Blogosphere 29 July - 4 Aug

Gulf News web editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds

Dubai trip

Though I had heard horror stories of the unbelievably high temperatures in Dubai at this time of the year, nothing had prepared me for the blast of hot air that hit me bang in the face as I got out of the plane at around midnight in Dubai. The temperature was 40 deg C.

Somehow, I had built up an image of the Dubai airport, based on my short stay in transit from Jordan 18 years ago, which was not lived up to by this visit. Too crowded and garishly coloured. So the start of the trip did not seem all that auspicious.

The trip to Ras Al Khaimah was hot despite the AC in the coach being on full force, and I just had enough stamina to reach my room at the Al Hamra resort and crash. It was 3.30am by the time I went to sleep.

I woke up at 7.30 to really bright light coming in through the balcony, despite heavy, dark curtains. I was greeted by a view of the bluest water I have ever seen with my own eyes, from the balcony. It was, unfortunately, already too hot to stay out for long and enjoy the view.

http://ascannerclearly.blogspot.com/

Don't stop

Just been in traffic. Been trying to swerve in and out, trying to make these *unfortunate souls* understand there is a lane for a certain time. The left-most lane means *overtake*.
Why do people stop and look when an accident happens? It slows down traffic flow. The very thing that is complained about, is what slows it down: stop staring, and wonders might be seen. It's very hot.

http://desperateprincessdubai.blogspot.com/

Out of the (AC) box

One must admire the creativity that comes alive within a landlords' brain, once his greed buttons are switched on. I've got several friends right now, suffering from a new landlord sickness, the “chiller fever".

During the rental term they have a received an invoice from their landlord (without further explanation), saying that although the AC was free in the building, they now decided to start charging for the chiller. The cheapest chiller fees for a one bedroom start at Dh3,600 a year. I find that unbelievable. The rent committee didn't comment and seems is not interested to follow up on such “small" issues.

I say — cool idea landlords, easy way to make an extra couple of hundred thousand dirhams a year with no extra effort! No honestly, I hope you choke on the money.

http://uaecommunity.blogspot.com/2008/07/chill-out-landlords.html

Deliberately caused road chaos

I'm stuck at home. Can't get out of the carpark. Three hours so far, and counting. There's deliberately caused gridlock in Dubai Marina. Deliberately caused? Oh yes. At the Jebel Ali end, where the new Interchange 5.5 is being constructed, there's an unannounced, unsigned major change to the roads. As a result hundreds, possibly thousands, of vehicles are in gridlock.

http://dubaithoughts.blogspot.com

Frugal things to do in dubai

Go to Dragon Mart. Yes, it is full of Chinese shopkeepers selling Chinese stuff, but its pretty cheap. Like, half of what's sold cheaply in the malls. So what if everything is made in China! Guess where most of the stuff you buy in the malls is made? Chances are it is made in the same factory in China where the branded stuff is made.

http://umarsiddiqi.com/blog

Coal power?

I am amazed to read that a coal-fired power plant will be established soon in Ajman within the United Arab Emirates. A country that is rich in oil and seeking enterpreneurship in renewable energy technologies is not expected to resort to old and polluting sources of energy anymore. Ajman may be suffering from an electricity shortage but to think of using coal imported from India for its electricity needs is really puzzling, to say the least.

http://www.arabenvironment.net