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Biaya :
Secara umum semua harga yang disebut di guide book terbitan Lonely Planet (LP) sudah tidak relevan sama sekali (mengingat edisi terakhir adalah terbitan tahun 2008 dan inflasi yang double digit setiap tahun). Detil harga sekarang sy cantumkan di masing-masing heading di bawah. Yg lebih lengkap bisa dipantau dihttp://www.iranianvisa.com/price.htm (terakhir diupdate bulan Maret 2012). 

Pada saat saya di sana, kurs konversi : 1 USD = IRR 16,500 dan 1 EUR = IRR 22,500. Ini tentunya terus berubah, jadi silahkan dicek via travel agent atau contact person di sana sebelum berangkat. Yang jelas dari beberapa money exchanger yang saya datangi di Doha, tidak ada yang menjual Iranian Riyal (IRR). Jadi cukup bawa USD dan EUR, di sana sangat mudah menemukan money exchanger untuk penukaran ke IRR. Sebaiknya jangan tukar di bandara di sana, seperti di negara lain, karena kurs konversinya sangat rendah, waktu itu 1 EUR dapatnya cuman IRR 16,500.

Visa
Resminya pemegang paspor Indonesia berhak dapat VOA di beberapa entry point (lengkapnya silahkan browsing). Namun kenyataannya, kami sempat adu argumen dg pihak Etihad pd saat check-in di bandara Doha mengenai hal ini. Staf yang bertugas (kebetulan orang Indonesia) baca di sistem informasi mereka bahwa yang berhak atas fasilitas VOA pun tetap harus mendapatkan semacam "pre-approval letter" dari pihak imigrasi Iran. Saya jawab bahwa pihak Kedubes Iran di Doha yang saya tanya mengenai VOA jauh2 hari sebelumnya, tidak pernah menyebut surat ini dan hanya menjawab "you are eligible, go...go". Bahkan saya menawarkan ke mbak petugas itu & supervisornya untuk bicara langsung dengan pihak travel agent yang saya pakai untuk memastikan, namun mereka menolak. Sebaliknya mereka tetap mencari tahu sendiri dengan menghubungi sumber referensi mereka. Akhirnya mereka dapat clearance juga & menerbitkan boarding pass kami.

Sesampai di bandara IKA (Imam Khomeini Airport), proses mendapatkan visa tdk susah tp cukup makan waktu. Pertama, isi form & setor passport. Di form itu ada pertanyaan mengenai pihak yang menjadi "sponsor" kita di sana. Karena saya ambil paket dari travel agent, otomatis contact details mereka yang saya isi. Sambil tunggu, saya ngobrol dengan pendatang asal Maldives, yang ternyata sudah beberapa kali berkunjung ke Iran. Dari dia dapat saran bahwa petugas counter visa baru akan menerbitkan visa setelah melakukan cross-check dengan & mendapatkan konfirmasi dari pihak sponsor. Masalahnya kami mendarat jam 5 pagi & saya cuman menuliskan nomor telepon kantor travel agent, yang tentunya belum beroperasi jam segini. Langsung saja si orang Maldive ini menyarankan saya untuk mengambil kembali form VOA dan saya menambah data nama guide yang datang menjemput kami & no hp nya.

Manjur, 5 menit kemudian, si petugas langsung memanggil dan menjelaskan langkah selanjutnya, yaitu pembayaran biaya visa di loket sebelahnya, yang "cuman" EUR 20/passport (dibanding biaya aplikasi visa online via agent semacam www.iranianvisa.com yg mencharge EUR 30/passport). Semua transaksi dalam cash, karena pengaruh sanksi USA, semua kartu kredit tidak befungsi di sana. Balik ke counter awal untuk menyerahkan bukti pembayaran. Kira2 tunggu sekitar 15 menit, si petugas akhirnya menyerahkan passport yg tlh ditempeli visa untuk tinggal selama 15 hari.

Tidak ada sama sekali pertanyaan mengenai "pre-approval letter" yang dipermasalahkan pihak Etihad di Doha. Demikian pula pada saat melakukan pemeriksaan passport/visa di counter masuk imigrasi. Lancar jaya, walaupun ada waktu tunggu 10 menit antara visa selesai dengan pemeriksaan imigrasi. Ini karena harus menunggu staf imigrasi datang kembali ke counternya, kayaknya pas break sarapan dia : ) atau sedang cari angin menghilangkan kejenuhan duduk tdk ada kerjaan, maklum pendatang asing bisa dihitung jari.

Lesson learned, kalau tidak mau adu argumen pada saat check-in, sebaiknya apply saja tourist visa sebelum berangkat, bisa via agent (seperti diinfokan di atas) atau coba cek di Kedubes Iran di Doha sini. Kalau mau ikut jejak saya, coba dapatkan referensi tertulis dari pihak imigrasi Iran mengenai berhaknya pemegang paspor Indonesia atas VOA tanpa surat2 lainnya sebelum check-in. Kalaupun tidak, adu argumen saja dengan pihak maskapai, toh kita kan sudah pun ya return ticket, bilang sj resiko di tangan kami sendiri & siap pulang kalo tdk dpt VOA.

comment temen lain:
Pak Zuhair,
Saya pernah ke Tehran juga. Begitu mendarat di Imam Khomeini airport, saya antri di booth "visa". Saat itu antrian lumayan banyak, saya berada di belakang, ada 7-8 orang di dpn saya. Tiba2 salah seorang petugas menghampiri saya, "anda dari Indonesia?".
Saya jawab : "iya". Dia bilang " oh, kalau dari Indonesia lgs aja antri imigrasi, ngga usah antri beli visa dulu.."
OH OK, terima kasih.
Ya udha saya lgs menuju ke antrian imigrasi. Dan begitu giliran saya, passport saya lgs di cap " 14 days  visa " tentu saja dlm tulisan arab gundul bahasa parsi. :)
Samalah kalo kita mau pergi ke negara2 ASEAN macam singapore /malaysia.
Paket Tur
Saya paket tur yang saya beli dari travel agent lokal di Iran, hasil dari survei kecil-kecilan. Kirim enquiry ke kira-kira 15 travel agent yang terdaftar di website perusahaan kereta nasional iran (http://www.raja.ir/default.aspx?Culture=en-US&pageId=456), ada 4 perusahaan yang serius menanggapi. Setelah dibandingkan, pilihan dijatuhkan ke Iranian Traveling Center (http://irantravelingcenter.com/index.html / contact person : Mitra / email : mitra.irantravelingcenter(at)gmail.com). 

Kalau mau alternatif, bisa coba ke 4 perusahaan lain :
1. Araz Adventure Tours Company (www.araz.org -  contact person : Tina / email : info(at)araz.org)
2. Persia Travel Mart (http://www.persiatravelmart.com/index.html - contact person : Sarah / email :Reserve(at)persiatravelmart.com)
3. Gasht Tour (http://www.irangashttour.com/en/main.htm)
4. GARDESHGARYE PARSIAN (Contact person : Zand-Managing Director / email :tour_travelagency(at)yahoo.com)Perusahaan di urutan no. 1 dan 2 termasuk yang direkomendasikan oleh LP. Sedang yang no. 3 direkomendasikan oleh tour guide kami (Darius Zare, email : darius.zare54(at)gmail.com / yang bekerja secara freelance di beberapa travel agent sekaligus bisa menghandle tour sendiri untuk max 3 orang)
Kalau butuh info umum mengenai Travel Agent di Iran, bisa juga coba hubungi Ibu Yanti yang kerja di KBRI di Tehran  Perusahaan di urutan no. 4 di atas adalah rekomendasi dari beliau.

Orang Iran
Kalau sempat baca-baca pengalaman turis asing yg ke Iran, tanggapannya seragam, orang Iran secara umum baik & ramah terhadap turis asing. Yang saya jumpai demikian adanya. Tidak ada sama sekali kesan arogan atau bermusuhan, seperti bayangan kita kalau membaca pandangan media barat terhadap pemimpin Iran. Cuman karena kendala bahasa saja yg menjadikan mereka kurang komunikatif dg kami, tp paling tidak senyum spontan mereka selalu ada.

Lokasi wisata
Semuanya pre-arranged, untuk semua kota yang ingin disinggahi (Tehran, Dizin, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan, Qom & Mashhad), sesuai dengan usulan itinerary dari saya ke pihak travel agent. Walopun di sana-sini dilakukan perubahan dadakan juga stlh mendapat saran dari guide. Biaya masuk obyek wisata (murah sih, max IRR 25,000/ org dewasa) yang tergolong budaya (mesjid, museum) sdh termasuk dlm hrg paket tour. Sedang masuk ke obyek wisata modern (seperti Milad Tower di Tehran, mahal, IRR 180,000/dewasa), turis tetap bayar sendiri.
Kalau punya waktu dibawah 1 minggu, saran saya, cukup Isfahan dan (singgah di Persepolis dalam perjalanan ke) Shiraz saja yg dikunjungi, sdh bisa merangkum POI yg terbaik di Central Iran, yang merupakan area wisata terpopuler di negara ini.

Penginapan
Semua ditentukan oleh Travel Agent, semuanya hotel lokal bintang 3. Kondisi memuaskan, misalnya : sarapan pagi sudah standard disediakan (walopun isi menunya terbatas, disekitaran roti tradisional, telur, keju & sedikit sayuran), ukuran kamar yang lega, handuk selalu terbungkus plastik, sendal kamar & sendal kamar mandi selalu tersedia. Pengecualian di hotel yang diinapi di kota Dizin & Tehran. Di sana dptnya hotel (dan furniturenya juga) tua, tp bersih sih dan kondisi lainnya sama dg hotel2 lain (spt dijelaskan di atas).

Makanan
Yang tradisional begitu2 saja jenis & rasanya (hambar maksudnya). Sekitaran nasi + kebab, ayam rebus berkuah + nasi, daging berkuah kacang + nasi. Harganya rata2 IRR 100,000/porsi di restoran kelas menengah. Kalau bosan, di luar Tehran alternatifnya cuman fastfood barat buatan lokal (pizza, burger, sandwich), lebih murah, sekitar IRR 75,000/porsi. Di Tehran opsi lain lbh banyak. Kami coba restoran Asia (Thai, Jepang & China) di kawasan elit (Northen) Tehran, harganya elit juga, habis IRR 1 juta untuk 5 orang. Di kesempatan lain coba makanan Turki kelas warung, murah & enak IRR 300,000 untuk berlima.

Belanja
Jenis suvenir "standar turis" agak beda dg biasanya kita temukan di negara2 lain. Boleh dibilang tdk ada t-shirt dg tulisan atau gambar obyek wisata. Atau miniatur obyek2 wisata tsb. Yang banyak tersedia adalah berbagai jenis kerajinan tangan lokal (Pottery and ceramic arts, hand-woven textiles, Metalworking and traditional chiseling and Sweets). Yang terlengkap koleksinya di Isfahan. Harganya mulai dari IRR 50,000 untuk sebungkus Sweet sampai USD 10,000+ untuk karpet kelas 1 (yang hand-made dan dikerjakan secara dedicated selama lebih dari 1 tahun !)

Transportasi
Karena pakai jasa tour, kemana aja diantar pakai van yg disediakan, sampai selesai makan malam & masuk hotel, baru ditinggal. Cuman sekali coba taxi, pas sopir van dari travel sdh waktunya istirahat, sementara kami masih mau nyante di "mall". Dari sini ke hotel, yg kira2 berjarak 5 km, bayarnya cuman IRR 40,000. Yg sy lihat taxi sangat banyak tersedia di semua kota-kota yang kami kunjungi. Kondisi jalan mulus, di dalam dan luar kota (highway semua untuk antar kota yang saya kunjungi). Hanya seperti yang sudah banyak diketahui, kondisi lalulintas di dalam kota besar, khususnya di Tehran, macet ala Jakarta.
Untuk transportasi udara, kami memakai 2 maskapai lokal untuk domestic flights, Aseman & Iran Air. Keduanya masih memakai pesawat uzur, 20+ tahun lah paling tidak, baru kali ini saya terbang dg pesawat tipe Boeing 727. Tapi tua sama sekali tidak berarti bermasalah atau tdk nyaman. Bahkan jarak antar kursi penumpang sangat lega, termasuk imbang dg QR atau Etihad. Untuk semua penerbangan domestik ini, yg ditempuh dlm waktu kurang dari 1.5 jam, disediakan refreshment, burger & juice. Harga tiket saya kurang tahu persis, karena tidak tercantum di "tiket" yang diberikan ke saya. Tp saya rasa murah-meriah, terbukti dengan hampir penuhnya semua kursi penumpang oleh orang-orang lokal.

Referensi
- LP guide book versi e-book (yg minat legal free copy-nya, silahkan japri ke sy)
- http://www.tourismiran.ir/
- http://www.itto.org/

This new Indonesian restaurant, open since 1st of May 2012, sells all tofu-related cuisines. 

Though tofu (= Tahu in Indonesian) is not originated from Indonesia, this side dish is one of the most important dishes due to its price and versatility. No wonder tofu comes in unlimited variety of cuisines. Indonesian must have been familiar with Batagor (BAkso TAhu GOreng = fried meat ball and tofu),  Siomay (steamed tofu dumpling with vegetables served with peanut sauces),  Tahu Gejrot (slightly fermented fried tofu snack with slices of shallots, chilli, and garlic in spicy-sweet sauce), Kupat Tahu (ketupat/packed rice or dumpling, tofu, rice vermicelli and beansprouts in peanut sauce), Bakso Tahu (meatball, fried/steamed tofu served with a bowl of beef broth, noodles, crisp wonton and sprinkled with fried shallot and celery) and many others.

The restaurant is founded by an Indonesian couple, long time Qatar residents since 2002, born from his tofu maker father back in West Java, Indonesia. The couple started making tofu since 2005 in very small scale for their neighbors or Indonesian friends. It was in 2010 that they started putting a brand and making it a serious business. They now supply many Indonesian groceries, restaurants and one of the hotels in Qatar.

The restaurant is, you may say that, their business expansion.  

We visited the restaurant during its promotion/opening period when price was slashed in 25% discount from its normal price of QR12 per portion. Located in The Center area (behind Ramada Hotel), it is easily accessible with lots of parking spaces. If you know Great Wall Restaurant, the restaurant is located just beside it, housed within a green glass window building, on the ground floor. 

Tofu & Cake Restaurant housed within that a green glass window building beside Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

The actual restaurant can only accommodate a small kitchen, a cashier and order desk, and two tables barely enough to fit 6 persons possibly. All other visitors have to be willing seated outside in six 4/6 seater table arrangements. A bit hot during summer period. A fan just doesnt help much.

An outdoor seating area – can be challenging during summer

We ordered many, for a reason. To know which one is their cerry of the cake. Our order arrived pretty quick. I finished my Bakso Tahu Goreng Kering (meatball served with a bowl of beef broth and fried tofu) very quickly. So mouthwatering that I just couldn’t stop. Their meatball seems produced without preserver or MSG-like ingredient. Unfortunately it’s not that hot enough to enjoy. Bakso wouldn’t be complete without sambal (chili sauce). The best is for you to use real bakso sambal which unfortunately not available in every table. Search around.

Bakso Tahu Basah (meatball with steamed tofu)

Bakso Tahu Kering (meatball with fried tofu)

Batagor came next. It was poured with peanut sauce. The hot fresh from the fry pan made it enjoyable. Ketupat tahu came with lontong (packed rice/dumpling), and tofu served with peanut sauce and crackers. I found it pretty standard. The sauce is different than used for batagor, and apparently made fresh.

Batagor

 

 

Ketupat Tahu and Iced Tea

The restaurant also sells ready-to-cook tofu for take-away, many varieties of crackers and few other Indonesian food.

If I were to be back, I would definitely be back for Bakso in its many forms, just making hot please, and Batagor. Heard of Tahu Gejrot is also good, haven’t tried it yet. For all money spent it may be worthed to pay a visit. In the end, they are the best tofu maker in Qatar any way!

Coordinate: 25°16’25.4″N   51°30’55.2″E. Open from: 10am to 21pm.

View Larger Map

JADWAL BIMBEL ONLINE IA ITB QATAR 

 BULAN MEI-JUNI 2012

 

 

 

HARI/ TANGGAL

JUM’AT, 11/05/2012

SABTU, 12/05/2012

JUM’AT, 18/05/2012

SABTU, 19/05/2012

SABTU, 26/05/2012

WAKTU*

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

MATA PELAJARAN

MAT

FIS

TPA

MAT

MAT

FIS

KIM

KIM

BIO

MAT

 

 

HARI/ TANGGAL

JUM’AT, 

01/06/2012

SABTU, 

02/06/2012

SENIN, 

04/06/2012

RABU, 

06/06/2012

JUM’AT, 

08/06/2012

SABTU, 

09/06/2012

WAKTU*

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

16.30-18.00

18.30- 20:00

MATA PELAJARAN

TRY-OUT# 2

TRY-OUT# 2

KIM

MAT

BIO

TPA

BIO

MAT

MAT

FI

                         

 

hery_darmawan@yahoo.com (Hery Darmawan)

It’s said that around 36,000 Indonesians living in Qatar, majority of whom (19,000) are labor workers, and about 6,000 professionals and their families. But Qatar is so small that you will bump into the same person in many other occasions.Eventually we’re just a dot inside Venn Diagram intersections. Some may be present at intersections of two diagrams, some at four, or even more. Chances are you are a member of your ex-company associations, your professional association, your university alumni association, or hobby/interest associations.

Okay, let me give you my example. I am a member of ex-Unocal (once an oil and gas company before taken over by Chevron) alumni association, a member of Bandung Institute of Technology Alumni Association (IA ITB), a member of Petroleum Engineer Association (IATMI) Chapter Qatar, and a member of non-formal groups like Sand Dune Community, Fishing Community, Sundanese Community (though I’m not a Sundanese) or Hajj Group. Many of them are on the same two or more associations, making meeting the same faces is not unusual. Though I’m sometimes surprised to find new facts: “Oh, I don’t know that you are from….” “Hey…how come you are here?” “Sigghh…it turns out we’re linked..” .etc.

One thing for sure is that the more diagrams you have the wider social networking you own. And it surely will be beneficial for ‘staying strong’ in this foreign soil.

Venn Diagram of four ‘ellipses’

Recorded today, 5th of May 2012 around 12 noon. Halfway to boiling point. “Who ask you to come to Qatar!”, said my friend. True…in fact I don’t complain, I’m just reporting the fact

50 deg C on 5th of May 2012

Day 5. 10 April 2012. Our last day in Abu Dhabi. We spent visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Khalifa Park, passing through Capital Gate Tower, visiting Qasr Al Hosn (unfortunately closed), having lunch at Sari Rasa Indonesian Restaurant, souvenir shopping at Hamdan Center, peeking into The Souk Central Market (newly open), visiting Emirates Palace then Marina Mall, Heritage Village and Breakwater Area, and enjoying sunset overlooking Etihad Tower and Emirates Palace. Along the way, passing through corniche and driving around grid-system of Abu Dhabi roads. wrapped the day with dinner at Al Wahda Mall, just side-by-side with our Grand Millenium Hotel Al Wahda.

Here are some pictures.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (from south parking side)

Gold-plated pillars at Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height

The courtyard with its floral design

Parts of the world's largest carpet

One of the chandeliers

One of the mosaic tiles in Grand Mosque

Men's ablution

Abu Dhabi City

Sheikh Khalifa Park

 

Grand Mosque seen from Sheikh Khalifa Park

Capital Gate Tower or Leaning Tower

A mosque in Qasr Al Hosn (currently closed for renovation)

Oh my...found the best 'gulai padang' in GCC here in Abu Dhabi - Restaurant Sari Rasa

The Souk Central Market

Inside The Souk Central Market

Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace's Grand Arch

Emirates Palace

Inside Emirates Palace

another shot inside Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace

Etihad Tower with Emirates Palace fountains on the foreground

Heritage Village

Road to Breakwater Area. Seen here Marina Mall

Heritage Village Abu Dhabi

Enjoying view toward Abu Dhabi Corniche area from Heritage Village

Learning the life of Bedouin at Heritage Village

Heritage Village

At Heritage Village

View towards Abu Dhabi Corniche. In the afternoon watersports enthusiast will usually show their best

View toward Etihad Tower and Emirates Palace

Indonesian Restaurant

Just another visit to Indonesian Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

Grand Millenium Hotel Al Wahda

View from Grand Millenium Hotel Al Wahda

Abu Dhabi from the 47th roof top swimming pool of Grand Millenium Hotel Al Wahda

Untuk yg kesekian kalinya tim Malaysia Dukhan mengundang Persiqa Kamis malam lalu di stadion Dukhan dengan hasil yg sangat menyolok 12 - 1. Karena penasaran mungkin, tim Malaysia Dukhan memanggil satu pasukan "pembantu" dari "camp zikrit" untuk memperkuat tim Malaysia. Tapi apa daya masih tidak bisa mengimbangi Persiqa. Kamis malam lalau hampir semua pemain Persiqa bisa hadir lengkap dengan 20 pemain, itupun masih minus kiper "nasional" Norman karena kerja, striker Yudi dan defender Bobby dari Qatar Airways. Sejak menit pertama, Persiqa bermain cantik dan menguasai seluruh lini. Pesta gol terus berlanjut dengan gol2 yg indah ala Eropa komentar asisten manajer Pak Faried yg ikut mendampingi tim ke Dukhan. Di babak kedua, asisten manajer Pak Faried yg merangkap striker gaek Persiqa turun ke lapangan untuk menambah semangat gempur serangan Persiqa, dan akhirnya sebuah gol cantik dihasilkan dari tendangan kaki kanan Pak Faried yg ikut menyumbangkan koleksi gol Persiqa.Malam itu, udara memang sangat nyaman, ditambah stadion Dukhan baru saja di renovasi lapangannya dan lampu penerangannya, jadi benar2 nyaman bermain. Jadwal match berikutnya: community tournament di Al Khor Sabtu 12 Mei.  Bravo Persiqa.
By: Rakhmat Soebekti (pelatih persiqa senior)

Day 4. 9 April 2012. We left Dubai quite early, around 8am. An hour later we arrived at Yas Island. IKEA, our first stop, was not open yet. We decided to leisurely drive around Yas Island, an artificial island near Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is work in progress in Yas Island. When completed it will see 1,700 hectares development of attractions, residence and lodging, entertainment venues and leisure and other miscellaneous spot. Yas is home to Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World.

Yas Island - seen here red roof of Ferrari World

An interesting bus stop design at Yas Island

At the fence of Yas Marina Circuit

At Yas Island Public Beach (under construction) with Aldar 'Circle' Tower

 

Ferrari World

Ferrari World is Ferrari themed amusement park, featuring Ferrari based visitor experiences ranging from thrill attractions, to 4-D movie and to gallery. Here are some pictures inside Ferrari World. We were lucky that day that there are only minimum visitors making repeat entry entirely possible and take no time.

Ferrari World - right after out of parking area

Welcome Pavilion - to the left is Ferrari Store, right is ticketing offfices

Under the Ferrari's prancing horse

—–

Formula Rossa track - the long horizontal track is where the car reaches 240kph in just few seconds

  – 

-

Scuderia Challenge

Fathan at Bell'Italia

-

A virtual tour inside Ferrari factory in Maranello

A virtual tour inside the Ferrari factory in Maranello

- 

Ferrari Legends

Kids inside V12 - a flume ride through the heart of Ferrari 599 engine

Be a paddock team

-  

La Gara Show

G Force - a spaceshot tower which launches riders up to 62m (at the time of visit was under maintenance)

-

Enjoy Ferrari collections at Galleria Ferrari

-

  

-

Racing Legends - a journey showcasing Ferrari's racing history

- 

 

Day 3. 8 April 2012. We left Al Ain and continued the trip to Dubai. A lot of information available on Dubai so I don’t want to repeat here. In fact, we only stayed for one night. From Al Ain, we took Road E66 (Dubai – Al Ain road) and directly headed to Hard Rock Cafe Dubai at Dubai Festival Center. Arrived there exactly when the store is open. 10am. Bought the 23th HRC shot glass, then left for Betawi Cafe – rated by many as the best Indonesian restaurant in Dubai. We’re not lucky, as they’re still closed – open only after 12pm.

Decided to check-in at Metro Central Hotel & Apartment with two stops: Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah (Atlantis Hotel). Our hotel is just at doorstep of one of the entrances to Dubai Internet City metro station. We parked our car at hotel and used metro to Dubai Mall. Centered around Kids interests: Kidzania, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and The Dubai Fountain, we left Dubai Mall around 8pm to go to Mall of the Emirates for dinner with using metro.

We left Dubai the next morning for Abu Dhabi.

Enjoy the pictures below! …or more in my Facebook.

Hard Rock Cafe Dubai

Road E66 Dubai - Al Ain

Heading to Dubai Festival Center

Hard Rock Cafe Dubai for the 23rd shot glass

Jumeirah Hotel and Burj Al Arab

Atlantis Hotel Palm Jumeirah

At Dubai Mall

Inside the tunnel of Dubai Aquarium

Underwater Zoo

Burj Khalifa, waiting for The Dubai Fountain show

– 

 

Day 2. 7 April 2012. We’ve just finished our quick breakfast in Liwa Hotel and ready for another city hopping. This time is to Al Ain: a city 360km away from Liwa. Unlike our arrival through the middle access road (E45) via Madinat Zayed, our departure is through the east access road (E65) via Hamim. This means we firstly need to drive 66km along two-lane dual carriageway dotted with date-palm plantations and small villages. The road is snaking up and down following geographical contours. It was very pleasant drive, traffic was quite, road is of excellent quality and scenery is just superb.

We stop by at two forts located about 11 km (Al Meel Fort) and 40km (Al Jabbanah Fort) east of Mezaira’a. These two forts are located on your left as you drive toward Hamim, so that you need to make a U-turn in dedicated u-turn point (that safely provided with adequate half-ellipsoidal receiving road on the other side).

Just 2km after turn-off to Qasr Al Sarab Anantara resort (that is another 12km inward) you will see an ADNOC petrol Station in Hamim. After this there is no petrol station (as far as I can remember) for the whole stretch of road E45 (except one small petrol station near Auto Museum). Make sure you either fill up your tank in Mezaira’a and/or in Hamim.

Road E65 between Hamim and Road E11

After Hamim, Road E45 is rather straight. It is only two lanes without physical road median, but its broad road shoulders help in ensuring safe overtaking. It seems that unwritten traffic rule is for the overtook vehicle to move aside to road shoulder to give way to overtaking vehicle. Everybody seems know about it. This to be honest helps a lot in keeping away my mounting worry before departure when deciding to use this road to Al Ain. The road is also surprisingly not that silent as claimed by many travelers. The road is mainly used by oil and gas field related workers and supporting vehicles.

Emirates Auto National Museum

About six kilometers after passing Maharqah Waste Landfill, an airplane, pyramid and huge truck dominating view on your right. That’s Emirates Auto National Museum (ENAM, http://www.enam.ae 50AED adult, children free) .

Emirates National Auto Museum

ENAM houses the private collection of Shaikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan with around 200 exhibition items. The collections are housed inside a metal pyramid, except two items located on the yard of the pyramid: the big globe, and portable house.

Big camper van, big globe (those are vehicles!) and a pyramid that houses the museum collections

Shaikh Hamad is also known as Rainbow Sheikh, and it is apparent how his loving of rainbow manifested into his car collections. Look at his rainbow-colored Mercedes, seven Mercedes are colored one in each color of the rainbow for each day of the week. Several other vehicles are also rainbow painted or have a rainbow logo.

The Rainbow Mercedes

Sheikh’s collection seems bought directly from owners, imported from their original places : California Highway Patrol, NYC Taxi, Walt Disney to name a few.  Other collections include electric motor vehicles, military vehicles, ambulance, fire truck, and disco car. But, central to the collection is a 5-m high Dodge fitted with complete apartment inside it.

This huge Dodge is the central of all collections

More picture in my Facebook

Al Ain

Finished with a rainbow tour, we continued our drive to Al Ain. Along with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Al Ain forms imaginary equilateral triangle cities, with distance between cities about 140-160km. From Road E65 we drive north to meet Road E11 then drive east to Road E22 Abu Dhabi – Al Ain road

It’s lunch time when we reached Al Ain. I directed my car to Hili. This modern suburb of Al Ain is famous among local residents for its beautiful park and garden. What’s more, the garden and its immediate hinterland are the location of a large number of Bronze Age and Iron Age sites, dating to circa 2500–400 BC. We visited Hili Archaeological Park for a quick lunch break, or say picnic. The main point of interest in this free park is the reconstructed Grand Tomb. Nearby are Hili Settlement and smaller tombs amidst playground and shady grass areas. Though it is weekend the park wears deserted look.

Grand Tomb at Hili Archaelogical Park

Lunch picnic at Hili Archaeological Park

With full stomach we continue to Al Ain Oasis with a stop at Hili Fort. Hili Fort is around fort with central round tower, located at the edge of Hili Oasis.

Hili Fort

On the eastern side of Al Ain Oasis is Al Ain National Museum (Sat-Thu 8am-7.30pm Fri 3pm – 7.30 pm, Mon closed, Adults: AED 3 Children under 10: AED 1). The museum, the oldest in the UAE, is located next to the Eastern Fort (or Sultan Fort). Built by the former UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum has an extensive archaeological and ethnographical collection. Reconstructions of a majilis (traditional reception area) and traditional life in general are also very interesting.

Eastern Fort

Inside Al Ain National Museum

Al Ain Oasis is the largest oasis in the region basically only open to tourist and owners. Made up of thousands of date palms, the oasis is known for its underground irrigation system “falaj” which brings water from boreholes to water farms and palm trees. The falaj irrigation is an ancient system dating back thousands of years. Tight roads run through the oasis (hardly adequate for two cars passing) , so you can drive through it, or you can walk. A small restaurant/coffee shop (currently closed) is located in the middle.

Al Ain Oasis

Traditional irrigation system in Al Ain Oasis

Al Ain Oasis

Though close to Al Ain Oasis, we didn’t visit Al Ain Palace Museum (on the west of Al Ain Oasis) and  Al Jahili Fort (further west of Al Ain Oasis).

Our next stop is Al Ain Wildlife Park (daily 9am-8pm, Adult 15 AED, Children 5AED), located on the foothills of the Jebel Hafeet. The park/zoo is well organized, has variety of animals/exhibits, picnic areas and playground and scheduled shows of bird and animals. Currently under construction nearby the park is Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center.

Fathan in Al Ain Zoo - Oryx area

Rhinos at Al Ain Zoo

Jebel Hafeet is our last stop in Al AIn. The mountain is actually straddles part of the border with Oman. Its mountain top area where it has big parking lots, restaurant and 360 deg. view, divides the mountain into two for UAE and Oman. At the foothills of Jabal Hafeet lies the Green Mubazarrah, where green meets brown in a very contrasting panorama. There is a lake formed by hot-water springs with a fountain in the middle.

Green Mubazzarah

Green Mubazzarah from one of the viewing stop at Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road

Jebel Hafeet rises 1249 meters and offers an impressive view over the city. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road scales the mountain, extends for about 14km up the mountain, with several viewing platform/stops along the road. There is one stop equipped with playground and  one other stop with restaurant. The road, with 21 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending)  is rated one of the best mountain road.

Jebel HAfeet Mountain Road and Green Mubazzarah

Closer look of winding Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road

Top of Jebel Hafeet

We stayed one night at Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Hotel, at elevation of 915m, and 2.4km from the top of Jebel Hafeet. Entrance road to hotel is impressive, through a man-made opening of rocky hill cut provides a little surprise after short bend. The large hotel swimming pools at the back of the hotel have stunning over low land areas.

View towards Mercure Hotel's swimming pool and Al Ain

More pictures at my Facebook

 

Coordinates and Links to Websites

Jebel Hafeet    24°3’30″N   55°46’39″E          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jebel_Hafeet     

Green Mubazarah        24°6’14″N   55°44’16″E                     

Al Ain Oasis   24°13’02″N   55°46’26″E        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ain_Oasis   

Al Ain Zoo      24°10’45″N   55°44’18″E        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ain_Zoo             http://www.awpr.ae/en/Pages/Home.aspx

Al Ain Palace Museum           24°12’53″N   55°45’39″E        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ain_Palace_Museum            

Al Ain National Museum        24°12’57″N   55°46’26″E        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ain_National_Museum             http://www.adach.ae/en/portal/heritage/alain.nationalmuseum.aspx

Hili Archaelogical Park           24°17’35″N   55°47’39″E        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hili_Archaeological_Park             http://www.adach.ae/en/portal/heritage/alhilli.archaelogical.park.aspx

Hili Fort          24°16’56″N   55°46’0″E                     

Jahili Fort        24°12’58″N   55°45’9″E                     

Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet      24°4’40″N   55°46’6″E       http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-3573-mercure-grand-jebel-hafeet-al-ain/index.shtml

Liwa Oasis with contrasting green palm and golden brown sand

Dunes near Moreeb Dunes

Liwa Oasis, is our first stop on Day 1 of our UAE Driving Trip2012. Access to Liwa from Doha is through a usual Saudi road from Abu Samra and continues to Emirates Coastal Highway E11, until a turn-off just few kilometers after Tarif. Both Liwa and Madinat Zayed (a town between Tarif and Liwa) is well-signposted. Ignore suggestion from GPS if it directs you through a closer turn-off via Ghayathi (near Ruwais) or Habshan (before Tarif). Road to Habshan is exclusively for a gas company operating gas field in the area.

Out from Saudi border, the first roundabout with options to go to Saudi or UAE

A typical 129-km Saudi road from Qatar-Saudi border to Saudi-UAE border

Unlike 3 years ago, Road E11 is now taken off from Ruwais town center providing a 3-lane dual carriageway break of mostly 2-lane dual carriageway Road E11. Unfortunately it lasts for about 30km or so. Nevertheless all stretch of Road E11 is of excellent quality. Only thing is a confusion about speed limit where sign posts indicating 100km/h but big warning boards indicating 120 or 140km/h. Cameras are many.

On the contrary, a 129-km Saudi road is a 2-lane dual carriageway but without vehicle crash barriers in the middle. Patches of asphalt are common.

The 3-lane part of Road E11

Road E11 is mostly two-lane dual carriageway

Back to Liwa. Located about  100 km south of the Persian Gulf coast and 150 km SSW of the city of Abu Dhabi, Liwa Oasis is on the northern edge of Rub’ al Khali desert (Empty Quarter). Its geographical and economic center Mezaira’a, where the main entry highway from Abu Dhabi (Road E45) enters the oasis and then divides 65km to the east and 45km to the west . Other alternative to Liwa from Road E11 is through Gayathi on the west and Road E65 on the east (the road out from Hameem (where we used it to access National Auto Museum  and Al Ain from Liwa). Though it is only two lanes (with broad shoulders) it is rarely used, straight and provides better desert scenery.

Road to Madinat Zayed

Road in Liwa

Liwa Oasis is the historical homegrown of the Nahyan family, the leaders of Abu Dhabi emirate and the UAE. It was traditionally, and continues to this day, a date-palm farming region for bedouin tribes, especially the Bani Yas. The cultivated palm forests are very obvious and provide a great contrast to desert.

Moreeb Dune

Locally known as Tal Mireb (Scarry Hill), Moreeb Dunes is the most impressive dunes in the Emirates and also one of the highest dunes in the world. It is reported that the dune is measured a 120-m high, 1600m long and has 50 degree slip face. To me, it is not the dune itself but the way to the dune that makes it worth visiting. Access to Moreeb Dunes is through a two-lane single carriageway. Look for a brown direction sign as you leave Mezaira’a to the west.

–Check how to reach Moreeb Dune (Source: Abu Dhabi Motors Club): http://www.admc.ae/en/pages.aspx?id=9

The lonely road to Moreeb Dunes – about 25km from Mezaira’a – is winding, up and down very breathtaking golden brown-orangish  dunes, and 2-3 salt flat areas. Every so often we stopped just to admire the scenery and take some photographs. Two-lane single carriageway is in very good condition however beware of sand encroachment partially or fully covering the road.

Road to Moreeb Dunes is frequently encroached by sand dunes

Road to Moreeb Dunes

Few cars use the road as nearly nobody lives along it, except an industrial area and a camel farm few kilometers from main Liwa road.

Moreeb Dune is lively during an event organized by Abu Dhabi Motors Club. In Moreeb Dunes area there are camel racing track, car parking, helipad, park and market, motorcycle rental, family camp area, public camp area, mosque, and a fenced area for the event (store, VIP area, pit area and crowd area).

Ready to sandboarding at Moreeb Dunes

Uuhh..so high...120 meters

Moreeb Dunes area

Forts

 

During our short stay in Liwa, we managed to visit three out of many forts in Liwa area. All forts seem to be built around 19th century and built near water sources and are now bordered by date-palm fields. Watchtowers and high walls with gun holes at certain spaces indicate that there was a genuine necessity for protection and observation.  All the forts were well restored (though may not be not very authentic)

Mezaira'a Fort

Al Meel Fort

 

Al Jabbanah Fort

Road from Liwa to Hameem

 

Liwa Hotel

 

http://www.almarfapearlhotels.com/liwa/about-liwa

We stayed one night at Liwa Hotel – probably the only hotel  in Mezaira’a (other hotel being Tilal Liwa in Madinat Zayed and Anantara in Hameem). The hotel,  used to be a sheikh’s palace, is located at the most stunning location by perching on a hill overlooking the green Liwa Oasis and the barren Rub Al Khali desert: contrasting views of green and golden brown.

Its lush green garden of around 25 acres, sports facilities, a central big swimming pool and range of activities, the hotel provides a good retreat from bustling city. Life seems simple here in Liwa.

We booked a double room in one of the many rooms housed inside a two-story almost circular white palace. There are also three 3-bedroom villas with private swimming pool available for stay. Our room is spacious with an individual balcony overlooking a big parking lot L. The roomy feeling is also helped by very high ceiling it has. Wifi is available for free and it is reliable and speedy. Breakfast comes with room package. Fortunately though the hotel policy was children pay for breakfast we were quoted for free. Nice gesture.

Overall it was very nice stay and recommended hotel.

Liwa Hotel (Source: Liwa Hotel website)

Turnoff to Madinat Zayed/Liwa from E11 24°1’40″N   53°51’44″E

Moreeb Dune   22°58’35″N   53°47’14″E

Mezairah Fort    23°8’20″N   53°46’50″E

Al Jabbanah Fort              23°3’45″N   54°4’17″E

Al Meel Fort       23°8’28″N   53°53’48″E

Qutuf Fort 9km west of Mezaira               N 23.110812, E 53.730209

Liwa Oasis Hotel               23°7’24″N   53°46’28″E

—

Check my Facebook for more pictures

Next story: Emirates National Auto Museum and Al Ain

From the recent driving trip to UAE, below is an updated Qatar-Saudi-UAE border crossing process.

For previous border processes (in 2009) check the following link: http://wahyuinqatar.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/uae-oman-trip-crossing-16-borders-a-step-by-step-process/

QATAR OUTBOUND

Qatar Exit

• Vehicle Exit Registration. Produce:  Istimarah. Driving License. NOC (if your car under loan). Obtain vehicle exit white paper.
• Passport Control/Stamp.
• Final Check

Saudi Entry

• First booth.  Ask to park the car and go for finger printing
• Finger printing. Ladies separate. Ladies may require stamp from two different booths (one from where man is queuing for finger printing, one from Ladies section). No clear instruction though.
• Passport control from the same finger printing booth
• Vehicle entry registration. Get small slip
• Inspection. Get stamp on small slip
• Pay Insurance
• Final Check

Time for Qatar-Saudi Border Processes: varied. 1 hour 40 minutes owing to umrah rush (1 hour just for finger printing)

Saudi Exit

• Vehicle exit registration. Get small slip
• Passport Control

UAE Entry

• • Passport control – directed to Arrival Hall for VoA
  • Go to Arrival Hall for VoA:
    • Go to Passport Counter. Get Visa Form. Fill in.
    • Go to Eye Scan counter
    • Pay Visa Fee 110AED
    • Back to Passport Counter for passport and Visa stamp. Keep yellow copy of visa paper.
  • Vehicle registration. Obtain white paper
  • Inspection. Get stamp to white paper
  • Pay insurance in any of three insurance agents. Show istimarah and white paper
  • Final check.

Time for Saudi-UAE Border Process: varied. 50 minutes.

QATAR INBOUND

UAE Exit

• Vehicle Registration. Get vehicle custom paper
• Go to Departure Hall. Show passport & visa, pay Exit Fees 35AED
• Get stamp at counter
• Final Check

Saudi Entry

• Vehicle Exit Registration.
• Passport Control. Stamp
• Custom Check
• Insurance (or get stamp to the back of vehicle slip from Insurance Booth )
• Custom slip withdrawn. Final check

Time for Saudi-UAE Border Process: varied. 40 minutes

Saudi Exit

• Vehicle Registration. No need to show anything. Your vehicle data is there. Get small slip
• Passport Control
• Final Check

 Qatar Entry

• Passport Control
• Vehicle Entry Registration. Show istimarah and Saudi Custom Slip. Get Custom Paper (which is stapled with Saudi paper)
• Custom Inspection. Get stamp
• Insurance. Ignore for Qatari vehicles. Exit through Qatari vehicles gate
• Final Check

Time for Saudi-Qatar Border Process: varied. 35 minutes

Fiuhhh tired…but alhamdulillah we safely arrived at home after a 7-hour driving trip from Abu Dhabi as part of the last driving section of the whole UAE Driving Trip 2012 (6-11 April 2012).

So, we’ve got lots of pictures, invaluable memories, nice experiences, short escape from routines ….. all waiting to be put in writing. Be patient as I recover from drive-lag …. amidst to go back to office for a full-day HAZOP meeting just one day after arrival.

There are many updates on the border processes, stories from new places not visited before (Liwa Oasis, Mezaira’a Fort, Moreeb Dunes, National Auto Museum, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain Oasis, Hili Fort, AL AIn Zoo, Hili Archaelogical Park, Ferrari World, Emirates Palace, Heritage Village, and many more…)

[travelblogs in waiting. recovery & life resetting mode]

View Larger Map

Liputan Kegiatan di Akhir Bulan Maret 2012

 

Ada dua kegiatan yang diadakan oleh IA ITB Qatar pada tanggal 31 Maret 2012:

-          Serah terima SK Pengangkatan Pengurus IA ITB Qatar dari IA ITB Pusat yang diwakili oleh Pak Joi Surya Dharma (SI’95, Ketua Departement Kelompok Minat Energi - IA ITB Pusat)

-          Pembukaan Bimbingan Belajar Intensif Persiapan Ujian Masuk Perguruan Tinggi di Indonesia oleh IA ITB Qatar 2012

 

 

Acara serah terima SK Pengangkatan Pengurus IA ITB Qatar dari IA ITB Pusat diadakan di Restaurant Noodle House – The Pearl Doha. Acara ini diikuti oleh beberapa pengurus inti dan dewan penasihat kepengurusan IA ITB Qatar 2012 – 2015. Setelah ngobrol santai dan dilanjutkan dengan makan siang, SK Pengangkatan Pengurus diserah terimakan oleh perwakilan IA ITB Pusat Pak Joi Surya Dharma kepada Ketua IA ITB Qatar Pak Kamal M. Kamaluddin.

 

 

Dari Noodle House Resturant, beberapa pengurus yang terlibat kepanitiaan Bimbingan Belajar (Bimbel) Intensif Intensif Persiapan Ujian Masuk Perguruan Tinggi di Indonesia - IA ITB Qatar 2012, langsung berangkat ke Al-Bayan Compound untuk mempersiapkan acara pembukaan Bimbel. Pada pukul 15:30, acara Bimbel dibuka oleh Pak Kamal M. Kamaluddin, yang dilanjutkan oleh sambutan dari Pihak KBRI-Doha yang diwakili oleh Pak Nurwenda (Kepala Bidang Sosial Budaya-KBRI). Setelah itu, Pak Susilo Cahyono memberikan presentasi tentang  hal-hal penting yang harus disiapkan oleh siswa-siswa yang belajar di luar negeri untuk memasuki perguruan tinggi di Indonesia. Di sesi tanya-jawab, ada beberapa pertanyaan yang disampaikan oleh para orang tua siswa yang turut hadir di acara pembukaan bimbel ini.

 

 

 

 

 

hery_darmawan@yahoo.com (Hery Darmawan)

Dahl Al Hamam Family Park is located in Madinat Khalifa, Doha, at the corner of a roundabout bear its name,  intersection of Al Markhiya St and Arab League St. The park is so named because of a cave inside it, Dahl means cave. I found it also means House of the Dove. The cave is apparently closed and fenced on safety grounds. Visit the following link to know more about the cave: http://www.saudicaves.com/hamam/index.html

Established in 2004 on an area of 93,297m2, Dahl Al Hamam is a very well equipped park for family, only. Some of the facilities and services include sports activities area (football, basketball, skateboard), live shows (open air theater), occasion yard, children play area (big shaded area and small open playground), and restaurant and food court. The park also has ample parking lots close to the park. Free wifi add as a major advantage. Unfortunately, no prayer room or mosque available although one may walk few minutes across the park for praying.

Coordinate: 25°19’58″N   51°28’53″E

 

View Larger Map

Here are some pictures taken on 22 & 23 March 2012.

Signboard at the entrance to Dahl Al Hamam Park

Park Layout

 

Free wifi at Dahl Al Hamam. Enter your mobile number to get PIN code while starting browser

 

The park is very well kept. With a lot of greenery no wonder this is one of the resident favorites

 

Shaded children playground

 

Food court area

 

This is the cave, currently fenced and closed for safety reasons

 

Skateboard area and open air theater

 

Football ground

Program Bimbingan Intensif Ujian Saringan Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Indonesia 2012

 

IA ITB Qatar insha Allah akan mengadakan Program Bimbingan Intensif untuk menghadapi ujian saringan masuk perguruan tinggi di Indonesia tahun 2012. Program ini bekerja sama dengan tim Alumni ITB, yang dipimpin oleh Ir. Wasimudin Surya MSc (alumni S1 dan S2 dari Teknik Elektro ITB), yang telah berpengalaman puluhan tahun sebagai pengajar di Bimbingan Belajar SSC yang telah banyak membantu kelulusan siswa-siswanya ke ITB, UNPAD, UI, UGM, dan perguruan-perguruan tinggi top lainnya di Indonesia.

 

Program ini terbuka untuk siswa-siswa kelas 10, 11, 12, 13, dan alumni yang akan mempersiapkan diri dalam menghadapi soal-soal ujian masuk perguruan tinggi di Indonesia.

 

Detail Program sebagai berikut:

 

Materi Pelajaran   :

Matematika, Fisika, Kimia, Biologi, dan TPA (Test Potensial Akademik)

 

Total Paket Jam Pelajaran :

66 Jam (termasuk Paket TryOut)

 

Jadwal Pengajaran :

31 Maret 2012 sampai akhir Mei 2012

(untuk Maret dan April diadakan tiap Jum’at dan Sabtu @ 3 Jam …Di akhir Mei akan dilaksanakan tiap hari)

 

Metoda Pengajaran  :

Online Interaktif dengan menggunakan aplikasi Internet dengan dilengkapi audio-visual.

 

Biaya :

QR 1200 per siswa (tunai pada hari pertama bimbingan atau transfer ke rekening IA ITB Qatar : a.n. Himawan Witariyanto ; No. Rekening: 2-00106237; QIB (Qatar Islamic Bank) Gharafa Branch)

Pendaftaran:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dERpUno2TkU2TjZoSm9OME5pbkgwT1E6MQ

 

hery_darmawan@yahoo.com (Hery Darmawan)

Sekedar sharing info dri P CC,
kalo perlu bengkel cat / las / ketok bisa coba
Mirage Auto Center & Garage di Industrial Area Street 16 - Gate 88.

Saya dah coba disana...hasil memuaskan (kualitas, bahan, waktu), harga terjangkau.


gak sempet masukin koordinat-nya... :-)

Kalo datang dari jalan utama Industrial Area dari arah Doha/
Mamoura...masuk street 16, terus aja sampai 1 simpangan sebelum jalan
utama Souq Attiyah...ada di sudut kanan simpangan itu.

Kontak 4411 9969, mudir-nya Qatari...Mohammed Al Hamad


Testimoninya:
Kemarin saya nge-cat ulang dan perbaikan penyok sisi kanan / 4 panel
> > (fender depan-belakang, pintu depan-belakang) selesai 3 hari.
> > Normalnya 2 hari, kata sang mekanik...kebetulan saat masukin mobil,
> > dibengkel sudah banyak antrian.
> > Untuk 1-2 panel, pagi dianter sore bisa diambil...sebaiknya janjian
> > dulu.
> > Peralatan bengkel lengkap (menurut saya)...Oven spray booth, chassis
> > alignment/tracker dll.
> > Kepala mekanik-nya sekaligus QC, orang Pinoy ...sebelumnya lebih 10
> > tahun kerja di bengkel paint denting dealership di Dammam Saudi.
>
> > Bahan full Spies-Hecker bukan oplosan, ada juga pilihan cat Sikkens.
> > Computerized-match mixing...hasil sama dg cat asli bawaan mobil. Oven
> > spray booth. Harga kena QR 400/panel.
>
> > Hasil overall...warna dan kilap-nya sama dg cat asli bawaan, penyok-
> > nya dah rata sesuai kontur bawaan mobil.


sharing 2
ada langganan saya dan teman2 Industrial area di street 24,
yang punya orang Arab, tapi admin dan tukang bengkelnya banyak Pinoy.
kerjaan rapi,
harga terakhir tahun lalu, 350 per-satu sisi, itu kalau sedan,
kalau mobil besar 400-450, bisa nego...

contact person: Juliet - 44509814 - 66475590 - 55468763,
bilang ajah Indonesia temannya Natal, pasti cepat dikerjain :)


klu temen2 ada referensi lain silahkan di comment or sent ke redaksi...hi
My Next Car !

One “fishy” Saturday morning at Al Wakrah Fish Market, located behind Al Wakrah Petrol Station.

Fish vendor at Al Wakrah Fish Market. Point, Bargain, Cleaned, Bagged!

Boxes ready for auctions

"..khamsin riyals...khamsin riyals....." Auction warms up smelly atmosphere in the market

Auction participants, or just observers

Al Wakrah Fish Market

Manta Ray? This box has been auctioned and ready to be picked up

Stores selling fish and its friends

Fish of Qatar. Now I know your name Fish!

This restaurant receives a roasting order for your purchased fish

Dine at Height at Three Sixty as we turn 12

Turning 12

We turn 12 this March. Ah…time flies. 12 years ago we tied the knot, and here we are today.

Three sixty restaurant – the first Qatar’s revolving restaurant – at The Torch Doha Hotel is our witness in commemorating our 12.

No children please.

Indicative cost:

Aqua Panna 1L, 30QR

1 Onion Soup, 36QR – recommended

1 Caesar Salad, 60QR – recommended

1 Australian Lamb Fillet, 150QR -

1 Veal Scallopini, 160QR

1 Apple Crumble, 38QR – recommended

1 World Cup 2022 (mixed juice), 32QR

[see the following pictures of the hotel, restaurant and the food]

The Torch Doha Hotel is built on what used to be 2006 Asian Games's Aspire Tower

The Torch Hotel - Lobby Area is decorated with Arabic calligraphy

Three Sixty Restaurant is located on the 47th floor of the tower

A complete rotation at Three Sixty takes about an hour and half. Seen here Khalifa stadium and Al Waab St.

Free basket of bread to start with

How they name this juice World Cup 2022, I don't know

If I were to return back I would definitely be back for this Cesar salad

Veal Scallopini

Lamb fillet

apple crumble for our dessert

Overall, though view from the floor is not optimum, Three Sixty may be in one of your top restaurant lists. Personal service is fine but quite on the slow side, it has excellent cesar salad and dessert. I'd skip or carefully choose main menu.

Ringkasan sharing dri temen TG untuk ngurus pelaporan pajak yg kerja di LN.
thanks utk teman2 yg sharing semoag bermanfaat.

--- sharing 1 ----


1. Siapkan dari rumah bikin di dalam selembar kertas kosong bersih tanpa meterai sbg SURAT PERNYATAAN yg berisi garis besarnya spt berikut ini:" Saya yang bertanda tangan dibawah ini dengan data sbb:Nama: Si FulanNPWP: xxxxxxx......menyatakan telah menetap diluar negri lebih dari 185 hari dalam kurun waktu 12 bulan ini. Saya selama ini menetap di negara Qatar.Demikian surat pernyataan ini dibuat dengan sebenar-benarnya."Intinya isinya spt diatas tapi terserah kalau mau diperbaiki. Kalau bisa ini sdh disiapkan dari rumah biar mempermudah.2. Fotokopi passport dg halaman identitas depan dan halaman lapor diri KBRI belakang.3. Datang kekantor pajak sesuai perwakilannya4. Minta kepetugas formulir 17705. Ambil nomor antrian SPT6. Selama menunggu bisa diisi lembaran 1770 dari nomor 1 sampai 21 dengan angka 0, juga kolom IDENTITAS NPWP diatas dan PERNYATAAN dibwh dg tanda tangan7. Kosongkan/tdk usah diisi lembaran 1770-I, 1770-II dan 1770-III8. Isi lembaran 1770-IV hanya bagian C utk mengisi daftar anggota keluarga 9. Setelah semua berkas2 siap, satukan surat pernyataan diatas, kemudian passport copy, dan form 1770 dan lampirannya I sampai IV lengkap.10. Tunggu giliran nomor SPT kita dipanggil, atau kalau bisa langsung saja kebagian verifikasi SPT karena kita sdh isi sendiri dan tdk perlu menunggu giliran nomor panggilan SPT.11. Petugas verifikasi akan membuat tanda terima utk kita.12. Pulang dg legaaaaaa, sampai thn depan lagi.
--sharing 2----Sejak 2011, SPT bisa dilakukan secara online Pak..pas kekantor pajak di  Indonesia, seharusnya sekalian register electronic Filing Identification Number (e-FIN) untuk mendapatkan user ID & pasword untuk di aktivasi. Jadi SPT bisa dilaporkan dimana saja tanpa harus mudik ke indonesia ataupun dikirim melalui kurir secara tercatat.Menurut saya, bagi yg sudah punya NPWP lebih efisien memiliki e-FIN, & tidak perlu menonaktifkan NPWP ataupun memberi informasi ke kantor pajak mengenai keberadaan kita kerja di luar negeri, karena secara otomatis pada saat perlaporan tahunan penghasilan dalam negeri akan nihil (kecuali memiliki usaha lain di Indonesia ya...) karena ybs bekerja di luar negeri >183 hari (tidak perlu formal pemberitahuan, karena bisa di buktikan bila  diperlukan pada saat pemeriksaan pajak)