debliz | ExpatWoman.com
 

debliz

debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 November 2015 - 22:25
Sorry, Admin, your F A Q is out of date. The military checkpoints are closed on the E44 either side of the Oman enclave and the Dubai border post is now some two or three kilometres further on from the old one which you mention. You can now drive straight up to a booth to get your exit stamp (or you could last time we went through - and we are UK Passport holders) and then proceed through to the Oman Customs area and onwards to the Oman Wajaja Border Control Offices.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 November 2015 - 22:08
Definitely - we have always done ours every quarterly service and then done an annual deep clean. Only get one pair of lungs and when the air quality can be questionable it seems a relatively small price to pay.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 November 2015 - 10:03
The Hatta/Wajaja border crossing wasn't closed; what was and is still closed are the two military checkpoints into and out of the Omani enclave on the E44 just after Madam. According to the previous thread on this subject you should turn off the E44 Hatta/Oman road onto the E55 and then get onto the E102 Sharjah - Kalba road and then head back onto the E44 at, I believe, Masfout.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 November 2015 - 23:29
Do you mean the checkpoints just after Madam that take you through the Omani enclave of Al Rawdah? You are already in Sharjah when you are on the E44 - which alternative route do you mean? This could cause big problems because the Omani National Day holidays are Dec 2 and Dec 3 (they don't give the holiday on the actual day -which was 18 November- because they want people to be in Oman and not using the long weekend to go away!) as are UAE National Day holidays. Has this been publicised elsewhere as I can't find anything anywhere ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 November 2015 - 23:19
You're welcome - glad my suggestion worked. I always keep a couple of these in the cupboard as they aren't always available in the shops and you never know when you'll need them ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 November 2015 - 11:59
As I understand it your driving licence becomes invalid once your residency visa is cancelled, regardless of whether it has still got months or years to go. If you get another residency visa before your driving licence expires then it is reinstated but while you don't have residency you cannot use your UAE driving licence. No driving licence, no insurance. I believe you would have to get an IDP and rent a car but I may be wrong - I'm sure others may have the answer to this. Re the ID card, when our visas were cancelled in 2012 they took our ID cards and cancelled them at the same time. As for the school issue I agree that many children attend school whilst visa issues are being sorted out but your situation will be somewhat different in that you will not have a visa application under process as you are not intending to stay once your daughter has taken her exams. I don't mean to be negative about all this but these are issues which need to be considered.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 November 2015 - 10:07
I would hazard a guess that, if your passports are issued by one of the countries on the "approved list", you will be able to do visa runs to Hatta/Wajaja. However, assuming that your husband's visa will be cancelled by his employer before he moves to Oman, will your tenancy agreement still be valid? Will you still be able to have a DEWA account? Bank account/s? Will your children still be able to attend their school if you are not legal residents (as opposed to, basically, being tourists)? I believe that there are more issues involved here than simply not having a resident visa. And obviously, no visa means no ID card or driving licence, either.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 November 2015 - 14:16
Trymusing Scotch Brite Easy Eraser spongers. I've always found them in Carrefour on the shelves with the sponges, Jcloths, dish cloths etc. They come in packs of two and you simply dampen them and rub against the stain/mark. They seem to get rid of most marks so hopefully they'll get rid of your honey stain, too ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 16:35
You may find that some hotels require a minimum stay of three nights over the New Year and, yes, it is entirely possible that some hotels are already fully booked, in particular those with good views of the BK and BaA fireworks.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 November 2015 - 19:07
Okay, so I don't have children so this isn't something I've ever had to consider but pray, do tell, what is this playing "little mice with tampons"? ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 November 2015 - 17:48
We used to buy fly traps from Ace. They were cardboard tubes with a sticky surface (about the size of kitchen roll) and they came with a small sachet of granules which you sprinkled on the surface. Flies loved the smell (not particularly noticeable) and would make a beeline for it and get stuck. They don't look very pretty so put underneath a chair or table. Another thing we do is to half fill small, clear ziplock bags with water, put in a one dirham coin and hang around the garden on branches or from umbrellas or pergolas - anywhere in the sun. Apparently the reflection of the sun off of the coin in the water makes flies think it the eye of an enormous fly and they stay away. It certainly seems to work. The horribly smelly flycatchers mentioned by CouchPotato are probably the most efficient and they can be hidden away around the side of your villa where you wont even notice the smell. Apparently hanging CDs or DVDs in sunlight has the same effect as bags of water: https://singaporetrivia.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/an-effective-way-to-keep-the-flies-away-hang-up-a-cd-or-bag-of-water/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 November 2015 - 10:35
Carrefour, Geant, Hyper Panda, Ikea, Home Centre although beware of Ikea bedding as it isn't always what I would call standard size, especially if you are going for fitted bottom sheets.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2015 - 18:14
It sounds to me as though you possibly have a defective watch. I gave my old TH watch to a friend a little over 20 years' ago and it is still going strong. I myself have my late mother-in-law's two Omega warches which are over 60 years old and still going strong, a 26year old Omega de Ville and a gentleman's Bucherer Dress watch which is, again, 26 years old or so.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 October 2015 - 15:31
Certainly here in Oman it isn't unusual to see Omani women in brightly coloured clothes, especially when you travel inland or further along the coast from Muscat. Omani men, too, don't just wear white - it is quite common to see them in pale blue, grey, pale green or sandy coloured dishdashes although this is more often than not seen on the younger Omani men.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 October 2015 - 15:22
Cheap pillowcases will do the job but put at least two inside the outer one for added strength - wet sand is devilishly heavy ☹️
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 October 2015 - 14:39
Your sponsorship, your rules. You've told her "absolutely not" and you believe that she has disregarded this. You will be fined if she is found out so it's probably time to get another maid.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 October 2015 - 12:23
And here's another well-written and reasoned response: https://www.the-newshub.com/international/who-in-their-right-mind-would-want-to-visit-dubai
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 18:40
We had to refill our pool in Dubai three years ago and will be doing the same here in Muscat next week (hopefully) and we will be doing it by hose from our external tap. It would probably have been cheaper three years ago, and would probably be cheaper next week, to get a tanker of water. However, even though the tanker may be marked/coloured as a fresh/sweet water tanker would you ever really know that nothing else had ever been carried in it? ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 October 2015 - 15:30
Alternatively Ace Hardware
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2015 - 15:31
Good luck, mumto2. If the answer is 'no' I would just suggest leaving as early as you possibly can. Our friends ended up leaving before sunrise: they popped their sleeping children in the back of the car and just woke them up at the border for the formalities. Thankfully they dropped right back to sleep once they were through the border and into Oman. Enjoy your visit to Oman.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2015 - 11:30
We have friends who tried to do this last year and they were told that, because they have British passports and can get a visa on arrival at the border, they could not pre-arrange visas through the consulate. They were told that this service was only available for those who had to have a pre-arranged visa in order to enter the country. Of course, this was last year and things could be different now ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 September 2015 - 00:31
I really do feel for you. I was in a similar situation two years ago but was fortunate in that my hair loss wasn't too bad - it did get really, really, really thin but I just decided to tough it out. Perhaps it helped that I've always had short/pixie style hair and kept it really short during my chemotherapy but I can definitely say that when my hair grew back it came back much stronger and most of the grey hair had gone, too. Good luck with whatever decision you make - the only person you should be thinking about making happy is you at the moment so do whatever you feel is right for you.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 September 2015 - 18:38
It's three years since we left but we never had a monthly DEWA bill (excluding municipality tax) which cost more than 2000 dirhams and we had a pool which was heated in winter and chilled in summer. I know prices have gone up but I find it hard to believe that it could cost an extra 2000 dhs/month for a pool. It certainly doesn't cost our old neighbours that much more each month for their pool.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 August 2015 - 11:02
Another ? for Al Jaber. We've used them, both at MoE and MCC, for years and still use the MCC branch even though we now live in Muscat.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 August 2015 - 10:59
Whilst it's tempting just to let the visa expire it is far better properly to cancel your daughter's visa. It keeps all i's dotted and t's crossed on all the official computers/records which means that there should be no problem in the future if she wishes to return to the UAE.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 August 2015 - 11:29
All the supermarkets stock rolls of 'shelf liners' which are non-slip. Also Ace Hardware. We've bought these and simply cut large pieces to slip underneath our rugs - they work a treat.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 August 2015 - 15:55
There is an interesting article in The National today giving useful information about different ways to get rid all kinds of things from personal to household to fashion items. Here's the link: http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/home-garden/sell-dispose-or-donate-a-guide-to-getting-rid-of-stuff
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 August 2015 - 11:13
Structural engineer perhaps, or maybe a surveyor?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 August 2015 - 11:11
We have a Samsung which we bought just over 10 years ago (from Carrefour in MoE) and it's still going strong - apart from the light bulb in the fridge part which needs replacing but I can't be bothered. I don't know which model it is but it's split with left hand side being freezer and right hand side the fridge. We opted for the version without the built-in water cooler as friends who had the water cooler/ice maker lost cupboard space because they had to store the water bottle somewhere close by. We found it cheaper and easier simply to buy a stand-alone water cooler - and it is one less thing which may go wrong/break - and it really isn't that difficult to fill ice cube trays and keep a plastic box or bag full of ice cubes ready made for parties, and of course the built in ones only supply a limited amount of ice cubes anyway.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 August 2015 - 10:31
I used to buy tissue paper and crepe paper in C4 and occasionally found it in the Jashanmal book/stationery shops. Also some of the office supply stores used to sell wrapping paper-sized sheets of plain white paper in large pads - like the paper used by draughtsmen. Would that be any use?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 July 2015 - 18:46
Fake plastic souks
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 July 2015 - 15:27
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g295424-i872-k6083862-Historic_Dubai_Walking_Tour-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html If you look at the second reply from "Latimer" it gives details of three different walking tours from National Georgraphic
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 July 2015 - 11:12
I would definitely cook it whole, at a low temperature, for a long time. However, to make carving/slicing it easier, take out the shoulder blade first. You just need to use a very sharp knife and sort of scrape/cut the meat away from the blade and give it a good sharp twist to pull it free. Then if you want you can stuff the pocket which is left.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 June 2015 - 17:12
I'm sorry, VictoriaM, but I think your maid sees you as a soft touch and is taking you for a ride. From your previous posts (about the cat etc) it seems to me that everything in your relationship with your maid goes in one direction only and that she thinks she's got you exactly where she wants you ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 10:49
@ Noddy - you took the words right out of my mouth ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 June 2015 - 18:46
Why not just take it to the cleaners just outside Geant (what used to be Le Marche) up at the retail centre and ask them to clean it for you?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 13:54
We live in Seeb (Muscat airport area'ish) and while the sea is quite a bit rougher than usual with lots of quite large 'white horses' and there is a rather stiff breeze coming in off the sea things aren't too bad. Looking at the most recent info it looks as though the cyclone has changed course somewhat and, rather coming ashore in Muscat, will hit land further down the coast towards Sur. Wish I could upload a photo to show you all ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 June 2015 - 12:52
Recipe for a "Recipe Binder" Ingredients: 1 x A4 ring binder 1 x pack of clear A4 plastic pockets Method: Place copy of recipe in a plastic pocket and place in ring binder. When required remove from ring binder and follow instructions to cook dish. Wipe clean with a damp cloth before replacing in ring binder.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 23:24
hi Ladies , do you know anyone who has a puppy for adoption. a puppy that doesn't grow soo big later. my little girl is crazy about puppies, she takes care of our neighbor's puppy once a week. thanks x. All puppies grow up and become dogs. Your little girl may be 'crazy about puppies'. What happens when that puppy grows up? Will she still be 'crazy' about it? Taking care of a neighbour's puppy once a week is nothing when compared to taking care of another living being (albeit canine) on a full time basis. I'm sorry but nobody 'needs' a puppy
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 14:47
How about a really good chef's knife (Global or something similar)? And don't forget, if you do give anything with a blade (knife/scissors etc) put a coin in the packing to keep your friendship alive ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 12:41
You could check out Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residence. Friends stayed there about three years' ago and said it was great. https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/world-trade-centre-residences/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 May 2015 - 22:32
Have you tried Heinz Mayo? Tbh I can't really tell the difference.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 May 2015 - 22:29
Some people save all year to be able to holiday in Dubai in June (July and August, too). Why not pretend you don't live in Dubai and be tourists for a week- you might find out things about Dubai you never knew existed.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 23:32
The salaries are totally ridiculous, who would want to work for 10k or sometimes less? I am always quite shocked at what they are expecting for peanuts. What they get - monkeys, but not the intelligent ones
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 18:22
'Jobsworths' and 'not fit for purpose' is what comes to mind when the words 'British' and 'Embassy' are spoken one after the other ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 May 2015 - 14:30
Hmmmph - probably hoping that 'Madam' will pay when the tears start to flow because the excess baggage charges are too high and 'all the family will not be getting their presents Madam' ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 May 2015 - 10:53
A few years' ago my neighbour's daughter, when asked how she was after flying back to Dubai from the UK, said that she was 'totally jet-bagged' ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 May 2015 - 09:23
Don't know if the shop is still there but you could try Bagno. They used to be near the Toyota showroom on SZR.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 May 2015 - 18:17
http://www.hsbc.ae/1/2/personal/why-hsbc/ways-to-bank-with-us/branch-network
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 May 2015 - 16:04
As Geordie expat said you will probably get people saying that they are dreadful but, like G e, we have had no problems with HSBC - neither in Dubai where we were for seven years nor here in Muscat where we've been for the last three years. We also had a Premium account in the UK before we moved to the middle east and had a Premium account in Dubai and have one here in Muscat and, to be honest, have never had cause to complain. We also have offshore accounts with HSBC and no problems there either.
 
 
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