This is my nth issue about the transport system in UAE.  But this time, not about the traffic nor the waiting for the bus. This is about the faulty aircon on the brand-new double decker bus we commuted yesterday. These giant buses were only 2-months old and since brand-new, never did I expect its facilities to fail.

We chose to sit on the top deck since, my wife and her friends haven't experienced it yet.  Upon feeling the heat, I informed the bus driver to turn the a/c on before we travel. He nodded and said yes. But, he left the bus and locked the door. He went to report at the inspector's office. After 10-15 minutes leaving us sweating, I went down again to gently remind him to turn the a/c on.  But he rudely shouted on me and said that the a/c is not functioning. And he started saying words in his language. I was totally pissed off. I questioned his 'yes' response to me when i first asked to turn it on.  He should not have used the bus if there are faulty facilities. My complaining was useless. We can't go down anymore - and we don't want to fall in the loooong line again. He continued driving while we're exchanging words. Until I just left him and thought to report the incident at RTA.

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It was a 'sweaty joyride' at Dubai Cable Car.  We didn't know that the cabins weren't aircon. So it felt like sauna inside. For 25AED each, the ride took 35-40 minutes in a span of 3kilometers trail. The trail is up to 35feet high. It gave us a spectacular birds-eye view of the creek, the buildings of Deira and the creek park itself. It would be better though if the cabin is airconditioned. Yesterday was a sunny weather still at high 37-40 and it is not even that windy.

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It was Eid Al 'Ftr, and we were on the beach to feel the holiday. At Mamzar Beach Park, the second largest park in Dubai, most of the picnic-goers we've seen were Pinoys. Barbeque, tents and banig, trademark of Filipino picnic, were all over the park.

In Dubai, the Police allows up to 2-piece swimsuit wear for ladies, unlike in other Middle East countries - provided it's not thongs or t-back.

Of course I brought my SLR (with tripod), and while setting it up the beach patrol warned us not to use the camera for an unknown reason they don't allow it on the beach.  But hey, since I always love to take photos, I pretended packing it up and when the roving mobile left, put it out again and I was able to take photos .

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Video - The Introduction

Video - The duet performance - Charice's moment

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Let me share a feature about our kabayan who works as an Art Director here. Joel Fabonan came to Dubai just this April, and has already captured the eyes of press people.

Click the link to read the story featured in Khaleej Times.

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No less than the queen of talkshows, Oprah is reportedly to manage Charice's international career. Oprah has become a great contribution to Charice's popularity and through her show, our teen pride has gained instant fan acceptances from all over the world to date.

In Charice's last appearance on Oprah, it is highly notable how her crew worked hard to travel to the Philippines for a special VTR about Charice's beginnings.  After the surprise live VTR from Celine Dion, Oprah also mentioned that they will follow Charice's duet performance with Celine this coming week.

Oprah has been and is still the best endorser I could say.  All the authors and books she promoted became best-sellers. Her influence will definitely help bring Charice to her stardom dream.

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Known for beating world records in structures and infrastructures, Dubai is set to on building the world’s largest arch bride, at 617-feet tall and 1-mile in length. Construction has started April  and is due to wrap up in 2012 after running some $817 million dollars. World’s first vacuum tube mass transit system will launch in Dubai shortly thereafter.

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This is amazing. I got these pics from an email. Kudos to the photographer - whoever you are!

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This is the first time (it happened or) I heard about a quake that hit the Emirates. Just 2 hours ago, Gulfnews reported that a 6.2 quake that originates from southern islands of Iran was felt in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and some other parts of the country. The tremor reportedly started at the coasts of Sharjah at 4.9 intensity. We're living near Sharjah coasts and I hardly felt any sway. But a lot of people in Dubai have evacuated their office buildings in panic.

People living and working in Al Quasis, Bur Dubai and Dubai Media City said that the tremors lasted for a few seconds. Residents in Sharjah reported their buildings swaying.

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Kylie Minogue is set to grace the opening of the Atlantis at Palm Jumeirah. The opening is schedule on September 24, and is exclusive only to 2,000 invited guests.

The Palm Atlantis, a vast waterscape, is a magnificent oceanic tribute to mythical age - as describe by Google. In it's website ,it is described as "majestic focal point of Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that has captured the world’s imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity."

Just last week, part of it was caught on fire, and have created rumors that it won't open on time. 

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Philippines acoustic princess Aiza Seguerra will have 2 nights to serenade her kababayans here in the UAE.  Fresh from the successful launch of her international album, Aiza will be performing at Abu Dhabi in October 9 at the Intercontinental Hotel (Grand Ballroom); and on October 11 at Chi @ The Lodge in Dubai.

Ticket for Abu Dhabi show is priced at AED200 with cocktail buffet included; AED120 for the Dubai show.

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