I wrote earlier that I received a parking fine for not having a parking ticket though I paid my parking dues through the sms option.

So before I left for vacation, I visited the Mawaqif (a division of Department of Transport that does the parking management in Abu Dhabi) Customer Service Center. I explained the issue to the customer service agent then I showed my ticket fine and the sms parking confirmation that I received in my phone.

After that, the agent asked me to complete and submit a complaint form along with the ticket fine. She then reviewed the details in the form and stamped my ticket fine to indicate that they received my complaint.

According to the agent, the feedback of my complaint will be advised after one to two months only through sms. Also, the discount of 25% (which one can avail if the fine is settled within 15 days from the date of issue) is still valid in case my complaint is rejected.

So, let us see…

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One of the reasons that I hang on to saving one credit card in my wallet is its usefulness in online purchases and transactions. Let’s face it. We need at least one credit card to do online transactions like purchasing your domain name or airline tickets.

So when I discovered the prepaid card of National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) last week, I was delighted.

Very eager to know about its features and benefits, I inquired and days later applied for it. I see it as an excellent option to keep me away from any spiraling debts and be in control with my finances.

So, what are its features and benefits?

 The NBAD prepaid card works like a debit card but can be used as well for online purchases. All you have to do is to fund the NBAD prepaid visa card and it is ready to use like online shopping.

 Applying for it is very easy. I just went in Khalidiya Branch. I completed the registration form and presented my driving license. Any ID will do. Then an initial deposit is required. The minimum deposit is AED 100 and the bank charges AED 10 for the first deposit. The fee for the subsequent deposits will be AED 5 per deposit.

After an hour, I left the bank with the NBAD prepaid visa card on my hand though activation is done within 24 hours.

Balance inquiry can be done through the ATM machines of NBAD or though online.  

To learn more about this product, click it here.  

Don’t get me wrong.. I am not paid to write about this product. I am just happy to share that this option is available and I personally believe that it is an excellent choice especially for those (like me) who are working on improving their financial health.

I think AED 5 deposit fee is very minimal comparing to paying an interest or late payment fees for not being able to fully settle their credit card bills every due date.

So while on the process of getting acquainted with my new role, I decided to rent a car for the next few months. The average range for monthly car rental price here in Abu Dhabi is between AED 2,200 (USD 600) to AED 2,500 (USD 685). In fact, established car rental companies are more expensive.

Before renting my car, I called up many car rental companies to scour a cheaper deal. The price and insurance coverage are my primary deciding factors. Although there are cheaper price for auto rent in Abu Dhabi, I am not comfortable with their insurance coverage.

I am a new driver and considering the driving etiquette and parking issues here, comprehensive car insurance is the most favorable option for me. It means that if ever accident happens, insurance will cover it as long as I provide the car rental company with police report.

After calling numerous car rental companies in Abu Dhabi, I eventually found a better deal. It is the Auto Rent Company. The monthly price is AED 1750 for a 2010 model of Renault Logan with comprehensive car insurance.

The only hitch is they will charge AED 0.75 per kilometer after reaching a total mileage of 4500 km per month. Honestly, I am fine with it. I just drive within the city and occasional drive on weekends to Dubai or other Emirates.

The required documents for renting a car in Abu Dhabi are copies of your passport, credit card and driving license. If you are new in Abu Dhabi and don’t have credit card, you can always negotiate it with them.

As for their service, so far I am happy with it. If you want to get in touch with this car rental company in Abu Dhabi, here are the details.

Phone  : +971   2 6350250
Mobile  : +971 50 5542860
Fax      :+971    2 6350822
Email   : anandw@autorent-me.com
Website: www.autorent-me.com

Just to let you know, this is not a paid blog post or review. I am simply recommending this auto rental company because I am satisfied with their service and it is the best deal I found in the city. If you have any other recommendations, please let me know and I’ll be delighted to try it as I plan to continue renting a car until end of the year.

One of IKEA’s mock-up living room and kitchen area

I bet..  ;-)  You can track pieces of IKEA products in most of the households here in Abu Dhabi. Either you are renting only a room or being accommodated in a villa, some IKEA items are definitely visible everywhere from bathroom, kitchen, kids’ rooms, living room and even to car compartments.  

So, you may wonder why people here have such fondness to IKEA products. I’ll answer that with few questions.   

1. Do you want to organize your cluttered room?
2. Do you need more space in your kitchen area?
3. Are you looking for reasonable and quality duvets or pillows?
4. Are you scouting innovative ideas on how to maximize your small bedroom?

These are only few reasons that people flock in IKEA. Also, the prices of most of the items are reasonable. No wonder that people from all walks of life just simply storm IKEA for any household concerns.  

One of my closest friends is an IKEA girl too. She visited me here in Abu Dhabi last week after working for more than a year in Qatar. And guest what? She only asked me for one thing – to take here to IKEA in Marina Mall because she missed it as there is no IKEA shop in Qatar.  

So we walked around and she shopped for some items for her new room. Then as we headed to the counter, I couldn’t help but really admire the creativity and innovation of IKEA products. It seems that they invented solutions to whatever household concerns you may have.  

I would say also that the product displays are strategically planned and marketed.  You can spend time also in a corner where items are priced for AED 10 (USD 3) or less.    

Anyway, my friend was indeed very happy when we parted ways that night.  

If you are planning to move here in UAE, IKEA is worth a visit for your household needs.

So, they drove to Abu Dhabi on Thursday night and we checked in quite late in Beach Rotana. The rooms assigned to us were on the 7th floor. A strong food smell welcomed us as we stepped out from the elevator. We realized that it was still dinner time and the “Rosebuds”, their all day dining restaurant, is located in the lobby at the heart of the right wing of the hotel. As it is an open-air restaurant, it is not a surprise that the food smell lingers and it is very evident in the corridors of each floor. Luckily, the food smell doesn’t penetrate inside the room.

Perfect pool to take a dip!

It's the Rosebuds Restuarant view from the 7th floor corridor

The soaring atrium of Beach Rotana Hotel

We took one single room and one twin room. The rooms are just enough, not spacious nor too small. It is equipped with modern and chic furniture from the sofa to its note pad holder. I personally like the quality of their bed. It’s large, soft and very comfy. The same with the pillows and duvet – so soft – and the texture is very fine.

The Rosebuds Restuarant

My only comment is the TV set in the room. With such high end quality products in the room, you will somehow expect a better television set like a plasma and flat screen that will go along with the room’s modern ambience. They still have this old “bulky” TV unit.

I actually appreciated this self-explanatory red tag.

Anyway, we slept late because we were busy catching up with each other’s latest gossips and news. The next day we had our breakfast at the “Rosebuds” restaurant. Unfortunately, we woke up very late. So the moment we stepped in the entrance of the restaurant, the waiter approached and bluntly reminded us that they were closing in the next 15 minutes. I wish he informed us in gentler manner.

As we checked in quite late, the turndown service was already done.

We didn’t manage to have a closer look at the breakfast buffet selection. We simply had a quick round then we started filling our plates. Indeed minutes later they began to clear their buffets. We felt the urge to hurry up though we knew that we could still stay longer if wanted to.

Beach Rotana Standard Room

Later we headed to the pool side which was also adjacent to the beach area. There were just few people around though I didn’t swim, my friends did. There is an extensive construction works just meters away from the beachfront. You cannot ignore it because buildings are mushrooming left and right.

The sauna and steam bath area

My other girl friends hit the sauna and steam rooms. There was nothing spectacular about it even for their Jacuzzi but I liked the airy ambience of their locker and changing room.

To sum it up, it was a great weekend and we truly enjoyed our stay.

The beachfront - opposite to that is the Reem Island where extensive construction works are on-going