Settled In Yet?

A friend recently asked if we had settled in yet and it got me to thinking what that really meant. Barry and I know which grocery store has the best produce, which grocery store has the best meat selection; we are en-route to knowing which mangos to buy (Pakistani, Kenyan, Egyptian) and what exactly IS that curious looking fruit and when is it ripe? We know which brand of dish soap is sudsier than the next and that water is .25fils cheaper at Carrefour than at Geant. We know which food court has KFC, which one has Hardey’s and I know if I’m craving a crepe I should go to Mercato! We have learnt what time to leave in the morning to avoid gridlock on Sheikh Zayed Road and have now accepted the fact that you have to pass your destination, turn around and head back to actually get there. We now understand “road surprises” are the norm and that not everyone knows about the art of shoulder checking. Although there is certainly more to discover, like where to get my hair cut and where will they not double dip that applicator, after reviewing all these little things in our daily routine, I think we can consider ourselves settled in.

Ramadan Is Here!

Ramadan is upon us, no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing of any kind in public (this means in your car, or even on your own property if other people can see you) from the hours between sunrise and sunset. Sunrise is determined by “the white thread can be distinguished from the black thread of dawn.”

Ramadan was estimated to start on September 24th so Barry and I were taken of guard when we attempted to go for breakfast on Saturday and the food outlets were closed. We dropped in to the Hyper Panda (not an endangered animal looped on sugar but a supermarket) and ordered some Manakesh from the bakery (warm, pizza looking, tasty Arabic fare). We then returned to our car, suspiciously parked in a far-away spot and sneakily and unlawfully ate our breakfast.

Negative: No morning coffee at the coffee bean and tea leaf. All cafés, restaurants and the like are closed unless they can somehow be screened off so that the people eating can not be seen by the public.
Positive: Iftar, is the evening meal after breaking fast held after the sunsets. Restaurants celebrate Iftar usually by serving a buffet amongst Layali tents, providing Oud entertainment, Arabic coffee, assorted Arabic desserts and seasonal Iftar beverages while you enjoy an assortment of shisha flavours.
Interesting: Since the festival is linked to the lunar calendar and the moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, it would depend on which lunar sighting that individual recognizes.

Various forms of media have advised to stay off the roads during Iftar as people rushing home for their first meal in 12 hours means the roads are chaotic/dangerous.
Ramadan will end around October 23 and at the end of the one month there is an Islamic holiday called Eid ul-Fitr (known as Eid) to mark the end of Ramadan and the fasting.

Special Ramadan Travel Packages: http://www.ameinfo.com/97242.html

2 Days & 1 Night

We were so charmed by the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort during our last visit to Fujairah that we took advantage of a summer promotion and went back for 1 night and two days.

When you visit Le Meridien remember to pack:
a hair brush;
a snug fitting swimsuit; and
beach sandals – the sand is surprisingly and dangerously hot.

Things you don’t have to pack:
individual one-use sized ketchup and mayo;
beach towel;
toothbrush & paste; or
slippers with matching robe.

P.S. don’t leave the hotel without your sunglasses.

11.7 Million

Tracey, I thought you may be interested in this . . .
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai buys horse for 11.7 million. Desiree Lee does he look familiar?

If you’re interested in the story: http://www.emiratestodayonline.com/Default.aspx?selpg=371

Things We Miss

Things we miss!
- Tylenol
- My favourite lotion that smells great and actually moisturises!
- Pumping our own gas (although I think Barry may secretly like it and is getting used to being called sir and being catered to.)
- Buckley’s because it tastes horrible but it works!

No doubt there will be another instalment of ‘things we miss’ so stay tuned!

MOTOSLVR Guy

The MOTOSLVR Guy.

Visa Run ~ Oman

When you arrive in Dubai your passport is stamped with a 60 day visit visa. A penalty charge of dhs100 per day is imposed on visitors who overstay.

“This is an illegal act and punishable by law. The person who has overstayed must go to the Naturalization and Residency Department and give reasons for the failure to leave the country when the visa expired. The department is free to accept these excuses or not.”

Fortunately we have what is called the Visa Run. Personally I think the term sounds sketchy and criminal but is actually so common and accepted that they have what are called “Visa Flights”. You can also choose to do your Visa Run by boat or simply drive to Oman. Barry and I drove to Oman to go through the process, which included:

- Buying car insurance (dhs 100 – its good for 10 days)
- Drive to border post 1 - Exit stamp from Dubai
- Drive to border post 2 - Customs clearance out of Dubai
- Drive to border post 3 - Entry stamp to Oman
- Drive to border post 4 - Entry into Oman
- And then all of these in reverse.

We ran into only slight problems:
1. Not printing out instructions (which I obtained from another expat); and
2. Not purchasing car insurance (Barry was advised his insurance plan included Oman but alas it did not).

I am now good to stay for another 60 days! If I have to do this again, I think I’ll go by boat next time.

MOTOSLVR Woman

Have you seen the ad for the new MOTOSLVR?

Smile For The Camera!

He's smiling - not growling. Today Barry and I took a mini tour around Dubai and in Dubai Marina we happened upon a great beach and some camels. Yay, I didn't get spit on! What do you mean? It is much more romantic to ride camels on the beach than horses!

Day Trip To Fujairah

Fujairah ~ Above is an aerial view of the Fujairah area and a collage of pictures from our most recent day trip. Barry and I packed up the car once again and this time headed to the only Eastern Coast Emirate of Fujairah where we found the Hajar Mountains (popular sport – 4x4ing/wadi bashing). The drive took about 1.5 hours and along the way we passed many trucks and the Friday market, which although is dubbed the “Friday Market” it happens everyday. From the main town of Fujairah we visited Khor Fakkan (which is spelt differently everywhere – even within the town). Khor Fakkan is well known for its diving and snorkeling – this is where we toured the local hotels.
Le Meridian Al Aqah Beach Resort: Day pass dhs120 ($36.70 CAD)
Friday day pass 150 (includes lunch) ($45.88 CAD) and the spa is AMAZING.
The Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort: Day pass dhs40 ($12.24 CAD)
The bonus to this hotel is that Snoopy Island is located just of its shore.
Oceanic Hotel: Day pass dhs45 ($13.77 CAD) Not recommended
Conclusion: The Meridian is amazing and is WELL worth a visit but for the budget traveler Sandy Beach Hotel is a deal and Snoopy Island has great snorkeling. At the end of the trip and you've run out of money? We recommend the beach beside Sandy Beach. From there, given you have your own gear, you can swim to Snoopy Island BUT you would have to pack some fresh water to wash the salt off you for the ride home and be flexible and agile enough to change into and out of your suit in the car conspicuously enough as not to get caught with your pants down.
Other highlights:
- Managed to get a picture of a camel on the side of the road;
- They serve up some good chicken in the town of Khor Fakkan;
- The Arabian Sea was warm;
- Loved the palm umbrellas on the beach
- Being on the coast we enjoyed the breezes and the temp was quite comfortable;
- I was surprisingly allowed into the Al Bidyah mosque (apx 1400 years old). Though I was helped into an abaya before entering;
- Stopped at the market on the way home and bought some popcorn at the market; and
- We didn’t get to see it all and we will definitely make another day trip to Fujairah.

Our First UAE Road Trip

Our First UAE Road Trip ~ Barry and I took our Volvo for its first day trip and travelled to Abu Dhabi this weekend (home of the worlds largest flagpole). Abu Dhabi is the largest state within the United Arab Emirates, and the richest, with a population close to 800,000. After taking in the sights and smells of the fish market we were off to sweat at one of the many parks - this is where we decided not to walk the corniche but drive instead. I stepped out of our enclosed air-conditioned haven to take a picture of the corniche and as you can tell, it was very secluded. We had dessert at Emirates Palace and when we went to the mall we realized that's where everyone was. It was around 42 degrees Celsius.