debliz | ExpatWoman.com
 

debliz

debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 May 2016 - 14:53
We were stopped (some years ago now) at the Hatta side of the border on our way to Muscat. There were a couple of Dubai police cars parked up by the old offices where you used to get your exit stamps. They asked to see our driving licences, passports and all of our car documents (registration card, insurance etc) and ran a check while we waited. We weren't the only people stopped that morning but we didn't see it happening on any of our (very many) trips to Muscat.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2016 - 18:34
Thanks for the hints and tips :-) One more question, with TV, phone and broadband packages which provider is best Du or Etisalat? Equally as bad as each other ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2016 - 15:17
You're welcome ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2016 - 15:16
Another thumbs up for Salzburg. It's a beautiful city and so easy to walk around, too. Loads of cafés/bars so that you can relax and watch the world go by (with a beer' a pretzl and leberkesen). Would also recommend Innsbruck - it's another beautiful city (again with loads of cafés etc) which is easy to explore on foot. You can also take the train up the mountain and catch the ski lift to,the top to see the views or to follow the many walking trails. We went last summer (Early July): flew into Salzburg (from the UK), train to Innsbruck, train to Munich and then flew home from Munich.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2016 - 12:37
The Hatta/Wajaja border crossing has never been closed to non-GCC passport holders. It is only the part of the E44 road between Madam and Masfout which passes through an Omani enclave which is closed to non-GCC passport holders. You have to take the E55 at the big roundabout in Madam and then the 102 road (or 120 road, I forget which but it is the Sharjah/Kalba road) and then rejoin the E44 at Masfout.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 May 2016 - 08:41
Sorry, cruise addict, you may already be too late ... http://whatson.ae/dubai/2016/05/souq-al-bahar-restaurants-closing-down/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 May 2016 - 12:59
Seriously though, L & L do an insulated bag with three containers measuring 230 x 160 x 75, one of which has two removable inserts, each with two sections. Pretty sure we bought it from Carrefour but may have been Spinneys.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 May 2016 - 12:54
Read the thread title and thought ???
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 April 2016 - 08:31
I believe you are right and that the 24 hour 'dry' period starts on the evening of the 4th.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 April 2016 - 18:14
http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_things_to_do_cinema_where_to_invade_next_16534.aspx
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 April 2016 - 18:48
Did he have proper ID? This happened some years ago when we still lived in Dubai and it was above board then. The guy did show (what my husband and I took to be) genuine photo ID and also showed us a printed sheet on which the questions were printed. The questions we were asked sound pretty much exactly the same as those you mention.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 April 2016 - 12:29
Mont Blanc pen /wallet? A clay pigeon shooting lesson at Jebel Ali Shooting Club followed by a meal in the restaurant there?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 March 2016 - 22:46
Home is where I can't be kicked out of for arbitrary reasons. Home is where I have a say in how the money collected from me - in taxes and fees - is used. Home is where I have a say in who runs the place. Home is where I can say what I believe and I'm not afraid of the repercussions. So 'where I can say what I believe and I'm not afraid of the repercussions '. Really? Is there anywhere where this is really true? I somewhat doubt it, unfortunately. Freedom of speech is a myth these days
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2016 - 17:49
I'm with shadowmist2 and Chrissy23 - wherever my husband and I happen to be is home for me. I guess that's where the saying "Home is where the heart is" comes from.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2016 - 15:43
Have you tried House of Prose? http://www.houseofprose.com/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 18:27
The border at Hatta isn't closed. The E44 between Madam and Masfout (which passes through an Omani enclave) is closed to non-GCC nationals and you have to take a detour via the E55 and the Sharjah to Kalba road to reach Hatta.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2016 - 17:17
Well it's still raining - thunder and lightning, too - here in Muscat and I've had about enough of it ? . I know that the region needs all the rain it can get but it would have been nice if it could have been spread out a bit through the winter. This spell of rain has now been going on for just over the last three weeks with, it seems, barely a dry day in all that time. We had to let water out of our pool yesterday because it was so close to overflowing ?. Guess we should be thankful for small mercies though. Our home has stayed watertight and we've had no power cuts or surges and the roads in our area have remained clear of flooding ??
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 March 2016 - 13:03
We visited RSA in late September last year, staying in Stellenbosch, and went to Hermanus at the end of the last week of September when there was a sort of festival to celebrate the start of the whale watching season.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 10:16
Have you tried asking your neighbours if they would mind saving their bottle tops for you? You could always sterilise them using Milton tablets (or something similar) or put them through the dishwasher.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 19:18
What do I think? Not a lot. What a waste of money which could be used so much better. It used to be a stag or hen night, then it was a stag or hen weekend and now it's become stag and hen weeks. There's obviously no great shortage of money if people can afford to do this - even at cheap rates. We're far too old ever to be invited on these now but our nieces and nephews regularly decline such invitations. It's a bit like all the guys 'celebrating' their 40th or 50th birthdays in Las Vegas or wherever. I don't think I've ever heard or read of women doing anything lime this. Yes, perhaps a weekend at a spa but a week or ten days in Las Vegas or a week or ten days golfing in Spain or Portugal?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 18:44
We've always enjoyed the steaks (and the rest) at Ruths Chris. Last went there when it was at the hotel up near the Trade Centre roundabout but they're now at the Address Marina: http://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/dubai-marina Not cheap but utterly delicious steaks, onion rings, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach - my DH's idea of heaven. And if you like a really 'blue' steak this is one place where they can deliver - well they have for us anyway.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2016 - 17:09
Get rid of the housing fee? er you pay council tax in most other countries - same thing. As Rawla correctly says, if they were to introduce income tax, then they have to offer benefits to go with people paying it. You can't just take from people like that and not offer anything in return. What about having to pay housing fee and a community charge? Yes, agreed the community charge is for 'the community' but there are so many common areas/roads/facilities which are paid for by the community charge but which are used by many, many who don't live in the community. And what about those who simply refuse to pay housing fee or community charge? This isn't just a Dubai or UAE problem, it's happening here in Muscat, too.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 18:44
I wouldn't think so. I believe that you would require the relevant export/import paperwork both leaving and re-entering the UAE.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 February 2016 - 13:17
Sorry ladies - it all hopped across the mountains and came here to Muscat. Lots of ⛈⛈⛈⛈.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2016 - 17:57
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g295424-i872-k8057540-Restaurants_with_Dubai_Fountain_views-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2016 - 14:08
Google? http://recruitment.travelcounsellors.com/ae/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 February 2016 - 19:17
I'm afraid to say that I would have gone after them and had a 'quiet word' in the maid's/nanny's ear. If she saw what was happening she obviously wasn't in control of the children or, if she was, then were they acting on her instructions? Was a parent in sight? This sounds somewhat 'off' to me ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 13:18
We have always used Al Jaber Optics, first in MoE and latterly in Mirdif CC. In fact we still use the MCC branch even though we live in MUscat, we just rock up when we arrive in Dubai and get our eyes tested and get new glasses or just replacement lenses as necessary and, if they aren't ready before we return home they courier the glasses to us in Muscat. I have pretty standard bi-focal lenses but they are good quality which react to sunlight (turn into sunglasses) and have UV protection. DH has progressive lenses, also sunlight reactive and UV protection, and his are made in Germany and take about 10 days, hence the courier business to Muscat. Sorry, can't remember the actual names of the lens manufacturers.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 13:10
Have a fabulous holiday. If you have even half as good a time as we did in KL last March you will be more than happy??
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 February 2016 - 17:49
Sorry to say this but I would say that he is being unrealistically optimistic if he thinks that any lender would give him a (re)mortgage while he is unemployed.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 February 2016 - 15:18
We're going to Malaysia in a couple of weeks time and spending two nights in Penang. We will be staying at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in George Town. My sister and brother in law visited the hotel for a couple of drinks when they were in Penang a couple of years' ago and said it was a bit like Raffles in Singapore and the pictures on the hotel's website seem to bear this out. Also, a friend who is Malaysian said that it is a great hotel and would suit us well - a sixty years young couple who like a bit of luxury, the occasional drink (?) with a nice meal and in an interesting area to walk around.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 18:27
Personally speaking, I can't understand why some people dress twin children in identical outfits - they are individuals (regardless of how close they might be). Likewise I can't understand wanting to dress one's child in the same (or similar) clothes as the parent wears. Again, the child is an individual with its own character and not a smaller version of the parent. Again, personally, I don't find this idea "cute" at all but I can accept that there are those who do.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 January 2016 - 10:30
Can't they get a taxi occasionally?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 January 2016 - 23:43
really? it is a good things that cuddling and kissing on the beach is getting normal in Dubai??? I really don't want to see people 'getting it on' in public on beaches (or in towns, the countryside) anywhere. Maybe (probably) I'm just old - and old-fashioned - but I simply don't believe that it's necessary to behave in this way in public.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 January 2016 - 14:10
You don't mention which type of cancer your mother has but I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins Lymphoma in summer of 2013 here in Muscat. I had eight chemotherapy treatments at an approximate cost of aed40,000 each and I've just completed two years of two-monthly maintenance treatments with Rituximab. Until January 2015 each of these treatments cost equivalent of aed40,000 but the drug producers patent then expired and the cost of each treatment came down to around aed18,000. I guess that different chemotherapy treatments probably have different costs - these are what my treatments cost and I would expect them to be similar in Dubai but, obviously, this may not be the case. I wish your mother and your family all the best ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2016 - 23:35
I know it's some time ago but we used Allied Pickfords for our move to Dubai in 2005 and also for our move from Dubai to Muscat in 2012 and were very happy with the service on both occasions ( they packed and unpacked both times ). Everything arrived intact on each move and they dealt with all the customs formalities each time, too.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2016 - 13:03
Got mine in Lakeland - along with a recipe book, too ?
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2016 - 22:26
Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre - there may be others but I don't know them
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2016 - 15:34
Got mine in Lakeland.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2016 - 17:50
Assuming that your husband would be driving to work then you could also look in the areas around Haywards Heath and East Grinstead. Generally no more than a 30 minute drive to Gatwick itself. Don't have children myself but most of our friends children were lucky enough to go to Oathall School inHaywards Heath which would appear to rank highly- Haywards Heath is also on the main London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Brighton railway if that makes any difference. You need to be aware that all of that area of West Sussex and East Grinstead in East Sussex is extremely expensive property-wise as it is so well placed for London commuters, is a lovely part of the country and is still relatively unspoiled considering its proximity to good transport links, Gatwick airport and Dover ferry port. Friends of ours sold their mid-victorian semi (two (just) double bedrooms upstairs and a small boarded roof space, downstairs bathroom, kitchen and sitting room on ground floor, single garage and 100ft garden backing onto farmland) on the edge of a village five miles from Haywards Heath three years or so ago for something around the £230,000 level.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 January 2016 - 22:23
To be realistic and accept that I will always break any 'resolution' I make and, therefore, simply try harder to be a better/nicer person
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 January 2016 - 14:40
Carrefour - down by the washing baskets, ironing boards etc
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 December 2015 - 10:33
Have you looked amongst the thousands of tins of tuna in the supermarkets? I've nearly always been able to find it in C4 and/or Spinneys. Sometimes it is in the small round tins like tuna but other times - John West I think - it comes in the smaller tins which are boxed.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 December 2015 - 18:46
I would recommend that you shouldn't necessarily expect to find fully fitted kitchens, especially in villas. With a largely 'temporary ' population people tend to buy and sell fittings (eg cooker, fridge, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher etc) as they change accommodation or leave the country. kitchens and bathrooms in the more established communities may be dated but shouldn't be a deal breaker if you find a place you feel would suit you all as a family.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 December 2015 - 15:47
I can't recall ever seeing people carrier taxis at MCT but that doesn't mean that there aren't any. I am aware that Shangri-la transfer costs are quite high but if they have a suitable vehicle that may be the way to go as at least you would all be able to travel in the same car (as long as you don't have too much luggage!). The alternative would be to take two taxis. I believe that the taxi fare from the airport to the Shangri-la is OMR15 according to the site linked below so it could, perhaps, be cheaper than a hotel transfer. https://www.omanairports.co.om/ar/getting_taxis.html
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 December 2015 - 15:27
As of last weekend the Hatta/Wajaja (Dubai/Oman) border was open. What is not open is that section of the E44 between Madam and Masfout which passes through the Omani enclave. You have to leave the E44 and get onto the E55 and then the E210 (or something similar - I know it has a 1, a 2 and a 0 in the number but have forgotten in which order the numbers appear ?) Sharjah to Kalba road and then head back to the E44 at Masfout.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 December 2015 - 23:40
@ sarahlou123 - the OP said her husband was in Oman so I assumed that he was working there with a labour/resident visa. It is possible to have residency visa in both a UAE Emirate and Oman at the same time, or it certainly used to be - we did when we first moved here to Muscat in 2012.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 December 2015 - 15:41
If your husband is in Muscat he will have to apply to the Liquor Licence Office at the Royal Oman Police station in Ruwi. He will need the original and copies of his passport and resident visa, passport photos and an NOC letter from his employer (which has to be in Arabic) which states his salary as his monthly allowance will depend upon his income and the cost of the licence will depend upon how much he is allowed to spend on alcohol per month. In Oman a Liquor Licence allows the holder of the licence to buy and transport alcohol to home in the designated region in which the licence is issued and for his/her family and bona fide guests to consume alcohol in his/her home.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 December 2015 - 16:46
I would be very wary of sending any plant items as the USA have very strict laws on the importation of any such things which could possibly be deemed as a threat to their agriculture business. Similarly it may not be straightforward to send chocolates, either.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 December 2015 - 17:37
South Travels is often recommended on TripAdvisor but have never used them myself so can't give a personal recommendation: http://www.southtravels.com/middleeast/uae/visa.html hth
 
 
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