shamat | ExpatWoman.com
 

shamat

shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 17:00
I'll be interested to hear what you find out Perces. We only purchased our car in September and from our research and enquiries, it was a total no no to be non resident and accessing normal UK insurance! Please feed back if you find out anything!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 14:51
I got mine in Spinneys Umm Sequiemm. I think they are available in quite a few places. Mine is a "Lock and Lock" one - clear with a blue plastic trim.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 14:41
There is a seafood restaurant in the Burj al Arab, which has a floor to ceiling aquarium in the middle of it. I haven't eaten there, but I was shown round it once and it looked amazing. The setting is spectacular and if there's a small group of you going, they have a private room off to the side (still with the aquarium views). http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Burj-Al-Arab/Restaurants-And-Nightlife/Al-Mahara/
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 14:36
We have got an ancient Astra, and we are paying nearly £500, third party fire and theft only!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 12:59
@ Perces: I've just had a chat with DVLA today as well and it seems that if I declare the car as being off the road, there will be no problem with the tax and MOT being out of date as long as the car is insured - apparently when I go back, I will be allowed to make one journey to a garage to sort out the MOT and tax. Good point about the battery! Sounds like I'd better nip into Halfords for a battery charger! We went to Stuart Collins (www.stuartcollins.com) for our specialist expat insurance. It costs a small fortune, but we found out that you face imprisonment or huge fines if you have an accident and it is discovered that you have normal car insurance when you are non resident. I'm a natural coward and therefore forked out for the expat insurance! Our policy is an AXA policy but AXA will not deal with expat clients direct (we know because we asked them!) so you have to go through a broker. Hope this helps!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 12:31
Thanks Claire! I'm about to come back to the UK on a visit to do a few chores, so that would be a good opportunity to have a chat with a few garages. Its a small world isn't it?! I may take you up on that cup of tea when I come back, and before then I will probably have a million ridiculous questions to ask about living in Surrey after being away for 5 years!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 12:23
Thanks Claire, that's really helpful, this had crossed my mind too. You don't happen to know any good reliable garages in the Epsom area do you?!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 11:39
The first report that came out said she had paid to hire the whole floor of the hospital to protect her privacy - there was no-one else nearby. That would be fair enough. However, if she really has inconvenienced other patients then that is really not fair.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 10:02
I haven't ever used al safa, but we have been with Nad al Sheba vets for years having transferred from a vet we were less satisfied with and we think they are brilliant. We have unfortunately had cause to use their services rather a lot recently and I really wouldn't take my pets anywhere else.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 09:58
We were given a pack of plasters by a local pharmacy when they opened up recently. I thought that was really clever! The other one I like is post it notes.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 18:52
How frustrating. I would definitely be seeking reimbursement, although I wouldn't expect to get it out here. A more palettable solution that they may be happier to honour would be to ask them to extend your membership by 2 months to compensate for the lack of facilities.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 15:17
Union co-op by Safa Park
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 11:47
Silver cuff links hand crafted with the guys name in Arabic. They're really nice, there used to be a stall at Ibn Battuta that made them, don't know if it's still there but pretty sure most malls or the Gold & Diamond park with have someone that makes them. There's also a stall in Mercato which creates these and they are lovely - I got some for DH for Christmas and he's delighted with them.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 14:36
I find the 4 hour time difference problematic too, but I've found that if I carefully time my flights, that can help. I always try and arrive at my destination just before bedtime, so I don't have to eat, I can just hop into bed. Even if its not the most restful night ever, it feels more "normal" to be going to bed at the proper time and getting up at the proper time.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 January 2012 - 16:53
I can't advise about Fitness First or the ladies club, but I would recommend you check out In Shape gym on Beach Road. Its quite small but the classes are good and you can buy a monthly fitness class membership which excludes the use of the gym. Their timetable is available on line at www.inshapeme.com. Because it is smaller, the classes are quieter and I've found the instructors to be really good.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 10:24
I don't know Australia very well, but I would say that Sydney is too far given the time you have available, as the flight time is long. You will barely have arrived there before you need to turn back. I'm also not sure whether you can fly direct - I'm sure someone else will be able to advise about this.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 10:20
Hi Nimonemo, congratulations on your pregnancy! I think you are wise to be cautious about your mum's intervention. At the rate she's going, she'll be considering your child hers, not yours, and that could lead to all sorts of problems. With regard to her coming to help out, my view is that it is essential that you and your husband get into your own routine and ways of doing things before she arrives. The situation I've seen work best is where after the baby is born, mum and dad work as a team to get into a routine, then when dad goes back to work, grandmother then comes to support, because its that time when mum will need the help more, when she's tired and on her own. Sell it to your mum as being the time when she can help you the most and how much you will need her etc etc. Good luck!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 08:51
That sounds like a muddle glb. Which airline was it?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 23:06
Perth and surrounding areas. You can fly direct and it takes about 10 hours. Spend a couple of days MAX in Perth (not huge amounts to do but worth a look round and the museum is excellent) then travel south towards Margaret River and the wine tasting region.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 22:54
I've had a problem too. I'm travelling back at the end of January - hardly a peak time, and yet the flights were nearly £700! Even the Virgin "sale" price was stupid money. I've flatly refused to pay it (I travelled back during Eid for nearly half this price) and for the first time ever, I'm transitting through Qatar - transit times are only 1hr 10mins and the cost is around £400. I really hope that the airlines find their planes half empty as a result of these ludicrous charges. However they've got their customers over a barrel - if you have to travel quickly and directly, customers will stump up the cash.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 20:26
We were in Medzo outside a couple of nights ago, and there is no view or even sound from there - we watched the show before we went in.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 20:06
There is an egate counter where you can get cards at Terminal 1, but it is airside - just before you go through passport control after you get off the plane. Not sure if there is one on the departures side.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 17:56
Really sorry to hear your tale of woe Elle. Thanks for posting it so that other people are aware and good luck with your wedding dress. I really hope the seller can sort something out for you as it seems to me that they didn't really help with the way they labelled your parcel. However I cannot believe that Empost returned it by sea!!! That takes the biscuit.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 17:51
Giant Panda, that's really useful information, thanks!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 15:12
Morning Cat, I posed the same question about out of date meds a couple of years ago. Unless things have changed, it is illegal for pharmacies to take in old drugs. Apparently (or so I was told) they have to account for all of their waste and return it to the DM appropriately accounted for. If they appear to have extras that are not part of their stock, they get into trouble. In the end, I just crushed all of the tablets I had and put them into my usual household waste. Not ideal, but better than just binning them. I can't help with the other items, sorry. We only now buy rechargable batteries for this reason. Left over paint, I'd be inclined to leave alongside a dumpster as someone can probably make use of it, but that's far from ideal too.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 11:37
I'm certain you cannot pay cash on any Dubai buses. I've tried it before and failed. Sorry. I am amazed that there is nowhere in the Green Community to top up a nol card - what an oversight on behalf of the RTA!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 10:45
I think you have a point, however I think sometimes these sorts of posts are genuine. I know there have been times in the past where something has caught my eye while I'm out and then someone posts asking about exactly the same thing a few days later. I think that's just the way Dubai works, especially as getting information here through more conventional means (telephone, internet) is so hard! The ones that annoy me most are when you respond to someone's post giving info and the person never bothers to reply! That one winds me up irrationally!!!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 January 2012 - 08:57
Charming! Bet that really made you feel warm and gooey inside.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 December 2011 - 15:21
Thank heavens! I thought I would be the only one there, and now I find out that there's at least 5 others going too! Hurrah! I'll be the one dressed in the dayglow socks and the wrist full of bangles - come and say hello! With regard to cameras, I went to the 80s concert back in April and I'm pretty sure cameras were allowed there.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 December 2011 - 14:28
I have a friend in that part of town (not Windsor Manor) and access to and from her place is a nightmare - it adds so much extra time onto the journey. It will be a great location when its finished - and it will be finished at some point as construction is still going on there - but its impossible to say how long that will take. I personally would not move to this area for that reason.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 December 2011 - 11:56
Hi, I've only just seen your post, hence the late reply. We've been very happy with our nuvvi so I don't think what you are experiencing is normal. The only time we ever have a problem with it is when we switch it on in a new location - sometimes it takes a while to realise where it is. We use ours in Europe as well as out here and that seems to confuse it for a while (I've been in England entering an address and its given me a route from my house in Dubai!! Needless to say that takes it a very long time to calculate!). We've also not had any problems with the speed of it recalculating if you go wrong. We have always found Garmin very helpful when we've had to ring them in the past - they have a call centre to handle questions, although it can sometimes take them a while to answer their phones which could be expensive as I think its a UK number you have to ring for support.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 December 2011 - 11:25
For me the best ladies night in town is I Kandy at the Shangri La - the only drawback is it happens on Mondays. Literally free flowing pink sparkling wine from 7pm and a beautiful setting (up on the roof around the swimming pool and water features, which is beautifully lit). You also have to book in advance which is a bit of a pain, but it is definitely worth it.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 December 2011 - 11:22
No - I've had enough to eat over the festive season - don't think I could manage an elephant too! :)
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 December 2011 - 11:20
Not sure what your current arrangements are for waste disposal, but we've always chopped ours up quite small and taken it to the dumpster with all of our other domestic rubbish.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 December 2011 - 17:55
We found the attendant on one of the occasions we visited but we still weren't able to go in!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 December 2011 - 17:54
Choitrams usually stock them too
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 December 2011 - 17:37
We've tried to visit it several times in the last 3 years and it hasn't once been open! Good luck! I certainly wouldn't make a special journey, its far too risky!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 December 2011 - 17:29
I have ordered my Xmas dinner from the Metropolitan on SZR this year. When I ordered it, the very helpful member of staff who served me said they made loads of extra side dishes that people could purchase if they discovered they needed extra on the day for 20 aed per tray. Not sure if they are doing Xmas eve and Xmas day collections but give them a call. Ask to speak to the man who is doing the Christmas dinner orders (don't know his name) but if you don't ask for him in this way you will be put through to someone useless who doesn't even seem to know what a turkey dinner is! Good luck!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 December 2011 - 15:45
This may help http://www.expatechodubai.com/whats-on/festive-takeaway-packages/
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 December 2011 - 15:19
We have friends coming to stay in the New Year, one with a severe nut allergy. Does anyone have any advice on safe places to take them when we eat out, as this is a new experience for us. Thank you. Hi Nscm7859, I also have a severe nut allergy. My top tip would be to avoid Asian/Chinese style meals, and also buffet meals. Very few places label buffets correctly, and you cannot always rely on the staff to know what is in the dishes they are serving, or even understand the issues. I am an Indian curry fan myself, but I only go to restaurants where I know they speak English to a standard that they will understand the importance. I can give you some restaurant names if that helps. Italian food is always a good, safe bet (as long as you avoid pesto which quite often contains walnuts out here!) and seafood restaurants are safe too. BTW, don't worry unduly when you are doing your shopping about the "may contain traces of nuts" - usually its just manufacturers covering themselves. However, out here, check grocery labels very carefully. I've seen "may contain traces of nuts" warnings on products which actually have peanuts as a main ingredient!! ETA - avoid Arabic pastries, sweets and puddings - they use excessive amounts of nuts! Also, just for reassurance, unfortunately I have had anaphlyaxis out here and required treatment in hospital, and when this happened I was taken to Medcare Hospital who were brilliant and understood the problem and acted quickly. So if the worst comes to the worst (very unlikely) go there. <em>edited by shamat on 22/12/2011</em>
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 December 2011 - 15:03
I second Arabian Nights. I've been with a few of the other companies, but I found them to be the best.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 23:16
I think that you may find this thread of interest Claire08. Its not about bikes, but it is about safety issues related to Dragon Mart stock. http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=167950
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 16:03
Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but there's a concession in Mercato that do beautiful engraved arabic calligraphy cufflinks (they write the name you choose in Arabic calligraphy). Usually they can turn their orders round in 4 days, so that may be an option, but to my knowledge, they only do the Arabic cufflinks.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 14:24
I didn't have such a good experience and didn't use him in the end. He visited my home 3 times with the sample booklets, and each time forgot to bring the sorts of fabric I specifically did ask for. When we finally did get to the stage of the quote, it was double what I was quoted from other people. Nice guy though, but I wonder if he's become over busy because of recommendations.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 14:08
Have a lovely time! Please feed back about how you got on!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 14:04
Confusing, isn't it???!! For the sake of clarity, this is the one I meant in my post! http://www.almarfapearlhotels.com/liwa/rooms-and-suites
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 14:00
As busybee has said, they are different. I've stayed in both, but the Liwa Hotel is the one I was referring to in my post. Its quite possible that now that they have competition from the Liwa Tilal hotel, their prices have gone down.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 12:40
you should be angry with your LL - they are the ones who haven't paid!!!! But how can you be angry with your landlord if you have already paid a year in advance? You have no leverage whatsoever except to move after a year, but what will your LL care - he's already had your cash!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 12:28
This is the whole problem with paying annual rents - the tenant has no leverage if things go wrong. We had masses of problems with our landlord to start with, but as we had coughed up a whole year's rent, there was little we could do to get stuff changed. I think that what is happening to tenants on the Palm is an absolute scandal because the tenants have paid for something they are now not getting through no fault of their own. Future tenants of properties on the Palm take note!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 11:57
Your nearest vet is Dr Dominic at the Arabian Ranches Polo Club but I can't recommend them as I haven't ever used them www.vetcaredubai.com. When we lived out your way, we used Nad Al Sheba - its really straightforward to get to them from where you are, the directions are on the website. We wouldn't go anywhere else now. www.nadvethosp.com
 
 
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