Eid Mubarak in Dubai

During the recent Aid Holidays, went over to Dubai for vacation with my wife. Visited some interesting places like the Dhow Cruise, Deira City centre, Mall of the Emirates and Atlantis. Took the luxury bus service from Abu Dhabi to Dubai which cost only AED15.Upon reaching Dubai bus station, took the boat ride across the river to old Dubai. There will walk to the Dubai Chinatown where we had our lunch at one of the Chinese shop situated in Dubai Chinese Association building popularly known as Shoe City.

Joined the Dhow Cruise Dinner in the floating restaurant where Continental and Arabic buffet were served with some light music and entertainment. It was a memorable evening as the boat cruised along Dubai Creek by moonlight.

The next day took the Dubai Metro train to The Mall of the Emirates for breakfast before boarding a cab to Atlantis at Palm Jumeirah. Paid AED100 for entry to the Lost Chambers of Atlantis. It was an unforgettable themed marine experience in Ambassador Lagoon at the heart of Atlantis, 11.5 million litres of water and home to 65,000 marine animals in 22 different displays and habitats. It was really an awe-inspiring showcases of underwater world. During the construction of the resort, a complex series of passages was discovered, thought to have been buried thousands of years ago by the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

One Year in Abu Dhabi

Visit to Dubai Gold Souk with Yap and Yong early this month.

Drinking with friends in one of the pub in a popular hotel in Abu Dhabi

Playing badminton in one of the badminton hall in Abu Dhabi

In front of Burj Al Arab , last August , the most expensive hotel in the world.

Time passed really fast and I have spent a year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Started to get used to the country,the people,the food and the weather here. Have learned the tough way of life away from the family and the comfort of home and nice home-cooked meal.This is the short term sacrifice we need to make for the long term financial need which we can hardly survive in Malaysia.

Just remembered vividly when I touched down in Abu Dhabi on the night of 15th July last year. It was a hot and humid summer and started work immediately the next day.It was tough. On the second day I was already faced with the accomodation problem but with the support of my colleague who managed to pool enough money to settle for the upfront of AED60,000 payment needed. In UAE you need to pay for the whole 12 months rental before you can move in.And rental of room here is extremely high. Here I pay for a little studio of 200 square feet for AED5,000 per month and in Malaysia you can get a nice luxury bungalow for that price.

Gradually I learned to be independent.I learned cooking and ironing in Abu Dhabi.Now I can prepare simple dish mostly steamed stuff whenever I cooked my rice. Transport is another problem in Abu Dhabi. Parking space is hard to find. To resolve my transport here, I invested in a bicycle for my short distant journey to the mall to do my shopping. Taxis here is hard to get during peak hour.Sometimes I take the bus service which is quite reliable and economical for my long distant journey.

I look forward after work to chat with my wife via Windows Live Messenger everyday.I try not to miss a single day communicating with her. Technology really bring me closer to my family. Just imagine we are away 7 hours by flight but we can see and hear each other so clearly. That's the beauty of technology. To pass my time after work, I subscribed to the local E-Vision channel to get the latest news and movies.

Weekend here is Friday and most Thursday night I will be drinking with my friends in one of the popular pubs in town.Most of my shopping are done on Friday, my off day. Sometimes we will travelled to Dubai for shopping and try some of the Chinese food over there for a change.

Managed to join a group of Malaysian playing badminton in one of the international school hall in Abu Dhabi. There are 4 courts in the hall and we played on Wednesday and Sunday night. Most of the Malaysian are in the construction industry but some are working as pilots in the local airline company. There is even a Malaysian embassy staff playing with us.

Chinese New Year Celebration in Malaysia

P Posing in front of the hotel during our CNY stay in Malacca

2nd day of CNY at one of the leading hotel in Malacca with my angels

With my 3 angels at the St Paul Hill, Malacca

On top of the St Paul Hill with a local Eurasian guitarist performing oldies song to the tourist daily

In front of the historical A Famosa in Malacca with my angels

Friends and relatives CNY gathering at my apartment

Dinner gathering with my Condominium residents association members in KL

After a long 6 months stay in Abu Dhabi, fly back Malaysia to celebrate Chinese New Year with family members. Reached KL on the 16th January 2009 and on the next day went back Malacca to visit parents.The next day have a dinner gathering with my Condominium Resident association members.On the eve of CNY went back Malacca again to have the traditional reunion dinner with the parents and relatives.Visited the historical A Famosa and the St Paul Hill in Malacca on the 2nd day of CNY.Managed to catch up with most friends and relatives during the 2 weeks vacation in Malaysia.

Christmas in Abu Dhabi

Thick fog surrounding the city of Abu Dhabi during one of the early morning scene.

Drinking with friends at one of the pub in Abu Dhabi

The Filipino singers and dancers performed at one of the pub in a leading hotel in Abu Dhabi

Christmas carolling during the Xmas gathering at the Cafetaria

Celebrate Christmas at one of the contractor cafetaria in Abu Dhabi

There are many holidays towards the end of the year. We have the Awal Ramadhan,Christmas and New Year day.Both Awal Ramadhan and New Year are declared holiday.However Christmas is a working day in UAE.Some private companies do give leave to their Christian staff to celebrate the ocassion.
Most shopping centre in Abu Dhabi are well decorated and lighted up for the festival.Attended a Christmas gathering organised by one of our contractor on Christmas day.Malaysian food were being served there and there were also Christmas events and songs played to entertain the guests.
Attended the New Year celebration at one of the hotel pub in the city where liqour are readily available.Scantily clads Filipinos dancers and singers performed every night at the pub where almost one third of the crowds are from Malaysia.
This year there is no fireworks display for the countdown to the new year as most of the Arab states included UAE have decided to forgo the celebration as a mark of respect for the Palestines whose land are being bombarded by the Israel.
Early morning in Abu Dhabi could be very cold and sometimes you will experienced thick fog which enveloped the city.Visibilty is so bad that some flight to Abu Dhabi airport have to be diverted.