Monday 24th May

Yet another week survived! and changes to lifestyle.
After the trials of the previous weeks managed to open a local bank account here (not easy) as you have to have all sorts of bits of paper to prove who you are. Anyway eventually got moved up to a special account and after a couple of days got all the necessary bits in place, but no money in the account until today, pay day.

Also on Sat 15th managed to get a hire car, its a bit of a wreck Nissan Sunny, but it goes well and is only a stand in awaiting a new car. The company tried to offer me a Mitsubishi Parjero (Shogun) but said it was to big and dated so settled on a Nissan Quashqui, well guess what by Monday last no Quashqui's in the UAE as a new model out soon so will be getting a Nissan Altimo (big saloon car).
So new found freedom and out looking at future potential areas to live, Al Raha Beach, Al Reef, Yas Island, Mangrove Village etc etc, quite a few of these are still mega building sites but then that's Abu Dhabi. It looks like it will come down to living ether in an apartment in the city or a house/villa off the main island, decisions decisions!

Driving here is an experience in its self, no lane discipline, few use indicators, lots of horns and weave in and out of traffic, crazy but it's amazing how one soon gets used to it.

Work wise, very busy. Got given the job of also looking after Khalifa port, (by the end of the week handed it on to a college) however it is MASSIVE, first berth will accommodate "cape size " ships, went to see the construction site last week and the initial jetty is over 6 miles long and this is only phase 1, the scale of the site is unbelievable.

Had a good weekend (Fri & Sat), out to the pub both nights with the gang.

That's it, will update with news next week

Chow