Swiss Sandy | ExpatWoman.com
 

Swiss Sandy

Swiss Sandy
350
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 14:50
Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines were the 2 we sold back in the days when I was in the business. All the itineraries are similar. I've been on the NCL ship and they are quite nice!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:34
Nice song! I like that line with the flip flops too! :)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:24
I think they do contract with the nanny coming as often as you need her... at least that's why the nanny who came explained to me. Not sure if it would always be the same person though...
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 13:17
Glad you bumped this up, couldn't find it anymore on Sunday! The nanny they sent was lovely and very patient! This is their website http://www.busybeesdubai.com
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 09:59
Maybe the giraffe made a run for it!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 21:28
I think the weather depends on which coast your chosen beach is. I've only been to Koh Chang so I'm not sure...
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 21:23
Have you tried KLM? I know they are often cheaper for other destinations in Europe but not sure on direct flights.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:02
What about sending him to AD for the day to go to Ferrariworld? I know it's on my brother's list when he comes in October!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:01
JS I think it's genetic they are all stupid! they must be - they marry us !!! Speak for yourself I'm great ;-) lol :))
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 20:58
That employee had no right to tell you something like that! It probably was out of jealousy... people usually see the things you have not how hard you worked to get them or how many sacrifices you make. In any case even you had lots of money and didn't 800 dhs that's not the point is it?? Maybe the shouting was necessary but I guess I would have shouted too!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 20:52
We've only been here 2 and half months but the only thing I'm missing is the food, specially the cheese... It's hard to find a decent gruyere here!!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:14
It seems we are all here on EW! simpleasabc if you want to practise your French let me know, I'd happy to oblige!! Et la raclette ça me va aussi! miam!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 17:54
By the way it's not because you are wearing a tankini that you will not get sunburned if you have sensitive skin... as my midwife also reminded me about my C section scar but factor 50 on if you are going in the sun even if you are covered! Better be safe than sorry!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 17:30
Hmmm yes, I thought that would be the case. That is the reason why I never took part in the UK I'm afraid I had more in common with my French friends! But will see. Pity you are not going would have been fun to meet a fellow EW!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 14:46
Ah yes, you have to be registered with the consulate to get the invit! Apparently they do a big thing for 1st August too, so if you want to go, register quick!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 13:59
or with Swiss connections going to the Swiss Spring Festival on Friday? Or have been before? was wondering what it was like!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 13:14
I wore a bikini at 5 months pregnant and I had a big bump but it was mainly coz I couldn't be asked to look for a tankini in a heat of particularly uncomfortable August back home (no a/c either)! I think you should go to a shop that have both types available and try them on. Whichever makes you feel beautiful is the one to go for!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 17:02
So the nanny just left (we are not going out until Thursday evening, I think it was deleted from my original post when DS banged on my computer!) She was great and very patient even though DS cried for the first 45 minutes. By the time she left he didn't want to let go of her!! I felt like a bad mummy though hearing him cry and not doing anything about it! emlsnre replied : would love to be able to reassure you, but we still haven't left our dd with a sitter that she doesn't know and she is 6... That made me feel sooo much better though! DH seemed to think I was acting like a hen mother stressing about it! Hello.Again.Kitty thanks for your advice I will write her a list for the evening and like you say it's not the end of the world if DS doesn't sleep for the whole evening, just me being a control freak and worrying about everything!! All in all writing about it and reading your replies actually made me feel a bit better Thanks!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 13:10
I'm about to have a nanny from Busybees if you can wait until tonight, I'll let you know how it goes!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 13:09
You could use citronella either as a candle or as a spray. The spray is quite refreshing as well. You could keep it in the fridge between uses so 2 uses in one!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 April 2011 - 22:51
Hey there, I started a blog when we moved here in January. It is my way of staying close to my family back home. I've never been very good at replying to emails as well so I thought it is a good way of telling my friends and not so close relatives what life is like Dubai for us. I have no idea if my blog is interesting but my friends and family seem to like it! I always try to add photos as well as words can't always explain everything. I try to write with one or 2 people in mind, so I write like if I was talking to them. Also I read blogs from other people living in Dubai. Here are 2 I really enjoy: Dubai's Deparate Housewife and Dubai Sally. To answer your questions: Is it interesting? Without reading I can't tell but do you get feedback/comments from people reading it? Is it useful? Yes, to you as you can tell your story and if your friends/family read then they know a bit more about your life! Is it worth it? If you enjoy doing then def!! ;-)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 14:28
They are from the subcon. It is the way they speak, no? Yes. Or they might be French mother-tongue. Non? lol, I do that all the time (when I speak not when I write) and drives DH crazy! I know it's wrong as well but can't help it!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2011 - 14:24
Thanks, landlord has decided to use his handyman (same guy who serviced the pump). I'll keep the number safe just in case! ;)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:45
I live in the Lakes and still have some boxes left if you are interested.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 21:12
I have the same problem! DS screams if daddy puts him to sleep it has to be me. I think he sees his daddy as a person to play with not someone to relax with... Hope it might change in the future (DS only 15 months old) How old are yours? Maybe you need to tell them in advance that daddy is going to read them a bedtime story tonight.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 18:38
It really depends on how young the children are but my 15 month old DS really liked the underwater zoo and Rainforest Café in Dubai Mall. I guess they would probably like the Fountains as well but as DS was asleep I'm not sure! I haven't explored the parks yet but I guess Creekside or Zabeel should keep them busy for a bit!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 13:57
You've got mail!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 13:39
I have packing boxing and paper and live in the Lakes. You are welcome to them if you want!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 13:36
As far as I'm concerned I will never need to divorce a place. The only "thing" I'm married to is my husband and I'll follow him so that's why I'm here. I'll make the most I can of living here but I don't think I'll ever love the Dubai, just the same as I never loved Switzerland and the UK. IMHO you home is where your heart is and my heart is with my family not with a place. Good luck to the ones going and I guess good luck to us staying too! :)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:54
I would agree with most of the pros and cons mentionned by Swiss Girl. In the pros I would add good food (if like European food), great summer festivals, great public transport, proper seasons. In the cons not very good customer service, lack of take away options and Swiss people can be quite reserved so it might be diffuclt to make new friends (but then again I had the same problem in the UK). As far as the racism that Mrs Laughan's sister experienced DH (who is British) never experienced it. Even after 3 years of living in the French part he didn't speak very much French mostly because every time he tried to speak French people replied in English or made extra effort for him to understand them using bits of English and French. so I think it pretty much depends where you end up living city or country side. It always harder in a small village if you are the only foreign family there. With more and more companies using Switzerland as European headquarters, the expat community is growing and a lot of people speak English on both side of the linguistic divide but how you are welcomed also depends on how much effort you are prepared to make! As far as schools are concerned the main problem is that in the public school system if your children don't speak French/German they are put in a special class for them to learn the language with all the other immigrant children and the levels of schooling can be quite big. I would advise private school if you can afford it as the education will be much better.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:37
We went there last month and had a great time with DS. I agree that the food options are rather limited and also wished we had taken a picnic. I felt a bit sorry for the animals who are alone in their enclosures, especially the gorilla but they all looked well looked after. If you are going to be there at lunch time, find yourself a shady spot and take it easy. It gets very hot and a lot of the animals are resting (cute to see the meerkats asleep though). As for getting there we set the GPS to Al Ain (it didn't have the zoo in) and then followed the advice given by our guidebook to follow the brown signs. Which worked fine for us! Have fun!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 22:15
For the flights it might be easier to fly to Bangkok and take a local flight into Siem Reap and out of Vientiane (not sure which airlines fly these routes nowadays). I don't know if there are any flights between Cambodia and Laos as I didn't the 2 countries on the same trip and travelled overland to both from Bangkok. Maybe Thai Airways would be a good place to start! Just did a search on Google and found this website that could be useful to start with http://www.cambodia-airports.com
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 18:00
I know a few tour UK/OZ tour operators that don't charge a supplement for single travellers, you just share a room with another female single traveller. I've used them quite a lot when I was single and you get to meet lots of people (single or couples). My favourite ones are Imaginative Traveller and Intrepid. I'm sure you can book the tour from here and then organise the flights yourself. Hope this helps ;)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 08:50
We stayed at the Hotel Ca' Due Leoni in Venice. It's not far from the train station and has a vaporetto stop nearly in front on the door. It's a small simple hotel but very nice and quiet. They have a lovely courtyard for breakfast but if it's too cold they will serve breakfast in your room. The staff was very frlendly and helpful.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 20:49
This probably won't help you decide but I've been to all 3 countries and my fav one was Cambodia. The people there were amazing. Smiling despite everything they went and are going through! If you go to Siem Reap I would recommend visitng the landmine museum, your entrance fee funds a charity helping children who suffered from landmines. The children also do a show in the evening which is fun and I'm sure your children would love it. The temples in Angkor are unbelievable. I would also recomment Phnom Pen Russian Market and Genocide museum (though not sure if appropriate for kids). I know you can also do boat trips on Tonle Sap lake and meet the people living on the lake (again check for kids and safety) Laos and Vietnam were good too but I would def do Vietnam on a separate trip. There is a lot to see and the country is quite big. In Hanoi you must the water pupets with your children! I thought Vietnam was a bit overwhleming (too much noise, people and scooters everywhere). Laos was beautiful but in a much quieter kind of way. LB's idea of combining Cambodia and Laos is quite good I think. If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 10:05
Not sure if this is the right agency but here's what google answered: http://www.busybeesdubai.com/contactus.asp
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 08:32
Loved Petra, one of my fav places (but then this is were I met DH so maybe that's why!) If I were you I'd spend 2 nights there simply as like this you have a full day on site which means specially with a little one you can take your time. We had 2 full days there and doubt we've seen everything. I did a donkey ride as suggested by der and it was fun (and saved my legs for a while). You may also want to consider a guide as some of the stuff can be a bit obscure without proper explaination. Have you got something to carry your LO in? Those backpack sort of baby carrier are very good and I would recommend something like that for Petra. Otherwise lots of other things to do in the region like the Dead Sea, Roman ruins in Amman and Jerash (loved the chariot race in Jerash), the mosaics in Madaba, the Forteress in Karac... Hope you'll enjoy your trip!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 14:20
Did much worse... yelled at DS same reason! :( Poor little man
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 14:16
I saw that too 21st March... didn't realise it was a Monday until just! Thought it was a Friday or Saturday! @Emma9 Europe (except UK) and US celebrate Mother's day in May and UK's def 3rd April, sent MIL's card from a UK website so they have it right ;)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 13:42
I'm not sure how easy it is to find Bodum products in Dubai but they have a pan that works for meat and cheese fondues. This is what we use and it works great. As for the cheese I've seen raclette cheese in Carrefour and Choitrams.
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 11:46
Glad you are feeling better! Being 30 is great and anyway you are the age that's in your head! I was also dreading my 30th birthday coz everybody was making such a big fuss of it! In the end I went travelling and found myself celebrating my birthday with total strangers and my new BF at the other end of the world, best birthday ever yet I was unemployed, homeless and divorced! And I've a great time ever since (now33) Happy birthday, enjoy your day!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 21:21
We went to Italy couple of years ago from Switzerland where we lived and spent a week in Rome with a couple of nights in Naples to see Pompei and Herculeum. You could spend a week in most of the main Italian cities it all depends how much you want to see. Rome would easily eat up 4 or 5 days by itself. On a separate trip we spent 5 days in Venice. I wouldn't try and do too much in one go as you might feel rushed and might not be able to see all you want. We used to the trains in Italy and public transport in Rome and Venice and all were very efficient. Whatever you choose to do Italy is a great country to visit and I'm sure you'll have a great time!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 11:29
The unwanted garden furniture - look up takemyjunkuae.com! They collect stuff like that! Hope it helps. Also, can highly recommend the Westin Brunch - Bubbilicious! Great for young, old, and babies alike!! Thanks, I've just sent an email to takemyjunk. Hopefully, my stuff will be usefull to them, I quite like the idea that it could get a 2nd life!:)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 11:29
Will have to try all those brunch recommandations, I'm already hungry thinking about it!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 10:51
Thanks for letting us know about Champion Cleaners, will stear clear of them! We use Fourways Laundry in JLT if that helps, very friendly. I give them all of DH shirts and not had a problem (only been 2 months so you never know) ;) How much do you pay for dry cleaning shirts if you don't mind me asking? We pay 8 dhs per shirt, they do free pick up/delivery. They are in JLT near the Bonnington Hotel, phone 04 447 7204
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 09:06
I had a similar problem when visiting the in-laws at Christmas in the UK but UK airport seem to be the only ones doing that (in Europe at least). I used Geneva, Zurich, Amsterdam and Dubai airport without having to open or "taste" anything. Dubai was the best airport to use with a baby from my experience! I also take enough bottles to see me through the flight but to avoid having to carry tons of stuff I used the bottled water on the plane (they can warm it up for you) and formula in small container. Apart from this I think travelling with a baby is fun. You get to talk to all sorts of people you probably wouldn't otherwise!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 08:45
Thanks for letting us know about Champion Cleaners, will stear clear of them! We use Fourways Laundry in JLT if that helps, very friendly. I give them all of DH shirts and not had a problem (only been 2 months so you never know) ;)
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 18:13
This forum has already answered a lot of my questions simply by reading the other threads but I have a few more! - Where can I buy stamps near the Lakes or in MOE/Ibn Battuta Mall to send cards back home? - Do you know where I can get rid of unwanted garden furniture? Our house came with rusty and full of bird ones! - And last but not least : any recommandation for a nice place to have brunch with DH and 14 month old DS? Thanks in advance!
Swiss Sandy
350
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 10:08
Thank you! We wanted to go to Ikea anyway so I'll try there first.
 
 
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