The Dubai Expat Diaries

Dubai Mall is hosting a month-long shopping festival from April 30 – May 29, with exciting shopping deals and giving shoppers who spend AED 500 or more the chance to win AED 10,000 cash in daily raffles, not to mention the Grand raffle at the end giving away a million Dirhams to one lucky shopper. 

RTA has launched a new service called “mpark” which will enable Dubai residents to pay their parking fees more conveniently through their mobile phones.  This will make it very easy to extend the parking time without having to rush to the parking machine each time for another ticket. This service will initially cover Dubai Media [...]

Rihanna’s first gig in Dubai, originally scheduled for May 28, has been cancelled after all. She has been quoted as saying “it’s just not the right time for her”. It seems she is to keen to perform in this region but at a later date.

US pop star Rihanna has scheduled her big comeback concert since the Chris Brown controversy with a performance in Dubai. It is going to be held on May 28 but no other details about the concert are out yet. 

Dubai’s first budget airline, flydubai was launched yesterday and will start off with flights to Beirut and Amman from June 1. The carrier will take off from its base at Terminal 2 of the Dubai International Airport. 

Prepaid iPhones are now available in Dubai. According to Emirates Business 24/7, Etisalast has announced the launch of  iPhone 3G for prepaid customers:   The iPhone 3G 8GB device will be available in black colour for Dh3,121, while the 16GB device will be available in both white and black colours for Dh3,570, said a press [...]

One of the largest and most prestigious bridal exhibitions in the region, the Bride Show 2009 is returning to Dubai from 8 – 11 April 2008.

Yet another shopping mall has opened its doors in Dubai. The new Arabian Center Mall is located in Mirdiff on Al Khawaneej Road and is possibly a blessing for the residents in the area. It has over 175 international brands ranging from clothing, furniture, electronics, fashion and toys, including  H & M, New Look, Mango, [...]

For many expats who have made Dubai their home, getting a driving license here is more of a necessity than a privilege. And for some it can be a long, costly journey testing one’s patience to the limit. 

Global Village has announced the opening of a 51-day Spring Festival to run until May 1. Visitors will have free entry to the venue during this festival. This first ever Spring festival will witness the participation of more than 250 retailers in an outdoor ‘souq’ style setting, merchandising several categories of products from clothes, jewellery, [...]