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oldtimer

161
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2015 - 15:46
Mini dachshunds will settle fine. I haven't received any negative response from locals to my large collie X, in fact i am regularly asked if they can take her photo! Certainly many people are nervous of dogs and give mine a wide berth, but I am sensitive to this and usually try to cross the road and keep her on a short lead. It is very hot in the summer but the dogs become lazier in the heat and don't move much between 8-4. Walk them early and late and beware of how hot roads can be on little paws. They are part of your family so bring them with you. We have found some remote beaches where we take ours and she loves lolling in the waves, so life isn't so bad for her. We live in Jumeira and have a nice garden and plenty of places to walk her on lead. Downside is it is expensive to ship them and kennels are pricey too. Good luck with your move :cool:
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2015 - 15:41
ooh, just noticed this is an old thread, not sure why it got resurrected as the original poster must have found their new home by now.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2015 - 15:37
I found my villa in Jumeira with La Maison Real Estate. I was particularly looking for Jumeira but they cover other areas too. There's a lovely lady called Helen - just google the company and you'll find their phone and email details. You'll get a good idea which companies are good when you see how many reply to your email or call …. not many bother!
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Latest post on 06 January 2015 - 18:27
ahhhh, there is Arabian Nights Safari and Arabian Nights Tours - Safari came up with the ridiculous pricing, Tours is 300Dhs - BOGOF. So i've booked Arabian Nights Tours, i'll post how it goes. Thanks for the replies :biggrin:
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2015 - 18:03
Hi Nayls, could you tell me what you paid for 2 people please?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2015 - 18:02
Hi Salsa, was that pay for one at 150 dhs and get one free? or 300dhs get one free? (total for 2 pax 300 or 150?)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 December 2014 - 20:17
Silver Editions is a UK online company which does sterling silver and silver plate. They will engrave and i'm sure will post to you. I used them in UK and they have a great customer service - a real person at the end of the phone!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 December 2014 - 20:13
Yes, we were also bombarded with emails - I think possibly they have an in to the government data base
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 December 2014 - 22:09
I haven't heard of Widex, she had Oticon in the past but she was recommended the phonak. I am sure they are all very good so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over which one - what is more important is what is available in Dubai and the servicing for them. Go with what her audiologist recommends.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 December 2014 - 11:53
Yes, she is very happy with the Phonak aids and has had no problems with them. Of course it is easier when they are older as they can explain if something sounds wrong or if it isn't working, but the computer can now check frequency levels so you don't need to worry. It's a bit like when small children have new shoes, they can't explain if they fit or not, but at least with hearing aids you can try them yourself and get used to how they sound. Of course the amplification will be wrong for you but you an at least test they are working. Good luck :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 December 2014 - 18:42
Hi, very happy to ask any questions :) My daughter was tested for hearing loss because she had had chemotherapy which was known to be damaging to hearing. She was diagnosed with the hearing loss at the same age as your little one and was very accepting of the hearing aids - this was 13 years ago and hearing aids have really improved since then. They are much more tailored to individual loss patterns, much smaller and lighter, and can have radio aid attachments whilst before a separate receiver had to be worn round the neck. They can be made in lots of colours and the ear moulds can be coordinated and filled with cartoon images, or you can have discrete flesh coloured. Personally I think it is better to let them feel special for having aids, let her choose the colour and tell her that she will be able to hear things that others can't hear. There are also some nice story books which talk about the hearing aid fitting experience (a bit like the Topsy and Tim books) and another to be used for story time in class so other children can understand (I think it's called "I can't hear like you")There was a really sweet you tube clip of a little one having their first aids fitted and his face on hearing sounds he had never heard before was wonderful. I know it is upsetting to have a hearing loss diagnosis, but for us it was irrelevant as she had gone through cancer treatment which so many little ones didn't survive. On the positive, because she had to watch faces carefully to lip read and gain contextual clues (happy, cross, pointing at something or someone) my daughter developed great concentration skills - she couldn't daydream or she would miss what was being said - which have really benefitted her as she has gone through school. I'm sorry I can't recommend an audiologist here as she was diagnosed in UK and we have always travelled back for her audiology appointments and combined them with other medical appointments. I don't think you will have much choice as paediatric audiology is so specialist, at least that will make the decision easy; You will be able to get a referral from a paediatrician. Try not to be stressed as your daughter will pick up on that, I would recommend preparing her for the appointment by playing with a doll (looking in the ear etc) , look out for children books, and make it into a special occasion. Good luck and please ask any questions anytime :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 November 2014 - 00:56
My daughter has moderate loss at low/mid frequency and severe loss at high frequency. She has Phonak micro aids. They fit over the ear and can be fitted with shoes for use with radio aids in class. They have been very reliable. That said I wouldn't consider buying aids over the counter without advice from a paediatric audiologist. Each child has a different pattern of loss which can be best enhanced by different aids - take advice from a specialist.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 November 2014 - 16:23
I think they are going down a little from earlier this year, but definitely not down from what they were a few years ago. If you moved into your current villa 5 years ago and move now, you will probably see a jump in rent of about 50% to get much the same thing. If you moved in last year, I think you would find more properties available now at the same or lower rent. For most people with the choice, it is better to stay and save removal costs - even if you have the maximum rent increase of 20%.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 November 2014 - 18:34
For heaven's sake - she is only 7!! Tutors, extra work, … am I alone in thinking "stop being so pushy"? Have you read articles about "Tiger mums"? She is probably scared to write anything in case it doesn't meet your approval. Take a step back and let her enjoy the whole experience of being a child. So school gives her one book a week - go to the library and let her choose, without you pushing an improving book at her. Let her choose something that appeals to her, even if you think it too easy. I have seen damaged children by mums pushing them too much too young, please let her enjoy being a child. Many countries only begin formal schooling at 6 years and they all level out by age 10 or so. Does she enjoy cartoon comics? Maybe you could have fun together printing pictures and writing a story line. This won't feel like work to her and will make the writing process fun.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 November 2014 - 19:55
I have my ageing and disabled mother-in-law coming to stay for a month and wondered if anyone has tried outings in Dubai with a wheel chair? I did read in the paper about some special beach wheelchairs which could go across the sand straight into the sea but I don't know which beach has them? I guess Malls should be fine but creekside and abras not? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - a month's a long time!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 November 2014 - 15:47
If you are house hunting, it is a good idea to try all the expatwoman coffee mornings so you can get ideas about different housing areas. The Jumeira coffee morning is tomorrow, 10-12 at the Mercato Mall. Ladies who come along live from Bur Dubai to the Palm so you'd get a good range of advice.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 November 2014 - 15:44
Taxi drivers working 12 hr shifts get about 2500 - I don't know if they have housing provided.
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Latest post on 03 November 2014 - 15:42
recent thread on here about Snoopy Island and nearby beach hotel - sounded very nice, about 1 1/2 hours drive. Khasab is also lovely, about 2 hours door to door - nice change of scenery with mountains and fresh air. Abu Dhabi?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 October 2014 - 09:20
So sad to see hoardings almost complete and signs announcing that "for your convenience" the beach will be closed from 26 Oct. What was the point of competing the running and cycle track?! It will now become a massive construction zone. Hope it doesn't end up with high rises like down at JBR. I'm not sure where everyone will shift to now as there is no other stretch of beach apart from Kite Beach with parking. Where will the tour buses deliver their tourists?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 October 2014 - 16:51
Did you write the cheque for the rent to Max Real Estate? A warning to anyone house hunting, the cheque should always be written for the rent and security deposit to the landlord, not the real estate company. They only get the agency fee. So awful for all the people who have lost money.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2014 - 12:24
There is also the new hotel in Khasab - Atana Resort- which is very nice. We organised our boat tour independently based on price and size of boat (we didn't want to be on a big boat). Just google "boat tours musandam". I think the different companies all share the boats anyway. Certainly it was a great stay and we saw lots of dolphins back in July.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 October 2014 - 08:00
Hi, my daughter is profoundly deaf as a result of chemotherapy when an infant. She was diagnosed in UK and it was a side effect of chemo that we knew was likely. So far there is no treatment, but lots of research into stem cell regeneration may help in the future. Some children are suitable for cochlear implants but for my daughter hearing aids help. They are very high tech these days and are customised for each person's hearing loss boosting whichever frequencies are necessary. I know it's a shock to a parent, but there really are worse things. Kids adapt quickly and my daughter quickly learned to lip read and is very good at reading facial expressions and picking up clues from other non verbal behaviour. The requirement to concentrate very hard to hear sounds and understand what is going on has given her great focussing skills which have led her to do very well academically. Sorry I don't have any experience with audiology here (she has her appointments in UK), i'm sure Dubai will have cutting edge support with audiologists and speech therapists. Just post if you want to know anything else, but remember every hearing loss is different.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2014 - 09:34
Think it's because the market rates are really high now for these flats but a lot of long term tenants here... They'll be losing money and thought this was a smart way to make it up. They aren't losing money!! They just aren't making as much as they might!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 08:50
deep breath and smile! The law of attraction says that if you go into a situation expecting a negative experience you will get one .... go in with positive expectation Ha ha ha ha - the writer hasn't been to Dubai!!!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 08:50
siemens it is then :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 08:38
thanks, Amelia, that's the way i was leaning. Hotpoint used to be great (a few decades ago) but they shifted production and I don't think they have the same reputation for reliability anymore.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2014 - 17:04
They must have been stung by a lot of people defaulting on bills to put it up so much. I'm just making the point that for any new arrivals in Dubai the start up costs are shocking. And if you add the cost of sponsoring a maid with deposit and health insurance, buying cars, paying rent a year in advance etc Moving here requires a bucket of cash to begin with!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2014 - 16:04
Yes, AED4000!!! Not even price increase by stealth, let's just double it! Only in Dubai :-) So add that to some landlords asking for 10% security deposit for villa, agency fees of 5%, Ejari …. it's a nightmare!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 14:50
Slightly off subject, sorry …. why do people pay for e-gate when you can register your passport for free at the gate? Last time I arrived I went to e-gate with passport, looked into camera and passed passport to official and it was done. Now I just put passport in reader at e-gate. No charge, no hassle. Is there any advantage to paying to register your id? <em>edited by oldtimer on 18/09/2014</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 20:49
The lowest tog pure goosedown would be best - probably 2 tog. They feel gorgeous but are expensive.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 20:46
Hi Victoria, it's still 38C+ and humid so I think even hardened Dubai residents would struggle to stay more than an hour on the beach. It's lovely till about 10am and after 4pm, but in between I would definitely recommend a beach club with chilled pool, shade, drinks, food etc. What's the swanky one down at JBR with beach frontage?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 21:08
Catawba, how much did you pay Sani Service and for what size house? thanks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 21:07
spend a couple of hours in 4X4 on the Shk Zayed rd. They have every 4x4 going and we found the sales man knowledgable and helpful. In the end we bought a Kia Sportage and a Suzuki Grand Vitara for about 50K each. They were about 4 years old with about 40km on the clock. They give a year's warranty too. It was a lot easier than meeting individual car owners and gave a good opportunity to compare the different models.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2014 - 13:18
La Maison Real Estate have their office in the Jumeira Centre and specialise in Jumeira/ Um Suqeim. Google their website for number.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2014 - 13:15
The Dungeons are terrifying, definitely not for a 2 year old! And I wouldn't recommend Madame Tussauds either, the waxworks are boring for a toddler and the dungeon there is also scary. Yes to Battersea Park, Big Bus Tour, London Zoo, Hyde Park (Peter Pan play park), London Eye, Boat trip down to Greenwich (Maritime museum has lots of interactive), Harrod's toy floor is better than Hamley's. And don't forget to do something for yourself - if you take the river taxi from the London Eye you can get off at the Tower of London and then continue down to Greenwich. Packing - take really comfy walking shoes, and layers as temperatures can vary outside but also inside museums gets hot. It should be about 20C but could be anything! I wouldn't bother going to Nottingham - no disrespect to anyone from Notts. You will find Peppa in Harrods. And great tip on the Oyster card as this gives cheaper travel. Or price a week travel card. Have a great trip.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2014 - 14:49
Shakespeare Cafe on Jumeira beach road in J1 is lovely.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2014 - 20:44
Do you know which area you want to live in? Some agencies specialise in certain areas. If you are interested in Jumeira / Um Suqeim, I recommend " LaMaison Real Estate" who helped me and two other friends find properties. They had a good selection of properties and listened to what I wanted. They have a website but something I found out when looking was that property websites aren't always/ever accurate. They have properties which aren't on the website and properties which are on the website aren't available! Best to phone them, say what you are looking for and get them to drive you round what they think is a good match. Don't be polite, say if you hate a property and why so they know what you want. Good luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2014 - 20:34
Hi Fido, yes the resort hotel is dry (you could take drinks with you and there is a fridge in the room) or give your liver a holiday too:-) And yes it is about a mile further round the coast from the old Golden Tulip which does serve alcohol. Just check on any renovations at the Tulip (I think now named Khasab Hotel) - people staying at the resort hotel had been booked in the Tulip but turned up and found an empty swimming pool so changed their booking!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 August 2014 - 10:07
Hi Plum2, I bought some in Spinneys; they had single sachets and small tins. Happy baking!
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Latest post on 20 August 2014 - 13:36
We have teens (15 &16) and did a 2 night break to Khasab up on the Musandam peninsula a couple of weeks ago. We absolutely loved it. It is an easy and good value option - only 3 hour drive up through Ras al Khaimah, lovely drive along the coast and through the mountains. I know teens aren't that excited by scenery but after the flat of Dubai it was thrilling to see mountains! We stayed in Khasab in the Musandam Atana Resort which is newly opened and offering good rates (AED 220 per night including breakfast). Very nice hotel with good gym and chilled pool overlooking the sea. The weather was a few degrees cooler than Dubai and the humidity much lower - it was bliss to be able to sit around the pool and breathe fresh air. We did a day boat trip into the fjords and saw lots of dolphins, had nice food, snorkelled, chatted to some nice people and enjoyed being together as a family. There are other excursions such as mountain safari but we didn't bother. We enjoyed stepping back in time in Khasab, visited the fort, walked around the town, saw the date plantations and loads of goats. Simple but a great contrast to Dubai.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 August 2014 - 23:31
Raj Dhani in Bur Dubai is supposed to be excellent according to a vegetarian Indian friend of mine
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Latest post on 02 August 2014 - 08:30
I read an article about special beach wheelchairs that can be wheeled into the sea and then float - apparently available on Jumeira beach but it didn't say where. Not seen down in J1 but possibly UmSuqeim?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2014 - 09:46
I read it is from al Seef Rd, opposite the British Consulate so perhaps anywhere along the path from Bastakiya. Does anyone know what time?
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Latest post on 27 July 2014 - 19:36
thanks, leeleebones. We'll definitely have a mooch round Sephora and ask for him. Where do you get the Lexli skincare from ? Thanks, :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 July 2014 - 07:59
Am I right that the airport you are talking about is Maktoum rather than Dubai International? If so Jebel Ali would be good choice, or the Meadows?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2014 - 20:20
shops are open till midnight if you could go tonight?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2014 - 19:13
It can depend on where you want to live as there are specialists for the different areas. If you are thinking about Jumeira i recommend laMaison Real Estate who helped me and a couple of friends find houses. They have a website with contact details and current properties. Look on Dubizzle for an idea of what is available at what price and look on the expatwoman housing section which describes the different areas. Where will you/husband be working, kids at school? do you want apartment or villa, near the beach, modern or character, gated community or independent etc And of course budget!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2014 - 18:59
chewing gum is pretty foul too - especially now it's so hot and it melts and stretches .... yuck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 20:56
Great sports shop in Times Sq mall
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 16:23
We've booked to stay at the Khasab Resort which has only been open a few weeks - will post what it's like after the trip. Can anyone confirm if our car insurance will be valid for Oman or do we need extra cover? (we own not rent) Also, do we need to take Omani currency or are dirhams widely accepted? Thanks, :-)