Singapore Sling

I am struggling to post -EW gives me an error all the time. Just a quick one - when you house hunt in Malaysia you will find many brand new apartments or villas advertised as newly renovated. One only buys a shell here. The landlord then fits out the space including wall and floor finishings, bathrooms, kitchens etc. It ALSO means having to install air cons etc resulting in drilling and grinding 24/7 :\: as holes/spaces are not left for these fittings. Definitely check up on the neighbors on all sides as you want to live next to already "renovated" people to escape noise. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 17/11/2011</em>

The idjeets I am still mad LOL. Good luck SB - the Dubai red tape took the most of our time. Settling in Malaysia is easy as pie. Two weeks ago I went to immigration to renew my visa. It took all of three minutes for someone to check that I had all the necessary forms with me, hand me a number for the next counter, submit at the next counter and get back to the car. A week later I went back and the visa wasn't ready due to Eid. They asked me to take a seat and within 30 minutes issued the visa. A Malaysian can either get a new passport issued or an old one renewed within 1 hour I kid you not. The promise for speedy services at immigration was one of their drawing cards in the previous elections. As a South African, I now have to wait 5 and a half months before I can expect my new passport (renewal). Pathetic.

Hiya sorry for waiting. Check our inbox, I sent you 3 separate mails. Off to catch up on your initial thread quickly. Cheers!

Do you have any off-shore accounts Sugarbeach? If not it is a possible way of overcoming the next period of your lives. I suggest that you open say a joint HSBC offshore account whilst you are still both in Dubai with valid visas. You then both have access to the account whilst living apart, covering emergency situations and overcoming transferring fees and transfer waiting times simultaneously. Move all your commitments over to this account. I am not a big fan of joint accounts, but this is one instance where it is possibly recommended as you won't need to worry about opening new accounts every time you move to a new country and closing the same one once you move again. That said, I am NOT an expert on this but am relating our experience. I closed all my accounts when the kids and I left Dubai. My DH only followed 3 months later after he wrapped up everything and he also closed all his accounts since we had the off-shore one. BUT it took 3 months for me to convince a local bank in Malaysia to give me an account as I live here on a guardian sponsorship and do not generate income. You might want to keep your own Dubai account in addition to your DH's account in Dubai live until you have a new one(s) in Malaysia, alternatively set up that off-shore account. Hope this help. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 31/10/2011</em>

Bellarooni the weather can be likened to Dubai during April/May I would say. It is hot and humid but after about 6 months of living here you won't sweat like a *** any longer. Everybody lives an outside, outdoors lifestyle. Nature is awesome making from a fantastic difference to Dubai. Here in Penang there are ladies who walk and climb Penang Hill every week and they always welcome new women into the group. There are many hiking trails throughout the country and close to KL, even the small Penang is full of hiking trails. There is a strong group of cyclists here too and they are very active. Our school host all their assemblies and meetings in the open. The school is designed with huge patios, under roof to protect from rain and sun, but open and this is where we gather. They just switch on the fans ;-) and I make sure I sit directly under one of the fans. All the cafes also have indoors/outdoors seating and the hawker food centres are all under roof, but open, fans no aircon. tkoshy our income was earned in Vietnam and now Thailand so for us no tax here. There are free zone areas in Penang where the companies function duty free and this is where the international companies operate from. I don't know how about KL but here is a short article http://www.iproperty.com.my/news/2411/A-MALAYSIAN-TAX-GUIDE-FOR-EXPATS-AND-NON-RESIDENTS moonbeam start networking and also take a look at which international giants have companies, manufacturing plants etc here. There are not that many expat positions available here and you don't want to earn a local salary as it will be VERY low income. You want to work for an international group in an expat position such as Phillips etc and the best is to target them directly.

You can employ someone full-time, it is quite a tedious process due to a shortage of cleaners, but you will do it through an agency at least. How much it will cost you depends on whether the agency has any trained cleaners available or not. There is a huge shortage of cleaners due to some countries banning Malaysia from employing their citizens (such as Cambodia). The agencies cannot even supply in the demand of part time cleaners at the moment. The fee is fixed by the government, but then the agency portion varies and is determined by the agency itself. You can also employ a Malaysian cleaner full time/live in. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/10/2011</em>

Hi The best info forum at the moment is http://www.my2home.info/index.php Just skip the first bit that deals with MM2H applications and the rest are all about living in Malaysia. We live in Penang and I will be able to give figures from this perspective. It will still help you as the cost of internet etc is the same throughout the country of course. On average the cost of living (if you exclude schooling) is about a third to a half of what it cost us per month to keep the family afloat in Dubai. 1 MYR = 1,16 Dhs 1 Dhs = 0,85 MYR Petrol Dubai is currently Dhs 1,72 per litre. We pay Dhs 2,21 per litre or Myr 1,9 Medical is incredibly affordable in Malaysia and the Dr's + medical care amazing. We pay MYR 30 per consultation I kid you not. A consultation + antibiotic + panadol for tonsillitis set me back MYR90 at a private clinic. A broken wrist + x-rays twice + 3 consultations (the first visit on a Sunday when they charge double fees) + splint was less than MYR700 in total for the care over 6 weeks, private hospital, specialist dr. at the Gleneagles Hospital Cleaning of teeth + 2 fillings MYR 128 Maternity package a grand total of MYR1900 !!! at the Adventist Hospital Total costs of braces + monthly orthodontist visit - two step treatment to align lower and upper jaw costs MYR6000 and payment is MYR 1500 deposit and then MYR 200 per month. Guess this will give you a good idea of medical care and will show what an absolute rip off medical care in Dubai has become Groceries at Cold Storage, similar to Spinneys and they also carry Waitrose is slightly less than Dubai. Milk, yoghurt, cheese is expensive here. Eggs, meat and veg is cheap. Produce are far fresher than Dubai. Eating out is silly cheap. Many cafes serve a set menu for lunch as an option. A German place nearby charges between MY8-12 per set menu which includes an ice lemon tea, one main and one desert. Portions are HUGE and include one meat (cottage pie, sausage etc), a portion of mashed potato/potato salad, french fries, sauerkraut and stewed lentils. Another places asks MYR25 for one soup, one orange juice, one pasta and one desert. These are expat run places, the local ones are even cheaper. Last night we ate at a place we frequently dine at and the bill was MYR 55. We ordered: 1 Ice Cappuccino, 3 Ice Honey Lemon Teas, 1 pesto fish + grilled veg, 1 Spaghetti Carbonara, 1 apple pie and ice cream, 2 chocolate brownies + ice cream. ALL organic, no MSG, no preservatives. Milo, coffee, ice teas often cost MYR1,8, mostly about MYR 4-6 and sometimes in the Malls about MYR 10. We love to eat here http://www.thedeliciousgroup.com/ and you can take a look at the menu, more expensive than the average cafe but you still get 3 cupcakes or 3 scones+jam+cream or 3 croissants for MYR6,90 total!\ Butter Chicken + two naan enough actually for 2 people MYR 10 Dosa + filling + 3 sauces + 2 chutneys MYR2,5-MYR5 depending on meat/seafood etc To get an idea of our cafes: I love going here http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/my/malaysia/2235775-amelie-cafe-armenian-street-penang and http://penangfoodreviews.com/102/amelie-cafe/ You will see the prices. Owners cook, serve and decorate themselves and these places actually have yards of atmosphere. Also http://www.millymin.com/2011/05/smcpg4-chai-diam-ma/ and http://photo-dannylim.blogspot.com/2011/03/moontree-47-kopitiam-in-penang-heritage.html All taken from random blogs and all places where lunch for 4 people will set you back well below MYR100. A dinner for 3 at the hawker type stalls/night markets cost about MYR30 for food and drinks. Christmas brunch set us back a grand total of MYR140 for the whole family at the Lone Pine 5 star boutique hotel. Kids ate for free and it was MYR70 per adult. The buffet was exactly like the ones served at say The Royal Mirage in Dubai. The most expensive I saw advertised incl alcohol over Christmas charged MYR220 per person, kids free. Ballet fees MYR125 per month for a 3 hour lesson per week - grade 6 RAD. Another MYR 80 for a one and half hour en pointe class, once a week so we pay a total of MYR205 for advanced ballet per month. Owner is an RAD examiner and the piano is actually played by a living, breathing person. They also charge MYR10 per adult Aerobics session. Residential schooltrip, 3 nights to Langkawi, all inclusive MYR 600 Residential schooltrip to Pangkor, 2 nights with activities such as rapelling, teambuilding, canoeing etc etc MYR 575 all inclusive We live in a 2 year old (so new) 3 story, 4 bed, 4 bath, double garage, pool, gym, library, enclosed community with security housing development and our monthly rental, fully furnished is MYR 3600. Three aircons running at night, otherwise fans constantly running during the day = electricity bill is MYR 350 per month. Water is a paltry MYR5 per month. Internet 4Mbps, wifi costs AED140 per month. Modem was free, installation free. Monthly telephone rental MYR30, calls in Malaysia free. Expats all put down MYR 1000 in deposit which you will get back when you cancel the line again. Astro satellite TV - Our package which includes most but the Sports costs MYR98 per month 14kg Gas bottle MYR28. It lasts me 6 months. The connection with all the pipes and valves was MYR 20 LOL! Eyebrow shaping MYR8. They shave and pluck though. You will find threading in Little India. For a gourmet eyebrow shape from the Chanel counter = MYR 30 and the results were no different to my MYR8. Kids haircuts MYR15-20 Mani/Pedi MYR 80 Hair colouring almost all salons charge MYR150 for full colour, less for retouching. A full colour, cut, blow dry, deep treat and products set me back about MYR400 Clothes are expensive aaargh. Mango and other high street is more than what you pay in Dubai. I shop in Europe when I travel. There are cheaper alternatives but the stuff don't last well. Books about MYR35 and up We have a selection of fantastic local magazines with glossies such as Harpers Bazaar etc about double the thickness and content of similar Dubai Magazines and they sell from MYR7-8. A nice foodie mag about MYR12 and great photography magazine for woman about MYR18. People do NOT splash on birthday parties for kids as in Dubai and spend about MYR30-50 at the most on a gift. One year membership at the award winning 5 star Hard Rock Hotel in Penang which gives you access to services, facilities, pool, beach etc cost MYR 750 per family (Can you believe that. Shame on the Dubai hotels for ripping people off) http://penang.hardrockhotels.net/stage-pass.php Movies cost between 7-15MYR depending on day of week and time of show. Recently paid a grandtotal of MYR44 to see Harry Potter 3D, 2 adults, 2 children LOL. Brand new theaters, no different to any in Dubai's malls except that people actually do not talk and are quiet. Have paid as little as MYR19 for 3 movie tickets. Shoe repair MYR5 There are soooo many stalls in the malls and they all sell really nice stuff for birthday gifts etc. Apologies for all the typos, I am on my way out. Hope this helps you a bot and give me a shout if I can help with anything else. Oh, cleaning service costs MYR50 for 4 hours, maids from Indonesia and they do not speak English. If they also bring their own chemicals along, the cost is MYR 75. For all 4 hours in total, not per hour. Maids work for MYR10 per hour. Washing at a laundry cost MYR 3,5 - MYR 5 per kilo, depending on whether it is located near tourist areas or not. They iron for MYR 1,10 per item. I rent a very old 4x4, 178 000 km on the clock tee hee but it only cost me MYR1000 per month, service is superb and the guy services it every 5000 km. In the past year he has replaced my tires, break pads etc etc I also left the lights on twice and he gave me brand new batteries twice. He has a mechanic that is immediately available (on scooter) and also came out straight away to change my flat tire. The monthly rental is collected from me at home. This is also a saving culture - you will find 1 ATM for withdrawal for every 3 Deposit Machines. No boxes full of tissues on tables, nope they are very precise and will hand out one serviette per meal. Products are often repaired and not merely replaced. I have no doubt that KL is more expensive, but hope this will help you somewhat. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/10/2011</em>

Yes, monsoon is in the East. It should read two wet seasons in the West, a small wet and a big wet LOL. We speak of Monsoon although it technically is not right. During November the western side though is still a mixed bag full of wetness and dry season only kicks in toward the latter half of Nov even though literature states November as dry. Last November was a very wet one that saw severe weather conditions and warnings for Langkawi resulting in the school having to postpone a residential fieldtrip. It can rain at night or at day, for 2-3 hours or for days on end. I would still suggest Langkawi but perhaps from mid-month onwards just to be on the safe side and dry ground so to speak (mid November – mid April is high season). I am sure OP will have a great time. It is such a nice visual change from the desert in addition to the other experiences :)

We have two wet seasons on the western side of Malaysia - a smaller monsoon around May and a big Monsoon October/November. It will rain daily and the weather seems to form a pattern structured around 7 days for e.g. it either rains at night for a week, or early evening for a week or mid morning for a week. It can rain for 1-3 hours or the whole day long. Who knows? We don't let the weather bother us as it is impossible to know how a day will turn out but I can assure you that November will be wet. I just cannot tell you whether it will be wet during the day, or during the night. As for the East cost - during Eastern Monsoon the islands are actually closed. The Perhentians are only open from March/April to end October. It is very crowded over Malaysian school holidays but a good bet over Eid as the majority Malays are heading for the kampungs then. Redang is the upmarket version of the Perhentians. Besar is the better option between Besar and Kecil in the Perhentians. The East side is by far the better option for snorkeling and diving compared to Western side i.e. Langkawi. Langkawi is nice enough but the water can be murky and the island is increasingly dealing with jellyfish infestations. Bon-Ton and their new Temple Tree is amazing http://www.templetree.com.my/ We had a great holiday here BUT it is not a party island. In fact for parties I would head straight to Thailand LOL. Remember that Malaysia is a Muslim country. Penang is different due to majority Chinese, but it is heritage different, not party different. Penang beach is a no-no. I wouldn't go near the water here, it is completely polluted and full of jellyfish. I would also not even book into Batu Ferringi - it is a shabby little town full of tourists, but hey, this is where you will find your disco ;-) We live in Penang so of course I would be biased and say that it is indeed an awesome place to visit. The charm though is to get lost in the streets of Georgetown and peep through every door and window to find all the amazing surprises and quirky places (which most tourists miss as they don't know where to look). You will not find the essence by just popping to a few tourist spots and taking a ride on the trishaws. Even living here it is taking me forever to hunt down all the quirks - of which there are plenty! Penang is about food, the Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonyas, heritage (cultural and natural) and rainforest. No one who drops by for week get the essence of the place unless you are with a local/expat who knows the hidden treasures. Alcohol is heavily taxed in Malaysia and stupid expensive compared to neighbouring countries. Langkawi is duty free so it makes a difference and a beer cost a third of what we pay elsewhere in Malaysia. I reckon a resort in Langkawi would be nice, alternatively head for Tioman or Borneo as suggested by others too. Air Asia is efficient and cheap but also keep your eye on Air Malaysia as they often drop prices below Air Asia and then there is Firefly too. These 3 airlines use 3 different airports - beware of this if you book connecting flights. Enjoy!

The God of Small Things - debut novel by Indian author Arundhati Roy about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins whose lives are destroyed by the "Love Laws" that lay down "who must be loved, and how, and how much". The book is a description of how the small things in life affect people's behavior and their lives. The book won the Booker Prize in 1997 and then it went all quiet. It is available on all the shelves in Malaysia at the moment. I just started it and the sensory descriptions are absolutely brilliant. I have a feeling that the book will reach new heights as sensory ethnography as a research methodology is coming into its own now too.

Another recommendation in Kathmandu is for the Courtyard Hotel. It is owned by a Nepali/American, Punja and his American wife Michelle. Either one of them or the driver will do the airport transfers and the hotel is very well located for shopping/eating/sightseeing. You could ask them to recommend a taxi driver to take you to Bhaktapur or Patan or both. It is doable and they have a few taxi drivers working for their guests. The hotel also arrange formal tours. http://www.hotelcourtyard.com/ Their website is quite blah. The hotel really is so much nicer than what it appears and the service offered by the owners is second to none. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293890-d797710-Reviews-Hotel_Courtyard-Kathmandu.html <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 08/07/2011</em>

Are you eliminating everything from canned/tinned food to bottled sauces etc? You should be feeling much better if you are sticking to fresh veg, unprocessed meat, egg, an actimel or 2 a day and 1-2 fruits. Are you eating enough? I reckon if you are doing it right and still don't feel well that you should leg it back to the dr. I saw Bernard Fisher and he was very supportive. He also prescribed EyeQ fish-oil and virgin evening primrose oil and other probiotics available from the Organic Cafe.

No medicine . Take your dd to the doctors see what they say. My dd use to get lots of coughs then had a dew chesty ones. Then they suggested to use a asthma pump it's a purple disc that contains the ingrediants of the brown and blue inhaler and when ever she gets a cough she takes one puff every 12 hours and it goes away. Now she is 10 years old she hardly uses it and hardly ever get any coughs. Better then all the medicines some docs fobbed me off with. Agree! Mine used to cough all the time and it turned out to be allergy related and they needed asthma pumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmCJZuIx5mQ the civil one yesterday. I watched the one today life on some channel too but it is not rerunning it yet.

We eat eat lots of root veg and pulses. I am currently doing masses of salads with wheat berries/lentils/chickpeas/cous-cous as the base and then add whatever.

Pumpkin/Butternut - I put it whole but peeled in the oven. Poke holes with a fork. Drizzle olive oil, season with freshly ground sea salt, thyme and dried chilli flakes. Add bulbs of garlic. Roast the lot. Squeeze out the garlic, add mascarpone and pumpkin and liquidize. Layer between fresh pasta sheets for a scrummy lasagna.

Yip sorry but I had a similar experience as Kim with TP. Other issues that put me off was that they were between locations/offices and no-one could quite decide where I would have to go to in order to settle fees and buy uniform items. Also the fact that they provide classes at different locations means that the standards vary depending on teacher/location and they themselves admitted to the same after lengthy discussions. Like Kim's daughters, my kid is at a more advanced level whether they also do point work, albeit at the tender ages of 10/11. At that level only the best will do and that include teacher attitude, communication, information and more. And no, Nicola will not allow them en pointe if they are not strong enough/ready to do so. For the little ones, I would also recommend http://www.lisadancedubai.com/

For serious, advanced ballerinas Dance Horizons is unbeatable. Some of the below mentioned schools do not teach beyond grade 4 and some of those who do, only have a handful of senior dancers. Ballerinas at Dance Horizons also get the chance to choreograph and perform their own work, they are taught and tested on ballet terminology etc All round tops in Dubai. Like Kim I also checked out all the schools (including communication, newsletters, performances, exam results, whether they deliver ballerinas who actually make dancing a career eventually etc etc. Dance Horizons came out tops.

On the contrary. They will be burnt out very soon in their young lives and those who live a more balanced, average existence are the ones to watch later in life. They are the achievers at post grad level and in the corporate world. Sweeping statement? Perhaps but that is how it turned out for the majority of my generation anyway.

To be honest Scribs, those who walk the extra mile tend to reap the rewards. Applying for a school place is not a static process of being a number on a list unlike what the majority of moms think/schools tell you. One simply has to dress to kill, get in the car, present the school with a well put together portfolio of the child's work and start the negotiation process. Good luck to all who still need spaces.

I had no idea they'd come to ones home. Just learned something new.

My children are 4th generation middle east expat brats but they are still 100% English That about sums it up for me SQ.