Before purchasing the airline ticket, I checked the pregnancy policy of the airlines.

Etihad allows expectant mothers to travel up to 36 weeks for single pregnancy and 32 weeks for multiple pregnancy. Travelling from 28 weeks and onwards, the airline will require a medical certificate from your attending physician stating that you are fit to travel, the expected date of delivery, the number of weeks and if it is single or multiple pregnancy.

And most importantly, the medical certificate must be dated within 7 days from the date of departure.

Click here to read more about Etihad Airline’s policy for expectant mothers.

As for my experience, they didn’t ask for my medical certificate during the check-in process and even during the boarding time. My only regret was I opted for a window seat. The passenger beside me was not really feeling well and she was asleep most of the time during our journey. I felt awkward waking her up every time I needed to pee.

It is really recommended to choose a seat close to the washroom. In my opinion the best option is the exit row because it is very spacious. Also, do not forget to consider your baggage as pregnant women are not advised to lift heavy weights.

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I feel bad for this month because I received a total of AED 700 parking fines on numerous occasions. It is akin to throwing this amount for nothing. Honestly, it was my fault except for the latest fine of AED 200 last week. According to the ticket fine, I was penalized for not having a parking ticket.

Well, luckily I didn’t delete my sms because I knew that I paid my parking fee through my mobile for two hours before I parked my car. Gladly, the confirmation I received via sms was still in my phone. Imagine, I received the sms confirmation at 18:54 hrs and the ticket fine was made at 18:58 hrs.

So, I called the toll free number of Mawaqif (a division of Department of Transport that does the parking management in Abu Dhabi) to inquire on how to complain about my ticket fine. Unfortunately, the only way is to visit their customer service in any of the Mawaqif offices and to my dismay, I came to know that it will take one month to process any complaints.

I didn’t get the time to visit their office this week but for sure I will pass by next week. Let’s see what will happen.. I am really hoping that it is not one month process. That’s quite long, don’t you think so?

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.

Photo Source: http://leebecker.wordpress.com/

Honestly, at the moment it does not bother me but since my new job obliges me to have a car, this can be a foreseen additional expenses. I am just quite lucky that my house is not located in the main streets of Abu Dhabi otherwise I really have to shell out significant amount of money. Imagine if you do not want to go out on weekends and public holidays, you are left with no option but to pay a parking fee of 24 hours or more.

According to the news, the fee will be AED 3 (USD 0.82) per hour in the main streets and AED 2 (USD 0.55) in other areas. The penalty will range from AED 200 (USD 54.80) to AED 1000 (USD 274). There is also an option for unlimited parking for residents who wants to use the designated paid parking areas and every residents are allowed only up to two permits for unlimited parking which will cost AED 800 (USD 219) for the first permit and the second will be AED 1200 (USD 329).

Parking here in Abu Dhabi is really a nightmare. It is evident when you visit the main streets as the streets are congested with cars parking on the sides and in between. One of my friend keeps whining that his “dating life” is always ruled by the availability of parking space in his building. Sometimes he needs to shorten his dinner date just to ensure that he will find parking space in the evening. Others will roam for half an hour or more just to look for parking space after office hours.

Indeed the implementation of paid parking in Abu Dhabi will somehow ease the parking problems. However, there is no doubt that the parking fee can really hurt the wallets of most car owners. Paying AED 800 for unlimited parking is not a joke.

I usually take taxi because the nearest bus stop is 15-20 minutes walk from my home.

Then last night the old taxi driver told me he would charge me AED 20. It was a blunt rip-off because for an old taxi, it generally costs me an average of AED 7 from my workplace to home.

Quite furious, I told that I would complain to the police and to my surprise, he didn’t care at all. No signs of being threaten.

At this time, I really wanted to go home and I could not spare another half an hour to wait for taxi. On the other hand, I was not really keen to give in to his blunt rip-off. Most of the times I let this kind of thing pass without any fuss because I evade stressful argument especially if the driver is kind and polite.

Unfortunately, last night’s driver was rude. So after he stopped in front of our gate, I paid him AED 10. He reacted and insisted for AED 10. At this time, I already made up my mind that I would not pay for another AED 10.

I encouraged him to call the police because I didn’t pay the extra AED 10.

He again urged. This time he became aggressive and violent, trying to hold my bag. I raised my voice and informed him that I would scream if he would ever touch me. Then I stepped out and slammed the door.

I know that it is just a small amount to fight but what I am contesting is the thought of being ripped off. For sure this taxi driver will do the same thing to other passengers.

It was unfortunate that I didn’t get his car plate number. It would have been better if I raise the complaint in the local authorities.

The old taxis will be totally phased out soon. Actually, the phase out has started already but there are still old few taxis roving around. I personally prefer to take the new taxis because the drivers are polite and they will really take you to your destination without any fuss.

If you face any misbehaving drivers, you can always call 600 535 353 to register complaints.

Public Transport Bus Service in Abu Dhabi

Anyway after he left for the immigration section, I started walking out of the airport while mulling over for my transportation back to the city. The Abu Dhabi International Airport is approximately 30 minutes drive from the city proper and the taxi fare ranges between AED 80 – AED 100 per way. We already paid AED 80 on our way to the airport and honestly, I was not keen to spend another AED 80 on my way back home.

So, I asked around if there was any bus station where I could catch a public bus. Luckily, it was just few steps away from the main entrance of the airport though I had a hunch that the waiting period would be long. Indeed my hunch didn’t fail me. I waited for almost 40 minutes but my patience was paid off.

Anyway, I was off and not in a hurry to go home.

The bus fare was only AED 3. It was a nice long trip, approximately 30-45 minutes drive with stops in between.

The public transport bus service was launched only last year. Prior to that, there were only public taxis and in 2007, new private taxis in silver color were launched too. The latter is operated by private franchisees and will soon replace all the old taxis.

The new taxis are more expensive and the meter starts at AED 3 with AED 0.75 for every succeeding kilometer.

The public bus with its routes within the city costs AED 1 only. It is indeed a substantial savings and I am looking forward to commuting through public bus next month. I am still taking taxis on my daily route to the office because it is summer. I personally cannot stand waiting for 20-30 minutes during summer where the temperature ranges between 30-40 °C.

These days the scorching summer heat starts to cool down already and I can’t wait next month when it will be chilly. Then I don’t mind waiting for the bus with such pleasant weather.

I have a quite strange attachment to buses especially for long journeys. Perhaps it reminds me a lot about my childhood when I and my family travelled for hours or days for summer vacation to my Grandpa’s place, and my college days where I used to travel 12-15 hours by bus during summer, semestral break or Christmas occasions to go home.

So I find delight taking public bus for transport as long as I am not in a hurry and the weather is pleasant.

A great way to be frugal, right?!