All for fun and fun for all

Posted on December 19, 2007 Updated on June 6, 2015

All for fun and fun for all By Cindy L Bailey, Staff Writer GULF NEWS Published: December 18, 2007, 22:59

Families in the UAE are spoilt for choice when settling for
a weekend of serious fun.

A hard week in office demands a fun weekend. Now, having fun may be a state of mind in some hick town due to a lack of options, but not in the UAE. Dubai and the other emirates throw up seemingly endless opportunities for the family for a weekend of fun and frolic. Seek and you shall find.

Whether it’s spending time at the many beaches or parks in Dubai, visiting the exciting water parks or enjoying the adrenalin rush while indulging in some serious dune bashing in one of the seven emirates in your four wheel or on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), the UAE prides itself in having something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Clare Hadley, mother of two children, Alexander, four, and Daniel, one, says, “As my boys are so young I can only really take them to the beach. We are quite limited to what we can participate in due to their age.

“Parks are great, Alexander likes to ride his bike (in the park.).
There are so many things to do in Dubai. There are a lot of options, although we tend to observe rather than join in. There are powerboat and hot air balloon shows. They all cater well for children. We do like to go to the Jebel Ali Sailing Club, the boys can play in the pool and play with the other children there.”

Kay Robinson, mother of Summer-Jane, seven, and Megan, five, shares what she does to keep her daughters entertained. “My girls love the beach. They love to build sand castles and play in the sea. Wild Wadi is also one of their favourite haunts. I’m happy to take them wherever they can get fresh air, I don’t like to keep them inside all day. Dubai’s weather is great and I like to take full advantage of that, obviously we have to be very careful during the summer months, but on the whole I like to involve them in anything that keeps them active.”

The beach isn’t just for children as parents can also take advantage by sitting back and relaxing while watching their children play and enjoy the sun, sand and sea.

Andrew Kirk, a Dubai resident, is father of Jessica, 11, and Adam, nine and describes what his family likes to do in their free time.

“The beach is always a popular choice with my kids, they never get bored with it. Whether they are playing soccer, volleyball or just rolling in the waves, they are always entertained. And it’s always nice for Sarah (his wife) and me to have some down time too.

“We always try and go to a water park once every few weeks. Now that the weather has cooled down we will be spending a lot more time on the beach, it was a little too hot for the kids during the summer. We could only take them before noon or after 3 pm. Our favourite water park is Wild Wadi with Juha’s Dhow being quite high in the popularity stakes.

“Of late, a personal favourite is spending the day at Dubai Creek Park. It has a great picnic area and we play rounders — Jessica and Adam love it. We have a great time. That is one of the things I love about Dubai. There are so many places that parents can spend quality time with their children.”

Wild Wadi is not the only water park where families can enjoy quality time together, Wonderland, Dubai, also includes a family water park.

“The park is divided into three areas: the main street that includes a special water mist cinema show, (films are projected on to a thin layer of water) the theme park that has roller coasters, go carts and restaurants, and Splashland water park with a host of water-based activities and pastimes to keep the whole family amused. The park also offers a ‘families only’ special on Thursdays.

“Wonderland is a family favourite. It’s an amusement park and water park rolled into one and keeps my whole family entertained; we love spending the odd weekend there,” says Marcus Bumby, father of two children, Cameron Reece, eight, and Annalise, four.

“My son loves to play football, so I take him to the park or beach most days after school. I am very conscious about keeping my children active. I want them both to be as healthy as possible and I believe an active lifestyle will ensure that.

“I don’t really like them playing videogames and watching TV all the time so my wife and I try to rustle up activities that involve them. Annalise loves to just join in with anything that Cameron does, whether it’s kicking a ball around on the beach or playing at the park.”

Great Outdoors – A mountain playground

Posted on December 19, 2007 Updated on June 6, 2015

A mountain playground
By Shikha Mishra, Staff Writer GULF NEWS Published: December 18, 2007, 22:59

The rugged landscape of Ras Al Kaimah draws avid trekkers and sports enthusiasts.

“We perceived the town of Ras el Khyma rising from the water line at the foot of lofty mountains.”
— JS Buckingham, 1825. (From the book A Portrait of Ras Al Khaimah, by Shirley Kay)

Driving down the highway to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) can be a surreal experience as the rush hour traffic jam in Sharjah melts into stark rocky mountains and miles of sand dunes. However, not all the topography of this emirate is desolate and barren. Lush green fields, wadis over-run with fresh water, gurgling waterfalls – RAK has earned its title of outdoor playground as hundreds of adventure lovers flock to it looking for their next adrenalin rush.

“RAK is the only emirate where you can enjoy the mountains to the beach to the sand dunes within a 10-20 minute driving distance from one another,” says Nagarajan J Udupa, General Manager, Khatt Springs Hotel and Spa.

The hotel has tied up with RAK Events and promotes sand dune and mountain driving, desert safaris, sand surfing, camping in the desert, trekking and mountain biking in the emirate. “Overnight camping in the desert is very popular and it is safe as well. For the adventurous ones, RAK is the right place to be as long as all the safety precautions are taken,” says Udupa.

Among the numerous mountain biking trails in RAK, three major tracks start from the Khatt Hotel. “There are a numbers of wadis in the area, the most prominent being Wadi Bih, Wadi Tayeba and Wadi Oraiyah. In the Wadi Oraiyah area there is a spectacular waterfall,” says Udupa.

Mahesh Sarna, a 33-year-old banking professional based in Sharjah has driven his 4×4 through Wadi Aimah, a popular, but extremely tough route through the Hajjar mountains. “Wadi Asimah can be accessed through Ghail, a small village in RAK. The wadi offers mountain driving over all types of terrain and conditions – from deep green foliage to small water bodies to dreary rocks – it has it all,” says Sarna.

John Falchetto of Mountain Extreme, an RAK based eco-adventure company specialising in adventure tourism and sports, organises a hike to Shaikh Saoud’s Mountain Palace in RAK.

“This trek is the most popular right now. It offers a chance to climb to the highest peak in the area, Jebel Jays, and a chance to enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley below, which extends all the way to the Arabian Gulf. This hike is also a great way to reach the top of Jebel Jays also known as the Stairway to Heaven, without having to cross exposed ledges. This is not an easy trek, an effort of five to six hours is required to reach Shaikh Saud mountain palace, but the climb is worth the magnificent scenery at the top,” says Falchetto.

Khalifa Al Khatri of Aryam Tours says that the government is making an effort to promote tourism in RAK. “Wadi Bih is the most popular wadi in RAK. It has beautiful off-road driving options apart from stunning mountain views, and is great to drive through.

The mountains in RAK have a lot of potential — you can do biking, hiking, quad biking, desert safaris, camping, desert sports, walks and horse and camel riding. The costs range between Dh150 to about Dh450 depending on the size of the group. Water sports, fishing, snorkelling, and sea boat trips are also great options to enjoy the variety of sea activities that RAK offers,” he says. And then there is Mountain Day.

In 2003, the UN General Assembly designated December 11 as International Mountain Day. “International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring a positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands,” says Falchetto. On December 14 Mountain Extreme led a hike into the hidden mountain villages of the UAE to celebrate this day and create awareness.

Hikers were able to visit an authentic Shihi mountain village with houses, animal pens, a wheat mill and terrace fields, besides getting to see water springs, artefacts, wooden doors and tools dating back hundreds of years. An option to explore the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Yibir was also eagerly sought by avid hikers.

Apart from the mountains, the RAK beach is a popular venue for outdoor activities. The Hilton RAK has a diving centre, apart from activities such as fishing, boat trips, beach volleyball and football.

“Our main business comes from tour operators and the leisure market in the UAE. RAK is a great weekend destination and holidays such as Eid, Christmas and New Year apart from the long weekends get busy.

Our high season runs from November to the end of April because of the pleasant weather,” says Fadi Banat, Sales Manager, Hilton, RAK.

Great Outdoors – Park here!

Posted on December 19, 2007 Updated on June 6, 2015

Park here!
By Esha Nag, Staff Writer GULF NEWS Published: December 18, 2007, 22:59

Dubai’s parks are the emirate’s breathing space.

The UAE, in spite of its desert topography and dry climate, has beautiful and well-maintained public parks that offer a host of facilities. The directives of the Dubai Government to increase the number of green areas have provided an additional incentive to the Dubai Municipality to implement various plantation projects all over the emirate.

Dubai’s parks have turned out to be the emirate’s breathing space, besides being major tourist attractions. Says Ahmad Mohammad Abdul Karim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department, Dubai Municipality, “Dubai now has a total recreational area of nearly 600 hectares with six public parks, 19 residential parks, eight landscapes, 32 community facilities (playgrounds) and two open beaches.

“More such facilities are under construction and will continue to be undertaken by the municipality in order to meet the needs of Dubai’s residents.” Currently the most popular parks include the Safa Park, Zabeel Park, Al Mamzar Park, Jumeirah Beach Park, Dubai Creek Park and Mushrif Park.

By 2010 the Municipality intends to build 16 parks. These will include Nadd Al Hamr, Leisili, Hatta-1, Hatta-2, Al Barsha-2, Mamzar-2, Al Quoz, Al Nahda, Mirdiff 2, Al Warqa-2, Al Barsha-2, Al-Barsha-3 and Nadd Al Buhaira Pond Park.

“Public parks are a very important amenity, particularly in a city such as Dubai where so many residents live in apartments and do not have access to a garden. With the introduction of running surfaces around the perimeter of Safa and Zabeel Park, many people have taken to walking or jogging around the parks. The area is safe from traffic and there is plenty of parking space. The provision of toilets in the park is also very helpful,’ says Graham Rafferty, coordinator of the Dubai Road Runners.

The Dubai Road Runners meet every Saturday at 6.30pm in Safa Park.

“We also have events in Creek Park and Mushrif Park. Both are very pleasant to run in. A special running surface is currently under construction in Mushrif Park. I really feel we need more parks in Dubai because the traffic is heavy here and people don’t want to travel far to reach a park,” says Rafferty.

In order to maintain the beauty of the parks, the Public Parks and Horticulture Department has set up special organisational units to take care of maintenance and horticultural activities.

From horticultural maintenance to developing sports services as per the requirements of park visitors to cleaning services and privatisation, these units are responsible for the daily upkeep of these public spaces.

Says Deborah Dixon, who runs the Stride for Life aerobic walking and running programme at Safa Park: “In Dubai people work very hard and spend a lot of time commuting to and from work. This can be a fun, fast-paced life, but it can also be very isolating and physically and emotionally draining. Being near nature and other people can be a powerful stress reliever and mood booster.”

The Safa Park, Dixon feels, is a fantastic space in the heart of Dubai. “It is large enough to feel as though one has escaped from the city for a while. The park has wonderful trees and gardens, lakes and children’s play areas. The landscaping is such that there are areas suitable for field sports as well as hills, which will improve your fitness levels. There are also basketball and tennis courts here. We meet regularly at Safa. The outside pavement has been rubberised to provide an excellent shock absorbent surface on which to walk and run.”

Sharjah is also set to have 10 more public parks as part of a Dh15 million project to revamp its public spaces. The project, under the guidance of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will also see the parks being used as venues for social events. The move aims at developing public park facilities, park expansions and landscape development.

In addition to its existing 35 parks, Sharjah Municipality is adding 10 new parks in the city, which will be fully equipped and designed to accommodate families and children.

Abu Dhabi also has several well-maintained parks, which reflect the commitment of the ruling family to the beautification of the city.

Most of the parks contain water features and children’s play areas.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality recently opened the Khalifa Park, a new recreational landmark in the UAE capital.

The 500,000-square-metre park can handle more than 5,000 people at a time. Its designs are inspired by Arabic and Islamic architecture and consist of various attractions, including gardens, party halls, a dedicated area for women and children with a swimming pool and an amphitheatre, all linked by a train.

The park’s museum traces the UAE’s history to the prehistoric era.

Parks of Dubai

Mamzar Park
Location: Mamzar residential area, on the extension of the corniche and Mamzar creek, neighbouring the main road that leads to Sharjah.

Facilities

— Modern, well-equipped and air-conditioned chalets with special areas assigned for barbecue and recreation. Charges for the big chalet are Dh200 a day, while a small chalet costs Dh150 a day. There are 15 chalets, which have parking nearby. The chalets are not furnished for sleeping.

— Five separate beaches with changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas, toilets, showers for beach swimmers and canteens. There are also lifeguards and safety buoys.

— Playgrounds for football, volleyball, basketball and tennis. There is also a special place for roller-skating. Beach visitors can use these facilities without any fees.

— 38 barbecue areas equipped with modern barbecue tools, umbrellas and benches.

— Large swimming pool with three recreational swimming areas for different age groups, wooden benches, umbrellas and sun beds in addition to changing rooms, showers and canteens.

— Children’s games and equipment such as slides and climbing bars, train and bike rides.

— A theatre that seats 10,000 people.

Mushrif Park
Location: Mushrif, Deira.

Facilities

— 56 spots for barbecue and picnics. These are equipped with wooden shades, seats, modern grills and wooden toys.

— Separate swimming areas for men and women.

— Rotating horses, flying camels, children’s cars, circular train, recreational jumping apparatus, swings, slides, seesaw and climbing ropes for children.

— Tracks for sports enthusiasts and reserved ground for volleyball, football and basketball.

— Restaurant with air-conditioned game halls.

Safa Park
Location: Off Shaikh Zayed Road on Interchange 2.

Facilities

— Grounds for football, volleyball and tennis and a set of physical fitness equipment.

— Peripheral jogging track with special running surface around the outside of the park.

— 21 barbecue areas equipped with modern barbecue tools, umbrellas and benches. More barbecue areas will be added soon.

— Children’s games and equipment such as slides and climbing bars, installed according to the latest international specifications. Visitors can enjoy swings, ride a train and rent bicycles.

— Electric cars, ferris wheel, traffic village, horse rides, boat rides and fun jumping. In addition, the park also has a labyrinth with foyer and corridors surrounded by fences and bushes with only one exit. Whoever enters the labyrinth shall find only one exit.

— Restaurant and games hall. There are three canteens spread across the park.

Jumeirah Beach Park
Location: In the residential area of Jumeirah, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and alongside Jumeirah Road.

Facilities

— Rental sun beds and umbrellas at reasonable rates, with the park crew offering the necessary help.

— Safe swimming areas off the beach with safety buoys.

— Recreational facilities such as speedboats, banana boats, and parachutes.

— Two beach football courts and two beach volleyball courts.

— Two barbecue areas, each with seven barbecues, umbrellas and seats.

— Slides, skating tracks and other high-quality games enjoyable for children of different age groups.

— Large restaurant with an air-conditioned billiards court.

Creekside ParkLocation: Alongside Dubai Creek on the Bur Dubai side.

Facilities

— Entertainment areas.

— Three helicopter pads.

— First-aid room and modern communication devices.

— Mini golf course, with 18 holes.

— Theatre area with capacity to hold around 400 people.

— Aflaj Heritage Village

— Children’s City and Snow World.

Zabeel Park
Location: Near World Trade Centre in the heart of Dubai in the Zabeel area. The park is divided into three sections — A, B and C.

Suspended pedestrian bridges and an internal train connect the three sections.

Facilities

— Party area.

— Maze modelled on the solar system

— Lakeside restaurant complex.

— Exhibition building.

— Cafeteria

— Cricket ground.

— Open-air theatre.

— Separate areas for technology, sports and entertainment.

— Main theatre for celebrations and programmes as well as for establishments wanting to host international shows.

— Health club

— Star Gate, a project with an estimated cost of Dh220 million.

Five domes, partly underground, are linked via air-conditioned tunnels. The domes are Saturn, Moon, Earth, Mars and UFO. Each dome is dedicated to different types of entertaining scientific activities.