Dubai Reports

[Barcrawler]

One prominent Chinese travel agent which was operating as an illegal foreign exchange house in Nassau Square did a runner four months ago with Dh10 million of money earned here which was supposed to be sent to China.

One disturbing aspect of that case, at least according to the stories I have heard, was the boss set up a new and niave female employee to carry the can while he ran off to China with the cash. Last I heard she was still in jail and DXB LE were trying to get the manager sent back here.

[GroinStrain]

shame, her mate is a cracker but they won't touch me. Happy to do an intro in Rattler one night though

Keep it Cocked,

Zing

I will take you up on the offer if 'basket case' girl doesn't work out. Trouble is my old regular prc still frequents rattler. Haven't seen her for a while so she may have forgotten me. Either that or we meet on a Tuesday which I think is her Majong night.

[GroinStrain]

You assume correctly. Basket Case singer is Dyna. Now GS, if I supply her phone number can you make it a bottle of vodka instead! ?

Steamer33

Thanks for the name. Is it pronounced Dyna as in Dyna rod or deena?

If she is still single in June when my missus goes on hols I will make it a bottle of vodka for her number. That is if I haven't got it from her myself by that time.

As for collecting the pints I will pm you contact details. Do you know wicked roger by any chance?

[Steamer33]

My sources say that the bond requirement for PRC nationals has always been there, but like many UAE laws it may be selectively applied. There are also financial penalties for tour operators if the visitors under their sponsorship overstay or are arrested.

I am speculating but another issue could be some of the operators have been fined following the recent purge and are being more cautious?

At the same time the PRC tourist sector is becoming a money spinner for Dubai. It is not unknown for individuals to spend tens of thousands of dollars here on a short visit.

I spoke to my own PRC GF today who is back in her homeland and told her about visa problems. She says it happens all the time, girls being held in airport in RAK for days. Seemed totally unfazed by the news, like it was a normal occurrence. Maybe it is and we just have happened to hear about it at the moment.

Or it could be some unscrupulous agents at work. One prominent Chinese travel agent which was operating as an illegal foreign exchange house in Nassau Square did a runner four months ago with Dh10 million of money earned here which was supposed to be sent to China. It was in Gulf News at the time. http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles.../10161973.html

She is sorting out her own visa at the moment to return next month. I'll post as to whether she has any problems or not. She doesn't think she will. China is a growing and vital trade market for the UAE and they do not want to discourage visitors from there, many who spend plenty in the malls and souks while they are here.

Be careful out there.

Steamer33

[Warbucks]

Mine was from Tanzania and I don't really care for Black Women. Asian make my temperture rise but in City Center Mall in Carre Four there she was. About as perfect as a female could be. I chatted her a bit found she was a studying in London and comes to Dubai regularly as a tourist.

Ok guys....

[Jannn]

Jann,

Welcome to Dubai, I am sure you will have a great time, but if you ask for guidance and advice without having your PM turned on you will not have as good a time as you might otherwise.

Turn it on. In the present cirumstances you are likely to get a lot more good information than by simply scanning the boards. (Although the boards are indeed well written and informative.)

Just a word of friendly advice. Or, do an RTFF search on 'Crown Plaza' and see what happens.

Cheers

My friend you were right, last week I was in town and saw that Cylone and Amnesia are both closed. An expat friend of mine helped me and I went to KUBU at Radisson.

[Sporadic]

I think a lot of guys monger here who would probably not do so back in their home countries. For one thing it feels no where near as seedy as going to MP, brothel, RLD window girl, sex club etc.

Very true, it is actually quite civilized in DXB monger-wise, perhaps shared fear has its place.

One caveat though, don´t dig too deep into the ladies situation, you can see a sordid underbelly you might prefer not to know about.

[Barcrawler]

Couldn't agree more, I've found good to excellent experiences almost every time. I think the main difference here is that you get a chance to speak to the girls up front and make a judgement call based on a bit of chemistry in the bar

Absolutely! The interviews and selection process are great fun too. The few times it has not worked out have been when I have abandoned the field craft, and either drunk too much, or focused on a girls looks and ignored warning signs in the negotiation.

I think a lot of guys monger here who would probably not do so back in their home countries. For one thing it feels no where near as seedy as going to MP, brothel, RLD window girl, sex club etc.

[Zing Uk]

Maybe I've just been lucky over the years, but I've found the majority NOT to be predatory.

Couldn't agree more, I've found good to excellent experiences almost every time. I think the main difference here is that you get a chance to speak to the girls up front and make a judgement call based on a bit of chemistry in the bar, certainly worth spending half an hour or so with them and buying them the odd drink. My less than excellent experiences tend to have more to do with them being a bit crap in bed rather than poor attitude, they still make the bed and do the dishes in the morning :-)

I've only ever been out and out preyed on once that I can think of.

Have fun out there,
Zing

[Zing Uk]

Venue - 6\10 (carpet on the way in has to be seen to be believed)
But certainly beats the steel stairs of old...

M\F ratio - 4\10
As mentioned, this can be misleading.

Quality of girls - 6\10
To each his own, but the Seaview has never been known for "top end" girls. It's the combination of band, small bar, wg's that provides the winning combination.

Annoy factor of being asked if I want a drink every 17 seconds even although my glass was still full - 10\10
That's a NEW one for me. I've never been bothered; I find the staff attentive, but not overly so (York it's NOT).

My biggest complaint about the Seaview is their restrictive entrance policy on "new" PRC's. Certainly enough from the resident selection that I never have a problem, but there is the risk of it getting stale (and why the York and 'Snake still have my business on occasion).

MY view: if you're looking for a wg venue - there are better. Seaview is small. But the combination of music (rock my style), friendly atmosphere, enough wg's, and even a good food menu, makes it my first choice when I want to have a nice evening out, knowing I'll have company back home.

Also a nice place to take a "date" from another bar - mixed company not a problem, and there is dancing to a dj between the band's sets.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Seaview, I actually had a very pleasant night. I agree that its not top mongering venue but IMHO it certainly has a place in the weekly calendar as you suggest maybe for a more relaxed night. The biggest plus point for me was having Philipina's, not a group I'm used to so some new areas to explore.

The bar staff I actually found worse than York but I'm sure quick word with them can sort that out easily enough. It won't become my number one venue for a variety or reasons but, as the big man said, "I'll be back".

Keep it Cocked,
Zing

[Zing Uk]

Like all previous visits, no entry fee charged. (You must have been unlucky Zing, normally there I have only ever seen Indian/Subcontinentals getting charged. Theory: white guys drink plenty, Indians don't).

I actually stopped and offered to pay, being my first visit I was sure what the form was but thanks for letting me knoe. I'll put it down to experience and swan right on in next time.

Keep it Cocked,
Zing

[Steamer33]

My sources say that the bond requirement for PRC nationals has always been there, but like many UAE laws it may be selectively applied. There are also financial penalties for tour operators if the visitors under their sponsorship overstay or are arrested.

I am speculating but another issue could be some of the operators have been fined following the recent purge and are being more cautious?

At the same time the PRC tourist sector is becoming a money spinner for Dubai. It is not unknown for individuals to spend tens of thousands of dollars here on a short visit.

My own PRC GF went home a while back and is planning to return after Chinese New Year, she is in the process of getting her visa now. I'll post as to whether she has any problems.

Steamer33

[Steamer33]

Seaview band: Cherie Garcia is the bass player, the three original singers are Donna, Dyna (IMHO the best looking) and Michelle. Don't know the name of the one who replaced Joanne, yet. The guitarist is Martin and I don't know the keyboard player or drummer.

And there's hope for you yet GS, I know a Filipina who is good friends with the band and told me last night that all the girls are single at the moment!
Where can I collect my pints?

btw: Search YouTube for Cherie Garcia and see Cherie's promo solo video of Hot Stuff. There are also some videos of the band taken inside Seaview on YouTube too. Enjoy.

Steamer33

I assume the “basket case” girl who also plays Bass on “Cocaine” is Dyna

You assume correctly. Basket Case singer is Dyna. Now GS, if I supply her phone number can you make it a bottle of vodka instead!?

Steamer33

[Barcrawler]

As a search within this forum nor with google helped:

Is it all the same bar or is Rattle not identical to Rattle Snake?

Same place, also refered to as "the snake pit" or just the "snake" and occasionaly the "Metro". PRCs often refer to it as "the Snake Bar".

Offically the Rattlesnake (one word) at the Metropolatain Hotel on Sheik Zyed Road, (not to be confused with the Metropolatan, Deria)

[Barcrawler]

Like all previous visits, no entry fee charged. (You must have been unlucky Zing

I have never been charged, but me and my associates are probably know to spend a bit when we are in there.

Seaview band: Cherie Garcia is the bass player, the three original singers are Donna, Dyna (IMHO the best looking) and Michelle. Don't know the name of the one who replaced Joanne, yet. The guitarist is Martin and I don't know the keyboard player or drummer.

The keyboard player is called Ching. I assume the “basket case” girl who also plays Bass on “Cocaine” is Dyna and the heavier one is Michelle (but she seems to have lost a bit of weight recently)? Donna remains my firm favorite, but the new girl is a looker too.