th meds and everything that comes along with it. I really feel like my doctor now is just not helpful at all with that. I can't fault her otherwise, she's done bloods and tests and everything but she just doesn't listen to my concerns nor do I feel like she explains things enough to me. She is very good at listening and explaining. I went first to see her about PCOS... came out having hypothyroidism, hashimotos and insulin resistance - she did loads of tests for me while no other doctor bothered testing for any of these things. Oh, I was also having a persistent pain in my right side...another gyne simply sent me away, while dr. Anna sent for an abdo ultrasound where they found out I had kidney stones! She advises about meds and what I like the most about her she is interested in natural or alternative drugs. She works with you: if you don't like some drugs you tell her and she suggests something else. I've seen some ladies visiting her with their partners, too. I can only advise that you make an appointment with her and see if you like her.
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Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 11:31
I'm seeing dr.Anna at Dubai London Clinic - great doctor! due to high demand it's always hard to get an appointments or there is a long wait. But still it's worth it IMO. (I have PCOS, insulin resistance & hypothyroidism)
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Latest post on 18 August 2015 - 13:28
Timberland do nice tshirts sometimes, too
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Latest post on 18 August 2015 - 10:15
Check Tavola... Also C4 or Lulus might have some sort of replacement. Maybe even Daiso. Otherwise might be worth checking homeware stores in Satwa or Karama. The things you find there you would not be able to find anywhere else.
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Latest post on 10 August 2015 - 13:40
send them one more email.. Just this time inform them that you will be contacting the authorities if you do not hear back from them within (24/48etc hours) Use Twitter to complain to them directly - most companies reply quickly when its made public.
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Latest post on 04 August 2015 - 17:54
Saw the organic original ones at Geant, Ibn Batuta (organic and international section)
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Latest post on 30 July 2015 - 12:57
Thanks, ladies. good to know everything can be done online and we do not need to worry about going to their offices. For me it is very important to get them disconnect everything on a specific day, not day before or after, hence I was asking on here. We will have to plan around those 48hrs.
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Latest post on 27 July 2015 - 17:44
Have you checked Qatar? They fly to Kili with a stopover at the capital but you do not need to get off the plane.
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Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 11:28
You can sit at a food court located beneath Homecentre, it is a shared seating area by all food outlets so nobody would tell you off for sitting there. There are also benches by entrance on 1st floor (again, Homecentre/HSBC mall entrance) - but since they are in between the doors its hot and humid there. I believe there are also some seats near the cinema - across from popcorn counter.
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Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 21:22
Always lock. Better safe than sorry. I live in Emaar building, with security, access cards etc., however, on couple occassions somebody tried to to open the door.. No ringing the doorbell just trying the door handle. Once a cleaner got a wrong floor and tried to unlock the door at 6am
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Latest post on 21 July 2015 - 11:29
North Face and Columbia for jackets, fleece, undergarmets, warmers, gloves, boots etc etc. I climbed Kilimanjaro in sumer time and got every single item from them. Oh and Adventure HQ! I now re-use most of the items when i go to Europe in winter time (for example, North Face tri-climate jackets are with removable layers)
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Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 11:00
I think BA is better than Virgin. The seats are more comfy, staff might be older etc however, the ladies on Virgin flight imagined they were all models and better than others. They were chatting loudly between themselves during the service. My seat was changed without my consent, apparently to accomodate a family, but i was moved to sit next to the loo and the guy at the check in assured me the seat was a good one. My tray table was broken and they made it a big deal to get me a different seat on board (since exit seats and extra leg room were all at extra fee) I think the nicest bit is you land at terminal5 in Heathrow which is dedicated to BA only hence no crazy crowds. Both virgin and ba allow 23kg, not sure about piece concenpt. BA allows you to buy an extra piece for £80 or so which is great if you are doing a shopping spree in London.
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Latest post on 08 June 2015 - 17:37
If anyone's still interesed, there is currently a sale on all Entertainer books - buy 1 get 1 free. Valid till 14th June.
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Latest post on 04 June 2015 - 19:07
There is a sale in almost every shop at the moment. Debenhams sale is quite good, choice-, size- and price- wise. M&S Not much on sale... And 25% off only brings the price down to the original UK price ;)
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Latest post on 21 May 2015 - 10:38
I wouldn't pay 80 for a jar of nuts butter loool I make my own, all you need is 2 cups of nuts and a food processor, and if you add 1/4 cup of sesame to it you get an amazing smooth & creamy texture. I made cashew butter, almond & pecans ;) I agree! Wow, 80 for jar?! I would not pay more than 30 (that's the price of organic nut butters in Spinneys or almaya). I make my own as well, can't be easier - roast some almonds and blitz in the food processor, crunchy or smooth, no sugar or palm oil added.
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Latest post on 18 May 2015 - 16:15
Almaya and Spinneys
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Latest post on 15 April 2015 - 11:23
Also bear in mind there is a construction site next to Silverene <em>edited by LovelyLilies on 15/04/2015</em>
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Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 09:00
why support a pyramid scheme like FL? You can get aloe vera juice at Holland & Barrett or organic shop at a fraction of the price
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Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 08:53
We used one of the online agencies providing the service (as far as I remember I checked tripadvisor and lonelyplanet forums beforehand) here is the info of the company we used: www.vietnamvisapro.com and www.vietnamvisapro.net I can see from the email that we paid total of $42 for 1month multiple entry visa, urgent processing got the approval letters within timeframe promised
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Latest post on 12 March 2015 - 12:03
I have previously bought them at Organic shop
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Latest post on 25 February 2015 - 09:22
I am not taking it but was previously told by my doctor that sheep NDT is available in Dubai. I think there is a pharmacy in Karama which has it. They will need a prescription
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Latest post on 28 January 2015 - 14:29
We have a syntetic rattan set (like all of the restaurants use, as mentioned previously). For 3 years we've kept it in the balcony and now after 3 years its all falling apart, so I would not recomment it either. ETA: I think the reason behind many restaurnats using it is because it is relatively cheap. <em>edited by LovelyLilies on 28/01/2015</em>
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Latest post on 11 December 2014 - 13:31
I'd recommend Dr. Anna who is lovely. She is very knowledgeable and will do all the testing necessary. I found her based on recs of this forum (wasn't happy with gynaes at city hospital)
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Latest post on 10 December 2014 - 10:24
10k for a trip to London is way too expensive. Remember, buying from an agent or the airlines itself there are group discounts so there is no way the flights would be expensive. Booked in advanve you can get ticket to London for as low as 2400. I guess they won't be staying at the Park Lane hotels either? The shows cost £25-60 but again for group bookings they can get discounts. Most of the museums are free. Other places costs no more than £10-25 Sorry no kids here, hence don't know how this works, but don't the schools supply the parents with a breakdown of the costs?
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Latest post on 10 December 2014 - 10:09
Perfume and a bottle of whiskey. Easy to pick up in duty free on the way home. Also some dates for everyone. <em>edited by LovelyLilies on 10/12/2014</em>
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Latest post on 08 December 2014 - 11:28
GE..not sure where your money is going but we have about 80% of the income that you state. Our apartment costs AED100k a year but school fees are AED144k a year. We don't get flights and my kids do a couple of paid activities every week. They are always needing money for school and uniform is costly and both outgrowing clothes at a tremendous rate. I'm also topping up a mortgage back home as rental income doesn't cover mortgage. It is tight but we get by. Wish I knew and yes we're topping up back home too as DH pension doesn't cover our costs. What would you class as a decent amount to save every month? Your rent is now 25% which is good (my rule is no more than 1/3 of the income) I would say you should aim to save min 25% -&gt; 10k Which leaves you with 50% each month -&gt; 20k Something else must be eating a big chunk of your income (hope not the dogs) :)
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Latest post on 08 December 2014 - 11:20
The salary would be up to 15k (I guess depending on the experience.... so more likely to be 12-13) Benefits on top of that
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Latest post on 07 December 2014 - 12:51
But maybe ppl need to reassess their lifestyles a bit - personally, I don't think we 'need' large villa or a maid (unless I go back to work full time) Why is there so often an assumption that if you're struggling with the increasing cost of living here, it's because you're living it up too much? Most people we know don't have villas, don't have maids, don't live the "Dubai lifestyle" - but they're only getting by month-to-month and can't save. We're talking families with a monthly income of around 40k, which isn't amazing, but isn't particularly low either (the average monthly salary in the UAE is about 18k). Now that most companies no longer pay rent or school fees, Dubai isn't a place for families to come if they are serious about saving. It's a place to come to enjoy a different sort of lifestyle for a while, but not a luxurious one, and then to leave again after a few years with no real savings, but some good memories. I wish someone would help me reassess our lifestyle then!!! Yes between us we bring in more than 40K a month, but we're still struggling to save much. We live in a 2 bed villa and unfortunetely can't downsize as we brought our fur family with us. If our LL decides to give us 12 months notice next year we're stuffed, unless a miracle happens regarding rents by then. We run two cheap cars, neither of which is a hugh 4X4. In the three years since we arrived, we've done one brunch a couple of dinners out when friends have been over and same goes for beach days. Yes I go to a salon approx every six weeks and hairdresser every 2/3 months for a cut. Apart from this we live pretty much the same as we did back in the UK, so if anyone can help and tell us where I'm going wrong, I'd be eternally grateful. Have you got kids? No just the two of us and five pets, which is why we need a villa We are on similar money and still manage to save almost half of that almost every month. We have no kids (no dogs either), travel 4x times a year, do brunches every 4 months or so (for other peoples bdays) but go out for dinners every week (pub style but still costs us 400each time). We live in an apartment and rent takes up half of the rest of the expenses. I do not do beauty salons..do my nails and waxing, and my friend trims my hair. We never buy designer clothes but i do buy an odd piece of clothing at a high street brands (which are more expensive than in the UK). No maid either. We do do a spreadsheet of expenses where we firstly decide how much money will go into savings. If we see the credit card going too high we then cut on going out. I cannot understand where your money goes... Do you pay too much for your rent? Do you have very expensive hobbies? Write down all your expenses and see where it brings you. Life is getting more expensive here but I do also think it is still relatively cheaper than in Europe (case without kids). We will have to pay more for rent next year since we've been given notice to move out and that will cost us another 30-40 k more a year probably but we will still be able to save more that what we used to in the UK
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Latest post on 04 December 2014 - 12:48
I though they got paid more because they lived-out (usually with their husbands, hence preferring a live-out option and in need of more money to pay the rent)?? This maid wants more money AND free accommodation for herself and her husband? If she is sponsored by her husband, he can write a no objection letter allowing her to work, that's how many of wives work in Dubai, nothing illegal here. If her husband is able to sponsor her, why would she want you to pay for that?
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Latest post on 27 October 2014 - 11:02
The older phone might not pick up wifi automatically, and you may need to connect manually. My phone connects to home wifi automatically and stops using data but everytime i leave the house the data package kicks in. I had to set this up when I first got the phone however. AED50 seems a bit steep for 100mb. I use etisalat and get a monthly data package 1GB for AED99. And it does not include calls&sms. First I tried 20mb a week and it was sufficient, I get loads of emails, use whatsapp daily, facebook, twitter etc.
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Latest post on 23 October 2014 - 15:31
The only one I can answer is No.1. You can be given your notice at any time in the contract, although most LL do wait until contract renewal time. In our case this was not true. We moved into a property in November 2012, property was sold and the new LL gave us notice to leave in May 2013, asking us to be out by May 2014. We went to the rent committee and won the case to remain in the property until November 2014 - RC said that you can only give notice at the signing of a new contract, but in our case it may have been because we had only just rented the property. However, they said all contracts have to be registered with Ejari and Ejari only issues contracts that are 1 year - there is no such thing as a contract for a few months. I'm not an expert and telling you what I know from our experience. If I was you I would go to the Rent Committee and not communicate with her at all. She has to prove to the rent committee why she requires the property for personal purposes, and if she can't prove that then you will win the case. I also think the correspondence that you have with her from trying to put up the rent shows that initially she was not intending to use the property herself. Just to add: Rera did not question our LL if that was his only property, nothing. The eviction notice just said 'he needs it for personal use' and Rera said it was fine. Maybe if you open a case they check these things.
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Latest post on 23 October 2014 - 15:27
The only one I can answer is No.1. You can be given your notice at any time in the contract, although most LL do wait until contract renewal time. In our case this was not true. We moved into a property in November 2012, property was sold and the new LL gave us notice to leave in May 2013, asking us to be out by May 2014. We went to the rent committee and won the case to remain in the property until November 2014 - RC said that you can only give notice at the signing of a new contract, but in our case it may have been because we had only just rented the property. However, they said all contracts have to be registered with Ejari and Ejari only issues contracts that are 1 year - there is no such thing as a contract for a few months. I'm not an expert and telling you what I know from our experience. If I was you I would go to the Rent Committee and not communicate with her at all. She has to prove to the rent committee why she requires the property for personal purposes, and if she can't prove that then you will win the case. I also think the correspondence that you have with her from trying to put up the rent shows that initially she was not intending to use the property herself. Something must have changed - we have just had our contract signed for 7months at Rera office - they confirmed it was ok. I need to ask my DH if we received the Ejari..
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Latest post on 23 October 2014 - 15:25
They can serve you 12months notice at any time - we got ours mid contract. The letter does not have to be notarised; we have confirmed this with Rera, and I think it is stated in the law as well that it can either be a notarised letter or sent via registered mail (ours came via courier and Rera said it was fine) wow Rowellian, that's a sad story! wonder what happened there behind closed doors.
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Latest post on 13 October 2014 - 14:44
Why don't you send a link to the Burj Khalifa tickets and say which day / time do you want as they are priced differently. Once booked you can also send the email booking confirmation, this way it is clear you have paid. Or just send her the link and get her to book/pay for it herself!! &lt;hardened Grabby-Visitor survivor&gt; (most visitors are lovely and welcome but you do get the odd few who just think it's a free holiday from all aspects, expect to be waited on hand and foot and are just cheeky). edited by Tattie Bogle on 13/10/2014 I agree about this - send them the link and they can pay with their credit card. When our friends were visiting, i opened the link for them on our computer and helped to pick a date/time but then they paid themselves. Easy As for eating out, when the bill is brought to the table, my hubby would take it to check all is correct and would say to everyone: 50/50?? Nobody has ever refused to split ;) as for the drinks, we would get a round, then the visitors would.. Same applies to take away - 50/50. Thanks god our friends have good manners and always contribute. The only difference would be our parents. My parents would want to pick up the bill, however, we would not let them. My in laws would never offer to pay... So we pay anyway. Different cultures in this case. We always buy all the groceries etc, but i find it nice when people offer to pay for something or do bring some groceries when they are out and about. Even if its just milk and bread.
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Latest post on 09 October 2014 - 19:02
Since many LLs are not able to increase the rent much, they are trying to get the money in other ways, ie service charge.
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Latest post on 09 October 2014 - 18:59
Talk to your neighbours. Maybe more people will want to come to the rent committee with you :)
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Latest post on 09 October 2014 - 18:54
he is trying to intimidate you. says you've got 7 days to pay, some people who are not aware of the laws might pay it. even if he wanted to add it for next year's contract, he would need to give you at least 90 days prior to your current contract expiry. I'm sure this will make rera people laugh.
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Latest post on 09 October 2014 - 18:36
If it is not stated in your contract, the landlord is paying the service fees. Surely it is even stated in the laws. well I guess you will have to go to Rera on Sunday, since you got the notice letter. Sorry, was that just a letter? did he add the invoices for the fees outstanding? where has he been for those 3 years...? He probably thinks he can try to get you to pay it. Don't stress, they try all sort of things these days <em>edited by LovelyLilies on 09/10/2014</em>
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 12:23
DON`T EVEN WAIST YOUR TIME AND MONEY SEEING DR. ANNE PHILIP I had recently an appointment with Dr. Anne Philip. I’m 30 weeks pregnant and we came back to Dubai last August.- Since we arrive I had check ups with other Drs, one thing is trying to find out what works better with my insurance coverage and an important thing for me is that my Dr. will be there on the due date. Dr. Anne, asked me why I’d seen other Drs, so I explain to her my wishes, so she just said to me I was doing shopping Dr, and that was so bad from her point of view, then she told me that they have their own life and families (that of course I know and I understand that if something really important happened to them they might not be there, but on the other hand I’m not wishing a relax and uncompromised Dr. that for them is the same to be on such an important day for a pregnant woman). Then she gave me all sort of information on her personal life, saying that she just came back from the Uk, that she has to leave her family and her kids, and that she has the right to go back every two months to see them. Then she said that in the Uk Drs don’t attend to natural birth, that the midwives or junior Drs will do this kind of job, because is so simple and a Senior Dr is for important things! By that time, I just was in tears, but she decide she won’t stop and asked me if I was up set and feeling bad because she was just telling me all the true (I guess her true....). I couldn’t say a word... I guess she doesn’t realize yet she is working in an international place -as she also mentioned she has been in Dubai for only two years- and if in her home town things are done in one or other way, she must leave that behind and get up to the circumstances of her actual job and environment, otherwise she can say she will only see patients coming in from the UK. I can’t judge her and say she is a bad Dr. because I really don’t know her in the area, but I certainly can say she is not very professional, dealing with pregnant women is such a an important job not only on the medic side, on the human side as well, and both are equally important.- Because for a pregnant woman is not about you, is about your baby and you want them to be more than safe! This Dr didn’t have any respect for me, my situation and I had to listen to her all personal story while I’m paying her for that, I was so shocked that I had to sat for a while until I recovered to continue my way back home in full tears. I did not like her either... lazy and not bothered about your issues, while she will spend the first 10mins telling you about her life, the UK, how she came to work here and left her family back in the UK etc etc.. I don't know what she was trying, but for the first time in my life here I felt as if the doctor was expecting something from me for her hard life. Doctors like this should be shamed and kicked out of the country! AVOID
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 11:10
I, on the other hand, did not enjoy Saigon and think that it's much nicer in the North and the middle of the country
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 10:35
we also spent 3nights in Siem Reap and got 'templed out'. Still, it was the most amazing thing to visit (the sunrise at Angkor Wat was the highlight of the whole trip)
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 10:27
No kids here but been to Borneo We went to Kota Kinabalu. I would recommend ShangriLa Rasa where they have their own orang-utan sanctuary. In the town itself there is nothing interesting except the night market - great seafood. We also did a day trip to the mountain but that was long trip and tiring (went by coach). I think we spent 3nights there and then went to Langkawi for another 3N via KL we went with Malaysian airlines via KL where we spent 1-2N each way.. KL has lots of nice things for kids. ETA: we went to Langkawi afterwards for the beach experience since KK wasn't really for that, we stayed at some centrally located hotel. I saw in Shangri la they are on a beach but it was very windy and rough when we went to the orang-utan sanctuary. Mind you, they have just been voted as the best hotel *somewhere in some category* <em>edited by LovelyLilies on 01/10/2014</em>
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 10:18
How about the security or cleaners in your building/compound? We don't have to go very far from our homes to find people in need. That's a brilliant idea! sometimes we think too hard when the solution is easy:)
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Latest post on 01 October 2014 - 10:15
HCM (2N)-&gt; Siam Rep Cambodia (2N) -&gt; Hanoi (1-2N) -&gt; Halong Bay (1N on boat) -&gt; fly back to HCM and take flight back home same day if schedule permits You can go to Sapa from Hanoi but that would be 3nights as you take the overnight train (1N each way) to get there and then want to stay for 1N there Other places to consider Hanoi en route to HCM: Danang, Hue, HoiAn, MeSon
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Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 20:00
C4 have it often. Al Khazna brand. Comes in 500g and 1kg. Skinless & boneless
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Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 19:53
You could get a bracelet from Pandora, and all other the girls could bring a charm Also like the idea of a photoshoot
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Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 16:35
Thailand for how cheap it is there
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Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 16:33
Buy the beef mince at any store, and then get the pork mince from the pork room at spinneys/waitrose/almaya etc and mix it yourself.