Underwater living one step closer to a big splash in Dubai

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

As we expats say — only in the UAE! Because you know, it gets totally boring living here on top of the earth. And now that I think about it, all of the excitement, the grandeur, and the shock have worn off and we need something new. We need something outlandish just so we don’t forget why we came here in the first place.

TADA!Take a look at this 7DAYS UAE article on underwater living.

The world’s first underwater villas will be under the sea in the UAE next month, the developer behind the audacious Dubai project has revealed.

The Kleindienst Group launched the ‘Floating Seahorses’ – a cross between a villa and a boat, with one floor submerged – at the Dubai International Boat Show earlier this year.

Kleindienst’s group marketing and PR manager Charlotte Sky Ferrey told 7DAYS: “The first floating seahorse is under fabrication now and will be in the water next month. It’s the first one in the world, there’s nothing like it currently existing.”

The project is part of The Heart of Europe development that includes six islands.

The seahorses have been designed and developed in Dubai and will be located offshore from St Petersburg, a short boat ride from the coast of the emirate.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Dubai Property Show in Mumbai, India, this weekend, Ferrey said the developer is expected to officially launch phase three of the project later this month after the earlier two phases – a total of 51 villas – sold out. The project holds 132 seahorses overall.

But some seahorses are already on offer at the exhibition to Indian investors and serious buyers are being invited to view the model home next month.

However, the price of a seahorse is up by a whopping Dhs2.75 million since launch.

Ferrey revealed: “We launched at Dhs5 million. Then straight after the boat show they went up to Dhs5.5 million, then Dhs6 million in the summer… since selling out we’re now launching at Dhs7.75million.”

Majority of the investors – about 60 per cent – are from the GCC, while about 30 per cent are Indian, she said.

“Of all our products the sea horse is the best seller. Everybody is interested because it’s iconic, it’s different, it’s never existed in the world,” she added.

Ferrey insisted Kleindienst underwater villas have been unaffected by the slump in property prices in Dubai.

“Currently everyone is saying that the real estate market is flat but we’re not, we’re something exclusive, not everybody can afford it,” she explained.

The seahorses will be ready to move into in October 2016, while facilities on St Petersberg will also be up and running with cafes, restaurants and more.

Meanwhile, St Petersberg is also currently being reshaped.

“It will be shaped like a heart in line with the project The Heart of Europe,” Ferrey disclosed.

“This will be our first complete project on The World,” Ferrey confirmed.

megha@7days.ae

Source: Underwater living one step closer to a big splash in Dubai

Are you impressed? Stupefied? Overcome with feelings of disbelief or completely astounded? Welcome to the UAE. It’s never a dull moment so share this article below and sign up to follow my blog above and I will continue to amuse you xx

Teatro — For My (blank) Birthday

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

Last week was my (blank) birthday and I could go anywhere to celebrate in Abu Dhabi that I wanted, but I chose to go to Teatro at the Park Rotana.

There are swankier places, places with perfect cocktails, and fashion model hostesses who try to make you feel as though you are an inferior being. There are also more romantic places, more expensive places, and places with more idyllic settings but I chose Teatro because we were including our son in the celebration and Teatro’s new menu, just like their old menu, strives to keep everyone in the family happy. Continue reading “Teatro — For My (blank) Birthday” →

Rosie the Riveting Coffee Drinker

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.
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“Can you work over there?” is a question many people ask me.

Well, I could work over here. It is not like there’s a law that states women can’t work. But instead, I spend my time drinking coffee and blowing spit bubbles. And more often than not, I talk about crap that doesn’t really matter so much. It kind of feels like one of those lake amoeba is slowly eating my brain.

Continue reading “Rosie the Riveting Coffee Drinker” →

Watch Your (bleep) Mouth!

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

“Will they cut off your hand?” my friends ask me. “You know, if you commit a crime or do some other insulting thing.”

Come on please learn your geography.

Does the UAE look like some sort of hillbilly nation? Do you think we live in the dark ages with uncivilized rules — Where they are stoning women in the square and burning little girl’s schools? Continue reading “Watch Your (bleep) Mouth!” →

Now Playing: Bang, Bang

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

This blog post is not intended to offend anyone. I believe all of our hearts go out to the victims and we stand unified in our belief that public shootings need to stop. Unfortunately, we cannot agree on what needs to be done. Humor sometimes shows the absurdity behind serious social issues which helps us to better understand our beliefs and hopefully, to question our positions and/or possibly adopt another or at least be willing to compromise for society as a whole.

My intent behind this post is to show the unnecessary hardship that has been placed on everyday people who are merely going about their daily activities. Going to the movies was once a very innocent activity that now requires us to think about an analytical safety plan and a tactical exit plan.

This post is a stream of my conscious thought while at the movies.

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Continue reading “Now Playing: Bang, Bang” →

The Poop Plane

Featured by gina dillon, posted in Misc.
two champagne flutes touching in a toast

If there is ever a reason not to leave the UAE it would be that we are totally spoiled to luxury airline travel. It’s like an unfiltered Camel cigarette. It’s powerfully addictive. One flight and you are hooked — and sadly, so are your children. Remember when American Airlines would pass out little toy airplanes to the kids on board the flight and their faces lit up like a Christmas tree? Not anymore of course, because they are broker than Cooter Brown but at the time we thought it was a really, really big thing. Then imagine the first time my little Mini Me boarded an Etihad business class flight. It was like the Christmas of his dreams — his eyes were the size of saucers as if he were staring at Santa Claus AND his eight tiny reindeer. The personal seating pods, the stylish decor, the supermodel flight hostesses with impeccable British-trained manners, and the sound the seat makes as your bottom hits the well-fluffed cushion. I can almost envision Robin Leach sitting next to me giving me a big thumbs up.

Continue reading “The Poop Plane” →

A Wealthy Arab Vacay

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

After living in the UAE for a few years super cars become no big deal. Seriously, in order to turn my head you will need a pyramid of tigers jumping through flaming hoops on top of a Lamborghini….while eating a grilled cheese sandwich….and then I might turn my head. Living in the land of excess and awe has its pros and cons. In the UAE, there is never a dull moment but we quickly become conditioned to the extravagance around us and our expectations become higher and higher with every year that we live in the country. Occasionally, you will see someone either a kid, tourist or a new expat photographing super cars as they sit outside a hotel valet but to most expats it’s common sight — it just kind of goes with the territory.  Continue reading “A Wealthy Arab Vacay” →

The Sushi Class

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

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Like hungry guests, a sitting audience looks, Plays are like suppers; poets are the cooks. The founder’s you; the table is this place, The carvers we; the prologue is the grace. Each act a course, each scene, a different dish.

~ George Farquhar ~

Continue reading “The Sushi Class” →

Smoking Doll

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

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Photo credit to alexjeffriesphotographygroup.com

Smoking Doll is……SMOKING!

Currently ranked as my number #1 favorite Asian fusion restaurant in Abu Dhabi the Smoking Doll is a definite MUST TRY on the restaurant scene. Although Abu Dhabi has a number of good sushi places there is a gap for good Asian fusion food. Fortunately for us the wait is over because the Smoking Doll has opened its doors in two locations in Abu Dhabi: Nation Galleria at Nations Towers and Boutik Mall on Al Reem Island. Continue reading “Smoking Doll” →

A Cup of Gold

by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

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Meet the world-famous gold cappuccino which is served at one of the most beautiful hotels on earth. The Emirates Palace is known as going well beyond 5 stars this luxury hotel sits directly on the beach and is a very popular tourist destination. The Emirates Palace is breathtakingly beautiful and not only showcases Arabian architecture but encapsulates Arabian culture. Frequented by the ultra wealthy, I always feel like such a pauper when I visit this place until I get my gold stache on and then all insecurity goes out the window and I become an Arabian princess just hanging out drinking my gold flaked joe. The Emirates Palace and the gold cappuccino are definitely on the bucket list for most travelers. Continue reading “A Cup of Gold” →