Photo Speaks
Suite escape
Suite escape By Ameer Al Marzouqi GULF NEWS Published: October 03, 2007, 23:52
Celebrate Eid with your family in some of the world’s most exotic and luxurious destinations. Here are some of the best offers up for grabs.
VENICE
Experience the passion and romance of Italy in its sumptuous cuisine, celebrated arts and magnificent architectural treasures. Glide along Venice’s famous canals in a gondola, watching the light change softly on the glorious palaces.
Luna Hotel Baglioni
The Luna Hotel Baglioni is the oldest hotel in the city and is perfectly located to discover the city’s unique charms.
Duration: Three nights
Cost: Dh8,285 per person on Emirates airlines including airfare
Validity: October 12-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
ISTANBUL
Turkey is an exciting holiday destination that celebrates its roots in Asia and Europe, and welcomes visitors both traditional and modern. Famous for its mosques, castles and bazaars, Istanbul has a reputation for being a hospitable country.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski
The Ciragan Palace combines the architectural grandeur of an Ottoman palace with the modern comforts of a deluxe hotel.
Duration: Three nights in a sea-view room
Cost: Dh5,185 per person on Singapore Airlines including airfare
Validity: 12-15 October
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
LONDON
Explore London’s historic monuments, high fashion and vibrant theatre scene or journey to Shakespeare’s birthplace. London is home to some of the most famous sights in the world, such as Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
InterContinental Park Lane
It is located near the Houses of Parliament, Bond Street and the Buckingham Palace.
Duration: Three nights in an inner court room
Cost: Dh5,630 per person on Aer Lingus including airfare
Validity: October 12-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia is unmatched in the rich diversity of its culture and the contrast of its geography. Enjoy cool mountain highlands, relax on the peaceful, white-sand beaches, trek through ancient rainforest or shop in the heart of the city.
Mandarin Oriental
This hotel is adjacent to the world famous 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers.
Duration: Three nights in a deluxe city-view room
Cost: Dh4,110 per person on Emirates airline including airfare
Validity: October 12-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
BANGKOK
Thailand is famous for its temples and spectacular beaches. Thai culture blends with Chinese, Malay and Indian influences.
Four Seasons Hotel
The hotel is ideally located in Bangkok’s vibrant city centre and only 40 minutes from the airport.
Duration: Three nights in a deluxe room
Cost: Dh4,490 per person on Emirate Airline including airfare
Validity: October 12-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
Majestic Hotel
Duration: Three nights
Cost: Dh2980 per person including Dubai-Bangkok return airfare
Validity: 10-21 October
Contact: 8005252 or visit http://www.emirates-holidays.com
SINGAPORE
Singapore has several ethnic neighbourhoods, including Chinatown and Little India. Its cuisine is an example of its diversity with a fusion of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Tamil influences.
York Hotel
Duration: Three nights in a double room
Cost: Dh3,910 per person on Emirates Airlines including airport/hotel transfers.
Validity: October 11-17
Agency: Al Futtaim
Contact: 04 3410237
MALDIVES
A thousand islands offer dazzling beauty, both above and below the waters of the Indian Ocean. The vast coral island of the Maldives is full of peace and tranquility. Go diving, snorkelling and enjoy the sandy beaches .
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Thirty minutes by speedboat from the airport, the hotel is an island sanctuary with a traditional Maldivian village setting.
Duration: Four nights in a beach pavilion
Cost: Dh4,890 per person on Sri Lankan Airlines including airfare
Validity: October 11-16
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
SECHELLES ISLANDS
Experience the ultimate in natural beauty and tranquility in the Seychelles Islands archipelago, one of the world’s premiere tropical paradises. The 115 granite and coral islands are unique sanctuaries of flora and fauna, forests, beaches and lagoons.
Labriz Silhouette
Silhouette, the third largest island in the Seychelles, is an unspoiled natural wonder, covered in rainforest and white sandy beaches.
Duration: Four nights in a garden villa
Cost: Dh7,240 per person on Emirates Airlines including airfare
Validity: October 12-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
OMAN
Oman is a country of stunning natural beauty, blue-domed mosques and world-class hotels. Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the traditional Muttrah Souk.
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa
This package gives guests at Al Bandar access to the resort’s private Turtle Beach.
Duration: Four nights in a pool view room
Cost: Dh2,600 per person
Validity: October 11-15
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
SRI LANKA
Although Sri Lanka is just 350 kilometres long, its dramatically varied landscape and ancient history ensure that visitors enjoy a holiday full of wildlife, culture and adventure, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Taj Exotica
This luxurious beach resort is located along the golden mile beach at Bentota, on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast.
Duration: Three nights in a standard room
Cost: On Emirates airlines at Dh3,070 per person.
Validity: October 1-31
Agency: Dnata
Contact: 8008118
MALTA
Walk through the narrow medieval streets of Madina, the silent city. The sound and light show in Valletta is a masterpiece of Renaissance designs with the Triton fountain.
Corinthia San Gorg Hotel
This 4-star hotel is located at the entrance to St. George’s Bay and designed around cascading pools.
Duration: Three nights in a double room
Cost: Dh3,060 per person on Emirates Airlines including airport/hotel transfers.
Validity: October 11-17
Agency: Al Futtaim
Contact: 04 3410237
ATHENS
Visit Athens to discover the roots of Western civilisation. It was here that democracy, drama, philosophy and scientific investigation were born. Athens is a mix of the modern and the ancient.
Titania Hotel
The Titania is a 3-star hotel in the heart of the historic and commercial centre of Athens between Syntagma and Omonia squares.
Duration: Three nights in a double room
Cost: Dh3,810 per person on Emirates airlines including airport/hotel transports.
Validity: October 11-17
Agency: Al Futtaim
Contact: 04 3410237
MAURITIUS
Apart from its beaches, Mauritius is known for its cuisine which is a blend of Indian, Creole, Chinese and European food.
Sugar Beach Resort
Duration: Three nights
Cost: Dh5,546 per person including Dubai-Mauritius return airfare
Validity: October 10-21
Contact: 8005252 or visit http://www.emirates-holidays.com
NAIROBI
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is famous for its zoos, snake parks, temples and exquisite parliament house.
Stanley Hotel
Duration: Three nights
Cost: Dh3,655 per person including Dubai-Nairobi return airfare
Validity: October 10-21
Agency: Emirates Holidays
Contact: 8005252 or visit http://www.emirates-holidays.com
ZURICH
Zurich’s churches, museums and parks are great examples of European architecture.
Swissotel Zurich
Duration: Three nights
Cost: Dh3,352 per person includes, Dubai-Zurich return airfare
Validity: October 10-21
Contact: 8005252 or visit http://www.emirates-holidays.com
GOA (Via Mumbai)
Goa is a major tourist destination. Its beaches, relaxed atmosphere and friendly people are the main draws.
Holiday Inn
Duration: Three nights in a double room
Cost: Dh3,540 per person on Emirates Airlines including airfare
Validity: October 11-17
Agency: Al Futtaim
Contact: 04 3410237
MUMBAI
The city is always bustling with activity and theres always somewhere to go to.
Taj President
Duration: Three nights in a double room
Cost: Dh3,560 per person on Emirates Airlines including airfare
Validity: 11-17 October
Agency: Al Futtaim
Contact: 04 3410237
Photo Speaks – Passing Shots
I haven’t updated this section for some time now. Here are some photos on my way around during a short travel.
And now have a look at the Fruits & Vegetable Market located near the Mina Port in Abu Dhabi.
Ramdan Fire works at Abu Dhabi Corniche
In order to mark the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, a display of fireworks was organised at the Abu Dhabi Corniche by the Abu Dhabi Tourism authority. Enjoy a few moments of that wonderful event.
http://www.youtube.com/get_player
Places to visit in UAE – Jebel Hafeet Mountain, Al Ain
Just have a look what they have created in a desert…
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the greatest driving road in the world. Stretching for 7.3 miles and climbing nearly 4,000 feet, it boasts 60 corners and a surface so smooth that it would flatter a racetrack. It could easily be described as the eighth wonder of the world, but almost nothing is known about its creation.
The road is cut into the Jebel Hafeet Mountain , the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates , the oil-rich Persian Gulf state. The mountain spans the border with Oman and lies about 90 minutes’ drive southeast of the thriving city of Dubai . It looks down upon a dusty, desert landscape that belies a nation of astonishing wealth.
Jebel Hafeet (Arabic: جبل حفيت) (variously translated Jabal, Jabel and Jebal) is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1240 meters and offers an impressive view over the city, with what has been described as “the greatest driving road in the world” extending to the summit. Jebel Hafeet was a well-known landmark through out the area’s history and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jebel Hafeet.
At the foothills of Jabal Hafeet lies the Green Mubazarrah, a well developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah. Jebel Hafeet is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, snakes, etc.
It is often incorrectly labelled U.A.E’s highest mountain (as it is certainly the most well-known); this honor actually belongs to Jabal Yibir.
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road extends for 7.3 mi (11.7 km) up the mountain, rising 4000 ft (1219 m). With 21 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending), the immaculate road was called the greatest driving road in the world by Edmunds.com. The road scales the mountain and ends at a parking lot with only a hotel and a palace belonging to the country’s rulers.
Jebel Hafeet Road is the challenge for cyclists who frequently come over to train. The Jebel Hafeet Mercure Challenge is a yearly road cycling competition taking place somewhere in January. National & international riders take part in climbing the 8% average ascent of the mighty mountain.
Hotels: Hotel Mercure Grand Jebel HafeetJebel Hafeet P O BOX 24476 0 AL AIN – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tel : (+971)3/7838888 – Fax : (+971)3/7839000 – @ : resa@mercure-alain.ae
Nearby Tourist spots:
HILI FUN CITY PARK (25.00km)
CAMEL RACE TRACK (10.00km)
Lake HOT SPRINGS LAKE (10.00km)
OLYMPIC SPORTS Centre (15.00km)
Do not disturb – Taking time off
I haven’t posted any photos for quite some time. I was thinking of it while coming to my car last night. And our friend here was taking his time off. I did not waste an opportunity to capture his reactions.
It was a very hot day and it’s nice to take a short cat sleep at this time before the owner comes!
Is he here alreday, too early and too short, I should have selected another car.
I think he is not the one, let me sleep for some more time.
What was that I was dreaming, this guy disturbed me…..
Hey, I told you not to disturb me now. Come back later.
And he goes to sleep again!!!
Between the signals
I was at the signal yesterday and managed to capture these moments. 30 seconds or may be lesser. How fast the Sun is travelling – anyone interested to calculate whether he is over speeding or not. By the feel of the hot weather even at this time of the evening, I felt he was a bit fast.
ClicksandWrites 
You must be logged in to post a comment.