What's inside the Salik Tag?

I just sent an email to customerservice@salik.ae to terminate my Salik account. With an obsolete Salik tag, the only thing I can do is to cut it open.

There's nothing spectacular, just a little computer chip and some foils.

I still have 28 AED in my account but I was told that I would not be able to get back the balance. Too bad.

So keep the change, RTA.

Au revoir, Peugeot.

The next item to go is my trusty Peugeot. It has served me very well for the last 2 years despite the crazy engine noise, the stupid cassette player, the 80's manual side mirror adjustment system, the 60's window and door locking system, and the squeaky windscreen wiper which drives me nuts. So merci beaucoup, my little french car.

Obviously, all the other car accessories went with it left me at the same time. They were the salik tag, the car keys and the car registration card.

Second item to go: Car registration card
Time of departure: 1000 08-Jul-09

Third item to go: Salik Tag
Time of departure: 1020 08-Jul-09

Fourth item to go: Car keys
Time of departure: 1030 08-Jul-09

Fifth item to go: Peugeot 206
Time of departure: 1045 08-Jul-09

However on a bright note, I just hired a Toyota Yaris for my last 7 days in Dubai. Have I told you I hate taking cabs in the UAE yet? Anyway, standing in the street in the middle of nowhere waiting for a taxi during summer is the last thing I need. Furthermore, I would much prefer catcat's last leg to the vet and the catteries to be as comfortable as possible. So here it is, meet my white Yaris.

Bye Bye, Labour Card.

I am one week away from leaving Dubai. Follow this blog closely as I will report to my dear readers how my stuff leaves me in a chronological order.

First thing to go: My dear UAE labour card.
Time of departure: 10:30 07-Jul-09

Ladies' Counter

In most government offices in the UAE, you can easily spot a counter which is especially catered for ladies.

I find it extremely weird. I understand the concept of having designated car park lots and toilet cubicles for the mobility challenged, and special seats on the commute for pregnant ladies, senior citizens and adults travelling with infants. But I never believe "ladies" in general should be considered as a weaker sex and therefore requires special attention. Of course unless the "lady" in concern here has to cover head to toe in a black veil in the dead heat of the desert summer.


*The customer being served here at RTA was a man at the ladies' counter because there were no ladies waiting at the counter when this photo was being taken. Clearly I wasn't "lady" enough.*

Another article on Dubai

It is just by sheer observation that I conclude many are packing up their stuff and leaving Dubai. I see moving trucks on the road when I am driving. I see ads of cars and furniture selling at remarkable rates on Internet forums when I myself is trying to offload my stuff. I see lines of people trying to settle their bank loans on their vehicles when, once again, I am getting the release paper for my car.

Click here to read more.

Summer is here and it is the perfect time for families with children to move because the semester has just ended. Not being pessimistic here but I think the full effect can only be seen when the schools reopen in September. Of course, families with children are also moving into Dubai at the same time. There's never a time I feel myself acting more like a migratory bird flying to the south to prepare for winter, or in this case, to the east for summer.

Dubai Fountain

Boasted as the world's tallest performing fountain, the Dubai Fountain at the Dubai Mall is quite a spectacular water feature in Dubai.

I was dining with two colleagues travelled from Singapore in the California Kitchen at the Dubai Mall during the weekend when the performance started. The water jets and the music complimented each other and the sight of water shooting up to 150m high (approximately a 50 storey building) was indeed amazing.

There are numerous youtube videos on the Dubai Fountain. So if you would like to take a look at it, just youtube-a-away.

Another Nice Quote

For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case, too early to be whoever you wanna be.
There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want.
You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing.
You can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it.
I hope you see things that startle you.
I hope you feel things you never felt before.
I hope you meet people with a different point of view.
I hope you live a life you are proud of.
And if you find that you are not,
I hope you have the strength to start all over again.