Many are called but only few are invited…

November 27, 2008

 Should I say I missed the opening of the 8th Wonder of the World  - The Atlantis or I was just one of those who were not invited? No need to wonder.. I am not a hollywood celebrity. But thanks to my Indian friend who lives close to the Atlantis he shared me some of the photos. By the way, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah has 1,539 room and it is located at the apex of Palm Jumeirah just 5 minutes from The Village Centre at the tip of The Trunk. This unique property will feature the Royal Towers and the Bridge Suite situated on upper levels. It will also showcase an epic arch similar to that of its sister hotel in The Bahamas, but with an Arabic architectural twist.

Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah is built on 120 acres of The Crescent, and includes an extensive waterscape, complete with ancient rock formations, lazy lagoons, dramatic waterfalls and lush, vibrant horticultural elements from around the world, all designed to provide maximum thrills for adrenalin seekers, as well as calming water rides for those looking to relax.

On the eve of November 20, 2008, the Grand Opening took place. Big stars and hollywood icons like Oprah Winfrey were among the distinguished guests of the opening. I was not there, but these pictures (fireworks) below are enough for me to say, “I’ve been there!”

        

The Horror of getting Driver’s License in Dubai

November 25, 2008

I am quitting!

 

I always end up with this statement every time I called the customer service of Belhasa Driving School. I enrolled myself to this school last July and until now I haven’t received any call from them to start my training. I understand that most of the driving schools in Dubai have allotted three months before the start of the training. But I can’t imagine, it’s almost five months now. I did my classroom lecture and passed the signal test two months back. And one more thing, I have paid my bills. This is ridiculous!

 

Well, I admire the services of the customer agents. They are present every time I visit their office. They are very polite and respectful and very consistent with their phases. Whew! Come to think of it. The first time I came to ask for my training schedule, they said, “We will call you!” But they did not call. Tired of waiting, I came to their office the second time around and the same answer I got. But, again, they did not call. Another tiresome moment, I suppose.  Are they human who speak like a parrot or they are parrots that speak like a human? The third and the last time I came. At last, I gained new hope. I heard their new answer, “Please call us!” What a f**k! I insisted with all my might but all I got was nothing. Okay, fine! But what is the most funny (irritating) is I just follow what they said. I phone them most of the days, morning and afternoon. But this is totally crazy. None of these agents know better answer than the repeating, “We will call you!”

 

How many of us have encountered similar scenario? Getting a driver’s license in Dubai is as difficult as getting a bar or board exam. Good for the western people, for the citizens of rich countries of Asia – Singapore, Hongkong, Brunei and Malaysia, they can convert their licenses without any hassle.

DUBAI TAXI DRIVERS

November 22, 2008

Arrogant! No good manners and right conduct! Unprofessional! Bossy! Bitch! Hardheaded! No brainer!  Etcetera! Etcetera!

 

These are some of the basic descriptions we can hear from people who were not satisfied with the service of a taxi driver in Dubai. I may say, not all of them but let me say most of them. These drivers are nothing but headache to the passengers.

 

I heard so many stories about them. There was one British who complained against the taxi driver because instead of taking her to the Mall of Emirates, he took her to the City Center. His reason was because he has no idea where the Mall of Emirates is found. What an idiot! Why he took this lady in if he did not have anything on his mind?

 

Another instances also, a friend of my brother, was molested by the driver while heading home in the middle of night. Is this normal here in Dubai? I guess it’s far beyond normal because my brother’s friend is a man. What happen to this people?

 

Every place in Dubai, you’ll meet this people. If you are a high tempered person you gonna end up fighting with them. I thought I won’t meet them. But last day while heading for work with my auntie, I decided to call for a taxi because the bus was full and we could not accommodate ourselves. While near to our destination, I told the driver to pull over near UAE exchange in Mirdif, Uptown. But I was surprised that when we were about to enter the roundabout he suddenly took the taxi out of the rightmost lane and ordered us to go out. Why? I asked politely. I told you to take us to UAE exchange. Just take right on the roundabout and that’s it. Why are you stopping here? He shouted, “What is your problem? Very traffic there. If I go there problem for me to come back, too much traffic” he answered loudly in his own English grammar. “My friend, with me is an old lady. Can’t you see the road? Cars are speeding. And if we cross from here to the opposite side (it has no pedestrian lane by the way), we could be hit by these cars. “No! No! I am only here..Khalas!” he shouted again. I don’t want to fight with this driver. I handed him our fare and we moved out from the taxi leaving the doors open. Good for him.  

 

Sad to note that this city which is dubbed as the leading destination in the Middle East, and where the tallest building in the world is found, seldom we could find good and professional taxi drivers. Dubai municipality (RTA) has not intensified its commitment to serve the people with great care and safety.  

DUBAI LEADS THE WAY

November 17, 2008

Dubai has scooped up the most trophies at the World Travel Awards, Middle East category that was held on October 2008. See below results:

 

Middle East’s Leading Airline	Etihad Airways
Middle East’s Leading Airline In-flight Entertainment	Emirates(Dubai)
Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge	Qatar Airways
Middle East’s Leading Airline Website	Etihad Airways
Middle East’s Leading Airport	Dubai International Airport
Middle East’s Leading Airport Hotel	Millennuim Airport Hotel, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Beach Resort	Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
Middle East’s Leading Budget / No Frills Airline	Air Arabia
Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airline	Qatar Airways
Middle East’s Leading Business Hotel	Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Agency	Kanoo
Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff	Emirates(Dubai)
Middle East’s Leading Car Hire	Europcar
Middle East’s Leading Conference Centre	Dubai World Trade Centre
Middle East’s Leading Conference Hotel	Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Middle East’s Leading Conference Resort	Park Hyatt Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Cruise Line	Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port	Dubai, UAE
Middle East’s Leading Destination	Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Economy Airline	Emirates(Dubai)
Middle East’s Leading Family Resort	Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach
Middle East’s Leading First Class	Etihad Airways
Middle East’s Leading Golf Resort	Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Green Hotel	Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Hotel	Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Hotel Brand	Rotana Hotels
Middle East’s Leading Leisure Hotel	Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Marina	Anchor Marina, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading MICE Destination	Dubai
Middle East’s Leading New Hotel	The Monarch Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Overseas	IFA Hotels & Resorts FZ LLC.
Middle East’s Leading Private Jet Charter	Royal Jet
Middle East’s Leading Resort	Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Spa Resort	Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Suite	Monarch Suite, The Monarch Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Tourism Development Project	The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheel
Middle East’s Leading Tourism Property Development Company	Nakheel
Middle East’s Leading Tourist Board	Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Government of Dubai
Middle East’s Leading Travel Agency	Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar
Middle East’s Leading Travel Management Company	Dnata, Dubai

The travel awards were launched in 1993. Votes are casted by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies, and tourism organizations from more than 160 countries.

JOBS IN DUBAI

November 16, 2008

Looking for Jobs in Dubai? I am giving you the top 25 job sites which might be of help to you. But I do not assure you that through these job sites you can find your ideal job. These are the following:

1. Bayt.com. is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 26,000 employers and 1,824,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, Pakistan, North Africa and around the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels.

2. Gulftalent.com is the leading job site for professional in the Middle East and Gulf region. It helps you search for jobs with top employers and recruitment agencies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Dubai (UAE in general).

3. JobsinDubai.com offers various levels of employment opportunities from junior staffing to management positions. All are available in many locations throughout the Middle East.

4. Monstergulf.com Whether you’re thinking about a new job, new career, a new city or a new direction… Monster helps you explore the possibilities and find the opportunities that are right for you.

5. Charterhouse.ae offers coverage across the entire Middle East region. It currently has offices located in the economic hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It also has dedicated teams that service Bahrain and Qatar.

6. ClaredonParker.com provides innovative staffing solutions across the Middle East and India. Established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 1994, Clarendon Parker Middle East FZ LLC (CPME) is headquartered in Dubai Internet City with additional offices in Dubai Airport Free Zone, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

7. Naukrigulf.com is a forum where employers, hiring consultants and job seekers can exchange information, quickly, effectively and inexpensively. It has a platform built to add value to the recruitment process by bridging the gap between employers and job seekers, seamlessly integrating their needs and providing the right job, to the right candidate, at the right time.

8. Nadia-me.com pioneers in the field of Recruitment, Training and Consulting in the Middle East. This website is designed to assist you in applying for jobs.

9. Headhunt-me.com connects high quality jobseekers from around the world with top employers from across the Middle East as quickly and effortlessly as possible. The unique combination of its advanced proprietary technology and network of leading recruiters enables both employer and jobseeker to search faster, wider and more efficiently for the perfect candidate or job than ever before.

10. IMG Recruitment.com commits to perform its duties in high spirit and enthusiasm to achieve its best GOALS and to guarantee the satisfaction of its clients and candidates.

11. IQSelection.com is a management executive recruitment company, which provides focused recruitment services to clients and candidates throughout the Gulf region.

12. BAC Middle East.com has nearly 30 years of experience in the UAE in recruitment industry. It believes that people are the building blocks of all productive and successful businesses.

13. SOS recruitment Consultants is pioneer in providing Human Resources related services to the UAE and Middle Eastern market for over thirty-one years and works across mid to senior level assignments. It has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait.

14. Antal.com is the leader in EMEA & Asia executive search & selection with a network of over 50 fully-staffed offices in 24 countries, recruiting talent in a range of industry sectors & skill functions. Since inception in 1993 Antal has placed executives in over 75 countries and offers clients a choice of recruitment & staffing solutions from Retained Executive Search, Search & Selection to Contingent Recruitment in Permanent, Interim & Contract/Temporary Staffing.

15. Wadijobs.com Wadi Jobs & Consultancy is a privately owned company. Its staff has over 10 years of placement, recruitment & consultancy experience. It provides a professional and personal service to its clients in order to make the process of hiring/recruiting as efficient as possible.

16. Jobs-me.com For more than 25 years, Secretarial and Business Services (SBS) has employed its expertise to render support services in the field of Consultancy, Recruitment and Job Placement. Jobs-me.com provides services both for commercial and industrial companies in the recruitment of their staff economically and expeditiously.

17. Dubai-recruitment.com is a South African and International workforce provider for employment not just in Dubai but for around the Gulf countries as well.

18. Exec-appointments.com is the leading executive jobsite for Director and management jobs in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the rest of the world. Its global executive job database covers a wide range of senior management job from major employers, executive recruiters and executive search firms. It advertises permanent career opportunities as well as contract and interim jobs in the private and public sectors.

19. Carefor.com is in one roof with CARE GROUP and CARE Institute of Educational & Management Services that has been marketing its own particular blend of recruitment services to oil & gas industry of Abu Dhabi since 1992. It has earned an enviable reputation as a specialist provider of Technical and Non-Technical personnel.

20. Gulfbankers.com is part of Forum International Group of Companies established in 1997 with head office in Dubai. With our 10 years experience in Executive Search and Consultancy business it became a valuable partner to most of the leading banks and financial institutions in the region.

21. ITpeople.in IT career and job portal site.

22. Jobtrackme.com undertakes Recruitment assignments in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Consequently it has a healthy bank of both candidates and clients in these geographical areas.

23. Experts.ae is a leading management & technology consulting firm based in prestigious new offices in central Abu Dhabi. It is recognized for its technical & functional expertise in Recruitment, Outsourcing, IT implementation, customization, upgrade & integration of business solutions. It has now over 100 consultants specializing in various vertical market sectors, ensuring that whatever your resource requirement, they will be able to assist you in finding the right solution.

24. Mybetterfuture.com Jobs in UAE, Dubai, Sharjah and Middle East. Explore new job opportunities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, UAE, Middle East and Gulf where employment agencies, headhunters and recruiters are waiting to respond to your resume/cv with the available job vacancies in multinational corporations, big and small size business organizations.

25. Jobscan.ae Since 1991, Jobscan has been servicing blue-chip clients and local conglomerates across the UAE to meet their human resource requirements.