The Dubai Expat Diaries

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. 

According to a recent Arabian Business news report, “the first flight operating from the new airport being built as part of the $33 billion Dubai World Central (DWC) development will take off by the end of 2009, project chiefs said on Saturday”. 
Located in Jebel Ali, it is said that once ready, the Al Maktoum International Airport [...]

Here’s the follow up on my previous post on the Dubai Shopping Festival 2009. The calendar of events for this DSF 2009 has been released. This year is going to packed with even more fun activities, events, concerts, and exciting shopping offers…
Shopping Malls – Expect incredible promotions and discounts of up to 80 percent at 6,000 retail outlets [...]

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.

The grand opening party at The Atlantis Palm Jumeirah a couple of days ago was definitely the talk of the town here in Dubai, with the most expensive lighting and fireworks show the world has seen (that too when the world’s slowing slipping into a recession!). Here is a sneak peek at the spectacular Dubai [...]

19 Photos sent to us by a reader by email, from the opening of the worlds biggest shopping mall, The Dubai Mall, in Downtown Burj Dubai!

Grand Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport is set to open on 14th Oct! Dubai has set another record with the soon to open massive Terminal 3 at the Dubai International Airport. This magnificent project with world-class facilities such as spas, hotels, swimming pools, designer lounges, and even two indoor Zen gardens, will be the [...]

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 indeed for [...]

So just what ARE the new Visa rules and regulations being touted in the press and on the streets? Word has it that there will be 16 different Visa categories that tourists, business people and others of the travelling ilk need to consider and apply for. The main aim of the new regulations is to [...]