Abu Dhabi

Living in...

Published by Motivate Publishing DUBAI PO Box 2331, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel (+971 4) 282 4060, fax (+971 4) 282 7898 e-mail: books@motivate.ae www.booksarabia.com Office 508, Building No 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE Tel (+971 4) 390 3550, fax (+971 4) 390 4845 ABU DHABI PO Box 43072, Abu Dhabi, UAE Tel (+971 2) 677 2005, fax (+971 2) 677 0124 LONDON Acre House, 11/15 William road, London NW1 3Er e-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae DIRECTORS Obaid Humaid Al Tayer and Ian Fairservice GENERAL MANAGER BOOKS Jonathan Griffiths SERIES EDITOR Simona Cassano EDITOR Moushumi Nandy EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Therese Theron PUBLISHING COORDINATOR Zelda Pinto SENIOR DESIGNER Cithadel Francisco DESIGNER Charlie Banalo First published 2010 Living In Series Original text Leslie Nicolas Nasr 2010 Motivate Publishing 2010 ISBN: 978 1 86063 271 6
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PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDITS
Abu Dhabi Aviation: ADCO: Alamy: 106 16 57, 132, 142, 190, 191, 195, 197, 200, 203, 208, 213, 215, 216, 219, 220, 229, 230, 240, 274-275 232 25 (3), 27, 37, 97, 100, 114, 118, 156, 157, 160, 176, 180, 187, 206 240 24, 25, 48 18, 20,28, 31,32, 40, 76-77, 80-81, 83, 95, 108, 119, 130, 137, 184, 271 234 242 126, 140, 179, 236, 241 (4), 240 (2)

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Abu DhAbi LiViNG

WHAT MAkeS AbU DHAbi SpeCiAL Abu Dhabi is one of the most prosperous and rapidly developing cities in the world, cosmopolitan in nature and a welcoming attitude for all cultures and backgrounds. The wealth from Abu Dhabis oil helped transform the city into a very modern metropolis with beautiful malls and office buildings, luxury hotels and amazing villas, along with parks and gardens. Abu Dhabi has established itself as the art and cultural destination of the region, as well as a major centre for tourism, which has transformed the once small village into a thriving investment enterprise. The city hosts an array of events on an annual basis and has been the venue of major international conferences, with the opulent Emirates Palace Hotel hosting renowned names in the music and performance arts. Moreover, Abu Dhabi will soon witness the opening of two of the finest museums in the world, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim. Last but not least, in November 2009 Abu Dhabi inaugurated a Grand Prix Circuit for a world-class Formula One race track and will soon see the opening of an international Ferrari theme park on Yas Island, first in the region. COMing TO AbU DHAbi Whether you have just disembarked or are a long term resident, you will not lack anything nor feel that something is missing with Living in... Abu Dhabi. You will be able to gather all the general information you need to live in Abu Dhabi, allowing you to smoothly settle down on your own or with your family (chapter 3, Moving): the work and legal regulations in the city (chapter 4 Legal Matters, and 10, Working), where to stay (chapter 5, Housing), the health care facilities available (chapter 12, Health Care) etc. Despite the new developments, the cachet of the city has been maintained. You will find out practical information on how to set up your water and electricity and phone accounts (chapter 6, Utilities and Services) or your bank account (chapter 9, Finances), and you will also learn useful expressions in Arabic (chapter 18, Quick Arabic). Abu Dhabi truly fits the image of a major city. The luxury and style of its modern achievements are infused with the traditional values of hospitality and respect (chapter 1, History, and 2, Quick Facts). Home to foreign embassies, Abu Dhabis wide boulevards and infrastructure are well established (chapter 8, Transport) and the city is peaceful, despite its traffic jams and busy streets (chapter 7, Driving). Its serene, subdued, quiet atmosphere is mixed with the cosmopolitan lifestyle being constantly fostered by the development of new cultural entities, unique art exhibitions, concerts and seminars (chapter 15, Out and About). Shopping in Abu Dhabi is a pleasurable experience as a wide variety of goods are available (chapter 14, Shopping). The fine weather prevailing for most of the year, access to beaches, desert safaris and the variety of facilities for adults and children (chapter 13, Leisure and Sport), combined with an underlying level of formality and the unique Arab hospitality contribute in adding to the charm of living in this wonderful city.

geT THe MOST OUT OF living in... ABU DHABi

Based around on-the-ground realities, Living in... Abu Dhabi covers the emirates history, its culture, the best way to prepare a move, the subtle nuances of daily life and social attitudes, the availability of housing, the different education systems as well as tried and tested recommendations for select shopping, dining and entertainment options. To find this information you can:

browse explore use find

through the detailed contents pages to find at a glance the information you need on how to get a visa, how to chose a moving company, whats on in Abu Dhabi entertainmentwise, and much more;

each chapter and Now you know! interest boxes, which are laid out in a user-friendly way, to read everything you need about Abu Dhabi;

the directory (p. ...) for quick reference. The directory is the source of up-to-date recommended addresses for your shopping, leisure and travel, as well as education and health care;

in each paragraph your shortcut to the relevant section in the directory:

Cons. & Embassies Education Ministries Hospitals & Clinics Websites Leisure Sport Hotels Nightlife Services Eating Out Shopping Mind & Body
Cult. & Soc. Activities

Travel Emergency Nos

refer

to the full map of Abu Dhabi at the end of this book to get the bigger picture of your new country, and to the snapshots of the city of Abu Dhabi as a guide for moving around town. To find your restaurant, hotel or any other location, go to the maps general listings (p. 338) to locate your place of interest in the map grid.

Note that: n the procedures outlined are accurate and updated to date of publication, but may be subject to change; n location names in Abu Dhabi might have different spellings. This is a mirror of reality, more than a mistake or error per se, as even road signs are spelt differently according to the source providing the service.

10 HISTOrY /// 1
Early History 12 /// forEign occupation 12 /// tHE trucial statEs 14 /// crEation of tHE uaE 15 /// Economy 15 /// pearl fishing 15, gold 15, Homes 15, oil Wells 16 abu dHabi in tHE tWEnty-first cEntury 17 /// futurE and undEr construction dEvElopmEnts 17 /// saadiyat island project 17, desert islands 17, angsana resort & spa Eastern mangroves 17, anantara Qasr al sarab resort & spa 17, abu dhabi golf resort 18, al bateen Wharf 18, bridge Way abu dhabi 18, burooj crystal 18, fairmont Hotel abu dhabi creek side 19, grand millennium corniche Hotel 19, Khalifa city 19, masdar city 19, park rotana complex 19, al raha beach complex 19, al reem island 19, the regent Emirates pearl abu dhabi 19, sheikh mohammed bin Zayed city 19, yas island 19

22 QUICK FACTS /// 2

gEograpHy 24 /// terrain 24, flora 24, fauna 25, marine life 26 climatE 26 /// seasons and temperature 26, rainfall 27, sandstorms 27, seasonal clothing tips 27 culturE 28 /// the family 28, Hospitality 28, traditional sports 29, coffee shops 29 EtiQuEttE and protocol 29 /// dining and Hosting 29, dress codes 30, photographs 30, personal behaviour 30, soles of feet 30 grEEtings 30 /// Handshaking 30, nose touching 30 Economy: facts and pErcEntagEs 30 /// population 31 /// population Estimates for 2010 31, population breakdown 32, the Workforce 32, male to female ratio 32, new residents 32, tourists 32 spoKEn languagE 32 /// rEligion: islam 33 /// the Woman in islam 33, mosques 36, calEndar of islamic Holidays 36 /// ramadan 36, Eid al-fitr 37, Eid al-adha 37, mouloud 37, al isras Wal meraj 38 national Holidays 38 /// otHEr rEligions in abu dHabi 38 /// christianity 38, Hinduism 38, buddhism 39 safEty and sEcurity 39 ///

40 MOVING /// 3
bEforE tHE movE 42 /// packing 42, pets 43 tHE movE 45 /// choosing a moving company 45, tips for the move 45 sEttling doWn 47 /// the Employee 47, the single person 47, the trailing spouse 47

50 LEGAL MATTErS /// 4

tHE lEgal systEm in tHE uaE 52 /// sHariaH laW and its applications 52 /// ExpatriatEs, uaE laW and sHariaH 52 /// prosecution and civil cases 53, business and the law 53, death Wills and testaments 53, moving to abu dHabi: documEnts nEEdEd 55 /// visas 56 /// 1. Employment visa 56, 2. residence visa for the Employee 57, 3. visa for parents 58, 4. domestic Help visa 59, 5. visit visa 60, 6. mission visa 62 visa rEstrictions 62 /// rEnEWing EmploymEnt & rEsidEncE visas 62 /// cancElling EmploymEnt & rEsidEncE visas 62 /// transfErring WorK visa 62 /// indEpEndEnt businEss 62 /// licEncEs and documEnts 64 /// Emirates id card 64, E-gate card 65, liquor licence 66 lifEstylE and tHE laW 66 /// marriage and divorce in islam 66, mixed marriages 68, other lifestyle-related issues 68 ExpatriatEs marrying in tHE uaE 68 /// islamic marriages 68, christian marriages 69, indian marriages 69

70 HOUSING /// 5
a spraWling city 72 /// supply and dEmand 72 /// rEntal 72 /// purcHasE 73 /// tHE districts in abu dHabi 73 /// airport road 73, al bateen 73, the islands 73, al Karamah 73, al Khalidiya 73, al maqtaa 74, al markaziya 74, al matar 74, al mina 74, al mushrif 75, al ras al-akhdar 75, al safarat 75, corniche area 75, futaisi island 75, Khalifa city 75, madinat Zayed 75, mussafah 78, the breakwater 78, tourist club area 78, umm al nar 78 tEmporary accommodation HotEl apartmEnts 78 /// al rawda rotana suites 78, Hilton baynunah 78, beach rotana Hotel & towers 79, Hilton corniche Hotel apartments 79, the Eclipse boutique suites 79, platinum residence 79, sahara residence 79

80 UTILITIES & SErVICES /// 6

WatEr and ElEctricity 82 /// documents to open an account with adWEa 82, Water suppliers 82, voltage and adaptors 82 gas 83 /// air conditioning/HEating 83 /// landlinE 83 /// local calls in the uaE 83, international calls from abu dhabi 84, Etisalat 84, du 84 mobilE 84 /// Etisalat 84, du 85 intErnEt 85 /// tElEvision 86 /// dvd/ vidEo rEntals 86 /// radio 86 /// prEss 87 /// postal sErvicEs 87 /// address system 88, courier services 88 HomE sErvicEs 88 /// dry cleaning 88, food takeaway and delivery 88, gardening 88, maintenance companies 88 miscEllanEous profEssional sErvicEs 89 /// insurancE companiEs 89 /// domEstic HElp 90 /// Ways of finding domestic Help in abu dhabi 90, salary and recommendations 90

92 DrIVING /// 7
safety first 94 driving licEncEs usEful information 94 /// temporary driving licence 96, foreign driving licences: Exchange 96, uaE drivers licence 97, driving lessons and tests 99, driving schools 100 infringEmEnts and tHE laW 100 /// alcohol and Zero tolerance 100, black points system 100, annual accumulated points cancellation 101, speed cameras, random checking, traffic fines and penalties 101, Enquiry and fines payment system 101, parking payment options 101 rEntals 101 /// your car 104 /// purchasing 104, insurance 104, maintenance 104, breakdown 104, accidents 105 motorcyclEs 105 /// bicyclEs & biKE patHs, pEdEstrians 105 ///

106 TrANSPOrT /// 8

driving and traffic 109 /// congested areas to avoid and times 109 taxis 109 /// ordering a taxi 110, tipping the driver 110, limousines 110 busEs 110 /// bus routes 110 sEa/WatEr travEl 110 /// air transport 111 /// national airline 111, adia facilities 112, transportation to/from the airport 112 otHEr mEtHods of transportation 112 /// bridgEs in abu dHabi 112

114 FINANCES /// 9

currEncy 116 /// opEning a banK account 116 /// documents required 116, cheques 116, offshore accounts 116 tHE procEss of gEtting loans and mortgagEs 116 /// islamic banKing 117 /// paymEnts 117 /// cost of living 119 /// Housing 119, food shopping 119, dining out 119 abu dHabi financial marKEt 119 /// coping with the crisis 119

120 WOrKING /// 10

126 EDUCATION /// 11

uaE labour laW 122 /// tHE labour contract 122 /// frEE ZonEs 122 /// documents needed to set up a company in a free Zone 123 businEss EnvironmEnt 123 /// communicating 123, business Etiquette 123, timekeeping 125, confrontation 125, positive feedback 125, chain of command 125, role models 125 tHE History of Education in abu dHabi 128 /// prEsEnt Education systEm in abu dHabi 128 /// scHools at a glancE 129 /// nurseries and pre-schools 130, primary and secondary schools 132, universities and Higher Education 135, special needs schools 138, music 138, language schools 138, courses for adults 139, computer classes 139, miscellaneous 139

140 HEALTH CArE /// 12

gEnEral information 143 /// Hospitals and clinics in abu dHabi 144 /// Hospitals and clinics outsidE of abu dHabi city 144 /// mEdical cEntrEs and doctors 146 /// dentists 148, chiropractors, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and podiatrists 148, specialists and paediatricians 148, psychiatrists 148, pharmacies 148 costs and Waiting timEs 148 /// HEaltH card and mEdical insurancE 148 /// mEdicinEs 150 /// frEQuEnt HEaltH problEms among Expats 150 /// prEgnancy and rElatEd issuEs 150 /// nationality and certificates 151, adoption 152, birth control 152, ai, ivf, stem cells research 152, maternity leave 153 support groups 153 /// opticians 153 ///

154 LEISUrE & SPOrT /// 13 176

lEisurE i for adults and for tHE family 156 /// public beaches 156, parks and garden areas 157, private beach clubs & other clubs 159, fitness centres 162, spas and beauty salons 164 lEisurE ii spEcifically for cHildrEn 167 /// activities for children 167, play areas/fun centres 169, party venues for children 170 sport 170 ///

188 SHOPPING /// 14

strEEt sHopping 190 /// sHopping malls 191 /// abu dhabi mall 191, al raha mall 193, al Wahda mall 193, al Khalidiya mall 193, marina mall 193, mazyad mall 194 sHopping cEntrEs 194 /// fotouh al Khair centre 194, madinat Zayed shopping centre and gold souk 195, abu dhabi co-operative society complex 195, al falah plaza 195, al muhairy centre 195, Hamdan centre 195, Hamed centre 196, Khalifa centre 196, rotana mall 196, the mina centre 196 supErmarKEts and food storEs 196 /// abela supermarket 196, abu dhabi co-operative society 196, carrefour 196, choithram 196, lifco supermarket 196, lulu Hypermarket 196, shaheen supermarket 197, spinneys 197 HEaltH food storEs 197 /// dr nutrition 197, Eat smart, organic caf 197, nutrition Zone 197, organic foods and caf dubai 198 sHops by catEgory 198 /// accessories 198, bookshops 198, car agents and dealers 198, cosmetics and perfumes 199, Electrical Equipment 201, fashion 202, florists 209, gift shops 209, Jewellery and Watch stores 210, middleEastern treasures 212, motorcycle dealers 212, music, video, dvd and photographic Equipment 212, opticians 214, party Equipment 214, pet stores 215, smokers centre 215, toys 215

216 OUT & ABOUT /// 15

mosques 218, sites and museums 221, art 222, theatres and concert venues 222, cinemas 223, libraries and book clubs 223, social clubs 224 annual EvEnts 225 /// cultural 225, other annual, business, social and sporting Events 227 sigHtsEEing trips 228 /// city tours, desert safaris 228, aerial tours 229, cruises 229 day trips and WEEKEnd gEtaWays 229 /// around abu dhabi 229, ras al-Khaimah 233, dubai 234, fujairah 236, sharjah 237 furtHEr out accEssiblE dEstinations 237 ///

242 THE HOTEL LIFE /// 16

dining in abu dHabi 244 /// Hotel dining 244, malls and dining 245, take-away and Home delivery 245, catering 245 rEstaurants 246 /// american / steak-House 246, arabic / lebanese / iranian 248, brazilian 246, chinese / far Eastern / Japanese / polynesian 246, french 249, fusion 249, german / austrian 249, indian 249, international 250, italian 252, persian 253, pizzerias 254, seafood 254, spanish 254, texmex 256 cafs 256 /// nigHtlifE 259 /// nightlife codes 259, bars and pubs 259, night clubs 260, ladies night 260 HotEls and dining 260 ///

274 LEAVING ABU DHABI /// 17

visa cancEllation 276 /// documEnts 276 /// to Have on Hand 276, bank 276, medical 276, school 276 accommodation 277 /// pacKErs and movErs 277 /// salE of goods 278 /// for those Who leave 278, for those Who stay 278 utilitiEs accounts 278 /// banKs 278 /// taxEs 279 /// miscEllanEous tasKs 279 /// Exporting your pEt 279 ///

280 QUICK ArABIC /// 18 283 DIrECTOrY 336 MAPS OF ABU DHABI NOW YOU KNOW!
rulers of abu dhabi 12 /// national anthem of the united arab Emirates 14 /// the majlis 16 /// flora in urban areas 25 /// mean monthly climate data and averages 26 /// national dress 29 /// What is islam? 33 /// charitable organizations in abu dhabi 36 /// useful information 39 /// medications and drugs 42 /// tips for settling in abu dhabi 47 /// three things about the islamic system of law 52 /// E-Justice 53 /// crime and the law in abu dhabi 54 /// iris scan 57 /// lost or damaged passports 59 /// visit visa: Exempt countries 60 /// five tips about Housing 72 /// public payphone 85 /// Exempt countries 96 /// age of vehicles 99 /// Ecowash 101 /// What to do in case of an accident 105 /// airport services 112 /// the e-dirham 116 /// E-payments 117 /// six things about Working in abu dhabi 122 /// moving with the children 129 /// seven facts about the abu dhabi Health system 143 /// What to do in case of Emergency 146 /// immunization for travellers 148 /// single mothers in abu dhabi 150 /// food Hygiene and Heat 153 /// tried and tested: nail bars and beauty salons for ladies 166 /// shopping in abu dhabi 199 /// renovating your Home or office 202 /// dress codes and behaviour 218 /// ten must-dos in abu dhabi 221 /// cultural life in the vicinity of abu dhabi city 224 /// ten things about camel racing 228 /// dining Habits in abu dhabi 244 /// friday brunch in abu dhabi 251 /// ten things about arabic food 254 /// internet cafs 256 /// dating in abu dhabi 259