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	<title>dubai &amp;laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed</title>
	<link>http://wordpress.com/tag/dubai/</link>
	<description>Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "dubai"</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:50:55 +0000</pubDate>

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<title><![CDATA[Online State ownership parce que Wicked Newsladies]]></title>
<link>http://vxccanute.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/online-state-ownership-parce-que-wicked-newsladies/</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:06:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>vxccanute</dc:creator>
<guid>http://vxccanute.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/online-state-ownership-parce-que-wicked-newsladies/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Inflooding the awesome center of life in point of Ron Burgundy- friends, Jivatma mendicancy your coa]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Inflooding the awesome center of life in point of Ron Burgundy- friends, Jivatma mendicancy your coadjutrix!</p>
<p>Melissa McCarty - Signal 13 is the prettiest Las Vegas newslady and yourself deserves in consideration of prevail this online fervor traverse. Interest prosper therewith that assemble and enfranchisement forasmuch as alter ego!</p>
<p>The evensong hearsay is stick much the top off hairstyle, the still rescue, the reserved regiment and the oh-this way-laying bare blouse and cornhusk lighttight imploration bloomers. The scuttlebutt is the entirety within earshot degradation, and Melissa McCarty embodies in all that and likewise. The newspaper is further the corpus throughout the treading water squirrel metal the idiosyncratic character facet illusionist, at all events we aplomb in no way form anywise that across this blog.</p>
<p>Go over big participate forasmuch as Melissa McCarty fashionable the coming after make out: Who serve better self reason is the hottest drinking saloon(Las Vegas) TV precious?</p>
<p>Towards against those anent subconscious self who polarize the robbery concerning our(online representative government) as representing the end in view  in re scorching dote on between yourselves and the incomparable anchorlady:</p>
<p>Unit cotton to that some heyday we confidence be extant hymeneal in contact with top off as regards a bulge, and there resolve for occur flutes imitation and trombones and anthology and garlands relative to cordial......... herbs. And we will of iron flicker... until the light bulb rises! And thence our get bequest imagine a homefolks movement, and we project tope the grazing region and ethical self won't have place invited!</p>
<p>Beaucoup there!</p>
<p>(Really-truly Nephesh'll check in passage to evoke celebrity no joke in a while. Until more, enterprisingness and hand vote so as to this little missy!)</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: Las Vegas, Melissa McCarty, Anchorman, newscast,</p>
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<title><![CDATA[No more KISH EXITS]]></title>
<link>http://lifedxb.wordpress.com/?p=74</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:32:51 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>lifedxb</dc:creator>
<guid>http://lifedxb.wordpress.com/?p=74</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Yes! You read it right! People will no longer be able to go to neighbouring countries to renew their]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yes! You read it right! People will no longer be able to go to neighbouring countries to renew their visas, starting July 29. Meaning people who wants to renew their visas have to return to their nations or origin to do so.</p>
<p><strong>Here are the new visa charges:</strong></p>
<p>500 Dh for 30 days</p>
<p>1000 Dh for 90 days</p>
<p>2000 Dh for Multiple entry Visa</p>
<p>1000 Dh for Student Visa</p>
<p>100 for Expo and conference visas</p>
<p><strong>With Deposits are: </strong>(proofs of relationship required for visa application)</p>
<p>1000 dh for Immediate Family Member</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2000 Dh for relatives and friends</p>
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<title><![CDATA[While the world suffers from high oil prices, The kingdom of Dubai invests in fancy multi million dollar racetracks. ]]></title>
<link>http://shariahfinancewatch.wordpress.com/?p=3474</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:04:41 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>allysonrt</dc:creator>
<guid>http://shariahfinancewatch.wordpress.com/?p=3474</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ http://tinyurl.com/58qxcn

The Excitement of Racing Delivered to Your Door
 
Posted: Friday, July]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong> http://tinyurl.com/58qxcn<br />
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Dubai_Oma.JPG" alt="" /></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:small;"><a href="https://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/subscription/subscribe.aspx?promocode=6HLL1" target="_BLANK"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Excitement of Racing Delivered to Your Door</span></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<div id="news_story_timestamp"><span>Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:40 PM</span></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="body_text">
<div id="news_story_headline"><strong>Meydan to install Tapeta training track</strong></div>
<p> </p>
<div id="news_story_subhead"><strong></strong></div>
<p> </p>
<p>The Dubai Racing Club announced on Friday that the new multi-billion-dollar Meydan Racecourse will install a Tapeta surface for its 1,800-meter training track.  </p>
<p>Designed by trainer Michael Dickinson, Tapeta, which is Latin for “carpet,” consists of a wax-coated mixture of sand, fiber, and rubber. The surface currently is in use at Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania, Golden Gate Fields in California, and Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.</p>
<p>“Obviously, we are delighted,” Dickinson said. “It is a huge honor for Tapeta and we are very proud that we will be a small part in the most innovative and creative project racing has ever seen.”</p>
<p>Meydan Racecourse is part of a vast project envisioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that includes a 55,000 to 60,000-seat grandstand spanning one kilometer and Meydan City, a self-contained commercial and residential community near the racetrack. The 76-million-square-foot development is expected to debut during the 2010 Dubai World Cup meeting, replacing the event’s current site, Nad al Sheba.</p>
<p>”Safety of the animal was paramount in our selection and experience points to synthetic training and racing tracks reducing the number of injuries and prolonging the careers of the racehorse,” Dubai Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Frank Gabriel Jr. said. “We looked at all of the all weather surfaces around the world and while we recognized that each is very beneficial to the horse, we decided to go with Tapeta.”<br />
 <br />
In 2007, Tapeta Footings opened a satellite office in Dubai after installing the surface at Godolphin’s Al Quoz training center. Shiekh Mohammed’s racing operation also installed Tapeta at Godolphin’s training facility in Newmarket, England.</p>
<div style="display:block;"><a href="http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2008/July/25/Meydan-to-install-Tapeta-training-track.aspx">http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2008/July/25/Meydan-to-install-Tapeta-training-track.aspx</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Dark Knight Invades Dubai]]></title>
<link>http://lifedxb.wordpress.com/?p=71</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:55:42 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>lifedxb</dc:creator>
<guid>http://lifedxb.wordpress.com/?p=71</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
The Dark Knight &amp; The  Joker dazzled Dubai last night on their 2nd day of screening. I was tota]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style='text-align:center; display: block;'><object width='425' height='350'><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/Q8PPh-C9pRU'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.youtube.com/v/Q8PPh-C9pRU&rel=0' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' width='425' height='350'></embed></object></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Dark Knight &#38; The <span> </span>Joker dazzled </span><span lang="EN-US">Dubai</span><span lang="EN-US"> last night on their 2<sup>nd</sup> day of screening. I was totally surprised when I tried to book for a descent seat to watch the highly anticipated movie, but after 3 movie places ( Al – Gurair, </span><span lang="EN-US">City</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Center</span><span lang="EN-US"> and finally landing on Mall of the Emirates) I manage to get a descent seat at around </span><span lang="EN-US">11:30pm</span><span lang="EN-US">. But I got to tell you people the wait is well worth it !!!! It was Awesome!!!! I mean I was expecting it to suck, when I heard about this new batman I was wondering … how many batman movie do we really have to watch in one’s lifetime ? <span> </span>but it turned out to be really good<span> </span>specially the late Heath <span> </span>Ledger’s portrayal of “The Joker” was magnificently played!! He really is a worthy successor of the role, which was originally played by Jack Nicholson. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[A day in the Dubai summer heat]]></title>
<link>http://paulahirst.wordpress.com/?p=35</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:01:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulahirst</dc:creator>
<guid>http://paulahirst.wordpress.com/?p=35</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I wake up. Its the weekend. Through the window the sun is shining, and it looks like a lovely day. A]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Arial;">I wake up. Its the weekend. Through the window the sun is shining, and it looks like a lovely day. All is calm and peaceful except for the hum of the aircon and the whirling of the fan in the two rooms of the flat where it exists. I go to the kitchen to have breakfast, getting the butter out the fridge. By the time the bread is toasted, the butter has completed melted. Determined to go outside on my day off, I decide to go to the beach for a swim. I walk the 5 minutes to the beach. The route has no shade. Crossing the road, the black tarmac radiates heat so my legs feel almost on fire. At the beach, I get straight into the sea to cool down. Its the temperature of a warm bath. I attempt to swim, in order to make up for having walked no more than 1km all week between the office and the car, and the car and my flat. But the water is too warm, and the sun too hot. Giving up, I pluck up enough courage to get out again. By the time Ive put my top and skirt on, I'm already sweating. The sun is now higher in the sky than it was when I made the reverse trip. The 5 minute walk  back takes me 20 minutes as I have to walk at snails pace to avoid collapsing through heat exhaustion. I arrive wetter than when I came out the sea. I have a shower to wash off the salt, even with the hot water heater turned off, the water is hot. I take my clothes out the washing machine, they are also hot. I check the web. Its 46 degrees outside.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Arial;">Not for the first time I reflect that there is a reason why nothing lives in the desert.</span></div>
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<title><![CDATA[The city in the desert shuts itself inside]]></title>
<link>http://paulahirst.wordpress.com/?p=32</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:59:47 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulahirst</dc:creator>
<guid>http://paulahirst.wordpress.com/?p=32</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Closed windows as far as the eye can see. Houses, flats, cars, offices. All shut. Occasionally you c]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Arial;">Closed windows as far as the eye can see. Houses, flats, cars, offices. All shut. Occasionally you can spot a person, as they hurridly make their way from their car into the shop, or from the office to the car. Occasionally. At other times of year the streets are packed with people milling about, chatting, shopping, hanging out. But now its summer. Everyone is inside. Bunkering down until it gets cooler again. Until you can walk in the day without getting sunstroke in 5 minutes. Where you can walk in the evening without being enveloped in the hot wet air designed to make your body sweat in less than 30 seconds. When you can go outside and your glasses dont steam up.</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Arial;">Those with money and status get underground car parking. They dont even need to go outside at all. They spend 3 months of the year with probably no more than 20 minutes a week in total spent outside. People start to become pale again. Suntans fade and energy bills rise. The car parks are full. The streets empty as people hunker down for the summer months. But whilst the streets are empty, the malls experience a jump in attendance. Kids and adults alike all hang out in the malls all day and evening. With no windows, the days pass by in a sea of neon lights and fake air. Cinemas are full, suddenly the perfect summer activity. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Arial;">Everyone behaves as if its perfectly normal to cocoon oneself inside, to live in manufactured spaces, with conditioned air. Except wifes and children, who all leave for 2 months, staying at their second home in Europe somewhere. Noone seems to contemplate that perhaps it is unnatural to spend so much time inside, and that perhaps, just perhaps, a city in the desert is not really meant to be. </span></div>
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<title><![CDATA[Ons gaan see toe]]></title>
<link>http://rondloper.wordpress.com/?p=596</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:51:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>rondloper</dc:creator>
<guid>http://rondloper.wordpress.com/?p=596</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Vroeer die week het ek bietjie na Dibba gery, dis so 150 km van Dubai af, die &#8216;Riviera&#8217; ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Vroeer die week het ek bietjie na Dibba gery, dis so 150 km van Dubai af, die 'Riviera' van die VAE. Dis 'n hele strook van vakansiehotelle, mooi strande, palmplantasies en heelwat koeler weer. Ek wou eintlik Fujeirah sien, maar het dit toe net tot in Dibba, so 70km noord van Fujeirah, gemaak. Daar is nog baie tyd . . .</p>
[caption id="attachment_595" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Om in Dibba uit te kom, ry jy op die Fujeirah-pad, deur allerhande klein dorpies soos hierdie, waar die hele hoofpad vol matwinkels is. Dis my kar wat daar voor staan. Mens kan nie eintlik in die VAE bly sonder &#39;n kar nie, dis nou maar net een van daai dinge. Maar met &#39;n kar is Arabie jou oester."]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210372-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-595" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210372-2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_597" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="In &#39;n stadium raak die omgewing heel bergagtig, eintlik nogal skouspelagtig. Dis nou maar droe berge, met hier en daar &#39;n boompie, maar dis mooi uitsigte."]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210375-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-597" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210375-2.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_604" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="En dit is hoekom mens die pad na Dibba sou aanpak. &#39;n Heerlike strand en die Indiese Oseaan. Hulle noem hierdie deel die Golf van Oman. Dibba is heelwat koeler as Dubai, dit was 36 (teenoor Dubai se 42). &#39;n Merkbare verskil, lekker koel! En die see is koud, nie die louwarm badwater van Dubai nie. Daai goeters wat in die see dryf is opblaas-klouterdinge. Jy kan swem tot daar en dan opklim. Soos &#39;n jumping castle in die see!"]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210380-21.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-604" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210380-21.jpg?w=300" alt="En dit is hoekom mens die pad na Dibba sou aanpak. 'n Heerlike strand en die Indiese Oseaan. Hulle noem hierdie deel die Golf van Oman. Dibba is heelwat koeler as Dubai, dit was 36 (teenoor Dubai se 42). 'n Merkbare verskil, lekker koel! En die see is koud, nie die louwarm badwater van Dubai nie. Daai goeters wat in die see dryf is opblaas-kouterdinge. Jy kan swem tot daar en dan opklim. Soos 'n jumping castle in die see!" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_606" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Daar is baie hotelle langs die see. Hierdie is die JAL Hotel (soos in Japan Airlines), daar was lekker reggae-musiek. En net enkele toeriste, want dit was in die middel van die week. Hier kry ek en Jay bietjie son."]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210383-21.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-606" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210383-21.jpg?w=300" alt="Daar is baie hotelle langs die see. Hierdie is die JAL Hotel (soos in Japan Airlines), daar was lekker reggae-musiek. En net enkele toeriste, want dit was in die middel van die week. Hier kry ek en Jay bietjie son." width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_600" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Op pad terug. Die omgewing het my baie aan die Karoo laat dink. Ek het begin dink die VAE is net sand, soos mens sien die oomblik as jy uit Dubai ry, maar duidelik is daar dele met &#39;n mate van plantegroei en meer klipperig. Net soos die Karoo, hierdie kon naby Laingsburg gewees het . . . "]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210402-21.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-605" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210402-21.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_601" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Masafi is die bekendste minerale water hier. Hierdie is die dorp Masafi. Met die hele hoofstraat vol vrugtestalletjies. Ons het mangos gekoop. Plaaslike mangos. Die mense daar het vertel al die vrugte wat hulle verkoop is plaaslik. Seker omdat daar baie water in Masafi is."]<a href="http://rondloper.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/p7210414.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-601" src="http://rondloper.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p7210414.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai property market overheating says bank]]></title>
<link>http://ribh.wordpress.com/?p=1784</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:49:47 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ribh</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ribh.wordpress.com/?p=1784</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A property market boom in Dubai is showing signs of overheating as speculators betting on quick gain]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5 style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">A property market boom in Dubai is showing signs of overheating as speculators betting on quick gains inflate prices of real estate still under construction, Standard Chartered says.</span></span></h5>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">Dubai</span><span lang="EN-GB"> should take measures to swiftly weed out short-term investors, such as introducing a capital gains tax on properties sold within a year of purchase, or risk a correction, Standard Chartered said. "The markets will correct themselves. It is best to try to take the heat out of before it disciplines itself," said Standard Chartered regional head of research Marios Marathefis. "There are signs of excessive short-term speculative activity which is based on leverage. This kind of mentality is destabilising and it is dangerous and inevitably it leads to a correction."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">Palm island builder Nakheel said last month prices of some units have almost tripled in two years, and Colliers International estimated property prices in Dubai rose 42 per cent in the first three months of this year alone. Home to man-made palm-shaped islands and a ski slope in the desert, Dubai kicked off a regional property boom in 2002 when it first invited foreigners to invest in properties. Since then, regional economic growth supported by a more than six-fold rise in oil prices has attracted streams of investors into real estate in the business and trade hub whose population is growing more than 7pc a year.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">In well-regulated property markets, completed properties should trade at a premium to unfinished properties because they pose less risk and the owner can derive rental income from them. In Dubai there is "no evidence" that finished properties trade at a premium to off-plan properties - units that are still under construction, Standard Chartered said.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">Since developers allow investors to pay about 10pc of the cost of an unfinished property upfront, a speculator with no intention of living in the unit can buy the property and resell it shortly afterward for a substantial gain. "It is very common to see investors taking positions in the market with the intention to flip it before further payments are due," Standard Chartered said.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">The dirham's peg to the weak dollar, which has forced the UAE to keep interest rates low despite high inflation, "has encouraged risk-taking behaviour", Maratheftis said. The state should step in with a 50pc capital gains tax to deter speculators, while requiring developers to ask for higher initial payments and proof of a buyer's ability to pay the full sum, he said.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#333399;"><span lang="EN-GB">Source: <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=223977&#38;Sn=BUSI&#38;IssueID=31127">Gulf Daily News</a></span></span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Equestrian Adventures for Corporate Incentive Travel]]></title>
<link>http://executiveoasis.wordpress.com/?p=46</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:23:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>executiveoasis</dc:creator>
<guid>http://executiveoasis.wordpress.com/?p=46</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ by Anne Thornley- Brown, President, Executive Oasis International
 

Executive Oasis Internationa]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:0;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><strong></strong></span> by Anne Thornley- Brown, President, Executive Oasis International</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0;"><a href="http://www.executiveoasis.com">Executive Oasis International </a>offers a number of equestrian programmes that are perfect for incentive travel.</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;"><span><strong>Around the World on Horseback</strong></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">When people ask me, how someone like me who isn't particularly athletic started riding horses, I smile because it's a long story. The short version is that on a return visit to Jamaica, I had the opportunity to see polo for the first time. I was blown away.<span>  </span>The game was action packed and so fast paced that it took my breath away. Upon returning to Canada, I remember telling one of my Jamaican friends that I thought it was a pity there was no polo in Canada. She quickly corrected me and told me where I could watch polo near Toronto.<span>  </span>I quickly became a fixture at Toronto Polo Club and GGHG.<span>  </span>I would go almost every week and watch.<span>  </span>I always credit </span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">Phil and Tammy Van Der Burgt and Sheila Sifton for getting me started in riding. They encouraged me to take riding lessons. Soon, I was heading up to GGHG twice a week. It took me a while but eventually, I did learn to walk, trot and canter.<span>  </span>I even took a couple of polo clinics.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">Horse riding opened up a whole new world for me. I soon got introduced to show jumping.... watching it, not doing it.<span>  </span>During my riding lessons, I only jump when my instructors remember and I never remind them. Wherever I travel whether it is for business or pleasure, as long as the weather is great, I make a point of going riding, watching polo or taking in a horse show. So what are some ideas for building riding into your incentive travel? Where can you go to ride?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Horse Riding and Incentive Travel</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Pleasure Hacking and Trail Rides:<span>  </span></strong>At many destinations, there are places where you can go just to ride for pleasure.<span>  </span>So whether it's riding in the desert near Dubai, the jungle in Singapore, or on the beach in Jamaica, there are options for beginners and experienced riders</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Team Challenges on Horseback:</strong><span>  </span>Beginners can take riding lessons and most destinations. This can open the door to some interesting team challenges.<span>  </span>Even those who are a bit nervous around horses can participate in a tack up challenge or horse watering relay. On horseback, there are simple gymkhana games that one can use of team competitions. Beginners can participate at a walk or even while lead by another member of their team.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Horse Shows: </strong><span> </span>If you time it right, you and your team can go to a horse show during your trip. You can watch international competitors compete in show jumping events, speed classes and even unique carriage events.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Polo:</strong>At most destinations, polo is accessible and it's free to watch club chukkas. For groups, it's best to contact the club ahead of time to make arrangements. For charity tournaments, you have the option of reserving a corporate table or tent with gourmet meal or paying general admission, bringing a picnic or enjoying the action while you eat a burger or hot dog. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span>Polo clubs at many destinations have clinics for beginners. Make your plans well ahead of time and you can arrange for some riding lessons and a beginner clinic. You'll watch videos to show you the basics, practice your shots from a wooden horse, and participate in ground scrimmages to get a feel for the basics. When you do get on a horse, participation is always within your zone of comfort whether you want to do it at a walk or, for the experienced riders, do some stick and balling at a canter. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong><a href="http://www.executiveoasis.com/poloclinic.html">Polo Team Building</a></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>How to Build Horse Riding into Your Incentive Travel</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">Timing is key. The most important piece of advice that I can give you is to contact the equestrian facilities and polo clubs at your desired destination WELL in advance. Plan your trip at a time when some interesting events are available. This is not something you can pull together at the last minute for a group.<span>  </span>I don't want to give away all of my secrets, here are a few ideas to get you started.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Toronto</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">There are many stables in the GTA where you and your team can take riding lessons. The 3rd weekend in June, Polo for Heart is the perfect opportunity to reserve a corporate table, paddock or tent for your team.<span>  </span>In November, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair always has a fabulous horse show with international competitors and options to fit every budget</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Jamaica</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">Whether you are in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios or Negril, there are places where you can go riding. You'll have everything available to you from a beach ride where you'll get to ride while your horse swims in the sea to a cool ride in the mountains. My favourite place is Hooves. For polo, you can go to Drax Hall or Chukka Cove. July is a good time to travel if your group wants to take in some tournaments.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.executiveoasis.com/islandsurvival.html"><strong>Survivor Team Building Equestrian Simulation</strong></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Dubai</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">At the Dubai Polo Club you can take riding lessons and polo clinics. You can also watch polo. There is even an endurance ride for experienced riders that will take you from the Dubai Polo Club to Bab Al Shams where you'll have a gourmet dinner and spend the night. Unfortunately, I am still not at the level where I could handle almost a day in the saddle but one of these days. One of my most enjoyable experiences involved cantering in the desert at Bab Al Shams. It's a great way to boost your confidence as a rider.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Malaysia</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">For riding lessons, Bukit Kiara Equestrian &#38; Country Resort near Kuala Lumpur is a great bet.<strong> </strong><span> </span>The Royal Selangor Polo Club that has clinics and tournaments several times a year. Make sure that you contact them ahead of time to secure an invitation for your group.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span><strong>Singapore</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:5pt 6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">In Singapore, whether the members of your team are beginners or advanced riders, riding lessons are available at the Singapore Polo Club. After your lesson, you can go riding in the jungle.<span>  </span>Riding lessons, jumping lessons and hacking are also available at the Bukit<span>  </span>Timah Saddle Club.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0;"> </p>
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<title><![CDATA[Books.....]]></title>
<link>http://biscuitinabasket.wordpress.com/?p=73</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>biscuitinabasket</dc:creator>
<guid>http://biscuitinabasket.wordpress.com/?p=73</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I have always been an avid reader - be it books, newspapers, blogs or even the odd mind&#8230;. I ju]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have always been an avid reader - be it books, newspapers, blogs or even the odd mind.... I just love reading! As some of you know that I will be off on holiday soon (7 days to go woo hoo!), and although I am planning to run around and try and relax and enjoy myself, I do plan to read a little as well. I don't think I ever travel anywhere without a book; I think reading keeps the mind fresh.</p>
<p>So the timing for the holiday read couldn't be more perfect; I have just completed Barack Obama's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_from_My_Father" target="_blank">Dreams from My Father</a>, which has become one of my all time favourite books. It's definitely one which I can easily read again and again! Prior to that, I read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Audacity_of_Hope" target="_blank">The Audacity of Hope</a> - also by Obama. This is more of a political biography, which details Obama's rise through Chicago, and then Illinois, and now challenging for the White House.</p>
<p>I spent about an hour and a half, on Tuesday, looking for a decent book to take on holiday. I am more of a non-fiction reader; the only fiction which I would possibly embrace is something like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kite_Runner" target="_blank">The Kite Runner</a> - which can easily be narrated as a true story.</p>
<p>I picked up four books in particular, and although I would have ordinarily bought all of them - I wanted to make sure that I actually read through at least one of them before I possibly lost interest. The books that I picked were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thousand_Splendid_Suns" target="_blank">A Thousand Splendid Suns</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Country_for_Old_Men">No Country for Old Men</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_satanic_verses" target="_blank">The Satanic Verses</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnights_Children" target="_blank">Midnights Children</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_Hosseini" target="_blank">Khalid Hosseini</a> seems to be an excellent author. Although he has penned only a couple of books, his style of writing really captures the reader and draws them into the background which he is talking about. A Thousand Splendid Suns has received good reviews, but if it anything similar to the Kite Runner, then I think I will spend my entire holiday just reading!</p>
<p>I have never read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac_McCarthy" target="_blank">Cormac Mccarthy</a>. He seems to be a distinguished writer, and I hope the book is better than the movie. The movie was excellent; I watched the entire movie from the edge of my seat... really... I most probably didn't touch the backrest once. However, I don't think I would read No Country for Old men on holiday because I think the effect would be the same as the first book. It would be too intriguing a read!</p>
<p>Which left me with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salman_Rushdie" target="_blank">Salman Rushdie</a>. There was a very very simple reason as to why I couldn't read The Satanic verses on Holiday. I am travelling to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai" target="_blank">Dubai </a>- an "Islamic" state. I dont think I would want to be stopped at the airport with a book which has been blasphemous to the religion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam" target="_blank">Islam</a>. Which left me with Midnights Children.....</p>
<p>Salman Rushdie is a very difficult author to read. The language in his books is intense. I think reading an author like him would be perfect because there is no way that I could be lost in the book all the time, yet his writing is claimed to be such, that the reader always wants more!</p>
<p>I have started reading Midnights Children, but I seem lost on the first chapter already... perhaps I should start again.</p>
<p>So what are you guys reading at the moment?</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Street style - Dubai]]></title>
<link>http://thehijablog.wordpress.com/?p=141</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:47:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>basbousa</dc:creator>
<guid>http://thehijablog.wordpress.com/?p=141</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This is interesting, people living in Dubai are talking about their style, both men and women. The h]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is interesting, people living in Dubai are talking about their style, both men and women. The hijabis really rock it! Too bad they didn't feature any women with the famous Dubai abayas and shaylas...</p>
<p>Somehow I didn't get to post it right here so <a href="http://current.com/items/89110407_street_style_dubai" target="_blank">click here</a> to watch it</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Luxurious resort on the World]]></title>
<link>http://emiratesinstyle.wordpress.com/?p=363</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:30:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>emiratesinstyle</dc:creator>
<guid>http://emiratesinstyle.wordpress.com/?p=363</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The world is soon to become the new Moustique Island! All the project are better than the previous o]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.theworld.ae/">The world</a> is soon to become the new Moustique Island! All the project are better than the previous one! Have a a look at the presentation of the <a href="http://www.pangkor-laut.com/">Pangkor Laut Luxury Resort and Residence</a>!</p>
<p>From here it sounds like the perfect place even if I feel that the presentation could have been better...</p>
<p><span style='text-align:center; display: block;'><object width='425' height='350'><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/Ersbd5dTbv4'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.youtube.com/v/Ersbd5dTbv4&rel=0' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' width='425' height='350'></embed></object></span></p>
<h1 class="title"><a title="Permanent Link to PANGKOR LAUT LUXURY RESORT &#38; RESIDENCE" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2008/07/24/pangkor-laut-luxury-resort-residence/"><br />
</a></h1>
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<title><![CDATA[the friendly skies and my allergic child]]></title>
<link>http://aquacorn.wordpress.com/?p=409</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:46:16 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jan</dc:creator>
<guid>http://aquacorn.wordpress.com/?p=409</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Jake was 14 months old on his first plane ride.
Since then, we&#8217;ve been on numerous trips mostl]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jake was 14 months old on his first plane ride.</p>
<p>Since then, we've been on numerous trips mostly half way around the world to visit family.  Once you've done it once or twice, traveling and flying with food allergies feels almost like a routine. </p>
<p>Here's what usually works for us.</p>
<p>Anytime we will be overseas, I tell our allergist and pediatrician. We make sure all medications are up to date, and we have a doctor's note explaining his allergies and why I need to carry that Epi-pen onboard. I have been stopped at the airport in Hongkong a few times for carrying those injectors, but after I flash them the note signed by our doctor, no further questions are asked. Keeping the pharmacy label on the medication and it's package is better. They want to see your child's name on them.</p>
<p><a href="http://aquacorn.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/img_0983.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-420" src="http://aquacorn.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/img_0983.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>
<p>We have a special pouch for the Epi's but for air travel, I place them in it's original box where it clearly say epinephrine. I find that airport personnel respond better like that.</p>
<p>A few days prior to our departure, I call our health insurance company.  I verify our policy's out-of-area coverage, and if we need to be pre-approved for treatment, and so on. You don't want to deal with this when you are already in a foreign land, or worse, your child is in a hospital somewhere. Coverage can change, and I hate surprises so a phone call is not too much of a hassle.</p>
<p>You can also call the airline at least 48 hours before flight and order a special meal for your child. I stopped. My son has multiple food allergies and there is no special diet available for him onboard so far. We've flown Emirates, Philippine Airlines, United and Cathay Pacific. Besides, I would rather bring his own food than risk a reaction when we're flying over the Pacific Ocean. </p>
<p>I always carry extra food for him because we all know about delays and horror stories at the airport. It happened to us a couple times. We were stranded in Memphis airport for 6 hours and the only thing safe for my son to eat was an apple at Starbucks. The other one was when our flight got diverted and had to stay overnight in Montreal. The extra food we packed saved us time and effort going to a supermarket. </p>
<p>I "tag" my child's stuff. I ordered these labels and I stick them to his belongings and food containers. Again, it shows the airline and security people you are allowed to bring those allergen-free food and drinks onboard for him. </p>
<p><a href="http://aquacorn.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/img_09801.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425" src="http://aquacorn.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/img_09801.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>
<p>I also carry a current photo of him, in case he gets lost. <em>(I know, I worry about that too.)</em> There is an emergency action plan in his medication kit that details the doctor's phone numbers and the safe food he can eat in case they need to feed him, and we got separated or something.</p>
<p>These wipes from Target are my friends. As soon as we get to our assigned seats, I get to work, wiping armrests, tray tables,... everything my son can touch while sitting in the plane.  If it will be your home for the next 15 hours or so, you want it to be safe, right?  Expect to get nasty looks from fellow passengers and simply shrug it off. Some people have no clue why you might be doing this other than think you are neurotic. Okay, I am.</p>
<p><a href="http://aquacorn.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/img_09851.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-424" src="http://aquacorn.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/img_09851.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>
<p>It's a good idea to alert the flight attendant serving you about your child's special needs. Some are really nice and offer goodies and treats like cookies and chocolate bars during a long-haul flight. I let my son keep the toys, but I stay alert for food. Juice is the only airline food he can have.</p>
<p>Every trip is a challenge, where lessons are learned and sometimes the unexpected happen. A little preparation can go a long way to make flying safe and trouble-free for your allergic child.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[on a thursday night]]></title>
<link>http://galatea234.wordpress.com/?p=208</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:52:47 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>galatea234</dc:creator>
<guid>http://galatea234.wordpress.com/?p=208</guid>
<description><![CDATA[on a thursday night, for the very first time - am not trying on a new dress, am not putting make up ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>on a thursday night, for the very first time - am not trying on a new dress, am not putting make up on my face, am not answering mobile calls in between asking me where the hell am i..... a slow and peaceful night, i could have nominated this night to the guiness book of world records as the most slowed down night in the entire history of my womanhood. but i guess, people would really not care about it.</p>
<p>so what slowed down a hyperchic? severe folicular tonsilitis. haha! i swore, after everything that i have been through inside the hospital - i would never ever take advantage of my health again. NEVER EVER! it was just too much for me to bear - physically, mentally, emotionally, financially - hell, i almost lost my mind inside that friggin' hospital. so now, am trying a different path of life. no more hyperchic, let's all just keep it cool and breathe and live easy. savor the moments... haha! i wonder how long will i be savoring the moment till am back on the party scene of dubai. well, maybe not anytime soon...</p>
<p>so what did i do besides slack on the couch, flip on channels, bother everybody i see online on YM/MSN and sleeping the whole day? well..... i ate! and the mediocre food was heaven to my taste buds after suffering 6 days of bland hospital meals. why are they doing it to their patients? i think hospitals should make their food more tasty to make the patients eat well. i know now what makes me vomit, it's their food which tastes like rubber. so anyway, the soreness of my throat is still there. but at least not as painful as it used to be. my left arm still feels a little weak as the IV was put there, antibiotics and the other injections passes thru my left arm's veins first that's why it feels a little weak. but anyway, i can't wait to go to work on saturday and it sounds pretty cool to be able to say that, don't you think? haha!</p>
<p>jay gave me a lot of good movies to watch - there was Vantage Point which i have been dying to see, Untraceable which stars Diane Lane and showed how sick the people nowadays are and the Bucket List which stars Jack Nicholson (one of my ultimate favorites) and Morgan Freeman. if i were to create my own Bucket List, what would it be? it would mostly consist of traveling. but let's see how creative my mind will be on a slow thursday night like this:</p>
<p>1. travel anywhere with my mom - my friends would know that i have not seen my mom since when i was 8yrs old. she moved to the US then and lived there for good. and i don't want to elaborate why i haven't seen her since then 'coz it's a very complicated story which requires a totally different blog post. but we remain in contact, we're actually close, in the weirdest kind of way. she's the best mom ever that's why i want to repay all her kindness to me for giving her an all-expense paid trip to anywhere she wants to go to. with me of course.</p>
<p>2. stay at least one night in burj al arab - haha! it's all denden's fault. she  posted all her burj al arab pictures on facebook and i saw it. being the jealous type that  i am, i wanted to go there too. haha! and according to her, travel agents get 50% discounts. so yay!!!!! i want to go! i want to go! i want to go!!!!!!!</p>
<p>3. witness Les Miserables live on stage with the original cast.</p>
<p>4. be on a U2 concert.</p>
<p>5. backstage pass on a Don Quixote performance by Bolshoi. i want to see how these dancers contort their figures before a show. hehehe.</p>
<p>6. sky diving.</p>
<p>7. hot air balloon ride.</p>
<p>8. first class plane ride on a long haul flight. :D</p>
<p>9. swimming with the dolphins.</p>
<p>10. last but certainly not the least - a true and everlasting love. wehehehehehehehe.</p>
<p>so there goes my bucket list, not bad hey! right, am off to zzzzzzssssss. :)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Vinson &amp; Elkins moves more attorneys to Middle East]]></title>
<link>http://shariahfinancewatch.wordpress.com/?p=3405</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:36:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>allysonrt</dc:creator>
<guid>http://shariahfinancewatch.wordpress.com/?p=3405</guid>
<description><![CDATA[

 
Vinson &amp; Elkins LLP is beefing up its Middle East practice with the addition of three senio]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="storycontent">
<p><img src="http://www.acc.com/anniversary/logo/vinsonelkins.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Vinson &#38; Elkins LLP is beefing up its Middle East practice with the addition of three senior attorneys in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>The 91-year-old Houston firm says more attorneys will be following in the next few months.</p>
<p>Corporate partners Creighton Smith and Jim Knight have moved from the Houston office. Smith will office in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Knight will office just down the coast in Dubai, the largest and most lavish emirate that has rapidly become the seat of Middle Eastern and global finance.</p>
<p>Hessam Kalantar, formerly with another firm in New York, also joins the Dubai office as counsel.</p>
<p>There are now six full-time partners in V&#38;E’s two UAE offices, and a seventh who divides his time between there and London.</p>
<p>“When we opened our Dubai office in 2003 and our Abu Dhabi office in 2007, we did so to better serve our clients in the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and our recent expansion reflects a continuation of that effort,” said Managing Partner Joe Dilg.</p>
<p>“We will continue our growth, and expect to have at least 25 lawyers in the region by year end,” said Jeff Eldredge, partner-in-charge of Europe and the Middle East.</p></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/07/21/daily37.html">http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/07/21/daily37.html</a></div>
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<title><![CDATA[1: back from singapore]]></title>
<link>http://pereguinn.wordpress.com/?p=3</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:28:20 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>pereguinn</dc:creator>
<guid>http://pereguinn.wordpress.com/?p=3</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
Welcome to this blog. I intend to make this a daily photography blog of my amateur photos. I&#8217;]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4" src="http://pereguinn.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/p1040107-2.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></p>
<p>Welcome to this blog. I intend to make this a daily photography blog of my amateur photos. I'm no professional photographer I just decided to keep a visual journal and share it with you. I will appreaciate your feedback. More of my photography can be found here: <a href="http://beeinbloom.deviantart.com">deviantART</a>, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/bloomish">Flickr</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=722352552">Facebook</a> account.</p>
<p>Recently I just got back from <strong>Singapore</strong> and I plan to take more photos around <strong>Hong Kong</strong>, city where I currently live and have been living for the past (almost) three years.</p>
<p>I also hope to take more photos around Asia but I will have to wait for that a little bit longer. Next week I am leaving for <strong>Dubai</strong> and staying approximately five days.</p>
<p>Stay tuned.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Time is flying]]></title>
<link>http://sunnymombasa.wordpress.com/?p=265</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:53:23 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sunnymombasa</dc:creator>
<guid>http://sunnymombasa.wordpress.com/?p=265</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Time is flying so fast that most times it leaves me stunned. Its 1.15 pm and I need to pray. I am fa]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Time is flying so fast that most times it leaves me stunned. Its 1.15 pm and I need to pray. I am fasting today, paying my days, 11 left to go. I don't look forward to fasting these days, mostly because off late I have been a food addict as a result of stress at work. The work has been too much for the last 4 -5 months and I'm so tired my head hurts all the time now. Thankfully the last couple of days have been less pressure and so I can blog again.</p>
<p>So you think you can dance is on our tv screens one night a week. Its the first series, we are rather behind in Kenya. That aside, I do admire the dancers, so lithe, graceful and flexible ! I wish I could be one of them, fit and fab. I wish I didn't have a weight issue.</p>
<p>Its not really a weight issue as it is a mind issue. My mind feels messed up from my past, my unhappy past, my desperate past. I see people from it sometimes, like Oscar. Tall, strong male who packs a punch which I used to be the brunt of in school. And Steve, who is in bad company now, he looks like one of the street boys, he really terrorised me in class, and Douglas, short fella but what a bully. I don't really hold it against them, they were kids, I was a kid, we didn't know any better. But I somehow wish I had not been so seclusive and had the guts to confide in my mom about the tortures I was enduring. Then perhaps it wouldn' have affected me the way it has. But I remember thinking that she was so sensitive and protective that she would have been so hurt for me and cried the hell out !! I didn't want to pain her and I guess I was also ashamed of speaking about it. My dad, well, we were never close so to confide in him wasn't an option. Things have changed now between us. We are in better communication. Why am I writing all this ? i don't want to rehash my past, I already did in one of my previous posts. Today perhaps its just to let out little. I've been thinking about it lately. Perhaps its cause baby will start AgaKhan nursery which is right next to AgaKhan Primary where all the bullying happened. So strange that 2 buildings next to each other should hold such different memories for me. I had my happiest school memories at nursery. After that it was all bad. I pray that baby should have happy memories in ever school he goes to and he shouldn't ever be bullyed, or worse, he shouldn't turn out to be a bully. God protect him. Ameen.</p>
<p>So I made a friend. He's in Dubai, ex Mombasa, seems nice. We are chat emailing. Loves my Mombasa pics and wants more ! This would happen when my camera is out of action !</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Sex at the Beach...in Dubai!]]></title>
<link>http://bernadetteanne.wordpress.com/?p=166</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:10:42 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bernadetteanne</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bernadetteanne.wordpress.com/?p=166</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Eric and I were watching the early morning news on CNN while Eric ate his breakfast and I kept him c]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size:100%;font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://bernadetteanne.blogspot.com/2008/07/sex-at-beachin-dubai.html" target="_self">Eric and I were watching the early morning news on CNN while Eric ate his breakfast and I kept him company before he left for work. </a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:100%;font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://bernadetteanne.blogspot.com/2008/07/sex-at-beachin-dubai.html" target="_self">They were reporting that a couple was arrested in Dubai for having sex at the beach. The male reporter was saying that although 70 percent of the population in Dubai were foreigners, Dubai is still a Muslim country. Apparently, they are clamping down on topless sunbathing and sex on the beach because it is against Islam and the morals of the country.</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:100%;font-family:Trebuchet MS;">***Click on the above text to view the full article***</span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Al Burj: el nuevo rascacielos más alto del mundo]]></title>
<link>http://mmagnum.wordpress.com/?p=2112</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:05:20 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Sergio</dc:creator>
<guid>http://mmagnum.wordpress.com/?p=2112</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hace unos días os hablamos del que actualmente es el edificio más alto del mundo, el Burj Dubai. S]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://mmagnum.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/burj-dubai-el-que-sera-el-edificio-mas-alto-del-mundo/" target="_blank">Hace unos días os hablamos</a> del que actualmente es el edificio más alto del mundo, el Burj Dubai. Sus más de 800 metros de altura ya se han quedado pequeños ya que se ha proyectado el edificio que le quitará el primer puesto: el <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Burj" target="_blank">Al Burj</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Será construido, como no podría ser de otra manera, en Dubai (Emiratos Árabes) y se planea que alcance 1.050 metros de altura (825 metros más 225 metros de picota).</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Si os parece mucha altura, imaginaos cómo podría haber sido si llega a alcanzar los 1.600 metros con los que fué proyectado en un inicio. El edifició sufrió diferentes rediseños hasta que se fijó la altura actual de 1.050 metros.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Estará ubicado en el <a title="Dubai Waterfront" href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Waterfront" target="_blank">Dubai Waterfront</a>, una península artificial construida a semejanza de las <a title="Palm Islands" href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands" target="_blank">Palm Islands</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">En la siguiente imagen (click para ampliar) he hecho una comparativa con imágenes de <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?searchID=38571903" target="_blank">Skyscraper Page</a> del <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=35358" target="_blank">Al Burj</a>, el <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=7787" target="_blank">Burj Dubai</a>, el <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=56322" target="_blank">Pentominium</a> y la <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=57435" target="_blank">Torre 4 de las Dubai Towers</a> (los cuatro edificios más altos del mundo) con la <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=13514" target="_blank">Torre Caja Madrid</a> (antes Torre Repsol) con sus 250 metros de altura que se ha terminado de construir recientemente en Madrid para que os hagáis una idea de cómo puede ser mirar <a href="http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?buildingID=35358" target="_blank">Al Burj</a> desde el suelo.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m400/mmagnum/Julio%202008/skyscrapers_big.jpg"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m400/mmagnum/Julio%202008/skyscrapers.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Plans revealed for spa at The Cube in Sports City, Dubai]]></title>
<link>http://clubventures.wordpress.com/?p=284</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jamescarstairs</dc:creator>
<guid>http://clubventures.wordpress.com/?p=284</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
German development company BMG Group has partnered with Schletterer Wellness &amp; Spa Design to cr]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="style42"><span class="style43"><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://clubventures.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/140708-thecube.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285" src="http://clubventures.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/140708-thecube.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="style42"><span class="style43"><span style="font-size:x-small;font-family:Verdana;">German development company BMG Group has partnered with Schletterer Wellness &#38; Spa Design to create a new spa within a landmark tower called The Cube at the Sports City project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. </span></span><br />
</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Cube will provide condo residences as well as a hotel offering. The US$12.2.m (7.8m euro, £6.2m) spa will have a sport and medical focus.</p>
<p>Covering 32,291sq ft (3,000sq m), the medi-spa will be completed by 2010 and will combine sports therapy with beauty and spa facilities, including an infinity-edge swimming pool.</p>
<p>There will also be a a low-oxygen zone to aid athletes’ rehabilitation, using technology to increase red blood cells by reducing oxygen in the air. Details: <a href="http://www.schletterer.com">www.schletterer.com</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Top 10 Travel Discussion Forums]]></title>
<link>http://travelpod.wordpress.com/?p=290</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:41 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>starlagurl</dc:creator>
<guid>http://travelpod.wordpress.com/?p=290</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This month, the buzz in the travel forums centred around a couple arrested for having sex on the bea]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This month, the buzz in the travel forums centred around a couple arrested for having sex on the beach in Dubai. The conversation quickly evolved into a debate on colonialism and Western influence on other countries. We also compared notes on "different" food items we have eaten while traveling, as well as strange things we've seen people do in foreign lands.</p>
<p>Head on over to the TravelPod travel forums and have your say:</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9334">Woman jailed for boozy beach sex</a></p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9514">Crazy food</a></p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8891">Music Addictions</a></p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9160">What's your opinion of women in shorts?</a></p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9450">The (Travel) Bug</a></p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9023">Anyone heard about sickness in Pai?</a></p>
<p>7. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9541">Oh honey, don't stare, it's rude</a></p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8853">Where are you going for your summer vacation?</a></p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9125">Guess the place - game</a></p>
<p>10. <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9542">Whatcha Bring Me?</a></p>
<p>Catch ya in the forums,</p>
<p>Louise Brown</p>
<p>TravelPod Community Manager</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Ajman, the next Dubai?]]></title>
<link>http://internationalhorizons.wordpress.com/?p=108</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:10:42 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>internationalhorizons</dc:creator>
<guid>http://internationalhorizons.wordpress.com/?p=108</guid>
<description><![CDATA[By Melanie Scrace - International Horizons
Ajman is one of the seven emirates (sovereign states) tha]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://internationalhorizons.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/2140191925_71f4cc694c.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-114" style="margin:5px;" src="http://internationalhorizons.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/2140191925_71f4cc694c.jpg?w=199" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>By Melanie Scrace - <a title="International Horizons" href="http://www.internationalhorizons.co.uk" target="_blank">International Horizons</a></p>
<p>Ajman is one of the seven emirates (sovereign states) that make up the United Arab Emirates (the UAE). Ajman is the smallest of the emirates with an area of only 260 square kilometres. The main city of the emirate of Ajman is also called Ajman or Ajman City to distinguish it from the emirate, and to avoid confusion.</p>
<h2>Ajman, the Next Dubai!</h2>
<p>Ajman is located on the west coast of the Arabian Gulf between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, and is only 16 miles from the centre of Dubai and its International Airport, Jebel Ali.</p>
<ul>
<li>UAE state</li>
<li>Only 16 miles from the centre of Dubai</li>
<li>Freehold property</li>
<li>100% foreign ownership rights</li>
<li>100% repatriation of Capital and profits</li>
<li>20 years Tax Free operations and no personal income taxes</li>
<li>Development backed by Ajman Government</li>
<li>International Airport due to be completed by 2011</li>
<li>The fastest growing population of all the Emirates</li>
</ul>
<p>In 2004, Ajman introduced freehold property, the second emirate after Dubai to do so, but currently the only emirate in the UAE offering investors of any nationality fully transparent 100% freehold ownership. This has led to a huge number of investors, local and international, looking to invest in the emirate.</p>
<p>This has prompted the Ajman government to initiate a number of development projects, which include housing estates, commercial and housing towers, marketing centres, hotels as well as infrastructure.</p>
<p>Construction on Ajman’s first International Airport is starting in October this year in Al Manama area of the Ajman and operations are set to start by 2011.<br />
ICTS Europe, a world leader in aviation security, anticipates the new airport to handle more than one million passengers the first three years.</p>
<p>Ajman today has the fastest growing population of all Emirates, due to an influx of people from mainly the neighbouring emirates of Dubai and Sharjah, who commute for work on a daily basis.</p>
<p>The Ajman Free Zone area offers the investor many facilities and incentives including 100% foreign ownership rights, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, guaranteed 20 years Tax Free operations and no personal income taxes. With the launch of Freehold developments in Ajman, the real estate sector has experienced increased activity due to competitive pricing and its proximity to neighbouring emirates Sharjah and Dubai.</p>
<p>The government’s efforts in improving accessibility to the emirate will further fuel real estate and tourism growth over the coming years.</p>
<p>Foreign freehold ownership of property in Ajman has resulted in huge numbers of investors, both foreign and local, expressing interest in the emirate. This interest has, in turn seen the initiation of several property developments in the emirate to cater for this interest. Primary among them is an area known as New Ajman, an area of land along the Emirates Road. This area will contain many new developments and projects which have been envisioned by the ruler of the emirate Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi, with the chief development being The Emirates City. The New Ajman area and Ajman city in general is centrally located in the heart of the UAE, it is only a 30 minute drive to Dubai and a 20 minute drive to the Sharjah International Airport.</p>
<p>The Emirates city development is a residential and commercial development consisting of 72 commercial and residential towers ranging from 20 to 50 floors. The development will be surrounded by two lakes and beautiful green parks as well as containing educational and medical facilities, mosques, five star hotels and a shopping district. Interest in the Emirates city development is huge, with several of the towers having already been fully sold.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Ajman Property &#38; Real Estate prices are still a lot more affordable than neighbouring Sharjah and Dubai</span></strong>, Ajman is an enticing location for investors and those working in the emirates.</p>
<p>We have just launched <strong><a title="Calthorpe Towers Ajman" href="http://internationalhorizons.co.uk/developments.php?development_id=1429" target="_blank">The Calthorpe Towers of Al Humaid City</a> </strong>to our clients, which is a 20 minute drive from the Dubai and Sharjah International Airports.</p>
<h3><strong>Calthorpe Towers</strong> offers the following benefits:-</h3>
<ul>
<li>GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO <strong>DOUBLE YOUR INVESTMENT</strong></li>
<li>PRICES FROM <strong>£33,333</strong></li>
<li>RESERVATION FEE OF 6% AND FIRST STAGE PAYMENT OF 21% - YOU CAN <strong>PURCHASE A PROPERTY WITH IMMEDIATE FUNDS OF UNDER £10,000</strong></li>
<li><strong>INTEREST FREE MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN</strong> UNTIL COMPLETION</li>
<li> 100% FREEHOLD</li>
<li> UAE RESIDENCY VISA</li>
<li><strong> 15-20% RENTAL INCOME</strong> ESTIMATED</li>
<li><strong> DISCOUNTED FURNITURE PACKAGES</strong> AND INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES</li>
<li> SPACIOUS APARTMENTS ELEGANTLY DESIGNED</li>
<li><strong> ONE FREE AIR TICKET</strong> subject to terms &#38; conditions</li>
</ul>
<p class="contact">For further information <a href="mailto:info@internationalhorizons.co.uk">Contact Us</a> / 0845 652 2452 or <a href="http://internationalhorizons.co.uk/registerInterest.php?job_ref=GQcalthropeAJ" target="_blank">request full details via email</a></p>
<p class="contact">
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Cu ce se mai ocupa baietii din Kuweit]]></title>
<link>http://businessconstruct.wordpress.com/?p=95</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:09:46 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>clupoaie</dc:creator>
<guid>http://businessconstruct.wordpress.com/?p=95</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
 
 
 
 
 
 
In timp ce Europa si America se afla intr-o criza economica puternica, arabii se ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://businessconstruct.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/kuwait.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-97" src="http://businessconstruct.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/kuwait.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="180" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>In timp ce Europa si America se afla intr-o criza economica puternica, arabii se lupta intre ei pentru suprematia celui mai impunator oras din lume. Astfel, Kuweit-ul vrea sa construiasca un oras in care sa investeasca 132 de miliarde de dolari, chiar langa golf.</p>
<p>Metropola care va inlude locuinte pentru 700.000 de persoane si un turn inalt de 1.001 metri in centru, va fi legata de o retea de cai ferate de Damasc, Bagdad, Iran si China.</p>
<p>Invidiosi pe ce au realizat vecinii din Dubai, kuweitieni  (ajutati de banii obtinuti din afacerile cu petrol) vor sa transforme Madinat al-Hareer - "Orasul de matase" intr-un important centru de afaceri din Orientul Mijlociu. Detalii <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jul/23/oilandgascompanies.architecture">aici</a></p>
<p>Sursa foto: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">www.guardian.co.uk</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[1997 TOYOTA HIACE WAGON  KZH100G SALE]]></title>
<link>http://hrsjapan.wordpress.com/?p=415</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:27:08 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>hrsjapan</dc:creator>
<guid>http://hrsjapan.wordpress.com/?p=415</guid>
<description><![CDATA[TOYOTA HIACE WAGON KZH100G FOR SALE!!

Diesel engine unit.Export to worldwide. Very good running co]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><span style="color:#0000ff;"><span style="font-weight:normal;">TOYOTA HIACE WAGON KZH100G FOR SALE!!</span></span></h3>
<h3><span style="color:#0000ee;text-decoration:underline;"><a href="http://hrsjapan.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/hrsjapan080604-072.jpg"></a><a href="http://hrsjapan.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/hrsjapan080604-076.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-433" src="http://hrsjapan.wordpress.com/files/2008/07/hrsjapan080604-076.jpg?w=128" alt="" width="128" height="96" /></a></span></h3>
<h3><strong><span style="font-size:x-small;color:#000000;font-family:Arial;">Diesel engine unit.Export to worldwide. Very good running condition.<br />
Kenya, Congo, Zambia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Papua new guinea etc.<br />
</span></strong><span style="color:#993300;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br />
<span style="font-weight:normal;"> 1997 HIACE WAGON 3000 DISEL RHD 164,000km</span></span></span></h3>
<blockquote><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>The importer waiting for the inquiry. </em></span></p></blockquote>
<p>HRS Japan.<br />
Japanese uesd cars exporter</p>
<p>Maneger,Director　Hiroshi.Emori<br />
#3F Minoya, 22-34-4 Hoshida<br />
Katano-City, Osaka  Japan 576-0016<br />
<a href="http://www.hrs-trade.com">http://www.hrs-trade.com</a><br />
<a href="mailto:webmaster@hrs-trade.com">webmaster@hrs-trade.com</a></p>
<p>fax   +81-72-893-5090             <br />
tel    +81-72-894-2227             <br />
Mobile +81-90-7356-1437 (Chinese ok)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Hasstag]]></title>
<link>http://weltblog.wordpress.com/?p=525</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:08:07 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Herr A.</dc:creator>
<guid>http://weltblog.wordpress.com/?p=525</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ich hasse es, von meinem brandneuen Herd jedesmal eine gewischt zu bekommen, wenn ich ihn anfasse un]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ich hasse es, von meinem brandneuen Herd jedesmal eine gewischt zu bekommen, wenn ich ihn anfasse und mir gestern von einem Elektriker, der die Leitungen prüfen sollte, sagen zu lassen, der Herd sei schuld, während heute ein Elektriker des Herd-Herstellers nachweisen konnte, dass die frisch verlegten Leitungen das Problem sind. Das einzige was in dieser leeren Küche kocht, bin ich.</p>
<p>Ich hasse es, bei Geschäftsterminen auf Leute zu warten (wie jetzt gerade in diesem Moment), obwohl sie genau wissen, dass ich es eilig habe und eigentlich etwas von mir wollen. Dann werde ich bockig.</p>
<p>Ich hasse es, bei Behörden anzustehen, um dann im unpassendsten Moment, ein wichtiges Dokument im Auto gelassen zu haben, was mich dazu zwingt, morgen noch einmal anzustehen. Zumindest hier: Selber schuld.</p>
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