Dubai Blog

Dubai Holiday Season is Coming

From October to February is the holiday season (winter season) in Dubai. The weather is perfect during these months for a memorable holiday.

Perhaps it is the warm gulf waters on the Arabian Sea, or the impressive sand dunes of the Middle East. No matter which natural wonder inspires the traveller, Dubai is an awesome place to visit. This coastal city has been inhabited for over five thousand years. Like most of the Middle East, its native people were originally nomadic and herded animals.

From the desert to the impressive beaches, this city delivers. No wonder it has attracted so many tourists each year. Many airlines offer exceptional deals on flights to Dubai making travel to this exotic destination even more attractive. As with most international travel, it is advised to do good research and make reservations for possible travel deals. Passports and travel visas also must be secured ahead of time. Reservations for accommodations or certain attractions are also recommended.

Although there are many hotels from which to choose with certain amenities and prices, it might be worth checking into what may be the world’s first seven-star hotel: The Burj Al-Arab Hotel. This uber-luxurious hotel is shaped like a graceful wind sail and stands at 1,053 on its own fabricated island. Its 600 foot tall atrium is a world’s record and houses magnificent suites from one to five grand per night. There is even an underwater restaurant in the Buri Al-Arab.

When visiting Dubai, there are a few things that one must see. The first is the pristine beaches. While winding down Jumeirah Road, tourists will see miles of warm turquoise waters and soft, powder-sugar white sand. Another popular beach area is the Al Mamzar Park. This park includes playgrounds for the children, barbecue sites, and plenty of picnic areas. While there are several things to see in Dubai, this beach park has to be top on the vacation itinerary.

It is no big secret that Dubai is a wealthy country. The proof is the Covered Gold Souk in Deira. This area drips with gold and is the largest retail market for gold in the entire world. Deira is full of jewellery shops and modern malls. Shoppers can see designs in 18 to 22 carat gold with influences from Indian to Italian. For those who are perfume aficionados, a visit to Dubai would not be complete without shopping at the Perfume Souk. This shopping centre on Sikkat Al Khali Street surrounds visitors with innumerable fragrances. People are able to have master perfumers create a personalized fragrance of their own.

If luxurious carpets are on the tourist’s shopping list, then a short distance from Dubai is Iran. Right across the gulf, there are shops that deal exclusively in these expensive rugs. Iran (historically known as Persia) is the biggest exporter of Persian Rugs. These rugs are exclusive and each one tells a story in picture and print.

Dubai’s population is mainly Muslim and makes it possible for non-Muslims to learn more about this ancient and fascinating religion and its culture. On Thursdays and Sundays, non-Muslims are welcome to tour the newly-constructed the majestic Jumeirah Mosque on Al Jumeirah Road. It is built in the classical stone architecture with a tower on each side of a massive dome.

Whatever the pleasure or interest, visiting Dubai is certainly a golden opportunity. Ancient wonders mix with chic luxuries to pamper even the most discriminating traveller. Tourism is growing in this Middle Eastern jewel and special travel deals are usually easy to find. It is just impossible to be stressed in such a unique setting.

Dubai Interiors Show 2011

If you want new interior decorating ideas then visit Dubai interiors show 2011 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 22 to 25.

The 21st edition of Index, Mena’s top interiors and design exhibition, will feature more than 800 exhibitors representing top international brands from 49 countries at its upcoming event in Dubai.

Taking place across 20,000 sq m at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Index 2011 will introduce six product-specific shows including furnishings, inretail, kitchen & bathroom, lighting, outdoor living and textiles.

Organised by dmg :: events, the exhibition will also showcase 20 national pavilions, providing product specification by country.
“The introduction of the product-specific shows solidifies Index’s position as the ‘must attend’ design show for industry professionals from the Mena region,” said Paula Al Chami, event director for Index.

“Based on insights and feedback we received from the market and from our visitors, 68 per cent of the people wanted the show to be product-specific while the remainder wanted to see products split by the manufacturing nation, so we now offer both.”

“We believe this structure will allow exhibitors to effectively present their products and services to the right audience and also make it easier for visitors to navigate throughout our very large exhibition,” she added.

The new product-specific shows at Index will showcase a line-up of top international manufacturers and brands, bringing their latest products, trends and design innovation to this region.

“Visitors to the show can also look forward to the highest number of additional show features the show has ever had,” Al Chami said.

“We are introducing interactive features alongside each of the new product-specific show sectors, generic features, conferences, competitions and panel discussions and CES seminars. With nearly 90 per cent of our visitors looking to Index for networking and inspiration, there will be something in it for everybody,” she added.

Index 2011 will feature a host of events including a kitchen and bathroom show, lighting, an exclusive fashion show, InRetail Summit 2011 – a dedicated conference grouping retail firms, an art gallery, design seminars, a student design challenge event, a Majlis design competition as well as an architecture award and an interior design congress organised by the Association of Professional Interior Designers (Apid).

Courtesy: tradearabia.com

Ramadan in Dubai 2011

This is the Ramadan (fasting) period in Dubai (01 – 31 August 2011). The fasting hours starts around 8:00am and ends around 4:30pm every day. The time slightly varies depending on the day.

The official 2011 Ramadan calendar is available here.

Important information for travelers and expats

Irrespective of you are a Muslim, non Muslim, expat or a traveler it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during fasting hours (not even in your car). You also must maintain a conservative dress code during these hours. Live music is banned and you should avoid noisy entertainment at home or office.

This is the law of Dubai and UAE. There are severe punishments for those who are breaking the law.

Majority of restaurants will be closed during fasting hours. However, major shopping malls in Dubai might have takeaway facilities from the restaurants at their food court. Dine-in facilities will be very rare.

Supermarkets, service stations and similar outlets in the Dubai and UAE are open during the day during Ramadan, and will sell food and drink (but not for consumption on the premises, in your car, or in public).

Fast-food outlets such as KFC, McDonalds operates takeaway counters.

If you are planning a holiday in Dubai then my advice is try to avoid Ramadan period.

How to Save for Your Dubai Vacation

There are many effective ways to save for your Dubai vacation. When you spend 40 hours a week slaving at your job, you deserve to have some time to get away from the rat race, relax, and enjoy with your family.

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’ll need a plan for saving up the money you need. While this may seem like a simple proposition, some people find it difficult to lay aside some money each pay period. The key here is discipline.

Open up a separate savings account specifically meant for your vacation money. If your employer offers direct deposit, you can usually specify a certain amount of money be put into this account. Some banks will schedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’t have direct deposit or if you are not able to deposit money into two separate accounts.

Examine the amount of money your family spends weekly or monthly on family entertainment and fast food restaurants. Then reduce that amount, storing the remainder away for your trip. So that a pending vacation doesn’t become a joy-buster, shop around for freebie and reduced-cost entertainment options to enjoy during the months before you depart.

Another good way to save up money is to save your change. When you use cash, resolve to only use paper money. Then take the change you receive and put it aside at the end of every day. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can build up.

One family reported that they kept a “vacation jar” in a convenient place and each family member would deposit change and the occasional dollar bill into it. When they emptied the jar and had it counted, they had managed to save $5,000 – enough for them to enjoy a holiday in Dubai!

While you may not have that much in your change jar, emptying it at vacation time can mean extra spending money or that little boost you need to go on your dream vacation.

Be sure and involve your kids in the saving venture. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgeting money. Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation coffer. One family we know would save aluminum cans and take them into the recycling plant periodically for cash. Throughout the course of a year, they managed to accumulate an extra $1,000 for their vacation in Dubai. This is better than not going for a holiday.

You could have a rummage sale to earn extra vacation cash as well. There are plenty of opportunities out there to add to your vacation savings. You just need to think outside of the box and resolve that any extra cash you get will go toward your Dubai vacation.

You need to budget realistically. Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it. Set a fixed spending amount ($150 per day, for example). Include all of your expenses, travelling, meals, admissions, special activities, etc.

Involve your children in the process. Share with them that conserving money on one day allows them to go to a water park on another day. Be creative. To save money, you can eat only one meal in a restaurant per day. For the other two, prepare your own food and either eat in the hotel room or have a picnic. Take turns letting the kids choose the type of food—and, if you are really adventurous, the restaurant—each day. This way, the children feel important and it minimizes arguments.

A good point to also keep in mind when determining how much you can afford to spend on a vacation is to be sure that you consider other periodic expenses that may be waiting for you when you return, such as back-to-school costs, holiday expenses and next year’s taxes.

That’s why we highly recommend a separate account for your Dubai vacation savings. That way you have your vacation money separate from your everyday money and won’t have to stress about “robbing Peter to pay Paul” when you get home from your Dubai holiday!

Dubai Foods To Enjoy

Food in Dubai mainly contains traditional Arabic food and some items from India sub-continent. Tourists to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visiting Dubai for the first time will find many varieties of food in that beautiful emirate. Most of the popular Dubai foods you may have read or heard about are traditional Arabic foods that are also available in other places in the Middle East.

To enjoy as much of the different Dubai foods as you can, it is recommended that you observe the “mezze” when dining. Mezze is that type of dining popular in most cultures in the Middle East, in which the diner tries out several small amounts of different dishes during each course.

Some of the favorite Dubai foods include falafel, hommus, ghuzi, matchbous, the very popular shawarma, and, of course, the equally popular roti.

For those who have not tasted any of these yet, here’s a brief description of each:

Falafel:

This is the Arabic version of French fry. It is prepared by mixing chickpeas and several different spices. It is then deep-fried and made into a cutlet. It is usually served as a side dish.

Hommus:

This is made from chickpeas, which are cooked, mashed, and then mixed with olive oil, tahini (paste made from sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic, and salt. It is served as a spread or dip.

Ghuzi:

This dish is popularly served in many restaurants in Dubai. It is made of a whole roast lamb served on top of rice mixed with vegetables and nuts. Frequent visitors to Dubai say that a trip there wouldn’t be complete without having tasted this delicious preparation.

Matchbous:

This is another very popular Dubai food. It is composed of spiced lamb, tomato stew, and rice. The dish is especially a favorite when served with loomi, a spice made from ripe limes boiled in salt water and dried.

Shawarma:

This is probably the most popular food in Dubai. It is made of either lamb or chicken, thoroughly cooked and mixed with fries, tomatoes, pickle, and garlic sauce. The mixed ingredients are then wrapped in a small roti (Arabic bread) and served. Preparation of shawarma may vary from one restaurant to another; hence, its taste too.

While you’re at it, you may want to try any of the special fruit juices prepared in most shawarma stores. One of the favorites is the strawberry-banana blend.

Roti:

This is a special type of Arabic bread that is a part of most, if not all, of Dubai foods. Roti, which is much like a tortilla in appearance, is traditionally made with plain flour and baked in clay ovens. It usually goes well with matchbous or ghuzi, but is especially tasty with Indian curries.

Three other popular Dubai foods are wara enab (rice-filled vine leaves), tabbouleh (crushed wheat mixed with minced mint and parsley), and haries (lamb cooked very slowly and made tender, and served with wheat).

Of course, dining in Dubai, as in anywhere else, should conclude with a dessert. Some of the favorites are esh asaraya (cream-topped cheesecake), umm ali (bread pudding), and mehalabiya (a pudding sprinkled with bits of pistachios).

Good Restaurants in Dubai

Visit our blog post about top 7 restaurants in Dubai for details of good Dubai restaurants.

Health Care System in Dubai

The health care system in Dubai is considered by the international community to be on a par with those of developed nations insofar as its quality is concerned. A number of factors or reasons give credence to this recognition.

For one, hospitals and clinics in Dubai – numbering about twenty – are fully equipped with the latest in medical technology and are highly accessible, being situated in strategic locations. The 2009 census places the population of Dubai at around 1,241,000. This translates to 1:62,050 hospital/clinic-patient ratio.

The Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) of Dubai runs the Emirate’s public health care. Dubai residents, as well as those of the neighboring emirates, enjoy practically costless medical services. But it must be mentioned here that there is no mandatory employer or state contribution insurance schemes that are in place in Dubai.

That’s right. All employers are not obligated to provide health care insurance to its workers. The DOHMS may issue a health card to a foreign worker who applies for one. The health card qualifies a foreign patient for acceptance by a public hospital, but only in an emergency case. Foreign workers may also obtain their own health insurance, and they will need to make their own arrangements for this.

Many private health care providers are also on hand to lend support to Dubai’s health care programs. Most of the foreign health care professionals working in Dubai are from the USA, Europe, and India. Their credentials are carefully scrutinized by the government before they are allowed to practice their profession in Dubai.

Part of the responsibilities of a health care professional in Dubai is the rendering of after-clinic private medical calls. This is one of the good practices that make the health care system in Dubai truly effective. Every person in Dubai, regardless of nationality and residency, is given the full medical attention he or she needs. Of course, such after-clinic private medical services involve higher fees than those rendered during regular clinic hours.

The focus of the health care system of Dubai is on improving its people’s overall well-being. Everyone is guaranteed with the appropriate care specific to his or her case. Dubai’s health care system guarantees the provision of a wide range of medical services, including these four popular ones:

1. Educating its people on the importance of having good health and proper nutrition;

2. Ensuring medical fitness for everyone;

3. Providing family and marriage counseling and other similar community services;

4. Administering vaccinations and immunizations.

Health care professionals in Dubai also provide psychiatric treatments, rehabilitation, and yoga therapy.

Dubai has undertaken what is considered its most extensive medical project thus far, with the creation of the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). This project is the world’s first health care free zone, and consists of virtually the big players in the medical community.

The DHCC houses the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), the University of Teaching Hospital (UH), and the Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education Dubai (BUIDRE), among others.

Six Expats Jailed in Dubai

Hot news from Khaleej Times.

In one of the biggest fraud cases worth Dh1.8 billion, the Dubai Court of First Instance jailed six expatriates, including two former ex-Dubai Islamic Bank employees to 10 years each.

Presiding Judge Fahmi Mounir Fahmi on Wednesday, also fined the guilty Dh1.8 billion and ordered them to repay the amount jointly to Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB). The judge also fined three of the defendants Dh7.2 million and ordered them to jointly repay the amount to the bank.

The Dubai Public Prosecution had charged the seven suspects — three Britons, two Pakistanis, a Turk and an American — with embezzling public funds, deliberately helping others to embezzle public funds, inflicting intentional loss to the government and its interests, unlawful profiting and forging official documents and using them.

The public prosecution accused the two Pakistani executives (former bank employees), the finance manager of the bank and his deputy of aiding and abetting the embezzlement of public funds, inflicting intentional loss to the government and its interests, and the forging of official documents.

The two bank employees facilitated the forging of documents and increased the credit limit for two businessmen against taking money. In return, the manager received a bribe of $750,000 while the deputy received $950,000.  The American is at large after

embezzling $2 million and establishing a company. He also forged invoices, documents of sales and purchase transactions. The British businessman along with the Turkish national and two other British nationals embezzled Dh1,841,000 from the bank using forged documents facilitated by the bank employees.

Meanwhile, the seventh suspect, a British businessman, has been acquitted. All the six including two suspects who are at large will be deported after serving the jail term. All six suspects can appeal the court ruling within 15 days.

The fraud caused a loss of $501 million (around Dh1.8 billion) worth of public funds belonging to DIB. The case was referred by the Dubai Public Prosecution to the court on March 30, 2009.

Last August, the court returned the case to the Dubai Public Prosecution to investigate the fraud and  review the charges.

The Dubai Mall World’s Largest Shopping Complex

Dubai Mall the world’s largest shopping mall opened its doors for business on November 4, 2008. It located at the heart of Dubai City and part of the Burj Dubai, has a total area of 1,124,000 sq. m. (12.1 million sq. ft.), surpassing the 890,000 sq. m. (9.58 million sq. ft.) area of the New South China Mall, which opened three years earlier in Dongguan, China.

To give you a better picture of how large the Dubai Mall is, its total area is comparable to the size of about fifty soccer fields. Its total internal floor area is 548,128 sq. m. (5.9 million sq. ft.), and its leasable space is equivalent to 350,244.5 sq. m. (3.77 million sq. ft.). Inside it are about 15 distinct malls.

The amount of materials used so far in the construction of Dubai Mall speaks of the massiveness of this shopping and recreation complex: more than 13,800 tons of structural steel; more than 179,303 sq. m. (1.93 million sq. ft.) of stone and tile works; and more than 2,600 pieces of external pre-cast completed.

The Dubai Mall houses a total 1,200 shops, likewise making it the mall with the largest number of retailers in the world. About 600 of these shops participated in the mall’s opening (i.e., they opened their doors as well for business), making that day the biggest-ever single-day mall opening in the history of the retail industry.

On the average, some 750,000 shoppers and plain leisure seekers visit the Dubai Mall every week. In April 2009, it registered about 3 million visitors – the highest single-month total so far since its opening.

Be awed by these features and attractions of the Dubai Mall:

• Gold Souq, with 220 retailers (the largest commercial quarter in any Arab city).

• Fashion Island Avenue, an haute couture-dedicated area with 70 stores.

• Fashion Catwalk atrium, with an area of 79,000 sq. m. (850,000 sq. ft.).

• Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre (which recorded a total 60,000 ticket sales during the first 5 days following the mall’s opening), which showcases some 33,000 aquatic animals.

• Galeries Lafayette, the first French department store company in the Middle East.

• WaterFront Atrium.

• Oasis Fountain Waterfall.

• SEGA Republic, the first SEGA indoor theme park in the Middle East, with an area of 7,100 sq. m. (76,000 sq. ft.).

• Cineplex, the largest cinema complex in Dubai, with 22 screens.

• KidZania, a family entertainment and education center, with an area of 7,400 sq. m. (80,000 sq. ft.).

• Hamleys, a franchise of the British toy shop giant, with an area of 3,000 sq. m. (32,000 sq. ft.).

• 220 jewelry and gold outlets.

• 3 car parks, with more than 14,000 parking spaces, fully equipped with a car-locator ticketing system.

All these, and more, are manned by Dubai Mall’s over 13,000-strong workforce.

There are several roads visitors can take to get to the Dubai Mall. The access road most visitors prefer to take is the double-decker road Financial Centre Road (formerly called Doha Street).

Top 7 Restaurants in Dubai

Looking for best restaurants in Dubai? Here are our favourite restaurants in Dubai.

Dubai is a place that is known worldwide for its many “firsts” and “bests”. We hear about Dubai’s famous tourist attractions, festivals and events, and recreation and sports facilities. All these make Dubai a highly preferred tourist destination.

Finding a place to eat in Dubai is not a problem at all. Whatever one’s nationality, he or she will surely find a dining place that serves his/her favorite back home.

Some of the best restaurants in Dubai are located right inside a hotel, and these include the Benjarong Restaurant, Verre Restaurant, Le Venezia Restaurant, Blue Elephant Restaurant, Bacchus Restaurant, Ashiana Restaurant, and Al Qasr Restaurant.

The Benjarong Restaurant:

This restaurant is ideal for those who enjoy authentic Thai food. The restaurant’s specialties include fried lobster with shitake mushrooms, grilled river prawns, and Ka-Thong Tong (rice pastry cups filled with a mixture of ground chicken, peanut and coconut milk) with tamarind or lemon sauce. The Benjarong Restaurant is located on the 24th floor of the Dusit Dubai Hotel in Zayed Road.

The Verre Restaurant:

This is considered one of Dubai’s finest restaurants with its wide range of international cuisine (Western and Asian) and an exotic selection of wines. The Verre Restaurant is located at the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel in Baniyas Road.

The Le Venezia Restaurant:

Besides being one of the best restaurants in Dubai, the Le Venezia Restaurant is also one of the newest and most frequented. It has an Italian theme with its noticeable design of gondolas and waterways. The food served here are, of course, Italian favorites, such as pizzas and pasta. This restaurant is located at the Metropolitan Hotel in Sheikh Zeyahid Road.

Blue Elephant Restaurant:

Another one of the fine restaurants in Dubai that serves authentic Thai delicacies. It is popular for its somtan (fried fish with papaya salad), lamb in rich Massaman sauce, and chicken satay, among others. The Blue Elephant Restaurant is located at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel.

The Bacchus Restaurant:

This is also an Italian-style dining place. It has outdoor dining setting and serves a fine selection of pasta, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and juices. It also has an exotic selection of wines. The Bacchus Restaurant is located at the Fairmont Hotel.

The Ashiana Restaurant:

When it comes to serving Indian cuisine, this restaurant is one that stands out in Dubai. It is frequented by both tourists and locals. The Ashiana Restaurant is located at the 5-star Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers.

Al Qasr Restaurant:

This restaurant is famous for its fine Middle East cuisine, particularly those from Lebanon. Some of the favorite dishes that are served here include Shanklish (cheese made from sheep’s or cow’s milk), Baklava (sweetened nut-filled pastry), and Labneh (strained yoghurt). The Al Qasr Restaurant is located within the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa complex, one of the most popular 5-star hotels in Dubai.

The best restaurants in Dubai are not necessarily only those that are located inside a hotel. The Biella Caffe Pizzeria (Wafi City Mall, Bur Dubai), Planet Hollywood (Wafi City), and Hatam Restaurant (Bani Yas Street) are just some of the other fine dining places tourists can try while traveling in Dubai.

Dubai Zoo

Tourists in Dubai have many things to do and still a lot of places to see. The Dubai Zoo is one of these. This is especially true for those who have a particular interest in the many kinds, types or species of animals.

The Dubai Zoo is located opposite the Jumeirah Beach. It was built by a man named Otto Bulart in 1967. The zoo sits on a 5-acre land on the coastal residential area of Jumeirah. It marks the end or edge of the town, and for this Dubai Zoo is considered an important landmark of Dubai.

The Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the entire Arabian Peninsula. In the early 1970s, the Municipality of Dubai took over the management and operation of the zoo. In the first two years of its operation, the zoo had very few animals on show. Included were the usual big cats (lions, pumas, tigers, and jaguars), several hoofed animals, and some monkeys. A few kinds of fish and some reptiles were likewise on show in an aquarium section.

Today, the zoo’s collection of animals is still rather limited. On last count, it has about 230 different species. The biggest group consists of reptiles, with about 400 specimens. Next are the mammals, with some 250 specimens. The mammals include the four big cats and the monkeys mentioned above, bears, deer, giraffes, hyenas, foxes, and porcupines. There also are baboons and chimpanzees.

The bird group consists of the golden eagle, parrots, and ostriches.

The zoo is also home to some of the animals that are in the list of endangered species. The most prominent five are as follows:

1. Cormorants – These are long-necked seabirds that are dark-colored and are noted for being voracious. A cormorant has a distensible pouch in which to hold the fish it catches. These birds are native to this region. Their odd-shaped body and unusual large posture make them ideal for zoo exhibit.

2. Siberian Tigers – These animals are believed to be natives of northern China and eastern Asia. They normally live in a harshly cold environment. For this reason, the Dubai Zoo created this exact same condition in a special facility to preserve the endangered tigers.

3. Barbary Sheep – These are goat-antelopes which originated from North Africa. However, they’re now rarely found in their native place. The sheep were introduced to southern Europe, North America, and other regions.

4. Arabian Wolves – These are subspecies of the Gray Wolf, which used to roam (often in packs) in many parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Today, however, only a few of these wolves can be found on the inner parts of Israel, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

5. Gorillas – These are considered the largest extant primates, and they’re found in the central African forests. They are known to have 2 species, with both being on the list of endangered animals. Destruction of their habitat and the outbreaks of the Ebola virus in their native central Africa contributed to their dwindled population.

The Dubai Zoo is likewise noted for its being the first zoo in the Arabian Peninsula to breed the Gordon’s wildcat, which is also an endangered animal.

The Dubai Zoo constantly undergoes renovation and re-designing, with the primary aim of maintaining the environment of its every section in such a condition that will be natural for their sheltered animals.