Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Toys in danger

Hello everybody -- first of all: HAPPY 2011.

It's been a bit quite here after our trip to Germany and Belgium.

However, back to work :( -- but what's best about work? Yes, LUNCHTIME! Especially in the UAE since there's always a tiny entertainment or even excitement that comes with it. Biggest challenge: food orders for delivery - with an estimated 200 different nationalities living in this country ALL trying to communicate in one language pretty funny things happen....


To avoid the stress I decided to go for a walk (well, it's 2 min away from our office) to the world famous place named Popey's - never heard of it? No worries....really no need to know it (for the gourmets here: it's a cheap copy of KFC). Amazingly located IN a gas station. I love the view....

The pre-ordered meals are not ready - what a surprise - no worries: TOYSLAND will shorten your waiting time:



It's one of these world famous machines with a joysticks and an arm that desperately tries to grab something (in this case soft-toys) in a box. If someone ever met anybody who actually got something out of these things please let me know....seems impossible to me).

Ok ok, by now everybody wonders "why the hell is he telling me this?" -- a little close-up shot of a sticker that "Restaurant management" placed on it to stop angry customers from frightening the soft-toys --->



Amazing English-performance by "restaurant management" :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Maybe now you know why ordering food for delivery can be one amazing challenge....

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The 11 million dollar present.....


Wohoooo - most of you must have realized: Another year almost over - Christmas time!!!

Even tough we are living in a Muslim country the spirit of Christmas can be felt here. Promotions decorations, special offers, skiing in the snow - well that's all year round :) - and so on....

The UAE would not be the UAE if they would not come up with another superlative. What would fit better than.....The world's most expensive Christmas tree.Unbelievable but true: Decoration on this massive tree is valued at about 11 million USD. Located at the infamous Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Since the hotel is very close to my office I passe by there during lunch break (5* hotels during lunch break - this is how we do it :P ). Picture see here:



Does not look to spectacular I must admit but wait until you see the price tag of one of the may pieces on that tree:



The diamond necklace is worth 4,083,125.00 Dhs which translates to about 850,000 EUR. Think you can call yourself "lucky" if you find one of these under your Christmas tree this weekend -"die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt" :) 

Some news coverage with some close-up shots to be found here:




Inspired by Emirates Palace tree we decided to have our own at home - I think it's as amazing and suits the actual temperatures here much better


~~~ Merry Christmas -  Frohe Weihnachten - Gelukkig Kerstfeest  ~~~

Looking forward to seeing most of you soon!


Friday, December 3, 2010

Mabrook

Every year on the 2nd of Dec the UAE goes craaazzzyyyyyy: UAE National Day!

Dubai and especially Abu Dhabi are covered in the national colors of the UAE Green/Red/White/Black. Love the national pride over here....



Below a few pics of the festive decoration at my office - the rumour says the decoration company had to come back a second time since upper management felt that it was "10 times too much decoration" :) - judge yourself:




entrance to elevator

reception area



But not only companies "like" the UAE National Day - decorating cars is kind of a sport during that day - see a few shots below:




Atlantis Hotel - Palm Jumeirah

On this website you'll find some more funny impressions: here, Scroll down on the page and enjoy!


=== HAPPY NATIONAL DAY ===


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Best pictures taken by visitors

Best in Highrisers (and the only visitor who ever managed to get the full building on one picture)...



 Best in Desert (with Oscar the Camel) ...



Best in Culture....





Monday, November 15, 2010

Kaaaannyeeeee

Crazy F1 race weekend in the UAE - congratz Sebastian Vettel - apparently Germans are still on top of the game 8-)

However , more important - as usual - the evening entertainment :) Won tickets for Kanye West on Radio 1 - Thanks guys!



Long story made short: Happy to not have spend money on tickets. Amazing artist but LIVE-singing is definitely not his strength.....better stick to the CDs.....




Still, concert was pretty busy and setting (open-air @30 degrees celsius) was amazing. Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is definitly worth seeing for its interessting architecture.




Even beer was sold (not very common here outside hotels)......well, we were happy with our self-packed "proviant" :)





 *** Yummi ***



Next year I win tickets for the race......

Sunday, November 14, 2010

On the road

Just when you think the crisis has passed...




The power of improvisation...

Would this car pass the German TÜV - test ???




Taken on Palm Jumeirah......cheers to my buddies Peter&Dary who actually saw this in real live....

Will try to get some more "interessting" shots on here...

First post...

Yihaaaaa - use this blog to follow the life of Eef & Pat