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Winter in Dubai is simply the best.

cherylsu@hotmail.com — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:54:36 GMT

The weather is most pleasant from around November to March. It hardly ever rains—maybe 360 days of sunshine a year—and when it does rain, it’s just a gentle sprinkle. That wild storm in 2024? It might take another hundred years before something like that happens again.

On a crisp night, when the temperature hovers around 16 to 20°C…

We hang a couple of fairy lights among the trees in the garden, light some candles, and play Lisa Ono’s soothing Bossa Nova on the speakers. We sit around in the yard, grilling, chatting, enjoying the breeze—it’s pure bliss. For those who enjoy shisha, the sweet aroma drifts gently through the air as they exhale, adding another layer of calm to the evening.

One of the best things about Dubai is that you never have to worry about the weather ruining an outdoor gathering. Unlike Hamburg, where you always need a Plan B for rain—and you will end up using it!

Just yesterday, a friend who visited my home said how peaceful it is around here. “It’s such a cozy, tucked-away little haven,” she said. I told her, this is my favorite part of Dubai—not only is it close to the sea, but the location was chosen carefully. Whether it’s getting to work or school, we rarely get caught in traffic.

This is a neighborhood with its own rhythm. A local enclave—Jumeirah/Umm Suqeim—where the land and homes aren’t open to foreign buyers. Because of that, the area hasn’t developed as rapidly as other parts of Dubai over the past decade. Sure, there’s been change, but you won’t find any towering skyscrapers here. The coast has been transformed into a ribbon of leisure: jogging paths, bike lanes, cafes, seaside dinners, late-night bites, and places to move and breathe.

Every time I drive home, leaving the concrete jungle behind, my car glides into a quieter zone of low-rise houses. I glance toward the sky above the Persian Gulf, and half of the day’s stress just melts away.

This is my little paradise.

杜拜的冬天最棒了！

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 08:49:28 GMT

杜拜的冬天最棒了，溫度比較宜人的月份大致在11月～來年的3月。一年大概有360天不下雨，有也是下一咪咪而已。像2024年那種奇異暴風雨，下次可能還要等上百年才會再發生。

在一個溫度攝氏16～20度左右的夜晚。

花園裏、樹叢間掛上兩串燈，蠟燭點上，音響裡放著Lisa Ono 的Bossa Nova, 跟朋友坐在院子裡烤肉聊天，微風徐徐，好不愜意。喜歡水煙的人一口口抽著，吞雲吐霧之間，空氣中散發著甜甜的氣息～

杜拜最大的優點就是，在戶外開趴不怕下雨。不像我們在漢堡開趴的時候，都要有Plan B-下雨的方案，而且通常都會用到��

昨天，來家裡作客的朋友說，我家附近好安靜，好舒服，是藏在巷弄裡的溫暖小窩（homely house) 。我說我家這裡不僅是我最喜歡的區，靠海，而且因為地理位置有經過盤算，上班上學基本上都不塞在車陣裡。

這是一個自成一格的小區。在地人的小區Jumeirah/Umm Suqueim。這裏有一整區的地跟房子，外國人都不能買。也因此我們離開後的這十幾年，這裏是發展得最有限的地方。雖然還是變化很大，但是看不到高樓大廈。沿著海岸，規劃成了大家去跑步、騎腳踏車、散步去下午茶、吃晚餐，宵夜跟運動的帶狀休閒娛樂區。

每次開車回家，把水泥叢林拋在身後，車子駛向前方低矮的住宅區時，我望向遠方波斯灣上方的天空，心情就已經放鬆了一大半，這是我的世外桃源。

迪拜的冬天最棒了！

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 08:48:03 GMT

迪拜的冬天最棒了，温度比较宜人的月份大致在11月～来年的3月。一年大概有360天不下雨，有也是下一咪咪而已。像2024年那种奇异暴风雨，下次可能还要等上百年才会再发生。

在一个温度摄氏16～20度左右的夜晚。

花园里、树丛间挂上两串灯，蜡烛点上，音响里放着Lisa Ono 的Bossa Nova, 跟朋友坐在院子里烤肉聊天，微风徐徐，好不惬意。喜欢水烟的人一口口抽着，吞云吐雾之间，空气中散发着甜甜的气息～

迪拜最大的优点就是，在户外开趴不怕下雨。不像我们在汉堡开趴的时候，都要有Plan B-下雨的方案，而且通常都会用到��

昨天，来家里作客的朋友说，我家附近好安静，好舒服，是藏在巷弄里的温暖小窝（homely house) 。我说我家这里不仅是我最喜欢的区，靠海，而且因为地理位置有经过盘算，上班上学基本上都不塞在车阵里。

这是一个自成一格的小区。在地人的小区Jumeirah/Umm Suqueim。这里有一整区的地跟房子，外国人都不能买。也因此我们离开后的这十几年，这里是发展得最有限的地方。虽然还是变化很大，但是看不到高楼大厦。沿着海岸，规划成了大家去跑步、骑脚踏车、散步去下午茶、吃晚餐，宵夜跟运动的带状休闲娱乐区。

每次开车回家，把水泥丛林抛在身后，车子驶向前方低矮的住宅区时，我望向远方波斯湾上方的天空，心情就已经放松了一大半，这是我的世外桃源。

Too good to be true

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:59:35 GMT

Just a few days ago, I was ranting to a friend—yep, I got scammed buying a plant online.

I’d heard scams are everywhere in Dubai, and even the police can’t keep up. Guess who got hit the moment they arrived? Yours truly.

My friend immediately replied: “Two of my friends were scammed out of 200,000 USD—money they borrowed from family and friends to invest. In the end, they had to sell their brand new house to pay it all back. Total loss.”

Suddenly my sad little plant felt… not so tragic.

My sister had a similar experience years ago—introduced by a friend. At first, she invested a little, and every week she got her money back with interest. Classic bait. So when they asked her to go big, she put in her savings. Then… radio silence for 3 weeks.

Panic mode: ON.

She called nonstop, freaked out, and miraculously, she got her money back. Lucky. Probably one of the rare cases. Her “friend” must’ve had a guilty conscience… or thin skin. Either way, she got out, but not without losing sleep, appetite, and probably a bunch of brain cells.

When I was in Panama, a diplomat friend had to rush to the airport in the middle of the night to deal with a group of Taiwanese folks trying to transit to Peru with fake work visas—none of them spoke English or Spanish. Scam mules.

They were deported, but guess what? As soon as they landed back in Taiwan, they were released. No charges. Just walked away.

No wonder scams are out of control and victims are left crying into the void.

Moral of the story?

If something feels too good to be true, pause. Breathe. Think.

Or better yet—talk to someone you trust before doing anything. That one extra step could save you a lot of pain.

If I had done that last week, I wouldn’t have been scammed AGAIN while in Taiwan.

Not a huge amount of money, but still—SO annoying.

Take it. Consider it my donation to your bad karma.

Year-end’s coming, energy’s low (self-declared).

So be smart. Be cautious.

And most importantly—don’t let greed talk you into nonsense.

好得令人難以置信？原來是詐騙啊...

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:48:05 GMT

幾天前跟朋友哇哇叫說，我在網路買盆栽被詐騙了。來杜拜聽說詐騙猖狂，杜拜警察對此束手無策，抓都抓不完。結果馬上輪到我。

她回我，她2個朋友前後被 詐騙20萬「美金」 ，錢還是去跟親朋好友借來投資的。接下來只好把剛買的房子買掉去還債，真的血本無歸。

我記得幾年前我大妹也是遇到一樣的事，還是朋友介紹的。一開始投進一點錢，前幾次，錢每個禮拜都連本帶利地回收，所以再來要她投資更多時，她就投了一大筆積蓄下去。好啦，接下來的三個禮拜無聲無息，她慌了，開始奪命連環扣她的朋友。這樣來來回回幾次，她把本金拿回來了。

現在看來，她算是少數幸運兒，可能邀她一起的那位朋友臉皮薄，籌錢來還她還是怎樣，總之，她「投資」錢都拿回來了，只是一個月來暴瘦，細胞都不知道死多少個。前幾年在巴拿馬時，我的外交官朋友半夜被請到機場處理一些英語西語都不會講，還拿著工作簽證要轉機去秘魯的一群台灣人，詐騙集團的車手。後來被巴拿馬海關原機遣返。聽說到了桃園機場就原地解散，也沒有被法辦。這難怪詐騙猖狂到無法無天、（受害人）鬼哭神號的地步⋯⋯

遇到好到不合常理的事，真的要先深呼吸、用心想一想。不然就先跟親近的家人朋友討論一下

有時多這樣一步，可以避免掉被詐騙的機會。

要是上禮拜我有多這一步，跟妹妹商量一下，也不會在台灣又被詐騙一次。

錢不多，但是還是覺得討（賭）厭（爛）。這筆錢老娘花了買你的報應啦！

年底了，運勢比較弱（我自己說的），要小心謹慎，千萬不要「貪」。

好得令人难以置信？原来是诈骗啊....

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:48:00 GMT

几天前跟朋友哇哇叫说，我在网络买盆栽被诈骗了。来迪拜听说诈骗猖狂，迪拜警察对此束手无策，抓都抓不完。结果马上轮到我。

她回我，她2个朋友前后被诈骗20万「美金」，钱还是去跟亲朋好友借来投资的。接下来只好把刚买的房子买掉去还债，真的血本无归。

我记得几年前我大妹也是遇到一样的事，还是朋友介绍的。一开始投进一点钱，前几次，钱每个礼拜都连本带利地回收，所以再来要她投资更多时，她就投了一大笔积蓄下去。好啦，接下来的三个礼拜无声无息，她慌了，开始夺命连环扣她的朋友。这样来来回回几次，她把本金拿回来了。

现在看来，她算是少数幸运儿，可能邀她一起的那位朋友脸皮薄，筹钱来还她还是怎样，总之，她「投资」钱都拿回来了，只是一个月来暴瘦，细胞都不知道死多少个。前几年在巴拿马时，我的外交官朋友半夜被请到机场处理一些英语西语都不会讲，还拿着工作签证要转机去秘鲁的一群台湾人，诈骗集团的车手。后来被巴拿马海关原机遣返。听说到了桃园机场就原地解散，也没有被法办。这难怪诈骗猖狂到无法无天、（受害人）鬼哭神号的地步⋯⋯

遇到好到不合常理的事，真的要先深呼吸、用心想一想。不然就先跟亲近的家人朋友讨论一下。

有时多这样一步，可以避免掉被诈骗的机会。

要是上礼拜我有多这一步，跟妹妹商量一下，也不会在台湾又被诈骗一次。

钱不多，但是还是觉得讨（赌）厌（烂）。这笔钱老娘花了买你的报应啦！

年底了，运势比较弱（我自己说的），要小心谨慎，千万不要「贪」。

Our First and Second Time in Dubai: Then and Now

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:59:35 GMT

We first came to Dubai for work in 2002. That’s when we met, and later got married. By 2007, when our daughter was a year and a half old, we left and moved to Singapore.

Now in 2024, we’re back in Dubai for the second time. What’s the difference?

The difference is—it feels like a brand-new place. To me, it’s 90% unfamiliar.

Back then, Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR), the city’s first and longest highway, had only one major interchange. Now? I’ve lost count. (I’ll update you once I do! ��) But here’s the thing—behind that one interchange back then was just desert. Today, when I stand at that same spot, the desert is nowhere to be seen.

90% of this city, I have to get to know all over again. I’ll share more about that little by little. And the 10% that still feels familiar? The sky is the same (obviously), the Arabian Sea hasn’t changed (though the coastline has), and the streets are still filled with luxury cars—actually, now even more so.

With my car-loving son yelling in excitement every day, I’ve learned that the roads are full of the world’s most expensive Mercedes, top-tier Maseratis, Rolls-Royces… all kinds of unbelievable cars. Like the one parked in front of me during school pickup—the exact dream car I’ve always wanted. They’re everywhere. (Except mine—still dreaming. ��)

Gas is still cheap—that hasn’t changed. It’s at least half the price of diesel in Germany.

People still drive a little recklessly, though it’s better now. Why? Because there are speed cameras everywhere.

If you ever move to Dubai, and your budget allows it, get a taller SUV or a pickup. You’ll feel safer on the roads, and others will be more likely to give way.

That’s rule number one for surviving in Dubai.

20年後的杜拜⋯⋯

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:48:06 GMT

我們第一次到杜拜工作、相識到結婚是2002-2007年，女兒一歲半時離開，搬去新加坡。

今年，2024，第二次回歸杜拜，差別是什麼？

差別就是變成一個全新的地方。她對我來說，是一個90%陌生的城市。

從當時SZR ( Sheikh Zayed Road第一條也是最長的一條縱貫高速公路）只有一個系統交流道到現在不知道幾個（等我數好再更新��），可知道，當時的系統交流道後面可都是沙漠啊，現在我站在原始的交流道上，已經看不到沙漠了。

90% 要重新認識的，以後慢慢說。那10%不陌生的呢？是天空沒變（廢話），阿拉伯海沒變（海邊變了），滿街都是名車沒變，甚至更多更厲害的，在我兒這個車控的日日鬼叫聲裡，我知道街上跑著世界最貴的賓士、頂級瑪莎洛堤，頂級勞斯萊斯等等不可思議的車。像在學校前排在我前面等著接小孩的這台我的夢想車，到處都是（就我沒有��）。

油還是便宜，這也沒變。加汽油比我在德國加柴油還至少便宜一半。

開車不守秩序沒變；但是比以前好一點了，為什麼？因為到處都是超速照相機。

來杜拜，如果經濟允許，買一台比較高的休旅車或皮卡，開起來比較有安全感，別人也比較會讓路。

這是杜拜生存守則第一條。

20年后的迪拜……

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:48:02 GMT

我们第一次到迪拜工作、相识到结婚是2002-2007年，女儿一岁半时离开，搬去新加坡。

今年，2024，第二次回归迪拜，差别是什么？

差别就是变成一个全新的地方。她对我来说，是一个90%陌生的城市。

从当时SZR ( Sheikh Zayed Road第一条也是最长的一条纵贯高速公路）只有一个系统交流道到现在不知道几个（等我数好再更新��），可知道，当时的系统交流道后面可都是沙漠啊，现在我站在原始的交流道上，已经看不到沙漠了。

90% 要重新认识的，以后慢慢说。那10%不陌生的呢？是天空没变（废话），阿拉伯海没变（海边变了），满街都是名车没变，甚至更多更厉害的，在我儿这个车控的日日鬼叫声里，我知道街上跑着世界最贵的奔驰、顶级马莎洛堤，顶级劳斯莱斯等等不可思议的车。像在学校前排在我前面等着接小孩的这台我的梦想车，到处都是（就我没有��）。

油还是便宜，这也没变。加汽油比我在德国加柴油还至少便宜一半。

开车不守秩序没变；但是比以前好一点了，为什么？因为到处都是超速照相机。

来迪拜，如果经济允许，买一台比较高的休旅车或皮卡，开起来比较有安全感，别人也比较会让路。

这是迪拜生存守则第一条。