http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai That's the world from my perspective - with a free weblog from blogigo. en unusualfeline unusualfeline Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:10:33 +0200 daily 1 1. The Transportation Authority is going to build air con bus stops which is really a relief for many...it's part of the campaign to encourage people to use the public transport more often. 2. A piece of good news that brings smile to all expats here.. In the past,if your work permit is cancelled by termination or resignation..you will get a 6 mths employment and entry ban..totally. This is deemed rather unfair to employees. The latest revamped law which was announced yesterday lifted the entry ban. 3. Michael Jackson was (still is i think) in town this week. But I think his days are over. No more screaming crowd. He looks so pale...cosmetic perhaps. 4. Dubai is set to build a Dinosaur World..should be ready next year. Life size creatures...that roar (or is it growl?)...movements too. Over here, either they do it real mega or they wont do at all. 6. Another crazy project in the pipeline..approved. It's called the Rotating City -twenty towers with revolving floors, as well as floating and... Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:10:33 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Dubai-Dubai/15/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Dubai-Dubai/15/     In Dubai, every taxi driver has a tale to share..and i like to chat them up..from Pakistan, India, Syria, Sri Lanka...etc some as long as 20 yrs here..they literally watched history in the making..from desert to an almost cosmo city... Rony (not the guy in the picture, he's much younger) is from Sri Lanka, he lose his 6 mths old daughter, 3 sisters and mother to the damned tsunami. He and his wife are learning to cope and pick up the pieces again..as he said, tears dried up and life goes on. He is driving to make enough in about 2 yrs to build his house again..and he gets to see his wife once a month..she's working as a housemaid in Dubai. Thu, 18 Aug 2005 15:02:52 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/A-sad-tale/14/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/A-sad-tale/14/     Past 2 days, the visibility level in Dubai was quite bad due to sandstorms. Bad  especially for those with asthma...and also clothings out for hang...the fine sands will stick onto them...and by the time u bring them into your room, a little desert will be created...sands all over! In Dubai, the government is currently exploring the VAT concept..value added tax...which i think is inevitable...with all the developments...infrastructures, amenities..etc u need funds to pay for them...plainly speaking. Therfore, the easiest way out is to implement the VAT.Somehow, I think the top guns here should stay away from countries like Singapore...(half in jest).. too many stifling rules is a killjoy. There are about 300,000 expat PROs (Public Relation Officers) in this country, according to a local report. The job of a PRO here is very vital...he/she is engaged by a foreign company to deals with various government agencies. However, as part of the new emiratisation policy...this... Fri, 12 Aug 2005 09:48:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/sandstorms-VAT-and-PRO/13/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/sandstorms-VAT-and-PRO/13/ This is the funniest news I have read so far..and it's real: A lady passenger (thai) was using her mobile on board a budget airline in Bangkok..she was told by an air stewardess to switched off. Next moment, she ordered a bowl of instant noodle..not sure which brand..must be the extra spicy type..from the same stewardess... She smashed the piping hot noodles onto the stewardess' face..ooch!! she was angry with her for being rude... Now, they are sueing one another..the culprit? hahahahah...claimed she was provoked! Lucky...it's not curry or laksa! Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:17:51 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Ramen-on-your-face/12/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Ramen-on-your-face/12/ Snakes are everywhere here in Dubai! Wait a minute..before u throw stones and cry foul..hear my sad tale. Today, got a local manpower agent to supply 15 workers for the site. They came early in the morning for the safety orientation/security pass processing. Prior to that, I have collected copies of the workers' passports, visas and labour cards. Checked thoroughly and submitted to the main contractor for processing. It was found out they have doctored 13 of the workers' documents. How? they actually used photos of the workers and pasted them on the documents of other workers. When I confronted them..horror of horrors..no signs of remorsement..absolutely no shame..tried to explain everyone is doing it here..promised to supply bona fide workers to replace asap..I terminated the contract immediately Fri, 05 Aug 2005 09:55:23 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/beware-of-snakes/11/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/beware-of-snakes/11/ In the early years before the oil boom, most of dubai landscape consisted of such builidings..mainly residential. The pic above shows a typical feature called the wind tower. It allows cold wind to circulate within the four walls and hot air to rise up from the house. Thus,  u will have an effective ventilation system. Today, some of this buildings are preserved at the old area called the Bastikiya. Inside, u can see a beautiful courtyard with trees.... The weather is still very hot here...one more month before it returns to normal which means nothing until December..winter.       Fri, 29 Jul 2005 09:23:36 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Wind-Tower/10/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Wind-Tower/10/ For a foreign company to set our business here..u are only allow one trade license..and it is mandatory to have a national sponsor..the more influential he is the better it is for u..generally, his role is to help you with all the legal requirements of visa application etc..he is not involved in your biz operations and management..and he is not exclusive to u i think..because I know of one sponsor who is with several companies..imagine he is getting about 50,000 dhm per client(S$25,000)per year..not bad. Most foreign companies set up LLC..Limited Liabilities Company. Anyone who is keen..Im quite capable by now to help u set up...of course for a small fee..meow! The 2 workers with chicken pox..recovering....visited them yesterday. Today, the site was under attack..relax..by the main contractor Samsung...our site supervisor was scolded for delay in schedule..I was in-between..let him finished and just told him..we noted his points and will expedite asap..he wanted to stop the whole work for our... Mon, 25 Jul 2005 14:48:14 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/The-powerful-sponsor/9/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/The-powerful-sponsor/9/ The manpower situation is pure alibaba..many agents with registered companies claimed to have 500, 600 workers...all with proper documents..visa, labour card, passport..etc when they submit the documents of said 50 workers to you..if you dont check carefully..each of the worker is from different company! Not directly under the company u have a contract. Subsequently, when discovered by the client at the site..24 hrs dismissal! For me, I normally do my due diligence..so this is not an issue. However, I had 20 workers from a particular agent who failed to turn up one day..just disappeared! I found out later, the stupid company failed to pay them for 4 mths..so they decided to walk off. The weather is getting bearable..still at 40 degree..however, the cases of heat stroke has reduced. On the other hand, there is a minor outbreak of chicken pox! We have two workers from our base camp who are infected. Immediately, I put them in an isolated room. Sent them to the clinic. The prescription for chicken pox is... Thu, 21 Jul 2005 16:13:26 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Chicken-pox-and-what-have-u/8/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Chicken-pox-and-what-have-u/8/ IN Dubai, travelling by the several modes available: 1. Company's transport over the weekends normally stand by BUT several of us not so keen..have to match timing..so we rather explore and try the next one.. 2. Public transport...bus ! one good thing about their system here..i should say two instead..there is a segment in front about 8 seats specially rerserved for ladies..and when u pay the bus driver your fare..they do change if u have big notes..down side..u have to fight to get up the bus..especially on the foreign workers, pay day...not unusual to have your legs, arms, face pressed against the door by a bangla from behind and an indian stuck in front of u..literally hard pressed sanwiched in-between.. 3. Taxi..starting fare about 3.50dhm about one plus..most drivers are bangla, indians or syrians..expensive 4. or the above called the Abra..water taxis..only 20 cents to cross from side of bur dubai to deira..quite pleasant... 5. Last but not least..for the bold hearted...share... Thu, 07 Jul 2005 16:03:09 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Only-20-cents/7/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Only-20-cents/7/ This is the building Im working on..it's the Burj Dubai Tower..about 160 storeys high..will be the tallest by 2008. However, another building will beat the record by 2009..its the Pinnacle..and its stil in Dubai! Thank God for protection lor! Today, my transport hit a car in front and was in turn hit by another car from the back..sanwiched in between! only damages to cars..but no injuries to anyone. Thank God!   Mon, 04 Jul 2005 16:05:30 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Burj-Dubai-Tower/6/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Burj-Dubai-Tower/6/ Part of my job is to teach the foreign workers how to understand measurement on site...most of them are from India..probably their first trip..and they are really doing hard job on site under the blazing sun. I tried to make learning interesting..almost all could not understand english.and i dont speak their language..so have to be innovative. Using games i come to realise does help tremendously.. Have a new worker from india...really big physically..he arrived via plane with slippers..i thought a bit odd at first. Later, I realised it's because his big feet could not fit normal size shoes! We hunted 3 days all over Dubai..until we found a pair..size 48! In the office...we have a staff..his name..mussa..50s...from lebanon..but a jewish! his job is to prepare medical check up and visa application..typically arrogant..but he quite gum key with me leh..maybe because im not afraid of him mah..always suan him lor.. July and August are the hottest months here...latest law passed..workers working in... Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:17:37 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/July-and-August-2005/5/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/July-and-August-2005/5/ ..to buy a big fat fish! This morning, went to the wet market with some colleagues..it's 10 times the size of ours in singapore...quite well maintained and organised...all stalls are mend by guys in blue...the fishes, vegetables, fruits, dry stuff are located at different parts of the market...and another section is strictly for scaling and cutting fishes..for that they charge about 50 cents per kg.. At the fishes counter....u will hear tick tock sound all over...loud and speedy...the guys are using knives and hammer to cut those big fishes....and they also provide wheelbarrow services...not for plants..but to transport your purchased items to the carpark..for a small fee of 50 cents, the guy will push for u..we should have that in singapore..create more jobs! so clever... Meow...will go for my fish meal now! Fri, 24 Jun 2005 10:12:24 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/To-market-to-market/4/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/To-market-to-market/4/ Had my first off day last friday. Went out with a filipino colleague, Jose. He's a site engineer..also just came in. We visited quite a number of places... Bur Dubai is a city hub..past and present are merged. Carrefour is here..Ikea, many mega shopping malls...selling branded goods...Aldo the shoe shop from singapore is also here. Most of the shop assistants are filipinos..both ladies and guys. I think they are very bold to come all the way here..if only singaporeans shows such enthusiasm. Also visited the marina...this is a place to see the beautiful sunset in dubai. Have yet to view it...u can only see it around 7.30pm By the way, at the villa, the MD's wife prepares meals for about 6 people...including filipinos, chinese and singaporeans..on top of working in the office in the morning..quite pity her. She's a simple woman..sometimes, the husband barked at her loudly partly because she likes to liam liam keng... I do lots of salads and fruits..eat light and healthy..able to jog on... Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:06:38 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/First-Off-Day/3/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/First-Off-Day/3/ Arrived Dubai on the 14 June, 3.00am..beautiful airport and clearance was a breeze..thank God. The journey to my accomodation was about 30 mins..the cost? 80 Dhm (S$30)..quite expensive. The place Im staying with my MD (and his wife) is a nice place but moving around to city is quite out if you dont have transport. We have a mini bus that fetches us everywhere. The project we are working on is called the Burf Tower Dubai..by 2008, it will be the tallest building in the world..about 160 stories.. We can get lots of fruits here..vegetables...etc if you know good shops can get quite cheap..6 red apples and 8 del monte bananas about 3 sing dollars.. Weather is hot in the day but come evening quite cooling.. Stay in touch Thu, 16 Jun 2005 05:56:41 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/3-days-in-Dubai/2/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/3-days-in-Dubai/2/ This regal looking cat is found in Dubai.Anyway, welcome to my blog. The entrance fee is a box of Friska. By the way, Whiska, the above cat is also the guard here. You can write comments here or enter the guestbook to post comments. Will keep you all posted of my (mis)adventures in Dubai. Stay tuned. Leaving this evening, 13 June 2005. Mon, 13 Jun 2005 05:44:13 +0200 http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Welcome-to-my-blog/1/ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/springdubai/Welcome-to-my-blog/1/