Extreme Dubai

$1000 Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:32:00 +0000

To all my readers,

I will be giving away a $ 1000 dollors to anyone who can send me the most wackiest pictures for any of my blogs. Ofcourse, this has to be related to the contents of my blog. I am posting this contest in all my blogs. Please send your mails with pictures to bobby.gab@inquisitiveworld.net

My blogs are listed below:

www.inquisitveworld.net
http://extremedubai.blogspot.com/
http://glooworm.blogspot.com/
http://facebookcrazy.blogspot.com/
http://guruoftechnology.blogspot.com/
http://indianchowk.blogspot.com/
http://bahrainproperties.blogspot.com/
http://arabianpropertyworld.blogspot.com/

I will post the winning pictures on my blog. I will contact the winner through email and will let you know how to collect the winning amount.

Thank you,

Administrator

Dubai Properties

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Worlds largest Mall in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:50:00 +0000

DUBAI: One of the world's largest shopping malls is due to open towards the end of the year in Dubai, developers announced yesterday.
Dubai Mall - covering an area of 12 million square feet - will feature 1,200 stores, an indoor aquarium and an Olympic-sized ice rink, the emirate's real estate developer Emaar said.
The development will dwarf the Mall of the Emirates, currently Dubai's largest retail centre that itself boasts an indoor ski slope and a luxury hotel.
Dubai Mall will become "the region's premier shopping and entertainment destination for residents and a major attraction for Dubai's tourists," Emaar shopping malls division head Jim Badour said.
The mall will be part of a wider multi-billion-dollar development that includes the world's tallest tower.
Burj Dubai is still under construction, but it overtook Taiwan's Taipei 101 tower as the world's tallest building when it reached 512 metres (1,533 feet) in June. Its eventual height remains a closely-guarded secret.
Dubai, a member of the oil-rich UAE federation, holds a hugely popular annual shopping festival. The city state attracts millions of visitors each year, positioning itself as a global leisure and financial hub.

Source: Gulf Daily News

Buying Property in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:37:00 +0000

Until 2002 it was not possible for foreign nationals to own freehold title to property in Dubai...however, in a bid to boost investment into Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that he would change the laws back in 2002 and a property boom ensued.
Until 2006 however, the law change was not in effect and those who bought beforehand took a significant risk. They were also the ones to gain substantially from the huge rise in real estate prices that the emirate has enjoyed! Nowadays buying property in Dubai is incredibly straightforward and safe, and you can even get mortgages locally or internationally to assist your purchase. In this article we cover the Dubai property buying process.
If you’re buying a property off plan or during construction the process naturally differs a little to when you buy a completed or resale home. Off-plan or real estate in Dubai that is under construction is selected by a buyer and a reservation payment of up to GBP 2,000 is made whilst purchase contracts are drawn up. This reservation fee is non-refundable. Once a purchase contract has been drawn up and signed by the buyer and representative of the vendor, a deposit is required and then payments are made in stages during the construction process. Buyers who choose this method of property purchase should ensure that their stage payments relate to a stage in construction being met and not a time period having passed. This is because some developers encounter construction delays and a buyer should not have to pay anything until a certain amount of progress is made on their property.
It is usual for a buyer who selected a Dubai property off plan to hold back a small final percentage until completion to ensure the construction is completed properly. Once final inspection has been made, keys have been handed over and possession of the property has been taken over by the buyer, deeds will be transferred into the purchaser’s name.
One of the additional benefits of buying property in Dubai is that purchasers are given residency rights in the emirate. These rights apply whether you buy new or resale property. If you choose to go for the latter option then the buying process is slightly different to that covered above. For a start an offer has to be made to the vendor – this is usually only a verbal offer and, if accepted, both parties in the sale sign a preliminary sales contract and a deposit is paid...this can be up to 10% of the purchase price. This deposit is generally non-refundable unless the vendor withdraws from the sale which they can only do under exceptional circumstances.
If a buyer will require a mortgage in Dubai they must have this agreed in principle before signing any contract and parting with any money. This is because whilst mortgages are even available in Dubai from the likes of Barclays Bank nowadays, the lending criteria to be met are sometimes tough.
With a mortgage agreed in principle, a lawyer instructed to act on the buyer’s behalf, a verbal offer made and accepted and a preliminary sales contract signed and deposit paid, any conditions of that sale that have to be met such as successful searches being completed etc., a final contract is drafted and signed and all monies remaining are transferred. Finally, the property for sale is transferred into the name of the new owner.

Link to Shelter Offshore

Trump Tower, Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:47:00 +0000

What do you get when you mix the Donald and the Middle East’s most exciting city? Welcome to the Trump International Hotel and Tower. Located on one of the mile long man made palm islands this 48 storey building will be finished in 2009.

Dubai before and Dubai now, take a look.

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:43:00 +0000

Dubai in 1991

Dubai now... Amazing isnt it?

The Falcon City of Wonders

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:38:00 +0000

So, what’s new at Dubai? The latest project is called the Falcon City of Wonders and is a $1.5 billion bird-shaped city which will include life-size replicas of seven wonders of the world as well as offices, shops and flats.
Three buildings will be modeled on structures that were part of the original list of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” — the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Others will be replicas of more modern wonders — the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Great Wall of China, a statement said.
The Falcon City website has details of each structure in the massive undertaking. The project is spread over an area of 100 acres and will be created in five overlapped phases, with the first phase expected to begin by the first quarter of 2006. [via: Reuters]

City of Arabia: An unprecedented city

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:36:00 +0000

The latest Dubai mega project and a key element of the multi-billion dollar Dubailand theme park, Dubai's upcoming answer to Disneyland for the Middle East . City of Arabia is a mixed-use tourism development project being built in Dubailand. The AED 7.2 billion (US$ 1.96 billion) will occupy 20 million square feet (1.86 million square meters) and be home to over 35,000 residents. City of Arabia will feature a huge shopping mall, a breathtaking dinosaur theme park, and residential and commercial towers.The residential and commercial area of City of Arabia will contain 34 towers of 60, 45 and 30 storeys of residential, tourist and commercial use. The hotel towers include a five-star 400-room property built over the entrance of The Mall of Arabia, a boutique hotel on an island in City of Arabia's 11 km (6.84 mile) sumptuous water canal.The centrepiece of the City of Arabia is being predicted to become the world's largest shopping mall by 2008. It will cover 10 million square feet (0.93 million square meters) spread over four levels and around 1,000 outlets. There is more, of course. The dinosaur theme park is expected to be a major tourist attraction, it is predicted to be the world's largest, and a breathtaking dinosaur theme park developed in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of London.Hence, The City of Arabia is much more than a mirage in the Dubai desert, it is gearing up to be a must-see international tourist attraction

MAG 218 Tower

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:26:00 +0000

A 66-storey residential Tower, 55 of which are comprised of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, houses 7 floors for parking, 3 technical floors and a Community Area and Health Club Floor. There is a swimming pool and Jacuzzi on the Podium Roof. The Tower is conveniently located minutes away from the most serene waterfront in the area - the Dubai Marina. It is also within a short distance of the most attractive shopping facilities, and other amenities such as Internet and Media Cities. All the flats are spaciously designed with first-class finishings and fully equipped European standard kitchens. The event was attended by high-profile businessmen specialized in the real estate business. The Consultants for this project are Dar Al Handasah and the Sales & Marketing agent is Asteco. Payment facilities to buyers are offered by Amlak. MAG 218 is the second of 12 projects in progress by MAG PDD who has developed a structured formula that combines design distinction with real estate basic principles based on quality and commitment in execution.

Dubai's Latest

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:53:00 +0000

Extreme Dubai, Dubai Properties, Properties, Real Estates, Construction, Buildings

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More Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:23:00 +0000

What comes up, must... come up in Dubai, of course

No other place in the world is so saturated in architectural "creative juice" right now, as Dubai. Powered by the government's idea of creating some kind of Flash Gordon /Buck Rodgers tourist trap (and by the injections of pure cash, of course), the place sports ridiculous amount of mind-boggling projects, part of which we covered in The Rotating City and Burj Dubai Highest Building articles. Now's the time for a quick overview of what's already on the plate, and what's coming on the (decidedly gourmet) Dubai's architectural menu.

First, projects already (even if partially) built:

Palm Islands

The largest artificial islands in the world, built by (who else?) Dutch engineers, who perfected their dredging technology in their constant battle for ground with the rising sea. Three of these islands are large enough to see from space, and swanky enough to attract wealthy buyers from all over the globe.

The World Islands

Variation on the Palm islands idea, except in a (slightly cheesy, we think) world map form. Every little "island" will cost in the neighborhood of 20-30 million dollars, and there will be 300 of them.

(images credit: Nakheel Properties)

"Hydropolis" Underwater Hotel

The world's first, and a planned celebrity magnet. German company Hydropolis is going to build the modules, of which there will be three: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. (source)

Land Station:

"Dubailand" - which will be twice the size of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (largest amusement park collection in the world) is going to be the subject of a separate article.

Now real fun begins; these are the projects that just recently came to our attention:
(One page on the internet is called "Dubai is nuts". I'd say, Dubai is going "triple nuts" with whipped cream and a cherry on top)

1. LAS VEGAS ARAB STYLE: THEMED HOTELS PARADISE

Bawadi Section of Dubai:
- spans a stretch of over 10 km
- houses 31 themed hotels, including the largest hotel in the world.
Las Vegas on steroids, built in half the time, with probably wilder (or tackier?) design sense. Although, it might turn out interesting, if tastefully done.

Asia Hotel - the biggest (of course) hotel in the world:

Lagoon Hotel - the World's Cthulhu Headquarters:

(images credit: Skyscraperpage)

Trump Tower Dubai:

2. THE JEWEL OF DUBAI: THE ROTATING TOWER

I like this one the most. Morphing into mesmerizing shapes under the sublime light of the moon, wooing romantic couples with a whir of the wind turbines, making the tenants slightly dizzy by the graceful rotation of their bedroom's scenery - this is radical enough to attract scores of tourists, if successfully built.

Read this article for more info.

Wind turbines will be placed between the levels:

- 68 floors
- built by Italian company "Dynamic Architecture"
- every floor is controlled independently by the owners:
(have a sunset in your window when going to bed, and see the sunrise when waking up)
- 58 wind turbines can produce up to 300 kWatt of energy (fully powering not just the tower, but a few surrounding city blocks as well)
- One tower can produce $7 million dollars worth of energy a year.
- Amazing construction technology: build the "stem" first, and then - starting from the top! - string the modules along the spiral grooves.
(1 floor every 3 days, with only 90 workers needed, instead of 2,000)
- Modules are prefabricated and transported to the site by trucks.

(image credit: Dynamic Architecture)

3. DEATH STAR: CERTAINLY A PRACTICAL SHAPE

RAK Convention and Exhibition Centre Ras Al Khaimah:
Rem Koolhaas from "Office for Metropolitan Architecture" OMA in Rotterdam, Holland chose this form because of its effective use of space and inherent practicality. The center will house multiple hotels, residences and offices - all having individual balconies facing the central open space.

The circular openings in the sphere will allow enough sunlight to host an exotic garden inside:

The "Sphere" will be located immediately adjacent to the proposed NEW CITY (no less). Here is how the whole "Death Star/Satellite City" combination will look like:

Proposed new city - "RAK Gateway":

Images courtesy SOM and Emaar Properties.

To summarize this smorgasbord of architectural delights: The only thing going against Dubai seem to be that it's really a desert with an atrocious climate, that it's located in the seismically and politically volatile Middle East, that their government is technically running out of oil money (and real tourist money is yet to come) - and that there are way too many projected new cities in the region, that will need to be populated by whom? The tourist industry is huge, and lets hope these eye-candies will prove to be attractive enough for the volume of tourism UAE needs.

GCC construction industry growing

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:28:00 +0000

DUBAI: The huge number of transport projects needed in the Gulf will ensure the regional construction industry continues to grow in the next few years, say the organisers of one of the industry's biggest exhibitions.

"The level of construction across the Middle East is showing no signs of slowing down," said IRR Exhibitions, which will host the Gulf Traffic Exhibition from December 10 to 12.

"The unique rates of regional development have led to population increases which, in turn, have resulted in a significantly higher demand for efficient transport infrastructure."

Most GCC countries have launched long-term strategic transport plans in a bid to alleviate escalating traffic congestion problems and support swelling populations.

Saudi Arabia has signed contracts worth $3.8 billion to carry out major railway projects within the kingdom, while Bahrain is investing $690 million into road projects.

These include major strategic projects such as the rebuilding of the Sitra causeway and redevelopment of the Umm Al Hassam junction, as well as roads improvements in villages and other secondary roads.

Other major projects in the region include the construction of a third metro line in Dubai linking passengers to the Jebel Ali International Airport, and a possible GCC rail link. Jordan will also build a light railway joining Amman and Zarqa. Both rail projects are due for completion in 2009.

Jumeirah Heights

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:26:00 +0000

Nakheel, the UAE's leading real estate developer, has launched Jumeirah Heights, a new residential community.

Designed with business professionals and young couples and families in mind, the new development represents one of the best opportunities to buy a home in one of the most desirable locations in Dubai.

Jumeirah Heights is a self-contained community of more than 2,300 residences at the heart of 'new Dubai', between Jumeirah Islands and Jumeirah Lake Towers.

Construction began on the project in May 2007 and eventually it will become home to around 11,000 people.

At a time when demand for housing is at an all time high in Dubai, Jumeirah Heights brings a full range of residential options to this rapidly growing city.

These range from spacious open-plan apartments and uber-trendy lofts and duplexes to townhouses - all incorporating the highest quality architecture and design.

Jumeirah Heights is divided into three distinct areas - The Village Centre, The Fronds and The Clusters.

In the first stage of development, the Village Centre contains two mid-rise buildings, consisting of almost 650 apartments and a variety of retail facilities including a supermarket, cafŽs, bank, pharmacy and a number of other outlets.

A club house will welcome residents, while leisure facilities will include a swimming pool, a gym and a children's play area.

The two fronds will each consist of two mid-rise apartment buildings and 17 townhouses.

The two clusters will each house three low rise apartment buildings boasting two and three bedroom loft apartments with private gardens. Both the fronds and the clusters will offer a variety of leisure facilities.

Jumeirah Heights lies just off Shaikh Zayed Road near the popular Jumeirah Islands community.

Two metro stations will be situated within easy reach by the time of the project's completion in 2010. This gives Jumeirah Heights a fantastic and convenient location within fifteen minutes of bustling business areas such as Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, the five-star luxury of beachfront hotels, bars and restaurants on and near the Palm Jumeirah and world-class shopping at Ibn Battuta Mall.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of Jumeirah Heights - the newest member of Nakheel's Jumeirah Family," Jumeirah Heights senior manager Mohammed bin Ghannam said.

"Following the success of Jumeirah Islands and the overwhelming demand at the launch of Jumeirah Park in late last year, we are delighted to be bringing this new product to market, especially at a time when people throughout the UAE are looking for exactly this kind of property.

"The key aim with Jumeirah Heights is to provide choice - both in terms of the variety of residences on offer and the financing options. Jumeirah Heights will bring people who have been looking for a different kind of product to Jumeirah," he said.

Jumeirah Heights will provide residences for established professionals as well as for those who are taking their first steps onto the property ladder.

With a recent report by MEED suggesting the property boom is likely to ensure investors a good return for years to come, and a Colliers International Report highlighting developers' increasing ability to offer more attractive financing options and incentives, the development will help more people make the leap from renting to owning their own property.

Some Major Developments in Dubai to look forward to..

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:54:00 +0000

Rakeen Properties

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:40:00 +0000

RAK project will offer services in free zone environmentRakeen, the leading developer in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced it is to develop an iconic financial city in the emirate. The development, dubbed Ras Al Khaimah Financial City (RKFC), is the hub of the RAK offshore project currently under development by the the emirate’s investment authority, Rakia.The city will consist of 12 cutting-edge-designed towers and is set to facilitate the emirate’s growth by acting as a regional financial centre. The RAK offshore project is the new centre for financial operations of the regional business community that will offer financial, legal, logistic and insurance services in a free-zone environment.RAK offshore will be owned by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority, facilitating the operational and legislative requirements of the burgeoning emirate. Meanwhile, the development will be an example of best-practice and cutting-edge architecture in the United Arab Emirates, with the appointment of Hey Detina, the renowned, forward-thinking New York architect.The pioneering design of RKFC will lead to the establishment of an icon for the emirate and a modern, functional complex for business and legislation. “The development will be a landmark on the coastline of the Arabian Gulf, and its design is something Rakeen is very proud of. “However, it is also crucial that RAK has a centre of financial strength that will further instigate the growth of the emirate, and we are adamant that is what RKFC will do,” said Dr. Khater Massaad, Rakeen executive chairman. The financial city has been designed to provide a masterpiece with genuine modern-day offerings ensuring leading and efficient business activities.In tandem with state-of-the-art facilities and latest amenities, RKFC will be a vibrant and dynamic urban space complemented by nature, allowing the centre to also act as a major tourist attraction. “The architectural expression is a sensitive portrayal of an organic curvilinear form.“The structures will be in harmony with the natural elements blending the natural surrounding elements with technical advancement. The towers will represent a gateway to the future of an iconic financial destination,” added Dr. Massaad.

Prperty News

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:28:00 +0000

Dubai: 6 May, 2007 – Dubai Properties will focus on how companies from across the region can drive growth and stay competitive during the first-ever Management Innovation Forum, taking place from 8-10 May, 2007 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Yaqoob Al Zarouni, Chief Officer Human Capital of Dubai Properties, the headline sponsor of the forum, will highlight the company’s innovative management practices and the role organisations can play in attracting and retaining innovative employees during a panel discussion at the forum.

Al Zarouni said: “Knowledge-based economies create value-added products, services and relationships that can pave the way for innovation and entrepreneurship. The key to innovation lies not in creative thinking alone but in creative practices and generation of opportunities in the industry.

“At Dubai Properties, we have implemented an innovation management solution by adding value services, increasing and maintaining market share, reducing cost through improved internal structure and processes, and sustainable brand value.”

Dubai Properties’ aims to be at the forefront of innovation and customer service, by providing value-added and economical services to its customers.

The master developer also provides a competitive and growth-oriented environment for its employees whose number has grown to 1,100 in 2007.

In 2007, Dubai Properties introduced ‘Afaaq’, the employee innovations scheme and Ijada, the employee reward programme, designed to encourage outstanding contributions to the company’s tremendous growth and business success. Dubai Properties recently received the ISO 9001:2000 for excellence in quality and customer service.

Innovation is a key driver across all the major functions of the region’s leading companies. It is being implemented across the Arab world through strategic partnerships and developing flexible, responsive, customer-centric business processes and personnel.

Organised by Leaders in Dubai, the Management Innovation Forum will feature eminent speakers in business innovation. Among those participating are Tom Peters and Ram Charan. Both are testimonies to the creative spirit that business leaders will need to meet the competitive challenges of tomorrow.

Dubai Properties Showcases Exclusive Projects at Retail City 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:20:00 +0000

Dubai: 30 May, 2007 – Dubai Properties is showcasing its retail projects, The Walk, Bay Avenueand Culture Village Souq at the annual Retail City 2007 exhibition, to be held from 3-5 June at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

and Culture Village Souq at the annual Retail City 2007 exhibition, to be held from 3-5 June at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Being the platinum sponsor of the event, the master developer is also inviting retailers to lease space at the newly launched Culture Village Souq, and is expected to announce major deals during the three-day event.

Billy Daly, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Properties, said the company would use the exhibition as a strategic platform to demonstrate the vital contribution of its projects to the transformation of the Middle East real estate sector.

“We are delighted to be part of this year’s Retail City as this is an excellent platform for us to showcase our diverse retail and commercial projects, including the Culture Village Souq.

“Our unique end to end business model offers opportunities for diversification into areas such as retail sector. Our maturing retail experience and our diverse portfolio, featuring some of the most prime locations in the region, will give us a chance to become a strategic real estate developer within the retail sector over the coming months.”

A unique shopping experience, Culture Village Souq is a themed waterfront retail facility that will encompass 370,000 sq ft. of a two-level shopping mall comprising over 200 shops, with both interior and exterior retail spaces overlooking the Dubai Creek.

Through pioneering projects such as The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence,
Bay Avenue
at Business Bay, and the Souq at Culture Village, Dubai Properties’ is contributing to the development of Dubai’s retail sector. at Business Bay, and the Souq at Culture Village, Dubai Properties’ is contributing to the development of Dubai’s retail sector.

Bay Avenue at Executive Towers is an urban development within Business Bay, the region’s business capital. The modern retail facility will sprawl across 175,000 sq ft. of a two-level shopping concourse comprising over 130 shops including exterior retail space overlooking the extension of the Creek.

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence will be Dubai’s first outdoor waterfront shopping boulevard. Its 1.7 km beachfront stretch will consist of two levels and host over 350 retail outlets. Recently, more than 300 global brands signed up at The Walk, which will cater to around 30,000 residents living within Jumeirah Beach Residence, as well as more than 200,000 residents and visitors from the surrounding areas.

The company plans to strategically expand its portfolio by moving into ventures that provide maximum return on investment for its business partners.

The Palisades

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:26:00 +0000

The Palisades is a monumental architectural vision coming to life in Dubai Investment Park ; with uniquely styled homes that are highly individual and packed with function. Its leafy open-planned design will give residents the space to evolve into a community with a real sense of togetherness.

The grand vision of its developers, together with the high quality of structural finish, ensure that this will be an iconic development that will stand out in the competitive housing sector.

Further adding to its profile is its immense size and style. The Palisades will be Dubai's largest area of urban landscaped parkland, housing a staggering population of more than 55,000 in property; styled in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian era. The Palisades is a remarkable project that will not only make a footprint in the property market, but leave a legacy.

Useful Information

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:23:00 +0000

Emergency services:
Fire 997
Ambulance 998 / 999
Police 999

Other useful number:
Directory enquiries 181
Operator assistance 100
Time 140
Airport enquiries 2066666

UAE dialing codes:
Abu Dhabi 02 Sharjah 06
Al Ain 03 Ras Al Khaimah 07
Dubai / Jebel Ali 04 Fujeirah 09

Useful books:

Dubai Explorer Guide: A great guidebook to answer just about everything you need to know in Dubai. Underwater Explorer for divers and Off-road Explorer for 4-wheel drive enthusiasts are also available. Published annually.

Connector Informative: Monthly booklet with useful ‘green pages’ – where to find classes from aerobics to pottery. Also informing of hotels special offers available, etc.

Whats On / Time Out: Monthly magazines giving information of the months events, up-and-coming concerts, etc.

White goods:

Kitchen appliances are relatively low cost in Dubai. A wide variety can be found at Carrefour in the City Centre or Jumbo Electronics. Ensure that your purchases come with a warranty. Second hand appliances are advertised on notice boards outside most large supermarkets.

Household help:

In order to employ a full-time housemaid, you need to arrange sponsorship for her, which costs Dhs 5,000/- per annum. It is illegal to share a maid with another household. Alternatively, there are a number of maid services, which drop off and collect. The standard rate is Dhs 20 -25 per hour.

Home Help: Tel. 3555100
Molly Maid: Tel. 3988877

Pest Control:

Should you find your home invaded with creatures, one of the following companies may be able to assist you: Jumeriah Pest Control Tel. 3964721 Ridapest Tel. 3437663

Pets & vets:

Cats and dogs must be vaccinated regularly and wear a Municipality ID disc on its collar. If a dog is found roaming the streets without a disc it may be taken away and terminated. Many unwanted pets end up at K9 friends so if you are thinking of buying a pet, pay them a visit (Tel. 3474611).

During vacation periods there are kennels to look after your pet:
The Doghouse Tel. 3471807 Dubai Kennels & Cattery Tel. 2851646

For poorly pets:

Veterinary Hospital Tel. 3442498
Jumeirah Veterinary Clinic Tel. 2942276

Schools & Nurseries:

All schools and nurseries are fee paying for expatriates, with fees being high. There is a wide variety to choose from, with standards of teaching usually high. Most schools have excellent facilities and offer a variety of extracurricular activities.

School inspections are regularly made by The Ministry of Education to ensure rules and regulations are being upheld. School uniforms are usually mandatory. Nurseries and pre-schools (babies – 4 ½ years) usually run for 4 hours in the mornings with fees ranging from Dhs 3,000 – 12,000 per annum.

Primary schools (4½ – 11 years) run from 8.00 – 13.00 with fees from Dhs 10,000 – 20,000 per annum and secondary schools (11 – 18 years) run from 8.00 – 15.00 with fees from Dh 15,000 – 45,000. Although there are a few universities students usually return to their home country to continue further education.

Recommendations of other parents will probably provide you with the necessary information to make your selection.

Shop till you drop:

Dubai is a shoppers paradise with the shopping festival month (DSF) bringing a huge number of visitors (and lots of congestion on the roads). Everything can be found in Dubai, from gold to carpets to designer clothes. There are a number of shopping malls where you will find everything under one roof. City Centre, Mercato, Bur Juman and Wafi centre are the largest and most popular.

Gold: The gold souk in Deira must be paid a visit, offering something to suit everyone! A popular gift for those back home is their name written in Arabic on a gold chain.

Furniture & furnishings: Lots to choice from whatever your taste, from modern outlets like The One and Ikea, to beautiful Indian, wooden and wrought iron furniture at Khans and Marina Gulf Trading.

Clothes: Thousands of shops to chose from, whatever your taste! A very popular pastime amongst the women of Dubai is having clothes made. Most tailors, popular area being Satwa, will copy or create anything you desire. With the many material shops offering beautiful, low cost, fabrics you are able to design your own unique creation.

Bargaining: Comes part and parcel of living in Dubai with the exception of International chain stores. Purchases of jewellery, Persian carpets, electronic goods and Arabic gifts are the perfect places to exercise your skills of persuasion.

Activities:

The great climate enables sport enthusiasts and explorers ample opportunities for outdoor activities, from all types of water sports to some more typically Middle Eastern activities!

Wadi & dune bashing… A four wheel drive can take you to parts of the desert rarely explored, and is great fun. A ‘wadi’ is a dried out riverbed which has been created by rushing floodwater through the rocks.

Getting around in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:22:00 +0000

Cars and Taxis are the main forms of transport in Dubai. Cars can be rented or leased upon arriving in Dubai. Dubai Transport Corporation is a reliable taxi service (Tel. 2080808).

Renting: Minimum hire period is 24 hours, costing from Dhs 90/- per day for a small vehicle. Documents required:

Passport + photocopy
2 passport size photographs
Valid International or country of origin licence

Autolease: Tel. 2826565
Avis rent-a-car: Tel. 2245219 etc. etc.

Leasing: Can be leased on a weekly or monthly basis, costing from Dhs 1,200/- per month for a small vehicle. To Check cost! Documents required:

Passport + photocopy
Credit card
Valid International or country of origin licence

Buying: In order to purchase a car you need to have a residence visa. Only then are you able to register or finance the car in your name. Once registered, the vehicle must be re-registered annually.

Ensure you take plenty of cash when re-registering your car as any speeding/parking fines must be paid in order to obtain your renewed registration. Contact Eppco Tasjeel (Tel. 2673940) for further information on car registration.

Getting Connected

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:21:00 +0000

Telephone & Internet:

Telecommunications within the UAE and outside world are generally good. All communication is provided by Etisalat. An application form is available at any Etisalat office and once submitted will take approximately 2 – 3 days for connection. Two of the largest Etisalat offices are Defence roundabout (Sheikh Zayed Road) and opposite creekside Sheraton Hotel, Deira. Documents required are:

Etisalat application form (in English).
Copy of passport & residence visa.
Letter of ‘no objection’ from employer.
Copy of Tenancy Agreement.
Dhs 250/-

For Internet access you can use your home or office internet account. Etisalat is the official Internet service provider and offer a roaming service. Alternatively you can dial straight in with a computer and your telephone by using the Dial N' Surf service. See following www sites:

Emirates Internet Roaming Service www.emirates.net.ae/net_roaming.htm
Dial n’ Surf www.emirates.net.ae/dialnsurf.htm

Electricity & Water:

The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. Standard British plugs are used. US appliances will require an adaptor. The Dubai Electricity & Water (DEWA) office is located close to the Wafi shopping mall (Tel. 3244444).

To install water and electricity at your property, you need to take a copy of your lease agreement and your DEWA Account number (which is usually on a small plaque outside the villa/apartment – and will be supplied by your leasing agent), along with a deposit, which is refundable when you leave the property. The deposit for apartments is Dhs 1,000/- and for villas is Dhs 2,000/-.

TV & Satellite:

Local television offers three Arabic channels and one English channel (Dubai 33). There are a wide variety of satellite packages available. Most apartment buildings have dishes installed, leaving the Tenants to acquire their own decoder (which can be leased or purchased from satellite dealers). Villa residents will usually need to install their own dish.

Showtime Direct	(04) 8088888
Bond Communications	(04) 8005400
Satlink – Showtime	(04) 3365055
Star – Orbit / Star select	(04) 2270009

Movint to Dubai?

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:20:00 +0000

Visas:

All visitors, except GCC nationals, require a visa, however free visit visas are issued to most nationalities upon entering Dubai. Some nationalities however do require visa so enquires should be made before travelling.

A visit visa is valid for 60 days, but can be renewed for a further 30 days upon paying a fee of Dhs 500 at the Department of Immigration. Alternatively, a ‘visa run’ can be made, which entails flying to Doha or Muscat at a cost of approximately Dhs 300, and re-entering Dubai on a new visit visa.

In order to work in Dubai, open a bank account or lease accommodation you must have a residency visa. There are two types of residence visas, one being sponsored by a company for employment, and the other being sponsorship by a family member (for residency only – labour card to be obtained separately).

Banks & Credit Cards:

Most International banks base their regional headquarters in Dubai, providing full commercial and personal banking services. Banking hours vary depending on bank but are generally open from 8.00 – 13.00 (except Friday).

Money exchanges are available all over Dubai, and offer reasonable exchange rates, which are usually better than the banks. Hotels will usually exchange money and travellers cheques (at a standard hotel rate).

Credit cards – American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard & Visa – are acceptable at most shops, hotels and restaurants. Some smaller retail shops prefer cash and will charge an additional 5% for processing credit card payments.

Health & Medical:

In order to obtain a residency visa and labour card all expatriates are required to undergo a medical and blood test. Employers usually arrange for all the necessary paperwork and procedure.

As medical care is very expensive, if residents are not covered by a company or private medical insurance it is advisable to apply for a health card which entitles residents to low cost medical treatment at public hospitals and clinics. An application form can be collected from any public hospitals then submitted (typed in Arabic), along with the correct documents to your local Health Care Centre. The health card is valid for one year.

Documents required to obtain a health card:

Passport copy.
Covering letter from sponsor.
Visa application copy.
2 passport size photographs.
Completed Ministry of Health form.
Dhs 300/- for health card plus Dhs 200/- for medical examination.

Driving Licence:

Until you obtain full residency, most nationalities are able to hire a car provided they hold a valid driving licence from their country of origin, or an International licence.

For private vehicles a temporary Dubai licence must be obtained from the Traffic Police, which is valid for one month. A privately registered vehicle cannot be driven on an International licence as the vehicle is insured for UAE licence holders only.

Always carry your Dubai Driving Licence and car registration with you. If you are stopped by the police and cannot produce your licence you are liable to be fined.

Office locations: Bur Dubai Police Station - Sheikh Zayed Road (Tel. 3981111)

Traffic Police HQ – Dubai/Sharjah Road (Tel. 2692222)

Documents required for UAE licence:

Traffic Police application form (typed in Arabic).
Sponsors passport copy or copy of company’s trade licence.
NOC from your sponsor/company in Arabic.
Original driving licence + photocopy.
Passport + photocopy.
2 passport size photographs.
Dhs 10/-

Note: Careful attention should be paid when driving in Dubai as drivers are very unpredictable and road etiquette leaves a lot to be desired!

Postal service:

All mail in Dubai is addressed to post office boxes. Most residents use their company P.O. Box address for private mail. It is possible to rent a personal P.O. Box from the central post office in Karama (Tel. 3371500), and select a P.O. Box located close to your residence. The fee is Dhs 210/- per annum.

For more information about moving to Dubai please visit Landmark Dubai

Jumeirah Lake Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:17:00 +0000

The most desirable address in Jumeirah and you can call it home. With Panoramic views of the Gulf and Dubai Marina to the north and Jumeirah Islands to the south - These breathtaking vistas that reinforce the Wind Tower's unique location.

The Wind Tower's close proximity to leading 5 star hotels, beach clubs, international restaurats and prestigious landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab, make it a very sought after address in dubai.

The 37 story Wind Tower comprises of residential duplexes and penthouses with private roof top gardens and swimming pools. Adding to this we offer 5 star and fully serviced furnished apartments on a time sharing basis with flexible terms and attractive pricing.

Also available are furnished apartments with 100% freehold ownership. Our office units are unique in their design, but flexible enough to suit your needs now and in the future, as your business grows.

Convenient underground parking
Seperate lobbies for office and residential units
Ground floor shopping area
High speed elevators
High speed internet facilities
Advanced Safety Systems
Access to Satellite TV
24 hour concierge
Closed circuit television
State of the art fitness club
Swimming Pool

Jumairah Village

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:07:00 +0000

Variety is what Jumeirah Village is all about, from outdoor and indoor activities to expansive, convenient shopping. This philosophy also extends to the types of homes available. Residents can choose from a selection of distinctive villas and spacious apartments of diverse sizes and locations, to the Mediterranean or Arabic-themed style of architecture with balconies to enjoy the lush landscaping and scenery.

An Office in Amman for Emaar

noreply@blogger.com (Bobby) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:04:00 +0000

Amman, Jordan, May 23, 2007: Emaar International Jordan, the subsidiary of Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC, opened its corporate office in Amman at the Rabia Towers, to drive the sales and marketing activities of projects in Jordan. The office displays a true-to-type model of Emaar International Jordan’s pioneering project, the Samarah Dead Sea Golf & Beach Resort.

Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, opened the office in the presence of Mr Issam Galadari, Managing Director, Emaar International – Middle East and North Africa; Dr Nader Mohammed, Regional Managing Director – Emaar International; and Mr Steve McCartt, General Manager, Emaar International Jordan.

“As an emerging market with strong growth potential, Jordan is one of Emaar’s thrust areas in our geographic expansion plans,” said Mr Alabbar. “Emaar is aligned with the development vision envisaged by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, and with the opening of our corporate office, we are strengthening our resource base in Jordan and will evaluate new investment opportunities.”

Samarah, a mixed-use, master-planned project, of development value JD354 million (US$500 million), is developed by Emaar for The Dead Sea Touristic and Real Estate Investment Company, formed by Emaar Properties PJSC and a number of Jordanian regional investors. The Dead Sea Touristic and Real Estate Investment Company undertakes investments in line with the growth plans outlined for the Kingdom by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development.

“Emaar will drive the sales, marketing and project development of Samarah Dead Sea Golf & Beach Resort, which has already received strong investor response regionally and internationally,” said Mr McCartt. “The first-of-its-kind master-planned project in Jordan, Samarah complements the tourism growth initiatives of the Government through its mix of luxury residences, commercial establishments and leisure & entertainment facilities.”

The true-to-type model of Samarah on display at Emaar International Jordan’s corporate office will highlight the key features at the project including a full-fledged golf course and clubhouse, luxury villas, beachside amenities and an extensive retail spread. The model will help potential investors gain an insight into the scale of development of Samarah Dead Sea Golf & Beach Resort and the design elements to be used.

Emaar Properties has a significant presence in 16 countries globally, and the geographic expansion is line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world.