shamat | ExpatWoman.com
 

shamat

shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 October 2011 - 11:32
Hi, I don't have any experience with personal trainers, but my gym does TRX classes. www.inshapeme.com
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2011 - 15:51
It depends what you want to do. Some events, such as the Dubai Film Festival have parts of their own websites where you can volunteer on line.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2011 - 13:56
Fantastic post about KFC!!!! You have to live in Dubai to understand that things like this can happen - friends in home countries would think you were making it up!!!!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 10:01
Its probably better to give him more than he needs and expect change than to not give him enough. Get him to get receipts from the taxi driver so that you know how much change to expect when he returns! I travelled on a daily basis by taxi from AR to Safa Park and that cost me 45aed 2 years ago. I suspect that you will be looking at about 50AED each way for knowledge village as the taxi driver will be able to take the "new" road off al khail that leads down into Al Soufah.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:51
In the Al Jaber in MOE they sell carnival masks. They may be perfect for what you are looking for. For feather boas, your best bet is Satwa.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:36
Having heard other bad reviews,I usually steer clear of discounted facials from deal websites. I'd rather use the entertainer body book for those. Ditto. The only time I've ever used a cobone type voucher for beauty treatments is if I've been a customer of the spa in the past and know what to expect.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:26
Fantastic Doodles, well done! I hope you took Moustique's advice and used the money you've saved to treat yourself to something really nice! Keep going - you've already proved you can do it!!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:21
Hi DC, I can't think of anywhere in New Dubai where you might find this, but have you thought of catching the new green line metro to Bur Dubai? I did this last week and it was perfect. You need Al Fahidi station and it is literally on the corner of the fabric area so not far to walk at all and it avoids the parking nightmare if you park at one of the stations on the red line that doesn't require you to pay for parking.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:16
I second the recommendation for Al Mansour Dhows - they are in the entertainer family book and I've used them 3 times this year with visitors and never been disappointed. For desert safaris we always use Arabian Nights - again there are entertainer vouchers. Don't have the spa book so I can't advise about that.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 11:11
Choitrams on Al Wasl road usually have a great selection - I picked some lovely ones up on Friday. I'm sure that all their branches would carry some as I think they are an Indian chain.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2011 - 15:25
I do Zumba, Belly Dancing and Step aerobics. I find the classes really enjoyable and I love dancing so for me its like a fun way of getting toned up. However, I'm also on a calorie controlled diet too - its so right what the other ladies on here have said about exercise alone not being the answer.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2011 - 13:38
When we went a couple of months ago the rides were constantly breaking down, closing then opening up again the whole time we were there, so I wouldn't rely too much on the internet. At one point during our visit all the key rides were closed!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2011 - 12:33
I'm sorry I don't know anything about AD taxis, but if they operate the same as dubai taxis, they will be able to bring you back to Dubai. However, they then have to do the drive back to AD without a fare as they are not allowed to pick up clients outside of their own emirate, so I suspect this would be reflected in the cost, which is why it might be cheaper to hire a Dubai taxi for both legs of the journey.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 October 2011 - 12:17
Could you not just do a half day hire of a dubai taxi? Not sure how much it is now, but you get a driver assigned to you for 6 hours (I think its 6) so no problem with not being able to find him for the return journey. You arrange this through the normal taxi call centre.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 10:00
I've been wondering about this too. A house very near to me usually decorates for National Day so what I'm going to do is keep my eyes open and see what contractor they are using. However that doesn't help you if you need this information now!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 09:27
Thanks for posting this, it was a lovely trip down memory lane and yes, I do remember it! It is such a far cry from the "in your face" reality TV stuff that we get today. I know which I prefer!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 14:57
Hi Sue, I'm fairly new here...can you give me a bit more info Bab al Shams? And thanks NN for the link to the Gonabit deal....looks great. What do you want to know about Bab al Shams, maybe I could help?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 10:04
I'd probably allow about an hour, although it might take you slightly less, depending on traffic. There used to be a minibus that runs from Jumeira Beach Hotel to Bab al Shams, but I don't know if that runs any more. Might be worth checking.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 09:22
I wonder if what she saw was the Al Hadeerah restaurant at Bab al Shams? Its not especially romantic as it is always packed, but they do an Arabic show including belly dancers and the food is brilliant. Its not cheap though, or easy to get to unless you drive.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 09:17
I should also add that when my parents come to Dubai, energy levels are never a problem - they seem to get a new lease of life when they come here and want to see and do EVERYTHING!! So don't worry too much - whatever you plan will work out fine!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 09:09
My parents (slightly younger than yours) loved the Bateaux Dubai dinner cruise and tea at the Burj al Arab. We did do the Big Bus Tour a few years ago, which they also enjoyed but it was quite hard work because the timetables for the two different routes don't join up very well so if you want to do everything, its a bit hurried (it may have changed now). If I was doing it now, I'd probably do my own version of the big bus tour but break it down into more manageable stages - eg. spend a half day down by the Creek wandering in the souks/Bastakiya/museum/abra. Good on your parents for doing this - I'm sure they'll love it!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 08:25
What a stupid rule! What if a vertically challenged adult went to the cinema who was less than 120cm? I bet they wouldn't get in for a child's price! That would certainly be a case worth testing!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 15:15
Poor chap. Its really hard for children who go from being one of the most popular in the class to "just" one of a crowd. This could well be at the root of his distress, combined with the issues around sports which he may well be impacting on his self esteem. It sounds like you've done some good detective work here! Its a tricky one to advise on, but I would say, start small. Do you have any mothers with sons in the class that you bond particuarly well with? If so, start doing some play dates with just one boy at a time, so that your son has chance to build a few special relationships. Then build up to having a couple of boys round at a time so you can watch the dynamics. On these playdates, steer clear of anything too sporty and pick activities that your son excels in - lego, imaginative play, art, it doesn't really matter what (as long as its perceived as something cool by the other boy!). A good teacher that you both trust and respect will most certainly be able to help out with ideas too and can also feed back to you on how things are between your son and other children. If you give her the heads up, she will also be able to build this into her planning eg. when the class are doing pair/group work, she makes the choices about who works together. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 13:43
Hi Greenish, I'm replying as a teacher, not a mum! This advice may be a bit late for this time, but when this happens, try not to keep him off school. The problem is that children (especially bright ones!) can get into a bit of a habit of not attending school if they know there's a chance of some mum time especially when school is tough for whatever reason. It just makes it much harder for them in the long run - they have questions to answer from classmates and teachers when they go back to school aside from catching up on work missed. I realise that this time it is exceptional circumstances - lets hope the problem disappears when Ms Useless does! I would totally agree with everything AdviceSeeker has said; its vital to get to the bottom of the problem now, just in case its not connected with the change of teacher. It could be something seemingly trivial to an adult but you do need to understand what that is so that you can sort out any problems before they escalate.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 16:33
We're doing a diving long weekend in Musendam
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 16:19
I'm from England, but grew up as an expat child in the Caribbean and Africa. Family home is now Southampton, although my DH and I now have property in Surrey. Have lived in Dubai for 4 years.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 16:12
I do the same as Princess I - I don't tip every week, but I give a lump sum at the end of the year. OP - if your maid's behaviour has really been caused by the smaller tip thing, rather than just she was having a bad day (maybe unwell, or with something on her mind), then the tipping has to stop as you are being taken for granted. If I were you, I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, let her come once more, and don't leave any tip at all. If the same thing happens again, report her to the agency and get them to send you a new maid. The last thing you want is a maid who maybe gets so peeved that she starts helping herself to "compensate" herself for your poor tipping!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 11:26
There was a post on here about a month ago saying that the Cellar had closed. Haven't investigated this myself, but if it has, its a real shame. I understand that Latitude at Jumeirah Beach hotel do a Saturday brunch, and I think Spice Island at the Renaissance Hotel do too. I've been to the latter but not the former.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:29
check out the 2 for 1 voucher for this brunch in 7days today!!! Thanks for the tip! I've just retrieved my newspaper from my car port!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:53
Home Centre in MOE and Pan Emirates in Barsha had a good selection.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 15:56
I emailed you about doing Jumeira but I got no response! And that was after I used the second email address you gave me!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 11:21
What time of year are you doing the journey? We did an almost identical route round the M25 to Watford in the summer and the traffic was a nightmare on the M25 because of roadworks. Also the M3 is one busy road - there never seems to be a good time to travel on it. I don't have any experience of driving in North London so I can't advise on that.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 09:16
This thread was started a couple of days ago and may help you with pest control. http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=161170 Can't help with the gardener, sorry.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 21:32
Hi Eden, are your visitors travelling from Dubai? If they are, I would say they need two nights, depending on their age and energy, as the journey is quite long. We did it with my parents in December and had a fantastic time (we did all the things recommended below) but if they go to the wildlife park, they may be there the best part of a day, meaning that they will see nothing else if they are only staying one night. We also found it extremely busy on Fridays, so they may be better to go midweek. As for places to go onwards from there, what about crossing into Oman or spending a night at Liwa oasis?
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 21:21
No, I've been referred to Dr Mathias for something and I'm interested in feedback because I've never seen a surgeon before. Sorry to mislead!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 21:16
bump because I'd like to know the answer too!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 21:13
Whilst its good to know that this recommendation is, in your opinion (and spongemonkeys!) good at his job, I would argue that if his bedside manner isn't correct, he is only doing a half job. Yes, of course you want the technical expertise, but you also need to be able to liaise and communicate with him, its part of his role, and if he can't do that, then he ISN'T doing his job! I left a vet here a few years ago for exactly the same reason! I'm sorry I know nothing about braces or orthodontists, but IMHO you are absolutely right to be seeking someone else.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:08
Hi wuffles Some time ago you recommended the jewellery seller in Mercato for buying the teardrop shaped pendants with Arabic calligraphy on them. I've been to have a look, and they are exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm not getting much sense out of the lady who is on the stall, and quite frequently she hasn't been there at all and has needed to be fetched from somewhere else! What I can't get to the bottom of is what happens about the designing. I'm not happy to hand over my cash before I've seen the design they come up with, especially as I'm not convinced she's understanding what I want. When you have bought from them in the past, what has the process been? Thanks in advance!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:05
Bet that won't hang around long!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 13:52
It has to be your husband who sponsors her, not you. Sorry, I don't know anything about the paperwork side of things.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 13:51
The number that Yorky has given is the one I used to ring a week ago, so unless something has changed since then, you should be OK.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 18:04
I've heard you can get an e gate card even if you are not resident in Dubai, but just a regular visitor here.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 17:14
That is a very risky strategy and to be honest, you may find that the people who issue the e gate cards will also require more than 6 months validity. An egate card can be obtained at the Dnata travel centre on SZR which is more or less beside the Metropolitan Hotel. It allows you to use the electric gates coming into and out of the country by scanning your fingerprints, however in my experience they quite often don't work and you end up having to show your passport anyway. It may be worth making an enquiry about getting an egate card, but its probably not a risk that I would take.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 12:00
I certainly wouldn't waste my money going to Ferrari World again anyway. The time I went we stood for 1.5 hours in the queue for the Rosso ride and then it broke down. Only one other ride was working that day, but they didn't tell us that when we bought our tickets - complete waste of time and money. Grrrrrrrrrrr. This was our experience too. We would never bother going again. The place lacked atmosphere and the rides were constantly breaking down.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:40
I share your concerns about this. China is a place I will never visit on holiday because of its abysmal animal (and human) rights track record, and I will never consider chinese medicine because of the dubious nature of its provenance. My frustration is that it won't make any difference at all! I hardly think that the Chinese government will care whether I visit them or not as there's plenty more people out there who will! But count me in on cyclone T's suggestion.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:33
Hi moonkitty, I'm going through this at the moment - in fact I'm waiting for a curtain man at this very moment in time - he's due at 10am. So far, the only other place I've been to is a shop called Azores in Satwa. I was a bit nervous about going to them as I was expecting a mega bucks quote but in actual fact I was impressed by the price - just under 6000 aed for 4 sets of curtains, fully lined, one set of curtains unlined and 5 nets. I'll feed back after this morning's visit (a recommendation from this site). Obviously I can't vouch for workmanship at this stage as the job is still in the quotation process.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 09:29
Thanks fairwater! That sounds like an interesting concept - you've tempted me to watch it now!
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 19:53
Burj al Hamman based on Beach Road opposite the beach park. The food is amazing! 04 342 8034 http://www.burjalhamam.com/
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 19:11
Not a good look.
shamat
624
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 16:17
Great responses! Ironing seems to be coming up as a big plus, as does the weather. Customer service is an interesting one. Before this summer I would have said that it was one thing that was better about my home country but not any more!! I think the thing about the "poor" customer service here is that its poor because of language/common sense/lack of logic, but its rarely people trying to be difficult. Oh, I also need to add sewing supplies - threads, beads, bobbins etc to my list. I am considering getting my removal company just to deliver my container to Satwa and I'll fill it from there!
 
 
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