Going Places: Glimpse Of Dubai 2015

Day one stories : (Dec 2015) My flight supposed to take off at 15:15 (3:15PM) but delayed for 4 hours due to operational problems. Luckily I managed to contact my airport pick-up transfer to re-schedule pick-up time. Thanks B.K

Still at home ~ Super excited

When delayed announced

Sitting for 4 hours doing nothing leads to doing selfies

Finally boarded at 6PM but only take-off around 7PM

BUT anyway,

It was a dreamt come true. Finally I managed to set foot to one of the most artificial country on earth! Well ~ in a  good way of course. What nature didn't gave you ~ you creates!!!

WELCOME TO DUBAI

DUBAI SHORT INFO:

In 1883, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Butti moved the Bani Yas tribal family to Dubai. Sheikh Moktoum subsequently became the founder of the Al Maktoum family who continue to rule the Emirate to this day.

PRESENT DAY DUBAI:

The current ruler of of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed is committed to fulfilling his father's dream of making Dubai one of leading cities in the world, and has successfully turned Dubai into global hub of tourism and trade between the East and West.

RELIGION

The official religion of the UAE is Islam and you will find a large number of mosques throughout the city. Non-muslim are only permitted entry into mosques if they are on guided tour.

POPULATION

The estimated population of Dubai is approx. 2.4 million people. Around 80% of those are expatriates who are attracted by the tax-free working conditions and the relaxed, relatively crime free lifestyle. 

LOCAL TIME

The UAE is 4 hours ahead GMT during winter months and 3 hours ahead in the summer, during day light saving.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Arabic, although English is the most commonly used language in all area that incorporate tourism and commerce. Hindi, Farsi and Urdu are also widely used.

DUBAI CLIMATE

Dubai has a tropical desert climate, with summer temperatures reaching the mid to high 40's and remaining in the 30's overnight.Winter months are milder and more comfortable, with average temperatures in the mid 20's, dropping to 12C -14C at night. Between December and March the winter weather can also bring short, irregular rainfall ~ so be prepared!

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I stayed for 6 nights at Ramada Downtown Hotel. Room types : 1 bedroom Suite Facing Fountain.

A bit pricey but it served the purpose of my staying there. For info, most hotel in Dubai Downtown are pricey because of it's posh area. I like the fact that I can walks to Dubai Mall and the Boulevard in approx. 10-15 minutes and safe for walking alone. Their staffs are all very courteous and welcoming.

Enjoy my selfies on the night of arrival. Mind you ~ its 12am!

I'm so teruja (excited). Then I go to bed. Same as now.

Good night. Wait for my next entry.

* Teaser

My obsession with Burj

Getting Ready To Dubai 2015

My travel finale' for 2015. Decided only less than a month before departure. Inshaallah, everything has been arranged accordingly which I deemed important i.e flight from KUL -DXB, Accomodation, Airport Transfer and Tours for the first two days to get the feel of the city. For the reminding days, will be decided later, for more choices.

I will fly to Dubai by Malaysia Airlines on 23rd December 2015. ETA at Dubai International Airport around 18:50. Inshaallah. Booked hotel at Ramada Downtown Dubai because I wanted to be at close proximity with Dubai Mall and city center. 

Will write more about my Dubai experiance when my vacation over. Meanwhile ~ please pray for me. For my safety and happiness (let me enjoy it).

One Bedroom Suite with Fountain View

My pampering holiday... gonna enjoy the room more

My room facing the Fountain

Ahhh.... my relaxing holiday. I will enjoy the view from my room .

I already bought tours for the first 2 days.

$38

$75


Tours prices are 10%  discounted for my booking at Ramada

Note : Gonna enjoy my Princess Getaway.  I just want to relax and recuperate. I feel so exhausted and tired.

DUBAI UAE ~ Visa Requirement

Are you planning to visit Dubai? I myself never been to Dubai ~ and of course ~ as an adventurer I do want to steps my foot unto the famous Arabian soil of UAE.

So, for the past few weeks, I've been busy searching the internet to get some personal experiance   by other travellers. Mind you ~ I'm a lady traveller, and alone so I need as much information especially on safety matters. 

But... for this entry, I'll focusing on the VISA Requirement to enter UAE (Dubai).

The kind of visa needed to enter the UAE depends on several different factors such as your nationality, the purpose of your planned visit and its planned duration. The UAE authorities have taken many steps to make this process as straightforward and easy as possible. Citizens of 39 countries — GCC nationals plus nationals of listed countries — do not require visas prior to arrival. 

Citizens of the following countries do not require pre-entry visas to enter the UAE.

If you DO NOT fall into one of the above categories, you will require a visa and a sponsor for your visit. The sponsor normally applies for the visa on your behalf.

Valid sponsors:

• Hotels and tourist companies can apply on your behalf for a Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days), a Service Visa (valid for 14 days) or a Visit Visa (valid for 30 days and can be extended for other 30 days)
• Airlines and airlines handlers can apply on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour Transit Visa
• Other organizations based in the UAE may only apply for Visit Visas and Service Visas
• Individuals (relatives or friends) already resident in the UAE may, subject to guidelines, also apply on your behalf for a Visit Visa

If you are coming to work in the UAE, you will require a visa that can only be obtained on your behalf by your employer or sponsor.

Regulations for a Work Visa application:

• Passport must have minimum 6 months validity remaining at the time of application for an Entry Permit
• All photographs are to be recent, colour photographs (Polaroid photographs are not accepted)
• Those who are already in the UAE cannot get another entry permit until they depart from the UAE

Other Visa Types:

Entry Service Permit — Valid 14 days from the day it is issued and good for a 14-day stay.

Tourist Visa — Valid for a 30-day stay, but you can extend it to 40 days. You’ll need sponsorship from a hotel or tour operator, and prearrangement is required. You must also have an honoured passport.

Visit Visa — Valid 60 days from the day it is issued and good for a 90-day duration of stay. You’ll need sponsorship from a UAE resident, company or hotel. You can’t extend this visa, and it’s only valid one time.

Transit Visa — Valid 14 days from the day it is issued and good for 96 hours. You’ll need a confirmed hotel reservation.

Documents Required for a Visa

• Passport copies
• Copy of confirmed flight booking
• Bank approval letter
• Passport-sized photographs
• Visa fee

Apply for a Visa

For more information and to apply for a visa, please visit the General Directory of Residency and Foreigners Affairs or head to the nearest UAE embassy in your area.

UAE EMBASSY WEBSITE

Bali Re-Visited Nov2015 Day 3 ~ Ubud Day Tour

Previous post ~  bali-re-visited day 2

Transportation by my travel agent associate in Bali Mr Gentus from Bali Tirta Harum. Good service and a gentleman. One of the cheapest rate I can assure you.

Why Ubud?  Everytime I visit Bali ~ Ubud is a must visit place. Heaven for crafts lover and the best thing is ~ you can haggle the price til your last breath. Always opt for a win-win situation.

The Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant also located here. It has a few branches, but to me, the one in Ubud is the best in term of ambience and taste (as well).

Will continueee later... Im sleepy now.