The Dubai Expat Diaries

Dubai is set to make history today, with the opening of its very own superscraper and the world’s tallest building Burj Dubai scheduled to open at 8pm.
Major General Mohammad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency Department at Dubai Police told Gulf News: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid [...]

Dubai’s favourite beach bar, Barasti (Le Meridien Mina Seyahi on Jumeirah Beach Dubai) has launched what it calls it’s “biggest promotion ever”. It certainly sounds like it! Check out the details from the official press release:

How to play – Barasti Big Deal

Barasti Big Deal is our biggest promotion ever! We’ve teamed up with Dubai’s [...]

Barasti is back with it’s extremely popular “Barasti on Tour” promotion…this time it’s free Summer getaways for a lucky bunch that gets to hit the most famous beaches around the world. More info below:
THIS SUMMER WE’RE HITTING THE WORLDS COOLEST BEACHES: OVER THE NEXT 3 MONTHS, SOL INVITES 4 PEOPLE – TWO WINNERS AND THEIR [...]

Heard an interesting survey on a popular radio channel a couple of days back (on or around Valentine’s Day). The listeners were asked whether they would like to hold their partner’s hand or a cell phone. Surprisingly, more than half said they would rather hold a cell phone! I understand how essential the PDAs are to [...]

The popular Barasti Bar has just launched its latest leg of “Barasti on Tour”. Last time winners were flown to Sydney for New Years Eve…this May 6 lucky people get to fly to New York! More details below…

Twitter (Official Site: www.twitter.com, More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter) the microblogging service that allows users to update their status, share ideas, interact and post online finds with others using 140 character messages is fast growing in popularity. The Twitter community in the UAE is currently estimated to be over a 1000 users, with a percentage which is quite [...]

Everyone’s familiar with the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, which has been a longstay member of the Jumeirah hotels community…most popular, perhaps due to Barasti Bar, one of the most popular social watering holes in Dubai. Next door on the same complex is also The Westin Dubai, which opened in May last year with a well-remembered [...]

Dubai has done it again. A new project by design house Palazzo Versace in Dubai has made headlines around the world. The AED 3 billion luxury resort to be built in Culture Village will have the world’s first climate-controlled beach for the hot summer days when temperatures easily go over 40C.

A funny piece sent to us by a reader via email…
 
What to expect when you receive your UAE ID Card in year 2010:
Operator :’Thank you for calling Pizza Hut . May I have your…’
Customer: ‘Helloo, can I order..’
Operator : ‘Can I have your multi UAE identity card number first, Sir?’
Customer: ‘It’s eh…, hold……….on……889861356102049998-45-54610′
Operator : ‘OK… [...]

Some expert tips from Theo Lotz, the Assistant Recreation Manager at The Westin Dubai Hotel, who offers guidance on Dubai Marathon preparation (nutrition, clothing, etc)

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi has also launched their second Facebook competition!
Upload a fan photo of YOU, dressed in your funkiest / snazziest or “sportiest” Dubai Marathon gear on the Dubai [...]