Neil and Caz in Abu Dhabi

I kissed a girl (or two) and I liked it...

2012-01-30T21:38:00.003+04:00

... until I got arrested and sent to a detention centre!

So a young guy who is cheekily dating two sisters, with their knowledge apparently, sneaked into their house and has a snog with them. That's it. No more fumbling, no suggestion of any other fornication - but for this, he is now banged up.

If we had the same laws in the UK I reckon there would be very few boys still with their freedom!

Full story here....

Boy, 15, who kissed girlfriends detained for up to three years - The National

Great weekend of sport in Abu Dhabi

2012-01-28T21:16:00.000+04:00

This weekend Abu Dhabi hosted two major International sporting events; the second cricket test between England and Pakistan and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship (with Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy etc etc). The two venues are literally only 10 minutes part by car and both of them were free to enter, so this afternoon went to both of them! I started at the cricket and saw England bowl out the last three Pakistani batsmen, then I went over to the golf. I stayed a couple of hours, following Tiger and Rory round a few holes and then watching more from the Village while getting some lunch. Then I decided I would go back to the cricket to hopefully see England bat through to 145 and win the test. Alas, what I actually saw was a totally dismal effort, totally outclassed by Pakistan's spin bowlers. All out for 72! Seventy Bloody Two ! Still, it provided a good spectacle, and made a large number of Abu Dhabi's Pakistani residents very happy!

Dinner at Quest, Jumeirah Etihad Towers

2012-01-28T20:05:00.001+04:00

We had dinner with some friends on Thursday night at Quest. Quest is on the 63rd floor of Jumeirah Etihad Towers, which would have had some fantastic views if the windows were cleaner! As there was 9 of us, they provided a private dining room which was lovely. The food was a kind of Asian fusion. The dishes were "ok", but not fantastic - certainly overpriced, offering more of a reflection of the hotel brand rather than culinary excellence. Over all we did have a nice evening, but we would probably not go back in a hurry.

One cool thing they had though, was the wine list provided on an iPad. Now, I'm not a wine buff, but if I was, I would have found it really interesting to scroll through and find out the finer details of the vineyards and their ownership in the information provided. For me, I just looked for the cheapest red and chose that! I'm sure I am not alone in that strategy!

What do you reckon?

2012-01-22T21:08:00.001+04:00

Welcome to our newsiest addition!

2012-01-22T19:55:00.001+04:00

Well, Caroline decided that as I wouldn't agree to having another dog - she would just get one! Bloody women!

So here is our, as yet unnamed, new member of the family!

Yes, he has huge ears!

Lost in translation

2012-01-20T10:18:00.001+04:00

I went to a security exhibition in Dubai this week. One stand caught my eye. I'm not sure they would go down well in the UK....

Close shave!

2012-01-16T22:47:00.000+04:00

Today I was driving to Dubai from Abu Dhabi when the cars started slowing rapidly with hazard warning lights flashing. I thought "uh oh, here we go for an hour sitting in a jam", but it seemed that I was on the scene not too long after the accident had occurred. Judging by the fact that there was only about, maybe 10 cars in front of me when we had slowed down and the way that debris was strewn everywhere, I'd say this could only have been minutes before I got there. The only thing suggesting otherwise was that there was already an ambulance at the scene, but I am ring to assume that that was just a lucky coincidence for those involved! There was no sign of anyone still in the car, so hopefully, they were ok and not killed, as could easily have been the case judging by the state of the car.

Here a quick clip of the scene....

Discount to death

2012-01-13T19:51:00.000+04:00

This is a headline on the front page of The National today:-

"Road deaths linked to traffic fines discount"

This follows a previous post of mine below...

http://neilandcaz.blogspot.com/2010/06/speeding-fines-cut-in-half-national.html

They had another "sale" on fines in September, giving 30% discount, which then increased to 40% in December. Low and behold, the violations increased, as did the number of fatalities - all very predictable.

“When we reduced traffic fines, many people saw it as an opportunity to commit more traffic offences, and they came to think that we did not care,” Maj Gen Mohammed Saif Al Zafein said.

You don't say!

It seems a common occurrence here that rules or laws are changed at whim without really thinking through the consequences, only for them to be revoked soon after. I can only assume that some big guy decides he wants to do something and no one else dares challenge him. Surely if there was some level of consultation, some of these changes wouldn't happen?

I love the way they then try to blame the pedestrians for the high fatality levels. Yes, this is a problem, but I don't think that in the main it is their fault. It is either high speed driving at fault, or urban planning that doesn't provide any way for people to get from one side of a highway to another without a ten mile hike.

“Highways are not there to be crossed, and they should also not have any underpasses or overpasses,” he said.

I really don't understand why they should not have underpasses or overpasses? You are just giving no option to many people who have to get from A to B without a car.

Anyway ... here's the full story ....

DUBAI // Deaths on the roads rose by 28 per cent during a four-month discount period for traffic fines.

Pawan Singh / The NationalMaj Gen Al Zafein said anyone crossing a road that has a speed limit of more than 80kph should be fined.

The deaths are too high a price to pay and the discount experiment will not be repeated, Dubai’s traffic police chief said yesterday.

“When we reduced traffic fines, many people saw it as an opportunity to commit more traffic offences, and they came to think that we did not care,” Maj Gen Mohammed Saif Al Zafein said.

Officials introduced a 30 per cent discount on traffic fines in September last year. In December the discount was increased to 40 per cent and the period extended to January 10. The scheme was aimed at encouraging offenders to pay accumulated fines, and nearly 800,000 fines worth Dh344.7 million were paid compared with just under 700,000 worth Dh335.5m in the same period a year ago.

In the last four months of the year, however, 46 people were killed on Dubai’s roads, compared with 36 a year ago. “We observed a clear connection between the discount and road fatalities.

“Deaths on roads continued to increase during the discount period, and for us that is a clear sign of a direct link between the two,” Maj Gen Al Zafein said.

“Our main priority is reducing road fatalities and saving lives, not collecting fines. And if collecting fines would mean that more people are killed we will be held accountable.”

He dismissed any suggestion that police might extend or reintroduce the discount scheme.

Maj Gen Al Zaffein said one of his department’s main goals for 2012 would be reducing the number of accidents in which pedestrians are run over, which comprised about 30 per cent of the total number of road fatalities in 2011.

“Reducing the number of people killed while crossing the roads is our main challenge this year,” he said.

Last year 41 people were killed in such accidents, compared to 43 in 2010.

Maj Gen Al Zaffin blamed lack of awareness and negligence by pedestrians for most of the deaths.

Anyone crossing a road that has a speed limit of more than 80kph is committing a traffic offence and should be fined, he said.

“Highways are not there to be crossed, and they should also not have any underpasses or overpasses,” he said.

However, he did call for more pedestrian crossings on roads with lower speed limits.

“There are not many pedestrian crossings on inner roads, such as those in Al Wasl and Jumeirah, and therefore people will cross those roads from anywhere,” he said.

Volvo Ocean Race Gig

2012-01-07T22:41:00.003+04:00

A few pictures taken from the gig this evening and a video of Kamal Mussalum, on the Oud, with ADBB.....

ADBB @ Volvo Race event - TIMING CHANGE

2012-01-06T18:45:00.002+04:00

STOP PRESS - TIMING UPDATE

They have changed the timings... we will now be playing from 6pm-7pm and 7.30pm-8.30pm

Hope you can still come!

I want one!

2012-01-05T21:21:00.001+04:00

I want one of these in yellow, black and red! A trip to the tailors required I think!

Abu Dhabi Big Band @ Volvo Ocean Race event

2012-01-04T18:14:00.000+04:00

The Abu Dhabi Big Band will be playing on Saturday Jan 7th for this event at the Race Village on the Breakwater, Nr. Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi. We will be playing two sets at c.4pm and 6pm.

Best news... it's free, so come along!

Photo: Tiffany Schultz

A few more photos from Qasr Al Sarab

2012-01-04T00:02:00.003+04:00

Sunset at Qasr Al Sarab

2012-01-03T21:54:00.000+04:00

I made the trek to the top of the large dune next to the resort (c.200ft tall) to watch the sun go down. It is pretty spectacular up there, with nothing but sand dunes to be seen for as far as the eye can see.

...with apologies to Lawrence...

New Years Eve @ Qasr Al Sarab

2012-01-02T21:29:00.001+04:00

I will do two or three entries from our stay at Qasr Al Sarab over new year. They laid on a Gala Dinner on NYE, which was a really good buffet spread followed by shisha, Champagne, fire dancing, fireworks and dancing in the central courtyard.

The fireworks were really good and we had a great time on the dance floor! We made some Arab friends (one of which took a liking to my cummerbund) , some gay Arab friends (!), and we were the last ones to leave the dance floor at 3am! Here's the proof...

England Class

2012-01-02T21:00:00.002+04:00

I am going to be catching up on a few blog entries having been a bit neglectful lately. I am, however, Tweeting regularly which you can follow on the right hand side of the page, so that will provide more regular comments.

It seems now, the more we go back to the UK, the less bothered we are about coming back here. I know the weather is grim, but everyone looks so bloody miserable and, in the high streets in particular, basically, scruffy. I think the permanent sunshine really does make difference here in making people look brighter and less dowdy.

Here's a couple of pictures showing the classy side of England....

Dartford Shopping Centre

Swanley Cafe

Coventry eatery

"Man Queue" outside Primark, Coventry

Home for Christmas, NYE at Qasr al Sarab

2011-12-21T20:07:00.001+04:00

We are leaving tonight to go home for Christmas. We booked our flights ages ago and decided to go with Qatar Airways to save money, but now I am regretting it. Its going to add a few hours to the overall journey, but hey ho (or should I say, hey ho ho ho), think of the money.

It's cold at home, but nowhere near as bad as last year when the snow came. So hopefully our traveling around will be ok. Home in Kent for Christmas, Boxing Day in Hemel with my family and then up to Coventry to stay at my daughters house overnight. Then to Irthlingborough to drop daughter number two off, then back to Kent. Also going to fit in dinner with one of my brothers and his wife who won't be around Christmas Day. So all in all, quite a bit of traveling to do.

The when we get back we will be spending NYE at Qasr al Sarab, an awesome desert resort, right in the Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, near to the Saudi border. We have two nights there, including a Gala Dinner on NYE. Can't wait. Here's a few pictures of the resort...

... and here is where it is located (red place-marker) ...! Best make sure my camel is fit and watered !

Christmas in UAE

2011-12-20T11:08:00.001+04:00

An interesting overview of Christmas in the UAE....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16224148

Car Impounded (not)

2011-12-16T19:19:00.001+04:00

I got a really strange call from my car lease company yesterday.

"Sir, do you have your car with you"

"err... yes"

"It's just the police have contacted us to say your car is impounded"

"Well, I can tell you I am looking at it right now and it is definitely not impounded"

"They say it was involved in a very high speed incident and then impounded. The impound period is now over and the vehicle must be collected. They have suspended our company trade license until it is collected"

"I think there is some mistake here."

"Sir, we will speak to them and get back to you"

A couple of hours later....

"Sir, we need to collect your car and take it to the police"

"umm... ok"

"They want to inspect the car"

"Would they not be better inspecting the car the have?"

"We have to take it sir."

So they duly took my car, gave me a replacement and since I have heard nothing.

Intriguing.. can't wait to hear the outcome!

Update: 18/12

Well they have now accepted that the car they have in their pound is not mine (good work Sherlock!) and have released the lease company's trade licence. What a complete waste of everyone's time!

Shooting at Al Forsan

2011-12-10T18:01:00.001+04:00

We went with a couple of friends to the Al Forsan International Sports Resort. The resort is awesome. It has shooting, wake boarding, karting, paint balling, equestrian sports, off roading, plus a pool and leisure club.

We were invited to go shooting, something we had done before at The Caracal Shooting Club and enjoyed it, so we thought we would go -and I was interested to see how Al Forsan had developed since I visited it while under construction.

There were more lanes at the club than Caracal, but I don't think the quality of the instruction was as good.

There is a better choice of weapons here - I chose the .38 Smith & Wesson - for that authentic Cowboy and Indians feel!

Not a bad result I guess - especially pleased with the bullseye!

Next time though I think I am having one of these! Telescopic, laser sight - yes! Always wanted to strike that crawling Action Man pose!

This weekend there is a World Championship Wakeboarding event going on, which looked pretty cool.

The karting track looks like it needs a go too!

There was some camel racing going on, on the TV inside. It shows the camels with the robot riders. When we went they had real jockeys, this was fun to watch.

Abu Dhabi Big Band at The Westin

2011-12-08T22:59:00.001+04:00

Last night the ADBB played at the opening of The Westin Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The hotel is located at The Abu Dhabi Golf Club. They provided the band with a "Green Room" which happened to be The Presidential Suite. I took a few piccies on my phone which by no means does it justice, but it was quite stunning. I think I'll book it for a weekend break :-)

Hallway that seemed to go on forever

Bathroom (one of them)

Private cinema (sorry about the guy changing!)

One of the lounges (with golf course views)

Another lounge

Walk in wardrobe

Outdoor space (one of them)

Another outdoor space

Photos from Delhi

2011-12-07T00:16:00.001+04:00

Here's an album of my photos from Delhi. I'm afraid I haven't had time to label them yet...

Trip to Delhi

Sairee Beach

2011-12-07T00:08:00.001+04:00

I've just started to go through my pictures from our recent trip to Thailand. Here's a couple I took watching the sun go down on Sairee Beach, Koh Toa.

UAE National Day

2011-12-02T11:34:00.001+04:00

Today the UAE celebrates 40 years of the union of 7 emirates into The United Arab Emirates. It is a hugely significant day for the Nationals and long term residents of the UAE. The progress made in 40 years is astounding - funded by the discovery of oil in the late '60s/ early '70s.

Much has changed, but many things have been cautiously maintain - and rightly so. They are passionately proud of their heritage and history.

I hope they follow their plan and spend money wisely to support the population well for the days when oil is no more, which inevitably will come.

Here's to the next 40 years!

Mabrook UAE!

Watch where you point your camera

2011-11-29T22:48:00.001+04:00

Visitor 'took pictures of armed forces headquarters'

Haneen Dajani

Nov 29, 2011 ABU DHABI // A visitor who claimed he was only taking pictures of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque appeared at the State Security Court yesterday accused of illegally photographing a public building.
The man, who was not identified in court, denied taking photographs of the nearby Armed Forces General Headquarters, claiming: "I was taking photos of the mosque."
His lawyer asked to postpone the hearing to prepare his defence. The case was adjourned until Monday.
The man's case comes during a year when there has been three similar cases.
A Korean architect was recently charged with photographing the Iranian and Syrian embassies, which he said was done for architectural purposes, as his company was building the new Korean embassy in the capital.
In February, an Iranian tourist was charged with taking photographs of the Presidential Palace in Ras Al Akhdar, near the Corniche. The man told the court he took photos of the palace out of "admiration of the structure of the building" and that he did not have any "bad intentions".
A week later, two Bangladeshi men stood in the same court accused of taking photos of the Yas Marina Circuit.

Now, I'm not going to exactly identify where the GHQ Armed Forces HQ building is (for fear of getting in trouble myself!) - but all I will say is that it would be pretty easy to have it in the same photo as the Grand Mosque if taken from certain angles. I doubt a lot of people even know what the building is and give no second thought to it being in their picture. The building is even right next door to a new high class hotel being built, where I am sure from certain bedrooms you could pretty much look right into the building! I often wonder how they authorised the construction of a hotel so close to the GHQ building. Do they value tourists more than their national security? The area is much more of a "touristy" area now, so it would probably make sense to think about moving the GHQ to a quieter, more secure area. Having said that, I did some work with the UK Ministry of Defense in their Main Building in Whitehall, which is right on the embankment in London - however, you wouldn't get arrested for photographing it, well I didn't anyway!

Lady Gaga in Delhi

2011-11-29T22:01:00.001+04:00

There will still be more to come from my recent trip to Delhi for the F1, but here's just a few more.

We were out one evening and had gone to visit one of the local tourist markets (Dilli Haat). It was a nice market with a good atmosphere and not too crowded.

We bought some really nice things (leather goods, shirts, ornaments etc) and then went to get something to eat from one of the food stalls. Having looked at all the food outlets we selected the one we thought looked the cleanest!

I had a really lovely curry, roti and the trimmings!

After dinner we walked around a bit more. Then I saw a bit of a kerfuffle and a lot of very excited locals. I heard someone say "I think she is a film star or something", so getting me intrigued, I asked someone else who it was. They told me it was Lady Gaga! She was in Delhi to perform at a venue after the F1 and had decided to do a bit of shopping herself. I managed to get within about 6 feet of her I guess, without upsetting her 8 foot gorillas who were guarding her! So I took some snaps, but unfortunately (some may not think so) most of them are from behind. I was most impressed with her Louboutin heels - nice!

Superb video of the Emirates

2011-11-26T21:50:00.000+04:00

I would highly recommend a look at the video linked below. It has been beautifully crafted with some fantastic views of the country. The website has more behind the scenes pictures and info on the production.

Emirates Winter

Sign of the Thais

2011-11-25T00:17:00.001+04:00

I thought I would share some of the interesting signs from our recent trip to Thailand....

Home from home (UK)

Not a tasty prospect

'nuff said !

McThai

Obviously a serious problem in Thailand!

Looks safe to me!

Caroline's nurse in hospital (not from SuperPussy)

Ridiculous news story of the week - so far!

2011-11-23T22:18:00.001+04:00

http://www.7days.ae/article/news/national/censors-claws-out-film-31095

Censors' claws out for film

The animated film ‘Cat in Boots’ launching in cinemas has its title changed from ‘Puss in Boots’ by local regulators

The animated film ‘Cat in Boots’ launching in UAE cinemas tomorrow has had its title changed from the original ‘Puss in Boots’ by local regulators because of religious and cultural concerns, according to a movie industry insider.

The original title of the comic adventure film, a spin-off from the Shrek series, was taken from a popular children’s story.

However, residents who have watched trailers of the film and are familiar with the title ‘Puss in Boots’ were puzzled after seeing posters advertising the movie under the new title. “There were serious concerns about the title. They felt that it would not be in good taste to a section of the public who might find it offensive owing to their religious and cultural orientations,” an industry source told 7DAYS.

The word ‘puss’ can be used as western slang with sexual connotations. The film is being distributed in the UAE by Gulf Films, a leading film distribution company in the Middle East. An official at Gulf Films said the firm received instructions from the production company Dreamworks Animations, to change the title of the movie to conform to the religious and cultural sensitivities of the region, but none of its content has changed.

Hospital stay needed in Bangkok

2011-11-14T08:32:00.001+04:00

I will post info about the rest of our holiday in Thailand later, but for now I will start at the end. On our last day in Thailand yesterday we went shopping again at the MBK shopping centre to buy Christmas pressies for our kids. As the afternoon wore on Caz got increasingly worse pain in her abdomen. She thought it was just indigestion, but by the time we got back to our hotel (Ariyasomvilla Hotel) she was crippled over in pain.

The staff at the hotel were excellent and responded quickly. David, the Hotel MD took us in his car to the Bumrangrad Hospital which was just round the corner. The hospital is large, very modern and seems well run. Incidentally, Bumrangrad will be operating the new Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi when it is built.

They did tests and scans and concluded that Caz had multiple gall stones and an inflamed, blocked gall bladder. Within a couple of hours she was in surgery having her gall bladder removed. She will be in the hospital for a couple of days and then she will need a couple more days before we can fly home.

We had only been saying yesterday morning that we felt like we didn't want to go home yet and would like to stay longer, but this was not what we had in mind!

She must be feeling a bit better today as she is already telling the nurses what to do with her drip and insisting that she is going downstairs for a fag! That's the Caz I know :-)

Delhi Grand Prix Reality - A Fan's View

2011-11-01T23:21:00.000+04:00

Much has been written about the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in India that took place this weekend just gone. I attended the race on the Saturday and Sunday, but I am afraid I came away with a view which seems to differ strikingly from what I have been reading, which made me wonder if I did, in fact, attend the same GP!

I have read that the drivers thought the circuit, and track in particular, was great. This I can believe. The track had a good mix of fast corners and long straights which make for good driving. The only complaint was the amount of dust on the track, which made life difficult if they strayed off the racing line, but that in itself is not a major issue. Oh, and a few stay dogs on the track during practice made for some additional interest!

Below is one column from the Times of India which was typical of the local reporting.....

I saw lots of Twitter posts from Indian nationals who also seemed to think it was a fantastically well executed first GP. I wonder if it is because it is so far removed from the day to day life that Indians experience that this was indeed, for them, a brilliantly organized event - "flawlessly executed".

From my point of view, as a fan that has been to other GP venues, I found the event lacking in many ways.

Getting to the venue wasn't too bad, if you are ok with the general lawlessness of the Indian driving style which is anarchic to put it mildly. We took a car to the park and ride parking, which was about half an hour away from the circuit. We decided not to wait for the bus to fill, but instead took a tuc-tuc. Others took whatever travel mode they could!

Once inside the circuit the first thing that struck me was the lack of any architectural value in the main grandstand structures. They were basically huge concrete slabs and a curvy roof. But nothing inspiring or daring. The general workmanship of the construction was also not up to much. Frankly I thought the whole place looked like it was 10 years old already.

Apart from the main grandstand, all the other stands were just scaffolding structures that appeared like they were temporary. There was no paving around them, so with thousands of people walking about them over the weekend, you just got consumed by dust, that in addition to the smog that engulfed the place at all times in all parts of Delhi.

At other circuits I have been to you can walk to the central "village", but here you had to catch a bus that circled the place. The buses looked like they were 40 years old and the number of them was woefully inadequate. Consequently, they got overcrowded and made for a very unpleasant journey.

Leaving the place after the race was the worst experience of the whole weekend. Firstly, we had to board one of the "circular" buses to get the the place where the buses for the park and ride were leaving. There were scenes of utter chaos as people clamoured to get into the inadequate number of buses. Then once in a park and ride bus we sat in a queue of buses and waited. And waited. And waited!

It took us 2 hours to eventually exit the circuit. Another hour to get to the park and ride. And about another hour and a half to get back to our hotel. By then we had just about had enough!

For Indians, it was a very proud moment. To be seen to be "up there" on the International stage hosting a global sporting event. However, if they want to be on the International stage, they have to provide an experience that rivals their International peers. For me, as a spectator, they failed to achieve this. It left me never wanting to return. Which is a shame, it could have been so different. I have heard it said "it was only the first time - it will improve" and "for their first time, they did a great job". No. Abu Dhabi did a great job first time - and I did go back the next year - and would have gone back this year if I hadn't doubled booked our holiday to Thailand! Others said "yes, but Abu Dhabi have loads of money". Well, there is no shortage of money slushing around India these days, so I don't think that is any excuse.

"India has ways of doing things right" ?? Vettel, are you sure?

For their sake, I hope it does improve and become an event that stands up against any GP in the world. But I am afraid I won't be there to see it. I have definitely "been there, done that".

I will do another post on other aspects of the trip to Delhi. But for now - one highlight. I did get to see Lady Gaga at one of the Delhi markets! Gotta love those shoes.....!

Easiest Job in the World

2011-10-26T21:57:00.000+04:00

I saw this today on my travels....

I think working for the Abu Dhabi Forestry Department must be the easiest job in the world.

Film and food

2011-10-21T17:35:00.000+04:00

Before we went to see Contagion at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival , airing at the Abu Dhabi Theatre (which I really enjoyed by the way) we had dinner at the Havana Cafe at the marina. There is a nice view across the marina from the cafe.

The menu, once again proved interesting. I went for the Grilled Seafood, which was nice but had a kind of strange description......

...and to be honest, there were much better things on offer! .......

Crap cinema, crap film

2011-10-15T22:21:00.001+04:00

Oh dear , oh dear, oh dear - what a waste of time and money. We fancied going out to see a film (movie for anyone Americanised (Americanized, sorry) ). We normally go to the VOX Cinema at Marina Mall, in the "Gold Class". This is not because we are snobs or something, but because in Gold Class you don't normally get people constantly texting, BBM'ing, making and receiving calls and generally talking loudly, thus spoiling the whole experience. I checked out the listing for Gold Class and there was some kids film in 3D and something else that didn't sound too great, so I thought I would check elsewhere. There is a new cinema in the new Dalma Mall in Mussafah. This is called the "Royal Cinema" and had "Platinum" showings. They had a film called (and take note of this, you will thank me) "Killer Elite" staring none other than Mr Robert De Niro and British gangster actor, Jason Statham (Lock Stock.... / Snatch etc). So I figured it had a good cast and it sounded like the sort of action film I would like. So off we set for the half hour drive to the mall (we British would say, shopping centre, with an re by the way, not an er).

As the mall is still quite new, the place was pretty deserted and apart from two seats we had the pick of the place. When we first entered the first thing we noticed was that the seats are much closer together than the ones at Vox, but they were leather (possibly faux) and looked nice. The seats had a forward and back button that put the seat into a recline, but without the leg support of Vox. Caroline's seat buttons were not working, so I tried the one next to me. That didn't work either. I then tried various seats in the cinema and about half of them were not working, although some were working but had the wiring crossed so the buttons were reversed! Having found two seats at the back that worked we made ourselves comfortable.

The trailers began. I noticed that the film did not appear to be in focus. Titles and subtitles were blurry and even some of the on screen action just didn't look clear. The whole picture also appeared to be bobbing up and down, like the projector was bouncing. I thought maybe it was just for the previews, but when the main film started and it was the same, I thought I am going to have to say something. I was beaten to it by another British guy who walked out to go and complain. I went and chatted to him when he returned, just in case he had actually been to the toilet and I still needed to complain! But, yes, he had spoken to somebody about it. The next thing we hear, being on the back row, was the full sound of the projector room when the projectioner opened his window to view the film. Now we had an annoying sound disturbing the poor picture! I spoke to him and I guess he was trying to get a better view of the screen to focus it properly. I gave him a thumbs up when it was better and asked him to close the window.

Now to the film itself. What a load of drivel. The storyline (thin as it was) was implausible, the script terrible (it could have been written by a 12 year old) and the acting was pretty awful too. We managed half an hour, gave up and left.

So, it looks like we will be back to the Vox Gold Class next time, even if it is to watch Lion King 3D !

CrashBerry

2011-10-15T16:04:00.002+04:00

It is reported today that during the 2 day BB blackout, road accidents were reduced by 20% in Dubai and 40% in Abu Dhabi! You can read the article here.

"On average there is a traffic accident every three minutes in Dubai, while in Abu Dhabi there is a fatal accident every two days." the report states.

Brig Gen Al Harethi (Abu Dhabi Traffic Police Chief) said: "Accidents were reduced by 40 per cent and the fact that BlackBerry services were down definitely contributed to that."

"Absolutely nothing has happened in the past week in terms of killings on the road and we're really glad about that," Brig Gen Al Harethi said. "People are slowly starting to realise the dangers of using their phone while driving. The roads became much safer when BlackBerry stopped working."

It seems amazing that the BB effect could make such a huge difference, but honestly, I'm not surprised. I see tons of people on their phones while driving every day here in the UAE. I admit that I too have been known to send the odd BBM or email while driving, so I suppose I am part of the problem - although I do have 27 years of driving experience and judgement behind me to draw on, rather more than most of those typically involved in accidents here. It's over 10 years since I was involved in an accident of any kind, including zero here in the UAE - not a bad record I reckon!

One thing I do usually avoid is holding my phone while having a phone conversation. I have a Bluetooth kit in my car so I can talk handsfree. This is what really gets me - most of the people I see on the phone are in expensive, luxury cars that no doubt have built in Bluetooth controlled from the car's on-board computer system. So why the hell don't they use them!

Well BB is working again now, so I guess the stats are back up to normal now!

Janet Jackson played Abu Dhabi tonight

2011-10-14T00:14:00.003+04:00

.... I didn't go, but here's a video of some behind the scenes footage.

Al Reef Swimming Pool

2011-10-13T23:06:00.001+04:00

There was an article in The National yesterday highlighting the problem of community pools not being taken care of properly, leading to skin irritation and illness. One of the pools they discussed was our community pool at Al Reef Villas (see picture). You can read the article here. (picture by RAVINDRANATH K / THE NATIONAL )

Now, we are very fortunate to have our own, albeit small, private pool, so we have not been affected by the closure of the community pool. And despite what the management say, there were already lots of complaints from people in the community about illness etc. before the Municipality got involved, so there is no way that the pool was closed for "maintenance". If the Municipality say that they asked to close it, I see no reason to disbelieve them, although for various reasons, I may well disbelieve the management.

They do have a habit of making things up - like when they said that the pit which holds our water pumps outside our house was filling up with water because we were washing the drive down with water, causing the pumps to fail. Er, no - it's because of the crap design where the main contractor has placed the pumps at the bottom of the pit below the ground water level!

We too have had issues with our own pool. Firstly, the heater/chiller unit kept failing - we are now on our 4th unit, which seems to be holding up (he says looking for the nearest piece of wood to touch) . We have a pool maintenance contract, but we are constantly chasing them because the pool cleaning has not been done, or has been done badly. This week our pool turned into something that resembled pea soup. They have thrown so much chlorine at the problem that the levels are now off the scale (I have taken to doing my own water tests now), so on our day off tomorrow, we will probably not be able to go in our own pool.

In the scheme of things though, these are minor irritations and we do like living in Al Reef. So, anyone thinking of moving here should not be overly alarmed I would say. The general feel of the place is good and does have a nice community atmosphere. The maintenance teams are friendly and helpful, but unfortunately are not usually given the right tools for the job, but this is not the workers' fault. We had a plumbing issue and the guy came promptly enough, but only armed with a screwdriver!

Oh well - all part and parcel of the colourful life living in the Middle East....

New Blog Layout

2011-10-12T17:50:00.002+04:00

What do you think? I thought I would try a new layout and freshen things up.

Brilliant - if only you could get away with it!

2011-10-05T19:39:00.001+04:00

From The National today...

Fire at Mina Port today

2011-10-03T21:00:00.001+04:00

No-one seemed to be too bothered that the flames were licking the cars on the road next to it.

An Abu Dhabi driving classic

2011-10-03T20:58:00.000+04:00

Maid woes....

2011-10-03T18:36:00.001+04:00

Another one bites the dust!

Oh dear... This one has got gobby and says she wants to work somewhere else next year. Sorry love, if that's how you feel you can go now!

She has the easiest life ever for a maid but apparently it's not enough!

Read my lips....

NO MORE MAIDS!

Outrage in Bahrain

2011-09-30T22:55:00.000+04:00

I agree fully with the leader in The Times today:

September 30 2011 12:01AM

Dr Ali al-Ekri, an eminent surgeon, was educated at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. Returning to his native Bahrain, he became caught up in the anti-government protests in February and March this year. Dr al-Ekri was not one of the young men demonstrating at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama. Rather, he became their doctor.

Working at the nearby Salmaniya Medical Complex, Dr al-Ekri and his colleagues fought to save the lives and ease the suffering of those hurt in the clashes between the protesters and the security forces. These medics, in other words, did their job under enormously difficult circumstances. Several were interviewed at the time by international news organisations, including journalists working for this newspaper. For doing that job, and, one suspects, for doing those interviews, these courageous men and women have received lengthy jail terms of up to 15 years.

The sentences handed down to the 20 medics by a military court in Manama yesterday are an affront to the most basic values of a civilised country. The trial itself made a mockery of justice. Civilians should not be prosecuted in a military court. The charges, all of which were denied by all the defendants, were the sort of catch-all accusations favoured by the most paranoid totalitarian regimes. The court session lasted seven minutes. The defendants were not present. No evidence was produced. Defence lawyers were not allowed to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. Most damningly, according to many credible accounts, confessions to the crimes signed by the accused were extracted under torture.

However, even had the trials been conducted in conditions of the most rigorous fairness, the charges, verdicts and sentences would remain a disgrace. Plainly, as extensive television footage showed at the time, the accused were trying to alleviate suffering. They were not trying to overthrow the Government, destroy public property, incite hatred, co-ordinate opposition or anything remotely akin to such an action. Such allegations insult the intelligence of the international community. Even regimes in other respects more brutal than that run by the Al-Khalifa dynasty have in recent months shown a greater regard for the neutrality of civilian medical professionals.

The Bahraini Government’s already tattered reputation as a benign regime (by the standards of the region) now lies in shreds. The kingdom’s more thoughtful citizens — its businessmen, diplomats, the more progressive members of its ruling clan — should be embarrassed by yesterday’s events. Those Bahrainis anxious to heal the sectarian scar exposed in March should do all in their power to ensure that, when the appeals are heard this weekend, these verdicts are overturned.

The Sunni minority that controls Bahrain has long been afraid of an uprising of the Shias, who form 70 per cent of the population. Such is the fear of the “Iranisation” of this tiny archipelago that the Government did not hesitate to call in foreign troops, from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to suppress the protests. And such is the Western allies’ fear of the loss of Bahrain as a military base, both to resupply troops in Afghanistan and to guarantee oil supplies through the Gulf, that the diplomatic pressure applied to the Al-Khalifas after their crackdown in March has been light.

That pressure must now be increased. The Pentagon should hasten its reported search for an alternative base for its Fifth Fleet. British businesses trading with Bahrain should examine these sentences and their own corporate consciences. Most immediately, the organisers of Formula One, urged on by their sponsors, should reconsider the decision to stage the rescheduled Bahraini Grand Prix next April, stating instead that pending a reversal of these verdicts the country is not a suitable host for such a hitherto prestigious event.

Exhibition in Oman

2011-09-29T18:34:00.000+04:00

I was in Oman all last week to work on our exhibition stand at the Muscat International Exhibition Centre.

As they couldn't find anyone more senior (!), I was left to do the hob-knobbing with the dignitaries that came through on the VIP sessions.

Below is me greeting His Excellency somebody who's name I didn't get (with his security entourage - check out the daggers!)

Lurking in the background is Jamie Bowden, British Ambassador to Oman and Graham Inett, Head of UK Trade and Investment in Oman, who both came up for a chat.

The next day I met His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport & Communications.

Right, well that's enough name-dropping for one blog......

Interesting pizza topping

2011-09-24T23:17:00.001+04:00

Not a very appetising offer for lunch today ....

Slavery alive and well in UAE

2011-09-15T19:21:00.001+04:00

Agents advise paying maids less than minimum wage - The National

I think what these agents are advising, and definitely their advise is heeded, amounts to slavery. It doesn't have to be this way. We pay our maid more than double the minimum suggested. She gets a day off. When she has finished her work, she can go out and meet her friends. This is just normal and humane. I heard someone say the other day that maids don't "run away" , we are not talking about children here - they may "choose to leave" because the conditions they are in, or their treatment, is unacceptable.

There are those here (it's fair to say, generally, Arab) that consider our approach as being bad for "the market" in maids - pushing up the salaries and making maids "run away" when they realise they can earn more elsewhere. It can be argued that even the minimum salaries offered are significantly more than they could earn in their own countries, but for me their treatment is more important than the salary itself. Personally I would feel guilty at paying only the minimum, but that is from my western expat cultural perspective. For most western expats here, we have maids not because we can't possibly do without one (we managed perfectly well at home without!), but simply because it is an affordable convenience.

So - if you have a maid, do the right thing!

Sand in Dubai...you don't say!

2011-09-15T19:03:00.000+04:00

I have read some pretty idiotic letters to the paper over here, but I have to say that, so far, this one takes the biscuit! I couldn't possibly speculate on the colour of her hair, but she may well be from [a county just to the North East of London] (for my international readers, please insert appropriate location populated by really really thick blondes!).

btw.... love the two comments :-)

A secret habit with a get-out clause

2011-09-13T20:10:00.000+04:00

Boys sentenced to jail over ‘secret habit’
Haneen Dajani hdajani@thenational.ae
The National - News
13 Sep 2011
ABU DHABI // Two teenage boys who committed indecent acts on themselves were sentenced to two months in a youth correctional centre after being cleared of rape and kidnapping. S M, an Egyptian, and R M, who is Jordanian, had been accused with two...read more...

So what I have learnt from this article....

Having a "secret habit" is against Islam
...but Sharia law has no penalty for it
It's ok to do it in your bathroom
...but not together with your mate, sat on some other dude
If doing it stops you from having sex out of wedlock, then go for it
...a Fatwa says it's ok

I wonder though....is it ok to do it in the bedroom, kitchen, living room etc?

Anyway.. I think it's an activity best performed alone - leave your mates out of it frankly.

Yas Island traffic police

2011-09-13T18:36:00.000+04:00

Well Abu Dhabi Police seem to be having a purge on drivers gunning it down the Yas/Saadiyat Island highway. There is only one camera, so once you are past that you can pretty much put your foot down until you reach the port area. Not any more.

For the last week or so there have been about 4-6 patrol cars parked at various stages down the highway waiting for offenders. Now, today, I know for sure that there are also unmarked police cars patrolling. How? Well, Caz got stopped by one today! However, it turns out the cop who stopped her, was the same cop that attended our house over the maid incident. Basically, he tried chatting her up then while my back was turned - and he went about the same routine today! This time offering Caz a dinner trip on his boat. How nice of him. Caz said her husband loved boats and we would both be delighted to come, at which is seemed to back off not surprisingly.

Anyway, a little feminine charm later and she was let off with a warning.

Caz: well played
Cop: you weasel

9/11 lessons for Saudi

2011-09-09T11:49:00.000+04:00

So I reckon it is a pretty obvious little equation that follows from the above survey

17% !!!???

John al Bobbitt

2011-09-08T18:33:00.005+04:00

Maid severed sponsor's penis after rape, court told - The National

Now, knowing the punishments that are given out here, I am pretty sure that a maid isn't going to do this unless she is severely provoked. But, if he was doing what he is alleged to have done - I guess it's pretty unlikely he will be doing it again!

Is justice possible?

2011-09-05T22:49:00.000+04:00

From today's The National...

Surgeon in obscene gesture case not returning for trial, lawyer says - The National

I reckon this guy is on a hiding to nothing and is doing exactly the right thing. It does seem here that you are pretty much guilty unless you can prove your innocence. There is very little evidence here except the say-so of those involved - and one of those has way more on his side, if you know what I mean!

It's a shame, because now the UAE will have one less well trained surgeon (he was considering a post here).

Changing Abu Dhabi video

2011-09-02T16:25:00.002+04:00

Another video from CNN ... with the muppet that is Richard Quest

Salam Street "ready by early 2012"

2011-08-30T21:52:00.005+04:00

I love this sentence...

“What is perceived as delay in the project is in fact sequencing the delivery of the project phases to best fit the operational needs of the downtown infrastructure."

So, not a delay then? .... some doublespeak here I feel !

There is an error in the report though, saying that the work started in October 2007. It was definitely October 2008, because everything was untouched when we arrived.

Still - it is quite an engineering feat, and it will be great once it is open.

From today's The National.....

Utilities networks underground hold up Dh5 billion project

ABU DHABI // The Dh5 billion Salam Street reconstruction project will be completed early next year, according to the latest update by municipality officials.

The work, which includes a 3.1 kilometre tunnel between Mina Road and Al Falah Street, has been hampered by “dense underground utilities networks, as well as a large volume of vehicular traffic on a daily basis”.

The project to expand the road to more than double its original capacity began in October 2007 and was expected to take three years. Officials said in March it would be finished last month. The expected completion date is now the first quarter of 2012, the municipality says.

“What is perceived as delay in the project is in fact sequencing the delivery of the project phases to best fit the operational needs of the downtown infrastructure.

“Further, there have been various upgrades to the project’s scope of works to deliver a vehicular tunnel with advanced operating systems.” When the road is completed there will be no traffic signals between Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Mina Zayed.

Part of the new road has been in use for some time, although two lanes near the junction with 31st Street were temporarily closed to traffic in June.

Motorists said they had seen little progress on that stretch since then. “ There has been no improvement,” said Khalifa Al Hassani, who travels on Salam Street every day.

Inbound traffic is about 7,000 vehicles during morning hours and outbound traffic is about 5,600 vehicles, more than double the usage before construction began. The municipality estimates about 126,000 vehicles will eventually use the road each weekday.

Salam Street, continued on 2 “ The corridor provides four lanes in each direction with an additional capacity of about 8,000 vehicles per hour, per direction,” the official said.

“ This encourages drivers to use the corridor and shifts the traffic away from Muroor Road and Airport Road, which improves traffic operation and reduces congestion.” The final phase, which has most affected residents and local businesses, is from Hazza bin Zayed Street (11th Street, or Defence Road) to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank on Mina Road.

Despite delays, officials say the project has not run over budget.

The completed urban expressway will have five tunnels and pedestrian walkways over the road.

The municipality said other traffic calming measures would be undertaken as part of infrastructure improvements across the city.

Plans include adding traffic lanes and optimising signal timings.

Additionally, the municipality plans to introduce 12 new junctions with signals “ to improve accessibility, connectivity and traffic circulation”.

Blogging neglect

2011-08-29T23:23:00.002+04:00

Oh dear..August will be my lowest number of entries ever! Sorry - I will try to pick up the pace again!

UAE and bio-fuel

2011-08-26T21:17:00.003+04:00

On the BBC website.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14619678

Visit home and to Berlin

2011-08-24T22:13:00.001+04:00

Back from a trip home and a wedding in Germany. The weather was great (dull and bit chilly in the UK, don't mind that - and c.26C and sunny in Berlin, perfect for a wedding). The time in the UK was the usual mix of catching up with friends and family, which was nice. We had a picnic with my family at Dunstable Downs, which was the first time for ages that the whole family was together. My two girls came with their respective boyfriends, so gave me the chance to "assess" them - they passed :-)

I thought Berlin was a lovely city. Very interesting with a nice mix of old and new. I was surprised by the lack of a queuing system for the taxis at Tegel airport, pretty much a free-for-all - not very "German" at all. The taxi driver we had was obviously very old school "Western". He was pretty p'd off that the West was paying for the development of the East, clearly iterated in his statement of "Fuck the East". Hmmmm....

Beautiful venue for the wedding reception - Tierpark, Berlin

Even the Pelicans enjoyed it...

Everyone, it seemed, at all times of the day and night had a beer in their hand in Berlin. Very "un-Abu Dhabi"! We had our dinner one night on the outside pavement of a small restaurant and drank wine in full view of the passing public (how shocking) - while in the next doorway stood a hooker touting for business! This was not some seedy backwater, but just in a regular touristy part of town. It was great just for a few days to be free from the shackles of an Islamic society and just enjoy a bit of western normality.

Here's a couple of photo albums...

Dunstable Downs

Trip to Berlin

High Rise Ramadan !

2011-08-08T18:34:00.001+04:00

BBC website today

7 August 2011 Last updated at 15:53 GMT

Dubai Burj Khalifa: Ramadan fast 'lasts longer high up'

A drawback of the high-life?

Muslims living in the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, should fast longer during the Ramadan holy month, Dubai's leading clerics have said.

During Ramadan, Muslims are supposed to not eat or drink between dawn and dusk.

"Burj Khalifa is almost one km (0.6 miles) high, which means people in higher floors can still see the sun after it has set on the ground," Ahmed Abdul Aziz al-Haddad told Reuters.

He said they should break their fast two minutes after those on the ground.

Another Dubai cleric, Mohammed al-Qubaisi, has been quoted as saying that people living above the 80th floor should fast for an extra two minutes, while those on the 150th floor and higher should wait for three more minutes before eating or drinking.

The 828m- (2,716ft-) high Burj Khalifa has 160 floors and was opened in 2010.

The clerics say there are ancient precedents in Islamic law.

Mr Qubaisi said that under such rulings, people living on mountains should also break their fast after those at ground level.

Maids

2011-08-03T22:11:00.002+04:00

Well gluttons for punishment, our new maid arrives from Sri Lanka on Friday. The saga of our last maid continued this week when I was asked to attend an arbitration meeting with Dubai Immigration after our last maid's embassy appealed my decision to report her as absconded. Laws regarding maids and sponsorship of staff in general leave you in a somewhat precarious position if the letter of the law is not abided by.

I agreed that our previous maid could be taken by her embassy to try and find her a new job, rather than being flown home. I agreed to this on the basis that the embassy would provide me with a letter confirming that they had taken full responsibility for her, within 48 hours. Whilst that would have given me some reassurance, it would not release me from my responsibility towards her as her sponsor. Therefore if she ran away, did something bad, died - I was still responsible for her or her actions. So, as after a week went by and still I had no letter from the embassy, I reported her as "absconded". I had never seen any ID proving that the guy she went with was in fact from the embassy. He could have been just her friend, or maybe a pimp - who knows. That's why I had to do what I did, to protect myself.

Having been reported as absconded, she would be deported when found and banned from working in the UAE for 1 year. It also absolved me of all responsibility for her. "Khalas". Finished. Done. Or so I thought...

Now this was done, we set about preparing the paperwork for our new maid. She was recommended to us by a family she has worked for for 2 years. She is a really nice girl from Sri Lanka who seems very conscientious and also has a bit of savvy about her. She will arrive early on Friday morning, having just had one months leave to go home a visit her family. We are pretty confident that things will work out fine with her and we will not have the same hassles again. Caz will be able to go back to her regular working hours, knowing that Milo.....remember :

..... will now have someone to look after him while we are at work / on leave etc.

Last Friday night at 10.30pm our doorbell rang, and I was presented with a letter "inviting" me to attend a meeting with Dubai Immigration, which of course I duly attended. Now, fair play to our ex-maid's embassy, they were doing their job well and managed to secure this meeting rather than her being deported straight away. The immigration officers listened to the story from both sides (her side including a whole string of lies - I especially loved the bit where Caz tried to kill her (she felt like it, but didn't actually try!)) Anyway, the upshot was that they seemed to fall for the sob story and allowed her one month to find another job - which I believe the embassy has found for her, so she is a very lucky lady and the embassy has played a blinder. Honestly, I'm not sure why they bothered asking me to go. I had no influence over the decision really, I was no longer her sponsor, so I held no sway at all. But, it is now finally over and when she has her new sponsor, at last I can get back my 2000 Dhs deposit held by immigration that all sponsors must pay.

So now, onto the next...... [desperately looking for wood to touch]

Sharia Zones in Britain?

2011-07-28T21:31:00.001+04:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2019547/Anjem-Choudary-Islamic-extremists-set-Sharia-law-zones-UK-cities.html

Now - I live in a Muslim country under Sharia law. As I have chosen to live here, I accept the laws I live under. If I chose to break the law, I accept that I would be leaving myself open to punishment under those laws. End of. Your country. Your laws. Who am I to complain?

So [excuse my language] why the fuck do certain groups of Muslims (and I accept that it may be a minority) think it is acceptable to try and impose Sharia law on areas of the UK, which already has perfectly good laws which apply to all people whatever their race/colour/sex/religion etc.

It would be interesting to see what happened if tomorrow I went along Hamdan Street posting leaflets saying the street was now a hedonist only zone! You can only walk down this road if you are naked, smoking a spliff and you must have a shag in public before you leave...I think I could guess what would happen.

It really pisses me off. If you want to live in a Muslim country, move to one! There are plenty in the world that would love to have you and you can share with your Muslim brothers and sisters and feel very comfortable that the community is built around your belief system. The alternative is to live side by side with the rest of the people of the UK (Christian, Jew, Hindu, Atheist, Buddhist ...etc. etc.) , as many thousands of Muslims manage to do very successfully.

The UK has of course brought this upon themselves; little by little allowing concessions here and there, trying not to upset people here and there, trying to be community spirited and accommodating ... The UK has become way too soft which is why it is the nirvana that attracts the world's immigrants because they know everything will be laid on a plate for them when they get there.

Ramadan - you don't have no ice cream

2011-07-26T20:30:00.001+04:00

There is a reason for embedding this video, which will be revealed - but if you are offended by bad language, maybe give it a miss!

We had a couple of visitors at work today from the UK who asked a question that a lot of people ask, "What is it like here during Ramadan?", which will be starting next week. They were asking from a business perspective, but we also reflected on life in general during The Holy Month.

Of course most people focus in on the "no eating and drinking" thing which is to be expected. I don't find this so much of a problem really. Most hotels have a coffee shop that is open in the daytime, but is curtained off from the general public. Some coffee shops like Starbucks are also open but with their shopfront windows blacked out. Garages and grocers continue to sell food and drink and even some fast food chains will be open, but for take away only. This reflects the way in which the UAE generally is tolerant of non-Muslim expats and allows for a degree of flexibility. The secret is not to abuse this tolerance and be seen to be openly flaunting the fact. Hence, if I want to have a drink during the day, I can easily buy one and quietly drink it in my car away from the general public or maybe swiftly swigging it as I drive while there is no one driving next to me. It's really about respect. Muslims commit themselves to not eating/drinking/smoking or having sex during daylight hours, so to openly drink/eat or smoke in public (sex in public isn't acceptable anytime, anywhere!) is like Eddie Murphy as a child smugly taunting the child that has no ice cream! And it would also come across as a big "Dis' " to Islam.

In the evenings, the place goes mad! Just before sunset the roads are busy as everyone gets home to pray and break their fast at sunset. Breaking the fast is traditionally done with dates and milk. During this time, the roads become empty and makes for a great time to go to the supermarkets if you are a non-Muslim!

After prayers, there is then the Iftar meal. Sometimes businesses organise Iftar celebrations to invite all their customers to share. Business is still done at Iftar and after. Mainly though, everyone is out to join friends and family to celebrate. I can see how they must love this time - it's like Christmas week , but for a month! The malls are full until the early hours of the morning and the place seems to be buzzing. Live music and entertainment is restricted though - and that includes the volume of the music in your car.

Business in Abu Dhabi goes very quiet during Ramadan. Major decisions, such as contract awards are not usually taken during Ramadan, especially with Government or semi-government organisations. Those that are fasting will work shortened hours, so there is a smaller window of opportunity for meetings. Muslim expats may travel at this time to be with family.

Generally, I don't mind Ramadan. It's a nice quiet time of year and I think people generally have a happier disposition.

So, to my Muslim readers - Ramadan Kareem for next week!

The summer exodus

2011-07-18T22:24:00.000+04:00

The UAE is definitely feeling quieter now the summer is here. As soon as the schools finish, the Jumeirah Janes and the Khalidiya Kates take their darling little ones back home for the summer, leaving their hubbies to fend for themselves as bachelors for 8-10 weeks.

I'm only jealous of course, I would love to escape the summer here and enjoy that amount of time in a sensible climate and not open my front door as if I am opening the over door to check the Sunday (or Friday) roast; or get in my car while it's been parked during an appointment and have my skin weld itself to part of the door frame, steering wheel or dashboard that I foolishly lean on; or get third degree burns walking from my car to the said appointment, as a baseball cap doesn't make a good business accessory.

One benefit though, is that the roads are much quieter. Still cars manage to hit each other on 10 lane highways with about 6 cars on them within 2 miles, which is quite a feat - it's actually harder to hit something than to avoid everything, so, impressive.

I think the worst of the weather is still to come, as we have only had one week about a month ago when the temperature touched 51C. Since then, we haven't reached those highs. So I guess, just as we are approaching Ramadan (no food/drink/smoking/sex during daylight hours), things could turn nasty weatherwise. I noticed the lights are being put up on the Corniche which reminded me of the imminent Ramadan festivities.

We have to wait until Aug 12th before we get a trip home, and then only for a week. But we are really looking forward to it, especially to see our kids. We also have a wedding to attend in Berlin on the way back, which will also be nice.

Before we leave we have a new maid starting, Madhu, who is currently at home in Sri Lanka, but will join us on Aug 5th. She seems very nice and we are hoping that she will be fine.

So, until then, we plod on with life and endure the heat.

Etihad Fail

2011-07-13T20:45:00.000+04:00

Oh dear Etihad...

Big promotion ...

Big fail ...

Where's the seat belts?

2011-07-04T22:39:00.000+04:00

This picture was in the paper this week. I can only hope that this was a staged shot while stationary... neither the driver or the child are belted in...

I know I shouldn't laugh....

2011-07-04T22:30:00.002+04:00

...but I did! .... a lot.

From today's paper....

ONONDAGA, NEW YOK Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike’s handlebars and hit his head on the pavement. The accident happened on Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse. State troopers said Philip A Contos, 55, of Parish, NY, was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting against helmet laws by not wearing helmets. Troopers say Mr Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet. –

LuLu's delights

2011-07-02T23:25:00.002+04:00

This week I will mostly be eating.....

...fresh camel's kidney.

Justified Ancients of Mu Mu

2011-07-02T23:20:00.001+04:00

I started singing a song today from my younger days - the title of this blog post. Caz didn't believe there was a song with this title, so I had to prove her wrong. It was by KLF Ft. Tammy Wynette. See below in all it's glory...I"m sure a lot of drugs were involved in it's writing.....

Klf - Justified And Ancient (Featuring Tammy Wynette)

All bound for Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(hey)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(Bring the beat back!)

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they like to roam the land.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
I hope you understand.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
They called me up in Tennessee
They said "Tammy, stand by The Jams"
But if you don't like what they're going to do,
You better not stop them 'cause they're coming through
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Ancients of Mu Mu)

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they drive an ice cream van.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified and they're Ancient,
With still no master plan.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
The last train left an hour ago,
They were singing "All aboard"
All bound for Mu Mu Land,
Then someone starting screaming "Turn up the Strobe"
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
(Bring the beat back)

Justified and Ancient, Ancient and a-justified,
Rocking to the rhythm in their ice cream van
with the plan and the key to
enter into Mu Mu
Vibes from the tribes of the Jams

I know where the beat is at,
'cos I know what time it is
Bring home a dime,
Make mine a "99"

New style, meanwhile, always on a mission while
Fishing in the rivers of life
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)

Voo-va-voolie
Za-shi-va-zom
Voo-va-voolie
(Bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)

They have travelled the world
With the ice cream van
Their voyage, the bottom of time
They have entered the place
with the Mu Mu mate
And their children so pride
Mine as a "99"
(Bring the beat back)

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Etihad [unwanted] Guest

2011-06-28T21:13:00.000+04:00

I got this email today....

Now, because we are not rich and I don't have a huge flight allowance from my company (unlike some) we always travel in economy. Once we upgraded with our Etihad points when we were both feeling rough and wanted an additional level of comfort, but that was an exception. But having used Etihad for all our flights home and all our kids flights when they come out, we have both managed to get Etihad Silver cards. As I had also used Etihad for some business flights, I got mine first and recently Caz got hers. So when we return to the UK in August it will be the first time we would both be flying on Silver, thus gaining entry to the Etihad lounge before our flights.

I know it is only a little thing really, gaining access to the Etihad lounge. After all its just some food and drinks in comfy chairs, but the airport wait is the worse thing about travel for me, so any improvement in this boring, uncomfortable time is welcomed. Also at a base, human level, there is also the warm feeling of superiority you get when you walk into the lounge, knowing that so many others are not allowed in. I think many people will not admit that, but whether it is conscious or sub-cosncious, it is there. Of course Etihad play on this big time in their advertising and marketing.

Alas, however, apparently we are not so special anymore! As once coveted, loyal travelers with Etihad - fawned on as frequent flyers - now we are relegated to the "not quite so special" lounge with the frequent flyers of Yemania Airways and those who bought their way in by buying one of the airport pass cards that are advertised. It will be ram-packed and will probably just have dry sandwiches and assorted nuts - not the sumptuous buffet on offer by Etihad.

So basically, Etihad are only interested in FFs if you are rich enough, or have a corporate travel budget big enough, to travel in Business or First class. I for one, will not be making the 15 minute walk to join the crowds in the "reject" lounge. So, it looks like it will be Burger King for me and the smoking room for Caz!

Ah well - you can't beat a Wopper Meal at 6am ......

You can avoid jail if you are rich enough

2011-06-26T20:53:00.001+04:00

From today's "7Days" ...

I was going to title this post "In Dubai you can avoid jail if you are rich enough" , but I am not naive enough to think that this kind of thing doesn't go on elsewhere. Money can't buy you everything, but sometimes it can keep you out of jail...

More on the maid situation

2011-06-25T12:54:00.002+04:00

I know for people living back in the UK the idea of us having a maid, sounds a bit like "Upstairs Downstairs" but here it is so common to have one, no one bats an eyelid if you say you have one. To be fair, even at home we had someone come in to do cleaning and ironing and Caroline has used an au-pair before, so the concept is not so alien. We are in the process of looking for another maid after the nightmare of the last one. The main issue for us is having Milo looked after while we are at work. But it has been really great to have the house cleaned everyday, the wardrobe always full of ironed clothes, the garden watered (a necessity in this heat if you don't want everything to die pretty quickly) and the cars clean (yes, she cleaned the cars too).

Caroline has changed her hours for now so that Milo is not left too long, and it is ok, but she can't do that for ever and we both agree it would be so much easier if we had another maid. It will also mean we don't have to pay for kennels when we have trips home. So the search continues...

When you sponsor a maid here, you become her official employer and you have legal responsibilities towards her. As my visa is held in Dubai, then she falls under my sponsorship in Dubai. There are tons of forms to be typed (paid for to be in Arabic), photographs to be submitted, a medical (c.300 Dhs) to be conducted and a 2000 Dhs deposit to be paid. There is also an annual sponsorship fee of 5000 Dhs. The maid then gets a monthly salary, which in the enlightened country that we live in, is purely dependent on what country they come from. It ranges from something like 600 Dhs (c.£100) for an Indonesian to 2500 Dhs (c.£420) for a Filipino. So all in all, it is not a cheap exercise.

Milo is becoming a very expensive addition......

House Maid

2011-06-22T20:29:00.000+04:00

I haven't covered this subject before, but 8 weeks ago we got a house maid. This was because Caz was going back to work and now we have Milo - so we needed someone to look after him. Cleaning/cooking etc was a bonus. Anyway, it's a very long story - but the long and short of it is below:-

Got a maid

She was crap

Needed to get rid of maid, but she refused to go

Police came

Man from her Embassy came

Maid leaves with man from Embassy

Maid's visa cancelled

Looking for new maid... (are we mad?)

STOP PRESS - Abu Dhabi Big Band

2011-06-21T17:24:00.000+04:00

Abu Dhabi Big Band @ The Souq Qaryat al Beri tonight at 7.30pm .....

Another interesting Abu Dhabi video...

2011-06-18T20:43:00.002+04:00

Our visitor

2011-06-17T09:56:00.000+04:00

We had this visitor to our garden this morning...

Lunar Eclipse photos

2011-06-16T00:34:00.000+04:00

Lunar Eclipse 15-06-2011

Lunar Eclipse

2011-06-16T00:28:00.001+04:00

I took some pictures from my balcony tonight.. here's a video montage. I'll post the pics to Picasa and post the link when done...

John Terry breaking the law in Abu Dhabi!

2011-06-09T20:01:00.001+04:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2001164/John-Terry-wife-Toni-enjoy-passionate-clinch-holiday-Abu-Dhabi.html

Well, they are aren't they?

I go to great lengths telling my daughters to "cover up" when they visit. Keep your cleavage inside your top; no strappy tops; no short skirts. There are two main reasons for this...

1. respect to local sensibilities
2. to reduce man-staring

We also tell those of our kids that come with other halves - do not kiss each other in public.

So seeing these two muppets over here acting like they are in Ibiza really pisses me off!

I know of a couple that were fooling around in the pool of an international hotel in Abu Dhabi - just normal larking around - only to be confronted by the police telling them to get out and go with them to the police station. The lady had to go there and then in her bikini. Apparently a local had complained and they were charged with simulating sex in public! Fortunately they had a good sponsor, who managed to get them released. But it is so unfair when there is one rule for them and another for celebs staying at Emirates Palace.

I would have so laughed if they had go arrested...

Petrol shortage spreads to Dubai

2011-06-08T18:50:00.000+04:00

Petrol shortage spreads to Dubai and RAK - The National

Have you ever heard anything more preposterous !!

What next -

all the sand from the desert has blown away??

camels can no longer take the heat??

sensible driving breaks out on Shiekh Zayed Road??

...and I thought the UK running out of water with all our rain was ridiculous!

Men should have sex slaves

2011-06-06T20:05:00.000+04:00

Men should have sex slaves, says female Kuwaiti politician - The National

So, basically legalise human sex trafficking for guys that can't keep it in their trousers - without committing a "sin" .

Ms al Mutairi said free women must be married with a contract but, with concubines, "the man just buys her and that's it. That's enough to serve as marriage".

...eer enforced prostitution??

"Offices could be opened to run the sex trade in the same way recruitment agencies provide domestic labourers, Ms al Mutairi suggested."

..eer government pimp??

"The ruling was confirmed by "specialised people of the faith" in Kuwait, she said. "They said, 'That's right, the only solution for a decent man who has the means, who is overpowered by desire and who does not want to commit fornication, is to acquire jawari'." "

...eer double-think me thinks.....??

Phew what a scorcher!

2011-06-02T18:35:00.000+04:00

Taken yesterday....

WTF

2011-05-30T13:43:00.000+04:00

gulfnews : Cheetah found roaming the streets of Abu Dhabi

Visit to Ferrari World

2011-05-28T19:53:00.000+04:00

We paid our first visit to Ferrari World today, mainly because of a 2 for 1 offer, so it was half price. We came away with mixed feelings really. As an adult the experience isn't all that thrilling if you have been to other theme parks around the world. The one exception to that statement is the Formula Rossa ride which is fab! More about that later.

If you visit the park as a family with kids, I think you could have a good day out. There are lots of rides and experiences for children to have. If you have teenage kids, I would think it would be less interesting. there are only 4 "thrill rides", one of which you have to pay extra for and one that was closed today (V12).

Having said all of that - the Formula Rossa ride is, for me, worth the ticket price alone! The exhilaration that comes from the way it bursts out of the "starting grid" is amazing. You can hardly breath as it shoots it's way to top speed and climbs the first incline. It's only a matter of seconds (0-240kmph and up 52Mtrs in less than 5 seconds), but it feels like ages - you just need it to end so you can breath again! It's a great ride and should be on any 'coaster fan's list.

Here's a link to some piccies and my video clip of the Forumula Rossa

Ferrari World - Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

This also makes me angry!

2011-05-27T22:46:00.000+04:00

Woman injured in Al Ain crash is told her children were killed - The National

"But she is a devout woman and has faith and understands that this is Allah's will."

So they can't be bothered to put their children in a car seat, they are killed in a crash (which they would stand a very good chance of surviving if restrained) and it is then deemed God's will?

Can someone please explain??

CNN on Saadiyat Cultural District

2011-05-27T11:27:00.000+04:00

A good overview off what is to come in Saadiyat Island. I am also playing my very small part in this development and will be able to look back at it with a smile well into the future.

Still the same twit that is Richard Quest though I'm afraid...

Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan

2011-05-24T21:33:00.001+04:00

Interesting report from CNN on Abu Dhabi's 2030 plan. Shame about Richard Quest who is a bit of a muppet.

More needless child car deaths!

2011-05-24T20:51:00.001+04:00

Father and two children killed in head-on crash in Al Ain - The National

This just makes me so angry! Parents driving with their kids roaming the car (as is usually the case here), should be prosecuted for negligence.

..and fine them for their blacked out windows while you are at it - because 100% they will have those too.

Why do the police here ignore all this stuff....??

Our very own oasis

2011-05-24T19:40:00.000+04:00

Now, I don't want this to sound like gloating (!), but having our own pool at home is heaven! Now that the temperatures have risen and it's easily over 40 degrees every day and mid-high 30's at night, having a chilled pool to jump into at the end of the day is lovely. A lot of the communal pools that people have access to are not heated/chilled, so in the summer it will just feel like entering a very big bath tub. We had major issues getting the heater/chiller to work (we are now on our 4th unit) and then we had issues with getting the temperature right (how did we ever cope I can here you thinking!), but now it's perfect. So, I reckon we should get good use out of it all year round.

...yep I can feel the vibes coming over the internet superhighway - I can tell you are really pleased for us...not! :-)

UAE drivers you want to punch!

2011-05-17T21:43:00.002+04:00

Many of the drivers here in the UAE, if they were driving in the UK as they do here, would have their window smashed at the next traffic lights, be pulled through the window by their throat and then have their head kicked in, or if they are unlucky, be stabbed to death! "Road Rage" is a very real phenomena in the UK, but it is rarely found here.

In one way, that is one of the things that we enjoy about living in the UAE - not having to deal with the loutish behaviour of a large underclass of people in the UK doing absolutely as they please because they don't really give a shit or respect anyone or anything. However, there are times when I wish I could gesticulate in a "FU" kind of way, wind down my window and hurl some abuse at the driver next to me when he has been a total prick. Unfortunately, this kind of behaviour here tends to lead to jail. So what we end up with is total apathy towards people who do take the piss.

The video clip below was taken this morning as I was driving on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway. There had been an accident up ahead and the traffic was tailing back for a few kilometeres. A number of arseholes decide that they can't wait in the traffic with everyone else, and they will drive down the hardshoulder. At home, this is not unheard of, but it happens very rarely - and if you do try this, you can expect a vehicle (often trucks) to pull out in front of you just to block you and not let you take the piss. Here everyone just idly watches for fear of pissing off the wrong guy and ending up in jail, when he lies and tells the police you stuck your finger up and swore at him, and your breath smelt of alcohol.

Just for the hell of it, here is the car count from the clip:-

Chevrolet (2)
Toyota (6)
Honda (1)
Nissan (1)
BMW (2)

Observations from this:

There would be way more BMW drivers in this category at home!
Doesn't say much for drivers of Jap Crap
Toyota drivers - the stats don't lie !

Rant over!

First Private Midwife Clinic in Abu Dhabi

2011-05-16T20:30:00.000+04:00

Now available at The Swedish Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look at:-

www.b4babyandbeyond.org

It's warming up...

2011-05-14T20:56:00.000+04:00

Looks like summer has arrived here in Abu Dhabi...

A view on domestic help and office "boys"

2011-05-09T21:05:00.001+04:00

I saw this posting from a fellow blogger that I follow. I thought it was interesting and want to share it...

http://findingabudhabi.blogspot.com/2011/05/between-help-and-hard-place.html

Salam Street Roadworks

2011-05-02T21:57:00.000+04:00

I walked over Salam Street on Hamdan Street at the weekend. There are signs of an actual road at the surface level now. I think the surface road might be on course for opening in the summer, but I think the tunnel may be delayed further. But even having the surface road is going to make a huge difference I reckon.

LuLu's special...

2011-04-30T21:11:00.000+04:00

Yummy! The steaks looked juicy and lean - but Caroline was having none of it! They look too cute to eat!

Royal Wedding at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

2011-04-30T09:12:00.000+04:00

We were invited to joins some friends at the ADGC for a champagne brunch to celebrate the royal wedding. It was nice to watch this most British of spectacles, which I guess couldn't really be rivaled anywhere else in the world. I quite enjoy the pomp and circumstance of it all and makes me proud to be British - and particularly English. I know there are republican minded people in the UK who think it is a load of nonsense, and to an extent they are right, but that's what I love about it! I think with this and the Olympics next year, maybe things will be looking up for the UK at last....

Auto music...

2011-04-29T11:00:00.000+04:00

Here's a pair of gadgets I don't have, that we spotted in a store front in Dubai Mall....

Poor Milo ......

2011-04-28T19:43:00.000+04:00

Milo today said goodbye to his testicles, before they had really had a chance to get acquainted! Now he is looking very sorry for himself, which I can totally understand. Poor Milo...

Video of Abu Dhabi

2011-04-28T19:24:00.000+04:00

This is awesome, take a look in fullscreen with sound on......

Abu Dhabi - 2011 (ver #3 FINAL) from Beno Saradzic on Vimeo.

Trip to Singapore

2011-04-22T08:15:00.000+04:00

A video from our recent trip to Singapore..

Abu Dhabi Big Band gig tonight...

2011-04-20T14:15:00.000+04:00

Tonight we have a gig at the British Embassy to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Happy Birthday Liz!

Here's a video clip a friend of the band made at our gig at the One-to-One Village.

Abu Dhabi Big Band 2010 from Jeehyun Kwon on Vimeo.

Trip to Musandum

2011-04-18T20:29:00.001+04:00

We took a trip at the weekend to Musandum. Musandum is right at the northernmost tip of the Arabian peninsular and belongs to Oman (see the map below).

Unfortunately it was a very long drive in a bus from Abu Dhabi, via Dubai to Dibba, where we met the boat. It took us about 4 and a half hours to get there on a pretty cramped bus. At Dibba we crossed into Oman. The border control was almost non-existant with passport control consisting of waving our passports or ID cards in the air while the guy stood at the door to the bus and let us through. Mind you, I can remember doing the same on a day trip to France with school when I was a kid.

The boat we boarded was a traditional looking Dhow. We went to the upper deck and made ourselves comfortable on the sunbeds. Mind you the weather was a bit variable, a few spots of rain, lots of strong winds and also some sunshine. I guess I was a little disappointed with the boat trip, we just went round the coast a bit and anchored up while we went swimming, some went to the beach, and we had lunch. I know some people that have done overnight trips that have gone further into the waterway and also there is another point at which trips leave that also provides some better views. However, it was pleasant enough, but would have been more enjoyable if we had driven to Dibba rather than endured the bus.

However, the bus did provide the most exciting moment of the day when there was nearly a punch up between some young Arab guys and an Indian family over the return seating arrangement! Basically, we had taken up the back seat on the way, but when we got on the bus to return, 2 Arab couples had taken our places. No problem, we thought, we just sat down in some other seats. However, when the Indian family came onto the bus they were particularly distressed that they couldn't sit together on their original seats. The ringleader, who I am sure had some deep seated inferiority complex, felt the need to raise his voice and declare to the rest of the family members that they should get off the bus and not get back on, the driver should "manage the seats" or they should get them another bus. Oh boy...what an idiot. He clearly felt he was entitled to "his" seats for the return journey. Then his wife started joining in. They started clearly suggesting that we (the other members of the group) had "stolen" their seats. The Arab guys then got off the bus and started to have their say. This then escalated until an Omani police guy who happened to be on hand, was called to separate them. Eventually everyone got on the bus. Only for it kick off again between the Indian ringleader and the Arab ringleader! Lots of pushing and shoving and insults - the classic of which was from the Arab guy who said "I will shove my d*ck in your mouth!" - charming.

This could all have been avoided if the Indian guy's attitude had been different to start with, had he nicely asked if it were possible for us to move so his family could be together, I'm sure people would have moved. But his aggressive, ignorant attitude completely worked against him. However he did provide the best entertainment of the day. I am reminded of the quote from Zig Ziglar -

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude"

Here's some pictures and video from the day....

My best dive of the day!