Dragon | ExpatWoman.com
 

Dragon

Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 September 2011 - 16:15
Lucky you! If I was young free and single again I would relive those years again in a heartbeat. I found making friends easy as there are lots of single people there and you'll probably first start to hang out with people in the office and then get introduced to a wider group. When you get there pick up HK Magazine which is a bit like Time Out and is a weekly Friday freebie. Agree with 4princesses, Mid-Levels would probably be suitable for you as it's easy to get around. Happy Valley is also a good choice. Good vibe and laid back. I have lots of friends on Discovery Bay which is a 25 min ferry commute but they are mainly families. Alot of singles do live there as you can switch off the frenetic rush of the city. Choose somewhere where you have plenty of transport options. When the wet weather arrives in June it isn't that easy getting taxis. Not sure what the rental market is doing but looks like they will be on their way down esp. with current volatile markets and HK is sensitive and reacts very quickly, so you could be heading there at the right time! Take a look at http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/en/ HK$ is pegged to US$ like the Dirham so I found that eating out is cheaper if you go to the right places (noodle bars, dai pai dongs) but mostly it was on par with Dubai. Make up and toiletries definitely cheaper and you get the full spectrum of clothes at all prices in HK. Tung Chung for outlet mall shopping is great. Manis and pedis will be a bit more expensive. Re work - I never did 9 - 5. It was always way over plus working at the weekends. One thing I did notice when I was back a couple months ago was how much the mainland had blended in with HK. I could hear alot of mandarin being spoken. Also it seemed even more crowded! Anyway, have a fabulous time and good luck.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 11:11
Peak Performance which is attached to Go Sports in MOE has a good selection for kids as well
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 11:10
I've always found TopShop jeans to be a really good fit esp. as they have a bit of lycra in them (most do these days). Buy jeans that are snug fit or a bit tight as they do loosen with wear. 7 for All Mankind is great brand and good selection. I always take a girlfriend with me when trying on jeans so at least you'll get an honest opinion!
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 16:34
"Human Rights" is now totally taken out of context and used as an excuse for everything nowadays. It is pathetic. You forfeit your so called "human rights" when you do not adhere to the rules of society. Has anyone watched the comedy series Armstrong and Miller? There are scenes where there is a character sporting a ponytail and then when someone sees it they vomit! Ha ha ha!
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 16:27
Try HSBC mortgage dept or Hamptons office in the Lakes.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 13:29
not a bad selection in Borders, MOE.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 13:28
If yours is piped you are lucky because I have to use calor gas and the cooker flame just doesn't give enough pressure to do a decent stir fry.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 13:24
Dragonmart. HB Textiles section. Qingdao Fenglia Intl (opp Coffee Shop). They supply to hotels.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 12:37
I'm having a run of buying rotten avocadoes from my Spinneys. Can I take them back and complain? I have to buy a couple as I know that one will probably be grey inside.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 12:32
Zermatt or Klosters are gorgeous in Switzerland will be very, very expensive with the strong SwFr. Austria better and if the Euro crashes then you'll get a cheap holiday!
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 11:22
We bought some gorgeous modern print ones at The Orientalist. They are on Al Wasl Road. Take Al Manara interchange, turn right on Al Wasl and it's down on the right.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 11:19
Hi JShepherd, sounds like DBS and they enforce the no left turn rule from 7.50am as it does actually make the traffic flow more smoothly. Not your fault if you weren't told but at 7.50am there is usually a sign that goes up telling you not to turn left. Start of term, car parking is awful and messy and I would get there a few mins earlier. It makes such a difference! Bit mean of the mum to shout at you. Don't worry about it.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 September 2011 - 19:08
I spoke to someone on their help line who said that it would be hopefully available by end of this month. I also read that in the paper last week so hopefully that will make things slightly easier.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 September 2011 - 12:36
Spoke to someone on the Emirates ID Helpline re maids today. 1. Deadline for registration for maids is 1st June 2012. After that AED 20 fine per day. 2. You can register on her behalf online but this service isn't available until end of Sept. She will need to go by 1st June 2012 for finger printing and photo. 3. Cost is AED 100 and AED 30 if you need to use typing centre (you don't need to pay this if you do online registration). Hope that helps.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:13
And the ones in DM are stroppy with their service and very rude. You should drop Vivel management an email. The one opposite the Beach in Jumeirah 2 is better.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:38
Have seen in Lulu
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 11:58
Thanks ladies, i'll try these recs!
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:44
Am looking for kitchen apron for my 5 DD. Has anyone seen some nice ones?
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:39
The Cure in Knowledge Village is my regular place. Friendly therapists, good range of colours incl. OPI and you get a nice neck and shoulder massage while your toes are drying. Yesterday tried out N Bar in Ibn Battuta. Didn't like the fact that I only wanted a pedicure and got black faces when I turned down offer of manicure and massage.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:27
Our kitchen was refitted by Oliver Göttling at GOETTLING design. Tel: 04 - 885 21 25. mobile: +971 (0) 50 260 3220 Email: [email protected] www.goettling-uae.com They have a small showroom in Green Community but you need to book appt. If you have a budget in mind they will work within that. Good quality, own kitchen staff to fit and high specs. We v happy with ours.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:22
Ocean Park. We went there as well. Kids loved it, I hated it (too many people, long queues, too hot n humid). Best part was the cable car ride. The run rides are more geared to older kids at OP btw. The aquarium was disappointing esp. having seen the ones in Dubai. And we had a fight with some bloke who tried to steal our taxi when we left. No queuing manners.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:17
[email protected] Richard does circuit training for a group of ladies around 8.30am and also does private too.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:16
This morning it was AED 6.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 13:15
Not relating to pregancy but I made my DH go there for an all body health check and although he came out with slightly high choloesterol and fungus on his toes he's been going for treatment and follow-up consultations and it is costing a fortune! I've told him enough is enough as body checks aren't covered on our health insurance but we both got the distinct feeling it was a total money spinner. They were good when they opened as we went on a friend's recommendation. Felt that standards had certainly slipped.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 16:02
I shove all mine in a big envelope. 6 mths later it all gets shreaded. Only keep warranties, big item receipts. Rest bin.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 15:51
Was there few weeks back. Definitely geared to younger kids. It's alot smaller than the other ones I've been to so you could do it all in half a day. The place is full of mainlanders so make sure you've got your elbows at the ready as they have no qualms about jumping queues. And go during the week.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 August 2011 - 21:07
I usually tip around 10%.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 August 2011 - 21:05
Great! Looking fwd to trying it out. In case you're interested, I went to Royal China (same as the Baywater one in London) in DIFC for dim sum over Ramadan and thought it was very good. We had crispy duck with it as well and that was good. More on the expensive side though.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 20:06
Guinness I went this morning around 9am and you have to go in through the door outside of the building not the main one next to the hairdressers.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 17:29
Shakespeare's is open in Town Centre in Emirates Hills Starbucks doing takeaway there too Coffee shop in Mini Monsters is not open
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 17:23
Hi Maracas, I will resume play after Sept as it is no fun to play in this heat right now. Els Club has a ladies morning on Mon or Tues which is quite good fun as there is a different format each week and quite social; Montgomery also has one too. There should be some decent membership rates for the winter season so worth joining. I've been with Els this year and they had a AED 1,000 per month pay as you go for ladies. Let me know what your email is and I'll drop you a line if you fancy going out one day.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 18:24
got one yesterday from dragon mart for 70 aed. it's a generic white hotel one. Go to HB section, see coffee shop and it is right opposite.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 18:20
JoyceB, that needs to go in the Overheard in MacDonalds thread!! A male friend of mine asked this girl at a party 'so what do you do?'. She replies 'anything you want!'
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 21:19
She does not need to go to Polo office for anything except to apply for reentry back into country after taking vacation. if you are renewing her visa, only you as her sponsor can do that and you have to go to Immigration yourself to do the paperwork, submit her passport for the visa stamp and pay the fees. That's it. And as you mentioned you are also going to be paying her 2months salary and cost of air ticket before you leave for vacation (why?) she is well cashed up to buy herself a ticket and go! I would Tell her that you as her sponsor is responsible for her so her passport remains in your safe keeping until she needs it for travel. I would hate to think what would happen when you're away IF she did leave. Now that would be a whole set of problems. let us know what happens
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 20:57
Went for lunch today, good Caesar salad and yummy chips. service is a bit erratic as staff getting used to tapping in order in hand held, quicker if they wrote by hand! it is on same side as Crumbs and Al Reem al Bawadi close to the Sheik Zayed portrait. it was full.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 20:19
I suffered from anxiety attacks a few years back and although I had different physical symptoms I went to see an acupuncturist who helped alleviate the anxieties. Too much cortisol is being produced by the body and you are in fight or flight mode. Do you think there is something you are worried subconsciously but havent acknowledged it consciously? Do you think you might be having nightmares but dont remember them when you awake? I found that if I exercised to my limit it helped a lot. I also discovered I was veey low on producing serotonin naturally and that itself led to the issue and also depression. Taking an SSRI like Lexapro in small doses keep me steady. I'm sure there are probably a number of reasons we could all take a stab at so I would definitely get a second opinion and work with an alternative homeopathic route at the same time. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 20:06
Booking trip back for maid for annual leave. Is there a cheap time to fly or low season from Dubai? TIA!
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 18:19
What about Al Barsha? There are a few compounds close to MOE. Also, what about the old Nakheel villas on SZR round the back of Knowledge village? the only thing with those is that there is usually a waiting list for those. At least you can just go across the flyover and that will be 5 mins. Personally my first choice would be the Lakes.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 18:10
High rents I've heard...
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 18:09
I'm one of these people who has a guilty conscience so I would have paid up. I also believe what goes round comes around. couple weeks ago my friend went to get some currency exchanged. the guy called him later in a total paniic And said that he was given 100 dirhams too much so my friend went back and gave it to him. The guy was so relieved and wouldn't stop thanking him. next day my friend and his wife got upgraded to biz class! I know, totally unrelated!
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 09:41
One Day by David Nicholls.
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 16:33
Agree w/ SuzyDuzy, why don't you try Green Community? Friend is sending her DD to Jebel Ali primary school in Sept so not a bad commute for her and if DH is working in AD then make sense to be down that end. Not sure if there are houses in The Gardens behind Ibn Battuta.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 15:41
Just noticed I've given wrong contact number out - Oliver is on 04 885 2125. www.goettling-uae.com
Dragon
457
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 15:27
It was about 3 - 4 weeks when it should have been 2 at the most. Our kitchen was prefab and was shipped from Germany so we timed it with the contractor to take out the original kitchen then have the new one put in. Typical of Dubai, delays at port, paperwork, etc. ended up being nearly a month. The guys who put in the kitchen were total pros and knew exactly what they were doing which was a relief and they had Oliver breathing down their necks. It is an inconvenience having to eat takeouts and eat out all the time but it was worth it in the end. Novum can cater for various budgets and at the end of the day you do get what you pay for. Btw, have had a couple of friends who had bought Ikea kitchens. Of course alot cheaper and the only thing is that they were not as flexible and accommodating on the design aspect and installation was mediocre, eg. cupboards not lining up, slightly wonky in places but if you're not fussed it would be an option.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 15:10
Okay, so looks like Jim'll Fix It might be a good one! Thanks ladies for your input, I'll give them a call and get a quote.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 11:48
I've got to renew my maintenance contract and would love to hear your views on the above companies. I have been with H&G for a while and they are v good but they will not budge on price one bit and are the most expensive of them all (AED 9,200 per annum). Tool Time and MAB have come back with similar prices (around AED 5 to 6,000) and Quick Fix are AED 4,000. MAB and Quick Fix are my bottom choices as MAB are not punctual and Quick Fix is a newish company so not sure what their record is like. So I'm leaning to Tool Time. What do you think? Much appreciated!
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:32
Or, if you're coming in from over the Emirates Hills flyover towards Beach Road, take right exit sliproad for Media City as you're coming down flyover. Drive all the way down and you take the underpass on the left. When you come through underpass Wooloongong Uni is facing you, big roundabout, go across roundabout right exit, see traffic lights and go across lights. On your right you'll see the BBC building with a huge sandpit area in front for parking.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:26
Feet First has good therapists that do deep tissue massage. Or if you're feeling brave you could call Richard Palfrey who is a sports massage therapist to visit 050 248 8319 but it won't be relaxing.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 09:22
I read on a previous thread a while back that there was a place in Media City where you could also renew your e-gate card. Perhaps someone who is reading this can help.
Dragon
457
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 17:19
Have seen several villas for sale in Deema 3, The Lakes but they are through agents. Not seen any signs up in Meadows area. There is an estate agent that sits in the middle of The Town Centre shopping outside of Shakespeare's who have listings for Meadows and Lakes houses. Don't know which agent it is though.
 
 
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