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rawla

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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 16:46
And they have just bought the Reem Al Bawadi chain of restaurants!
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 15:44
Good point, GE! Thanks, will have a look.
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 15:41
I use SnS all the time and I'm very happy with them. I also tried Bordelinx based on someone's recommendation here on EW and they were OK too. They have a Concierge service whereby they can pay on your behalf if you don't have a US credit card, which is what I needed. The only thing I found with Borderlinx that annoyed me was having to log in to the account to get updates. They don't send you e-mails like SnS. But their customer service was good. I used the online chat several times and they were great.
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 13:40
Yes! I have recommended them on EW several times. I have been very happy with their babysitters.
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 13:39
Thanks, FairyDust. I have checked and they are alkaline batteries. Once the battery leaks the white powder, they no longer work so I have to replace them with new ones. This usually happens about a week after I put them in. I'm using them in remote controls and related cars, trains, etc. that DS loves to play with. I'm concerned about the white powder and also the fact that they leak so quickly! I wanted to see if anyone else had the same problem before I contacted the company.
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 10:28
Thumbs down!
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Latest post on 29 June 2015 - 16:24
We don't have to be "warm, cuddly and welcoming", but we also don't have to put people off! As FairyDust said, there are ways and means of saying something. I doubt very much that Clo95 will recommend this forum to anyone after her experience :( And most of the women on here are actually warm and supportive!
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Latest post on 29 June 2015 - 15:57
Lolacat, if everyone just looked things up via Google, there would be no need for forums like this, which would be a huge loss. The collective posts on this forum contain some very valuable information and advice that people can turn to and search for when looking for answers. The best part is that the posts are made by people based on real experiences (except for the blatant advertisers that admin usually nips in the bud!). There is nothing wrong with asking questions. It's far better to ask than to assume. What may seem obvious to us because we live here and take it for granted, might not be so clear to outsiders. Yes, this is a Muslim country but a very tolerant and welcoming one. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country too, but very different to the UAE. So is Malaysia, and also different to the Gulf countries, etc. I heard from someone yesterday that food outlets are not closed in Kuwait during the fasting hours, for example. If this is true, it comes as a big surprise to me because I ASSUMED that all Gulf countries followed the same rules during Ramadan. It seems my assumption is wrong and I shouldn't take things for granted. BTW I don't see why someone asking about bringing a houseplant with them is a bizarre question! We get attached to different things and there's nothing wrong with that. The houseplant may be very special to the OP for a good reason. As for booze during the day in Ramadan, someone already replied to say it's available in RAK, which is correct. So if the OP is willing to drive to RAK to have a drink with her lunch, that's for her to decide, but at least she got an answer to her question.
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Latest post on 29 June 2015 - 11:43
We have lost another EWer :( She has deleted her post and probably won't come back here again, which is a shame because there are so many ladies on here with experience and great advice, not to mention that Clo95 herself probably had a lot to contribute too. Presumably, having been offered a job here, she has done her research and she does say that she has already read the rules. She asked a simple question, to clarify things, and got the replies she needed from CP and GE. Why do we need to then give her a lecture about something that as an adult who is about to embark on a major move and change, she has surely looked into herself? She's not a child. The responses she got from CP and GE already highlighted the issues she needs to consider. Don't give up on EW just yet, Clo95 :) Sometimes we may seem a bit harsh in our approach, but we mean well! Good luck with your move to Dubai!
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Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 10:00
The bane of my travel life! I would happily trade the in-flight entertainment for a footrest. Wish airlines would bring those back. The only place I could find one was through Amazon. I looked everywhere in Dubai without luck. So ordering online seems to be the only option, unfortunately.
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Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 17:24
Both DS and DD have been 'openly' eating in the malls, and no one has said a word to me. What you experienced, Cowboy, is ridiculous and utter nonsense. Sorry you had to go through this. It's certainly not in the spirit of Ramadan! I also used to BF my kids in the malls during Ramadan - just parked myself in a closed coffee shop and put on my BF cover.
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Latest post on 22 June 2015 - 11:34
GE, Bosporus is now open in Wafi (close to Salam Studios). Haven't been there for breakfast but lunch was good. Not too impressed with the service though - food came out before drinks!
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Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 17:23
Have you looked at Indigo Living on Sh Zayed Road (after Safa Park, heading in direction of Jebel Ali)? They have leather sofas, which, although not cheap, are far more affordable than the likes of Natuzzi? I was astounded to find out that Natuzzi gives a 10 year guarantee... on the sofa frame only!!! I also had a "leather" sofa from IKEA which lasted for almost 10 years and looked great till the end. I only got rid of it because we were re-designing the living area.
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Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 11:43
According to the Dubai immigration website you need a police report to replace a lost e-gate card: [url=http://dnrd.ae/en/Services/ServicesGuide/Pages/AudianceService.aspx?ServiceId=250&AudianceId=2'>link[/url'> Mine is on my Skywards card now so I don't have to carry both. That's another option if you have Skywards membership. Like GE, we tried to register our passports last time we flew back to Dubai and queued up for ages to do this at the immigration counter, only to be told that the system was down! Good luck!
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Latest post on 16 June 2015 - 08:00
If you decide to go down the part time agency nanny route, I recommend Emirates Home Nursing. Not cheap (Dhs 50 per hour) but all their nannies are qualified nurses. They are also always on time and professional. You can book the same nanny on a longer basis, but you need to arrange this early to ensure she is available.
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Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 14:18
Both of my children were born at City Hospital and I had a great experience each time. The midwives I had were lovely. Very friendly, calm, patient, etc. and in one instance the midwife actually saved my unborn baby when she noticed his heart rate drop dramatically while I was in labour. She really showed her experience and knowledge, and acted instantly, which I was very grateful for. They seem to be happy with their jobs. One midwife had just moved from the UK to work at City and we had an interesting chat about the NHS in between contractions ;) The nurses were also generally good, but I did have some strange encounters with them - one commented on my weight and another wanted to wake up my newborn at 5am to do the heel prick test! I later found out that they try to do more during the night shift to ease the burden on the nurses during the day shift, which is fair enough, but doesn't always make sense. Which sleep deprived new mum will willingly wake up a newborn who has just managed to doze off after crying most of the night? Good luck with your job application. My experience as a patient was generally very good at City. I felt safe and cared for by the midwives and nurses.
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Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 07:17
As someone who struggled to pump breastmilk in large quantities, I can imagine how valuable your stash is and I would want to bring it with me too! Have you thought of using a courier company that specialises in transporting frozen goods (like Igloo in the UK)? I'm sure they would have these in the US. They would also hopefully be able to advise you on customs regulations and clearance. "Cooked and home-made foods" are on the banned items list according to Dubai Customs so it's best to check with the experts on whether breast milk falls into this category and what would be the best way to import it. If they find a big quantity on you when you enter the country, they may take it away. Good luck with your move and I hope it all works out with the milk :)
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Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 21:50
This is a tough question and one only you can really answer for yourself. To do that, you need to know yourself well. I made a number of choices in my life, thinking that I knew what I wanted and trying to use "rational thinking and logic", but after choosing a certain path, I realised that it wasn't necessarily the right/best one for me. "Hindsight is a wonderful thing" and all that... The one thing I always promised myself, though, is that I wouldn't have any regrets. So even when I realised that I selected the wrong door (and there was no going back), I carried on and tried to make the best of the situation. This often led to new opportunities and possibilities, and, most importantly, getting to know myself better so that I wouldn't make the same mistake again. Lecture over ;) Sorry, not sure whether I really helped you at all! Good luck with your decision!
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Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 09:41
My best friend struggled with this too. She had no luck finding a nanny until one of her part time maids mentioned that she was leaving her company (I think her contract was ending) and she was looking for work. My friend was able to hire her and get herself a child carer. You can also try to negotiate with the agency to pay on a monthly basis for a specific number of hours per month. It may work out cheaper. Good luck!
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Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 09:33
I have tried so many of them and the only ones which worked for me were from Daiso! The ACE ones are rubbish. They leak within hours. Don't waste your money. I also have the Lakeland ones and they're ok - some hold, while other's don't.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 19:48
The Maggi noodles in question are produced locally (i.e. in India) and I doubt very much they are available for sale here. The matter has probably already been looked into by the local authorities in the UAE and Maggie, and I'm sure they would have been withdrawn from sale quick smart had there been a problem. They just made GSK pull all Infant Panadol off the shelves because of a labeling error with the dosage, so they seem to be very vigilant about these things. PS No, I don't work for Maggi :)
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Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 15:25
Most things in Dubai are negotiable, so yes, by all means haggle :) You can also insist on the painting and deep cleaning. A good LL will do this anyway, without being asked. Not sure about LL accepting responsibility for pool and garden, but you can try. Also, he may not agree to changing the sofas unless there is an issue of hygiene. I would ask for the mattresses to be sanitized, though. We lived in a furnished apartment once in Golden Sands and that was a good experience because they were well maintained and the furniture was of good quality. But that was a corporate setup. I don't know whether you can expect the same from an individual LL.
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Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 15:14
Try Tip Top. In addition to painting, they now do all sorts of other jobs. I have used them for painting and plumbing and been very happy each time.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 09:14
In my experience, the maintenance arrangements vary a great deal! I have had some wonderful LLs who have really taken care of their property and paid for ALL the maintenance. They would often have an annual contract with a company like Emrill, Tool Time, etc. Other LLs have taken the "duck and hide" approach, and could never be contacted when problems arose. It's really the luck of the draw. I have also heard of rental contracts now spelling out the maintenance responsibilities in terms of financial obligations (e.g. LL pays for all maintenance above Dhs 500, and tenant pays for under Dhs 500). In your case, with the LL being in London, I would insist on an annual contract for maintenance as part of the rental agreement. Since it's a furnished property, the LL should take a very proactive approach with regards to maintenance! As for the garden and pool cleaning, that is usually the tenant's responsibility. However, again, since it's a furnished property, it may be considered the LLs role. We had a gardener in our old place who used to come 6 days a week for cleaning and very light gardening, and we paid him Dhs 500 per month. The pool companies also charge on a monthly basis (can range from Dhs 200 to 1000+ per month, depending on the size of the pool) and they normally come twice per week. BTW the leaves are not a good indicator of "cleanliness" because in this part of the world, your garden can look spotless in the morning after the gardener has swept, and a complete mess in the afternoon after a few strong gusts of wind or a sandstorm!
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Latest post on 08 June 2015 - 19:09
I'm pretty sure I saw Mixed Spice at Spinneys.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 20:25
Definitely not crazy! The Timeless Spa is located in Terminal 3. I would ring and ask about threading. I'd be surprised if they didn't offer it. Safe travels!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 22:21
For me, it's not so much the boredom, but the weather! For the first time in decades, I am well and truly fed up with the heat. I know that's not exactly Dubai's fault (it is where it is!), but it has me seriously thinking about moving on. I'm dreaming of four seasons and spending time outdoors with the kids. It just seems to get hotter and hotter every year, with less rain and shorter cooler months. We used to get so much more rain in the 90s, starting in November and until March. Once the carport roof in our building parking area collapsed under the weight of the rainwater! The traffic and cost of living here are also starting to grate. I remember the days when the Wafi residence was built and 3 bedroom apartments were going for Dhs 100,000 per year. We all thought that was an outrageous amount of money to pay on rent! Times have changed, the city has grown and great progress has been made. On reflection, however, for me personally, it's about the lifestyle and I can't say that I enjoy the stress that comes with living in a busy, traffic gridlocked city, with two small kids, where you spend most of your time cooped up indoors, usually in a shopping mall. Dubai has a lot to offer, no question, and it's the place I call home, but I wish more money and efforts were invested in lifestyle development rather than building malls, hotels, and the like.
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Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 14:01
The GAP ones are quite thin so you easily wear them on top of pyjamas. The sizes are also quite generous and "roomy".
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Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 13:59
Only other thing I can think of is if they sign up for LinkedIn and check out opportunities advertised through the site.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 09:00
I will be going through this shortly with DS too and worried, like you mols, about the night time wandering. DS often wakes up at night, plays with his soft toys in his cot and then goes back to sleep (thankfully, without the need for mummy & daddy during this little midnight adventure!). I like the suggestion to install a safety gate on his bedroom door, because he can easily open and unlock doors. As for the sleeping bag to duvet transition, DS absolutely hated sleeping bags so he sleeps in a onesie. GAP have some in bigger sizes. He tended to uncover himself initially, but now he loves to wrap himself up in his blanket. I use the Vandring one from IKEA which is just a plain quilt blanket and their Len pillow. Maybe give it a few more tries with the duvet. I think he'll like the freedom from the sleeping bag eventually ;) Good luck!
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Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 08:46
Your nephews' university should have a careers department which helps students find jobs and internships. There are also internship opportunities advertised on company websites and online recruiters. E.g. there seem to be quite a few on careerjet.ae. Good luck to your nephews and niece!
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Latest post on 30 May 2015 - 01:12
They just got a shipment in at Carrefour MOE. They seem to be the only ones that stock AK products. Haven't seen them anywhere else. I'm also waiting for the strawberry & vanilla biscotti to come in. DS loves it!
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 22:08
If DEWA is in your name, I doubt it very much! Not to mention, if the landlord did somehow succeed in doing this, RERA wouldn't be very happy!! They have repeatedly told developers who used similar tactics to make people pay the service fees, that it's illegal.
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 20:01
Have you got a makani number yet? You could just use that and they will deliver to your door. Otherwise, just give Aramex your area, building name and apartment number. They should be able to deliver anywhere in Dubai and if they're not sure, they will call you to verify the location. I doubt they can deliver to a PO Box because you have to sign for the delivery.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 17:27
The Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre offer fertility treatments. Perhaps you can try them for alternative therapies. All the best to you :)
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 17:24
Nice one CP :biggrin:
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 17:22
Yes, unfortunately that's one downside of Shop & Ship. I asked and they said they didn't consolidate shipments. Most of the stuff I have ordered in the past was less than 0.5 kg in weight so I usually pay only Dhs 43 for the courier fee. Thanks for the tip re borderlinx. I'll check it out!
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 10:47
Agreed, Sarahlou123! I have seen so many drivers ignore the flashing STOP signs on the sides of the school buses and always worry that a child will get hit if they're crossing the road. I don't see how a flashing brake light is more effective than a normal one?! And since it's not something people are used to, it could actually confuse and cause an accident. If I see red brake lights come on, I know that the car in front of me is slowing down because that's what we're taught and instinctively react to. If I see flashing red brake lights, I would wonder what that meant and perhaps delay my response, thus causing an accident!!
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 10:41
If you're asking about the Aramex Shop & Ship, they will deliver to any address that you specify. All of my items arrive at my home address, usually only 2-3 days after the leave the US or UK. I really like the service! Whoever came up with the idea, is a genius :) I now use Shop & Ship even where international delivery is available simply because of the convenience. Most shops will only send goods via post (not courier) so previously, I would have to trek down to the main post office in Karama, go through customs. etc. etc. to collect stuff. Aramex does the customs clearance for you and delivers to your front door.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 May 2015 - 14:51
Maybe one of the farms that supply organic eggs to Ripe, Greenheart, etc. can help. Perhaps check with them for farmers' contact details?
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Latest post on 21 May 2015 - 09:39
Thanks for all your suggestions and advice! Off to do some research.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 10:48
Thanks, sarahlou123. I didn't realize you could get Kindle versions on Amazon. Will check out the prices, but agree that it's a lot cheaper to get online than in the stores here. My plan this summer is to have a spring clean of my book collection. There are some books I read over and over again, so want to replace my hard copies with e-versions and donate a bunch of others to free up some space at home. Trying to go paperless, if possible :)
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Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 10:35
We're considering spending a couple of weeks this summer in Switzerland or Austria. Looking for self-catered accommodation in a smaller town with 'outdoorsy' things to do like hiking, swimming, etc. Something for toddlers to do would also be a bonus. Any suggestions? TIA
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Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 10:31
Sorry to hijack... I've been thinking of getting a Kindle so would love to hear your thoughts on which one to get. Can you buy one here and then download books from the US store? Do you need a US credit card or address for this? I have looked at iBooks on the iPad but find the books a bit pricey. What sort of price range does Kindle charge? TIA for your help and advice!
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Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 10:28
Could it be the infant Panadol syrup recall because of the incorrect dosage instructions? Apparently GSK has to replace all of the packaging and instructions after an MOH directive. It was in the papers this morning.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 10:23
Not an expert but have visited Seattle and some islands in Puget Sound. Absolutely stunningly! We stayed at a hotel in Seattle and then took the ferries out to the islands on day trips. Our favorites were the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island and Langley on Whidbey Island, which is a bit like what you're looking for - quaint little town, with boutiques and good food, but also has amenities. There's an amazing place to stay just on the water, but I can't remember the name. There are probably loads of other places like that on the other islands. You will love it, it's such a beautiful part of the world and given the chance I would go back in a heartbeat. We were fortunate to have glorious sunny weather for the whole week, with nice cool temps of 20-25 degrees. Have a wonderful time!
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Latest post on 18 May 2015 - 11:10
Hi FF, try a company like Tip Top Painters for the demolition. They have now expanded their services and recently did plumbing work for me. They may also be able to remove the old kitchen. If it's in an Emaar property it comes out fairly easily and with almost no damage/breakage :) As for the permission, Emaar only needs the drawings/kitchen plan IKEA gives you and the deposit. They're pretty quick with approving these types of jobs as they have been done in hundreds of homes across their developments. Good luck!
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Latest post on 17 May 2015 - 10:36
Chocoa next to MOE has dates and other dried fruit. Munch and Crunch at Souk Madinat also sells dates and nuts. The one I've been intending to check out but never get around to it is a place called Tmreya in Umm Suqueim. They make sweets out of dates. Not sure of the exact location, though. Finally, there are several shops in Barsha Mall (where Union co-op is) that sell dates. One in particular comes to mind for the beautiful arrangements, but I can't recall the name.
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Latest post on 14 May 2015 - 15:19
Had to order them from the US Amazon :( Only the Calma ones seem to be available in Dubai.
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Latest post on 14 May 2015 - 15:16
Admin, some more feedback for you... If I am viewing the forum page on my iPad and it's 'vertical', I can't see the Replies column. If I turn it around to 'horizontal' view, I can see the Replies column!