The Dubai Expat Diaries

It is soon going to be compulsory to have an ID card to access the internet from public locations such as cafes and shopping malls. This move is intended to protect children and prevent cyber crime. This highlights the growing importance of having an ID card in the near future. Expats who don’t have an [...]

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. 

There’s good news for all the UAE expats and tourists who have been eagerly waiting for the best shopping festival in the region, DSF 2009(Dubai Shopping Festival 2009) is just around the corner. It has been a big hit from its very first launch in early 1996, getting bigger and better every year. This year, the 14th edition of the Dubai Shopping [...]

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.

Sheikh Mohammed has ordered the cancellation of all New Year celebrations in Dubai as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people. There has been a lot of confusion over which or if any of the planned events will go ahead. If you have purchased tickets or made bookings, you may have to check with the venue for their [...]

Some photos sent to us by a reader of the fire today. Dubai was abuzz with the news of a fire breaking out at the famed Atlantis Hotel, which is set to open this month. Sure enough, the smoke was visible from afar from very early in the morning and radio announcers frantic. A couple [...]

There has been plenty of media outcry and reports in international media about the recent arrest of tourists claimed to be engaging in intercourse on a public beach. Dubai is also taking strong measures to police the city to target and eradicate other so-called immoral behaviour. See CNN report below:   This is a dilemma [...]

There’s been quite a lot of coverage as well as rhetoric in the British media of late, regaring Dubai and a possible terror threat, posed to the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj al Arab hotel. Some snippets from various media reports: From The Telegraph: Expats – who make up perhaps as much as 90 per [...]