Day trip to Dubai

Closed up view of Burj Dubai taking shape

Burj Dubai stands out among the skyscapers in Dubai

Skylines of Dubai city on the way back to Abu Dhabi

In front of Dragon Mart with Yong

Inside Souk Madinat Shopping Mall

River scene inside Souk Madinat Shopping Mall

Me at the Souk Madinat Shopping Mall river view

Me in front of the Beijing Olympics display at Dragon Mart

Me in front of the entrance of Burj Al-Arab hotel

Scene at the Abra station across the Dhow River

Time passed really fast and I have spent more than a month in Abu Dhabi. Yesterday went over to Dubai for a day trip with Yong and Poh.We took the early bus from Abu Dhabi at 8am and reached Dubai two hours later. The bus ride was quite comfortable and we passed many tall buildings which were either completed or under construction. I was told that a quarter of the world construction machineries are in Dubai, the fastest transformed city in the world. The tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai which is 162 storey high and scheduled to complete by next September 2009 is also located in Dubai, so is the most expensive hotel in the world, the Burj Al Arab hotel.

Dubai is a city of fascinating constrasts, offering a distinctive blend of old and new. It’s where East meets West. In less than a century, under the visionary leadership of Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family, it has transformed from a small fishing village into a modern city full of surprises.The first place we visited, the Abra Station where we took the boat ride across the Arabian Dhow River near the commercial district. The river cruise only cost us 1 dirham each and it took only 10 minutes to reach the other side of the city.

Board a cab to Dragon Mart which boasts to have about 3,000 shops in the Mall mostly operated by the Chinese. Took quite a number of photos at the Beijing Olympics displays at the Mart. Earlier crossed over the road where there are many blocks of apartments labeled with China and England apartments. Have our noodles at one of the restaurant run by the Chinese near the China’s apartments.Our next stop was at the most expensive hotel in the world, the towering 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel. Took quite a number of shots at the hotel entrance and the Wild Wadi water park at Jumeirah.

Went over to Souk Madinat Shopping Mall which was just a walking distance from the hotel. The shopping mall was quite traditional and they even have restaurants, bars and entertainment.Cabs ride in Dubai is more expensive than Abu Dhabi and we spend quite a lot on taxi fares. Some ride could cost more than 60 dirham. Turned back by the long quee for the bus to Abu Dhabi and decided to take cab back AD which cost us 50 dirham each.

More news from the Emirates

Me with one of the Emiratis at the Mall

Me at Abu Dhabi Mall

Inside Abu Dhabi Mall

Abu Dhabi Shopping Mall

The subway where I take to go to Lulu Hypermarkets.

Lulu hypermarkets where I usually buy my Filipinos dinner

The laundry shop

My two friendly laundry assistants where I got my laundry done

The Kabus shop

The Pakistanis doing the Roti Nan type of bread called Kabus

My barber shop entrance

The barber shop where I have my haircut done for 10 dirham

Dear Comrades,

It is the beginning of August…weather had yet to reach the peak. Yesterday after our weekly dinner in one of the few Chinese Restaurants in Abu Dhabi, we went to the Gold Centre to shop at the many jewellery shops. There are also many shops selling furniture imported from Malaysia at the centre. Surprisingly there is not a single security guard at any of the gold shops while all the gold and diamond were openly displayed.Malaysian robbers will have a free time over here.

Partly due to the terrible heat over here, I need to have my haircut early and got it done in one of the Indian hair saloon for only 10 dirham. The villa I am staying is located very conveniently to the numerous groceries shops, hair saloon, and some big shopping centre like Al Wahda Mall centre and Lulu Hypermarket. Did my Window Live Messenger with my wife regularly at one of the Internet Café for only 5 Dirham per hour which is also walking distance to my villa

It hardly rains in AD and there is no drainage system in their building layout.The landscaping here are maintain green by the sprinkle system which run underground.Newspapers here are sold for 3 Dirham but their paper quality are superior with glossy finish and come with 5 sections.

News from Abu Dhabi

Part of the street of Abu Dhabi

Part of the city of Abu Dhabi

Part of the skylines in Abu Dhabi

Yong posed in front of the pub with a African bouncer

My buddy from KL enjoying his beer and steak with me at one of the pub in AD

One of the old building being demolished to give way to new buildings

Dear Comrades,

10 days have passed in AD...Slowly adapting to the life and weather over here.We work halfday on Thursday and rest on Friday. In the month of Ramadhan we stop at 3pm.Attended the orientation session for new staff at our head office today.There were mixture of nationalities in Tamouh Investment, mostly from the Philiphines,India,Malaysia and Gulf nations.

Yesterday underwent the full medical check up given by the company.They even have my stool taken for examination.The dental check-up was good as it has been years I went for one since school days.The dentist adviced me to clean up my teeth deposits at the gum area and have make appointment to see him next week,We are only paying 20% of the cost.Accomodation is a big problem in Abu Dhabi.A small little studio room is going for AED5,000 per month and you need to pay 12 months upfront to get the room.Cars here are cheap and you can buy a decent used car for less than AED10k. New cars are affordable and Kia Picanto is selling at less than AED30k.Parking is free even in Shopping centre and there is no road tax over here.There are so many types of luxury cars in AD which you can't find in Malaysia.

Crime is almost zero in AD.Ladies feel safe to walk in the street at night.The punishment for crime committed is serious.You will be send to the jail before deported to your country of origin.Policemen are paid AED30K per month with housing facilities provided.The majority of the employee are either from Philpines,India,Pakistan and Gulf nations.The Pakistani are mostly taxi drivers or hard labourers,The indian operate the sundry shops and also as labourers,the Filipinos in the service industry as maids,clerical staffs,restuarants.The Gulf nation are from Egypt,Lebanons and are mostly semi-professionals.The locals hardly work as they are filthy rich and mostly as government servants and sponsors.They usually dressed in their traditional white custumes with the headwear kondura.

The construction work stop from 12noon to 3pm during the summer season.We are now experiencing the summer and weather now is touching 50 degree.The joke here is there are plenty of water in UAE even though it is a desert but no water shortage.Unlike in KL where we have plentiful of rainfall but facing water supply crises issue.Will post more photos soon.To be continue...

Update from Abu Dhabi

Bahrain duty free shops during my transit to Abu Dhabi

Mr Richard Ibanez, a Filipino which I met during the 4 hours transit at Bahrain.He worked 1 year as a technician in Saudi Arabia and is leaving for Philipines for good.

Dear Comrades,Safely arrived at Abu Dhabi on 16th July 2008 local time 10.10pm via Gulf Air flight transit at Bahrain. Started working the next day for the local property developer Tamouh Investment Company LCC. Weather terribly hot at 48 degree.

Lodging is the biggest problem over here with the rental going up as high as Dirham 5,000.Our company have about 90% Malaysian with the Filipino filling up the clerical positions.Will post to you more photos from Abu Dhabi soon...

Farewell gathering with friends and relatives in KL and Malacca

My colleagues, consultants and contractors at farewell lunch in a Thai Restaurant in Taman Melawati.

My Malacca buddies enjoying dinner at farewell gathering in Malacca.

My childhood friend Richard Yeo, all the way from Johore Bahru to attend the farewell

Farewell lunch with my brothers,sister and parents at New Kingdom restaurant, Melaka Raya

Lunch farewell given by my brothers and sister at New Kingdom restaurant in Malacca

Farewell dinner organised by DAP Salak South at KFC Kuchai Lama

DAP Salak South N/V Chairman Abdullah Chong ( standing brown shirt) and secretary Fong Kok Leong white shirt at KFC Kuchai Lama restaurant

It was indeed a hectic weekend with many farewell gathering organised by friends and relatives before ny departure to Abu Dhabi. On the last day of my work on 9th of July 2008, my colleague,consultants and contractor treated me to a lunch at a Thai restuarant. Later in Malacca on Saturday night my Malacca childhood friends threw a farewell dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Melaka Raya.I was really touched by my buddy Richard and Quek who came all the way from JB and KL respectively to attend the dinner.

On Sunday, my brothers and sister bought me lunch at New Kingdom restaurant at Melaka Raya.Meanwhile at night, DAP Salak South treated me Kentucky Fried Chicken at the Jalan Kuchai Lama KFC outlet. Will be leaving for Abu Dhabi on the 15th July 2008 for new job assignment.

Blood donation on 6th July 2008

De Tropicana Condo Resident Association ( DTRA ) and National Blood Centre jointly organised the 8th blood donative drive at the condo Multi Purpose hall on Sunday 6th July 2008 from 10am to 4pm.The response from the public was more than the residents with 63 registered donors but only 53 qualified to donate. The next drive will be held next year January 2009.

DTRA 8th Blood Donation Drive

De Tropicana Condo Resident Association(DTRA) and Pusat Darah Negara ( National Blood Centre) will jointly organise the 8th Blood Donation Drive as described below:

Date: 6th July 2008 ( Sunday )

Time: 10am to 4pm

Venue: De Tropicana Condominium Multi Purpose Hall
Jalan 2/116B, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama,

58200 Kuala Lumpur.
( Opposite Golden Sun Restaurant)

Dear Potential Donors:

1) Please have at least 6 hours of sleep before donating.

2) Refrain from taking alcohol 1 day before donating.

PLEASE PASS MESSAGE TO FRIENDS...

YOU GIVE...THEY LIVE...