Jeddah: Treasure Island Eid Festival

While I was looking for something fun to do this weekend with my family, I fell across the advert below and couldn't help spreading the word.

Are you bored from same Eid routine in KSA? Having the same places to go with nothing new? Same traffic difficulties and rush. Great News!!!!! Its not going to happen this Eid because Our FESTIVAL will not let you be bored thats our promise.

Treasure Island festival. To be held on Durrat Al Uroos from 2nd day of Eid till 11th day of Eid. Tickets available now. Book your tickets as this event has limited tickets. Daily gifts and luckydraw with a treasure hunt. Special surprise gifts for first 50 passes. Jet ski, banana boat, desert bikes, Segmented Shopping Arcade and a night to remember with most of National and International Artists. Have the best day with your family and friends at the best ambiance imaginable. Contact 0563235353 to get your tickets.

Join us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1559193150974115/?ref=22

In the poster, the organizers stated that the activities will run from the 2nd to the 11th of Shawwal. This corresponds to July 29 to August 7, 2014. Hope it's not to let to grab a ticket. Have fun!
 

Arabie Saoudite: Renouvellement du Permit de Sejour et du Passeport

J'ai écrit ce post pour ceux qui ne sont pas sous le parrainage d'une entreprise et qui ont l'obligation de payer pour le renouvellement de leur permis de séjour ou iqama. Les informations sur le renouvellement du permis de séjour après le renouvellement d'un passeport ne sont malheureusement pas habituellement affichées sur ​​les sites Internet, et si c'était le cas, celles-ci sont probablement en arabe. Cependant, je vais me pencher sur certains points spécifiques basés sous l'experience d'un confrère expatrié qui a du apprendre certaines informations pendant le renouvellement de son permit de sejour afin que vous ne faites pas la même erreur. 

Si vous souhaitez renouveler votre iqama et votre passeport a été renouvelé récemment, vous devez d'abord vous rendre au bureau des passeports afin que votre information soit mise à jour. D'après ce que j'ai compris, cette procédure sert à lier votre nouveau passeport à votre iqama actuel et l'ancien passeport sera automatiquement annulé. Vous devez absolument vous presenter au bureau de passeport avec votre khafeel (parrain) pour entamer cette procédure. Pour toutes les étapes ci-dessous, vous n'avez pas besoin d'être accompagné par votre parrain. 

On vous demandera de faire quelques examens de laboratoire. Si vous vivez avec votre famille en Arabie Saoudite, vous et votre conjoint serez invités à faire ces tests. (Mise à jour: J'ai été informé récemment que toute la famille doit faire les examens médicaux.) Actuellement, vous n'avez pas à attendre les résultats car ceux-ci sont transmis directement au centre administratif impliqué dans le renouvellement du permis de séjour. 

Assurez-vous que vous payez une assurance médicale avant de commencer le processus de renouvellement du permis de sejour. Si vous ne le faites pas, vous perdez un temps précieux à faire la queue seulement pour être informé à la dernière minute que vous devez payer l'assurance en premier. Croyez-moi, les bureaux d'immigration sont généralement bondés et vous voudriez vous assurer que vous avez tout ce dont vous avez besoin avant d'y aller. En ce qui concerne l'assurance, vous pouvez payer pour l'assurance médicale individuelle ou familiale. Cela dépend de vos préférences. 

Si vous aviez commis une infraction au code de la route, payez votre amende ou ce serait impossible pour vous de renouveler votre iqama. Vous n'avez pas besoin d'aller à votre banque pour payer ces frais. Ceci peut se faire à n'importe quel guichet automatique.

Saudi Arabia: Passport and Iqama Renewal

I wrote this post for persons who are not under the sponsorship of a company, and who have the obligation to pay for the renewal of their resident permits (iqama). Information regarding iqama renewal after renewal of a passport is, unfortunately, not usually displayed on websites, and if at all it is, then it is probably in Arabic. However, I'm just going to write about specific points based on what one expat experienced when he renewed his and his family's iqamas so that you do not make the same mistake.

If you wish to renew your iqama and your passport was renewed recently, you have to go to the passport office first so that your information is updated. From what I learned, this is to ensure that your new passport is linked to your current iqama and the old passport will be cancelled. You absolutely need to go with your Khafeel (sponsor) during this stage. For all the stages below, you do not need to be accompanied by your sponsor.

You may have to do some laboratory tests. If you live with your family in Saudi Arabia, you and your spouse would be requested to do these tests. (Update: I was informed recently that the whole family would be requested to do medicals.) Currently, individuals do not have to wait for the results, as these are sent directly to the administrative center involved in the renewal of resident permits.

Make sure you pay medical insurance before starting the iqama renewal process. If you do not, you would waste invaluable time queuing up only to be told that you have to pay insurance first. Believe me, the immigration offices are usually crowded and you want to make sure you have everything you need before going there. Regarding insurance, you may pay for individual or family medical insurance. It depends on your preferences.     

If you have a traffic violation, pay it or you won't be able to renew your iqama. You do not need to go to your bank to pay this, as it can be done from any ATM.

Saudi Arabia: Showcase your Photography Skills and Win an iPad Air

I can't remember where I saw Fresh Ice Sticks on display, but I can remember my son was like, "Oh Mummy! Buy me one! Buy me One!", to which his dad said "No". At that time, we thought they were just like every other ice sticks that you could find on the market. It wasn't until today when I learned about the contest they were launching that I decided to find out about Freshi Ice Sticks. From what I read in this post, I would like to give it a try. If you haven't tasted Freshi Ice Sticks yet, here is the chance to try it and may be get an additional reward: win an iPad Air.

So what is the Freshi Ice Sticks contest about?

Courtesy of Freshi Ice Sticks

It is a photography contest, which is open to everybody. Participants are invited to visit any of their shops, where they can take the best shot of themselves or their child holding an Ice Stick and get a chance to win iPad Air.

How can you participate in the contest and win?

1. Visit any Freshi Ice Sticks branch.
2. Buy your favorite Ice Stick.
3. Show your Photography skills and take the best shot.

• Preferred: Picture of adult or kids holding the Ice Stick.

• Picture of Ice Sticks.

• Picture of display freezer.

• Picture of their shop.

4. Send your picture to Freshi Facebook page: open until 30th June 2014.
5. A panel of judges will choose the top 10 photos.
6. Winnerrs will be officially announced on 5th July 2014.
7. Decision of Freshi Ice Sticks will be final.

You can visit their Facebook page for more information.

Please note that all submitted pictures will become a property of Freshi Ice Sticks and they have the right to use them in advertisements, either in the form of print media or digital ads.

Arabie Saoudite: La cuisine à votre porte

Avez-vous déjà été coincé dans un embouteillage seulement pour arriver et constater que vous devez attendre devant les portes du restaurant parce qu'ils sont fermés pour les prières ? Si c'est le cas, vous pouvez désormais faire des découvertes culinaires tout en restant dans le confort de votre maison grâce à Hellofood. Avec Hellofood, vous pouvez consulter les menus en ligne sans quitter votre salon. Et c'est facile ! Permettez-moi de partager mon expérience.

Tout d'abord, je me suis inscrite sur ​​leur site. C'était gratuit. Je devais seulement écrire mon nom et prénom, numéro de téléphone portable (y compris le code du pays), adresse e-mail et le mot de passe. Je ne devais pas fournir des informations de carte de crédit ou quoi que ce soit. Ensuite, j'ai parcouru la liste des restaurants qui livrent les repas dans ma région. Puis, j'ai trouvée un restaurant et j'ai choisi le menu. J'étais étonnée que c’était facile de naviguer et sélectionner l'élément que je voulais. Une petite case s’est affichée sur l'écran de mon pc (à l’extrême droite), montrant ce que j'avais commandé ainsi que ma facture. Je ne devais pas payer pour la livraison comme le restaurant l’avait mentionné sur le site de Hellofood. En un seul clic, j'ai passée ma commande, et en moins de 5 minutes, mon téléphone a sonné — c'était un membre du personnel de Hellofood. Il ma demandée mon lieu de domicile et a confirmé que le livreur allait m’appeler quand ma commande était prête. Environs une heure plus tard, mon vieux portable a sonné. C’était le chauffeur qui appelait pour confirmer mon lieu de résidence. Après quelques minutes, mon époux est allé à sa rencontre. La prochaine chose que je savais, mon repas est arrivé, soigneusement enveloppé dans un sac en papier, et s'est assis sur ma table. Vous pouvez imaginer ce qui s'est passé après.

En effet, Hellofood vous permet de commander votre repas en ligne en quelques clics seulement. L'inscription est facile et la facture est payable à la livraison. Les clients paient des frais minimes pour la livraison, qui varient d'un restaurant à l'autre. En plus, les membres de l'équipe Hellofood sont rapides, professionnels et courtois. Ils rendent le processus facile et pratique pour le client.





Hellofood possède des succursales dans cinq grandes villes, à savoir Djeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Al Khobar et Dhahran. Les restaurants populaires tels que Pizza Hut, Tako Hut, Way Roma, Canton, etc, offrent leurs services sur le site Web de Hellofood. Les clients peuvent choisir leur spécialité préférée parmi les styles de cuisines différentes, y compris la cuisine japonaise, américaine, italienne, orientale ou indienne.


Bref, si vous chercher à faire un voyage gastronomique, essayez Hellofood. Vous ne serez pas déçu.

Saudi Arabia: Food at Your Doorstep

Yes, it's food at your doorstep. Gone are those days when you have to jump into the car, beat the traffic, and sometimes arrive only to find that you have to wait outside because the restaurant has closed its doors for prayers. With Hellofood around, it is easy to bring the restaurant into your living room. And the process is easy. Let me share my experience.

First, I registered on their Website. It was free. All I was required to do was write my first and last names, mobile number (including the country code), email address, and password. I wasn’t asked to provide credit card information or anything of the like. Next, I browsed the restaurants available for delivery in my area. Then I found a restaurant and selected the menu. I was amazed at how easy it was to browse and select the item that I wanted. A small box appeared on my pc screen (extreme right), displaying what I had ordered and the total cost. I didn't have to pay a riyal for delivery, as the restaurant mentioned on their landing page. I clicked on the order button, and within 5 minutes, my phone rang—it was someone from Hellofood. He asked my location and said the driver was going to call back when my order was ready. Waiting time over. Ring ring went my old mobile phone again. It was the driver calling to confirm my location. After a few minutes, my husband went out to meet him. Next thing I knew, my meal came in, neatly wrapped in a paper bag, and sat on my table. You can imagine what happened after that.

Indeed, Hellofood makes it easy to order food online. Registration is easy and clients pay cash on delivery. Clients pay a minimal fee for delivery, which varies from one restaurant to the other. A plus that comes with the whole service is that the Hellofood team is rapid, professional, and courteous. They make the process smooth and convenient for the client.

Hellofood has branches in five main cities, namely Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Al Khobar, and Dhahran. Popular restaurants, such as Pizza Hut, Tako Hut, Roma Way, Canton, etc, offer their services on the Hellofood Website. The restaurants specialize in a variety of cuisines, including Oriental, Indian, Japanese, American, and Italian cuisine, enough to satisfy the taste buds of the largely multicultural community in the above-mentioned cities.

The bottom line is, anyone who is looking for the next hot thing to explore, in terms of food, should try Hellofood. You won’t be disappointed.

Ramadan Kareem

Dear readers,

I am sorry I have shied away from my blog for a very long time. I have been very busy with work and my "new baby". I hope to blog regularly when she gets older, insha'Allah. 

Ramadan, the month of mercy and blessings, has begun. Muslims around the world would refrain from eating during the day; however, they may eat before the sun rises and after it sets. 

As this month commences, I wish you all a happy Ramadan and many blessings.