UAE
Great Outdoors – Thrills & Spills
Thrills and spills
By Andrea Anastasiou, Staff Writer GULF NEWS Published: December 18, 2007, 22:59
From riding the dunes to skimming the skies and diving into the azure blue of the Arabian Sea, the Top 10 list of outdoor activities in the UAE is a thrill fest.
The end of another uncomfortable UAE summer signals the start of the season for people to enjoy the great outdoors. During the next few months, there is an abundance of outdoor activities and events to be enjoyed by families, thrill seekers and sports enthusiasts alike. Here are ten of the absolutely ripping best.
Dubai Seaplane
Seawings offers you the opportunity to enjoy and marvel at the ever-changing Dubai skyline from a Cessna 208 Caravan Seaplane. There are three tours to choose from, and some of the sights that are to be enjoyed from 1,500 feet are the Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek.
Location: Jebel Ali Hotel
Cost: Starts Dh795 per adult
Contact: Seawings (+97148832999) or visit: http://www.seawings.ae
Movies under the stars
Every Sunday from 8 pm you can enjoy some of your favourite movies under the stars at the Wafi City garden rooftop. There is a different theme every week, with Ghost, Seven and American Pie being some of the past movies shown. Giant beanbags, popcorn, pizza and hot dog stands heighten the chilled out ambience.
Location: Wafi City Rooftop, entrance through Carters
Cost: Free
Contact: Wafi City (+971 4 3244555)
Absolute outdoor adventure
For true outdoor activity enthusiasts, Absolute Adventures offers all types of experiences at its beachfront facility in Dibba.
The centre is set among the region’s best trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, rock-climbing, diving and sailing areas, and is equipped with quality outdoor gear. For the full experience, take a group of friends and spend the weekend here and indulge in a fun list of outdoor activities.
Location: Karsha, Oman, on the UAE-Oman border
Cost: By quotation
Contact: Absolute Adventures (+9713459900)
Dubai Surf School
Take to the azure blue waters with Dubai’s first surf school, Surf Dubai, and learn how to ride the waves with the professionals. Dubai’s coastline suits the novice surfer due to the manageable waves. Lessons are offered daily, and specialised learner surfboards are provided.
All lessons are subject to sea conditions; you can receive daily Wave Alerts by signing up on the company’s website, (www.surfingdubai.com) and then call to book lessons at your convenience.
Location: Sunset Beach, Near Ladies Club, Dubai.
Cost: Starts Dh175 for adults, and Dh150 for children
Contact: Surf Dubai (+971505043020)
Desert safari
A popular outdoor experience is the desert safari; trips into the extensive desert are the ultimate UAE pastime. Many companies offer these excursions, with camel riding, dune bashing and safari skiing just some of the activities that are on offer whilst in the desert, in addition to the 4×4 wheel drive to reach ‘camp’.
Some packages include overnight stay with traditional Arabic entertainment in the form of belly-dancing, henna painting and shisha smoking.
Some companies that offer desert safaris are Arabian Adventures (+97143034888), and Desert Rangers (+9714 3402408)
Hot air balloon flight
You can now experience the moon-like landscape of the Hajj mountains, the Dubai skyline, and the giant dunes of the UAE from a hot air balloon. The trip lasts for approximately an hour and is suitable for most people, making it possible for families with children over the age of five to have an adventure in a safe environment.
Cost: Dh880
Contact: Balloon Adventure Dubai (+97142854949)
Dhow boat cruise
Take a dhow cruise on the Dubai creek to marvel at the city’s architecture and changing skyline. Many different tour companies offer cruises with some offering packages including food and beverages and live entertainment such as belly dancers and Arabic music. Some companies that offer Dhow Boat Cruises include Creekside Leisure (+971 4 3368407) and City Smart (+971 4 2246 181).
Tandem Sky Dive
The thrilling experience of a tandem sky dive from 12,000 feet is a must for adventure seekers, and this can be done at the UAQ Aeroclub in Umm Al Quwain. Accelerated free falls are also on offer for the extremely brave.
Location: Umm Al Quwain
Cost Tandem sky dive with an instructor, Dh1000.
Contact: (+971067681447)
Camel racing
Camel racing is a deep-rooted traditional sport that finds its origins in the desert culture of North Africa and the Middle East. The UAE has 15 racetracks with spacious and well-kept stadiums for viewers. Camel races take place from late October to early April, and periodically throughout the rest of the year. The races generally take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the winter season or on five-day events held in the UAE’s larger centres.
Contact: Nad Al Sheba Racecourse (+9714322277)
Water sports
Dubai International Marine Club is a beach resort that offers a large variety of water sports and pastimes including windsurfing, sailing, fishing, and scuba diving. There are also the Beach Olympics for incentive and corporate groups. The DIMC also hosts a number of racing events for vessels ranging from traditional dhows to modern yachts.
Contact: Dubai International Marine Club (+97143994111)
Eid Al Adha holidays in the UAE
Eid Al Adha holidays in the UAE
Staff Report GULF NEWS Last updated: December 18, 2007, 15:39
Dubai: During Eid Al Adha, schools in the UAE are closed from December 17 and will re-open on January 6, 2008.
The UAE stock market will be closed from December 18 to December 22 and will
re-open on December 23.
Banks will be closed for four days from December 18.
Public sector employees get a five-day holiday from December 18, while private sector employess get a three-day holiday from December 18.
Naturalisation and residency departments in Dubai and Sharjah will be open from 9am to 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday for emergency services.
Motorists in Dubai get free parking from December 18 to December 21.
All post offices will remain closed on Wednesday, December 19.
However, postal services will be available at main post offices during rest of the Eid holidays from 9am to 1pm.
The offices which are open includes, in Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Central Post Office, Hamdan, Al Butain, Musafah, Beni Yas, Nadi Al Seyahi and Al Ain Main Post Office.
In Dubai: Dubai Central Post Office, Satwa, Al Khor, Jumeirah, Rashidiyah, Hor Al Anz, Jebel Ali, Deira Main Post Office, International City and The Village (Jumeirah).
In Sharjah: Sharjah Central Post Office, Al Corniche, Al Ghuwair, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.
In Ajman: The Ajman Central Post Office.
In Umm Al Quwain: The Umm Al Quwain Centre Post Office, Sanaiyah and Al Souq.
In Ras Al Khaimah: The Ras Al Khaimah Central Post Office, Al Nakheel and Al Uraibi.
In Fujairah: The Fujairah Central Post Office and Dibba Al Fujairah.
The Airport Post Office will be open 24 hours on all days.
The counters of all other branches of Emirates Post will be closed during the holidays.
Residents book eggs ahead to beat shortage
Residents book eggs ahead to beat shortage
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Last updated: December 16, 2007, 23:13
Abu Dhabi: Residents have now turned to bookings eggs to purchase the food item.
Supermarkets and groceries must keep one more record in addition to their day to day accounts now that they are listing customers who book the eggs in advance.
The acute shortage of eggs has led to a new system of ‘sale on booking’, especially by small supermarkets and groceries, said market sources.
Those wanting eggs can reserve them by leaving their names and contact numbers with the grocer or supermarket. They will deliver a maximum of one tray when the stock arrives.
Some outlets took the opportunity to show loyalty to their regular customers. A grocery on Salam Street in Abu Dhabi, which displayed only one tray of eggs, told Gulf News it was kept for a regular customer who had reserved it.
Gulf News has learned that there is no uniformity of prices for local produce in the various emirates. The chaos has created a 50 to 100 per cent price rise in the past three weeks, said the sources.
A tray of 30 medium sized local eggs, which cost Dh12 to Dh13 earlier, now costs Dh18 to Dh22.
Wholesale dealers said medium sized eggs are scarce, but the larger ones are available for Dh24 to Dh28 per tray of 30, up from Dh15 to Dh17. Most of the groceries sell medium sized eggs for Dh1 each and the large ones for Dh1.25, said customers.
Some unscrupulous suppliers are trying to cash in on the shortage, some customers claim. “My grocer is selling a tray of medium sized eggs for Dh25 which is about 60 per cent more,” said Abdul Majeed, a resident of Al Muteena in Deira.
Warning effect
The Ministry of Economy’s warning has prompted some outlets to stop selling eggs at all to avoid penal action for price hike. “I have not been selling eggs for the past three days as I did not buy the stock at higher prices,” said a grocer in Ras Al Khaimah.
71 reckless motorists made to clean streets and schools
71 reckless motorists made to clean streets and schools By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Last updated: December 16, 2007, 22:53
Abu Dhabi: More than 70 motorists were booked for reckless driving and made to do community service as part of the new traffic rule implemented last Sunday.
According to the rule, any driver caught driving recklessly will have to spend two days doing community service and five days in prison with the confiscation of the vehicle for a month.
The driver will be made to clean the streets of the city for a day and clean a school for another, as per the rule implemented under the instructions of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.
“Some 39 motorists have been caught driving dangerously in Abu Dhabi and 32 were caught in Al Ain over the last week. These motorists will remain in custody for a week. This includes two days of community service,” said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, Director of the Abdu Dhabi Department of Traffic and Patrol Police, during a press conference yesterday.
“The rule will curb the menace of reckless driving and will make people think twice before performing dangerous stunts on the roads,” he said, adding that the rule will be implemented regardless of whether the motorists are male or female. Female drivers may be exempted from cleaning the streets and may be asked to clean schools for two days, he said. No female driver has been arrested so far.
The new rule has already brought in changes, the official said: “There is a marked decline in the number of violations with almost a 50 per cent reduction.”
Youngsters
“Most of the drivers who were arrested were youngsters. Twenty students were also arrested but they have been released temporarily to complete their college exams. Once their exams finish, they will be made go through the same punishment like other drivers,” he said.
The rule came in the wake of violations committed during National Day celebrations.
Offence: in the fast lane
Major Engineer Hussain Al Harthy, head of the Road Engineering and Traffic Management section of the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic Department, said the speed limit from Sas Al Nakhl to Shahama has been reduced to 100km/hr from 160km/hr.
He said if a motorist speeds up to 160km/hr a fine is issued. If the speed is between 160km/hr to 200km/hr the licence of the driver is taken away and he is asked to come to the traffic department. “In case the speed is above 200km/hr, the vehicle is confiscated,” said Al Harthy.
Free car parking in Dubai during Eid
Free car parking in Dubai during Eid
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: December 16, 2007, 23:12
Dubai: Car parking will be free in Dubai during Eid Al Adha holidays from December 18 to 20, said an official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.
Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Traffic and Road Agency at the RTA, said that parking would be free during Eid holidays but parking fines would be issued for motorists for violating parking regulations.
“Any motorist parking illegally blocking the traffic, double parking or parking on the pavement, would be given fines,” she said.
Mohammad: Ministers told to be proactive
Shaikh Mohammad with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, during the final special Cabinet session in the garden of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s palace in Liwa.
Mohammad: Ministers told to be proactive
Gulf News Report Last updated: December 17, 2007, 00:03
Dubai: The federal government strategy, ushering a new era of efficiency and transparency, has been completed and is ready for implementation as of January next year, it was announced on Sunday.
“This historic national accomplishment ushers in a new dawn” of progress, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was quoted as saying by WAM.
He was referring to the federal government strategy, which has been completed by the various government bodies in six months. It was ordered by Shaikh Mohammad in April.
“It is a great achievement and could not have been done without your efforts, your teamwork and your new ideas,” he told members of the Cabinet, which held its third and final special session in the garden of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s palace in Liwa, 220km west of Abu Dhabi.
Right to housing
Shaikh Mohammad told the ministers it was time for them to get out of their offices and become acquainted with the problems of citizens, offer “the best services” to them and eliminate red tape and bureaucracy.
“Our people expect more of us in education, health, housing and job opportunities, which should be available to every citizen across the country,” he added, stressing the right of widows and divorcees to have suitable housing.
“At the end of this three-day historic meeting… I would like to also thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan [Minister of Presidential Affairs] on his efforts to lead the meeting of the ministerial council for services which has saved us a lot of time and effort,” he said.
Eid Al Adha: 377 prisoners pardoned
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has pardoned 377 Emirati and expatriate prisoners to mark Eid Al Adha.
The amnesty is to help those who have served part of their sentences, and enable them to share the occasion with their families.
– WAM
Photo Speaks – Abu Dhabi Corniche
I have been away from this section for some time. Here I am back with some of my favorite photos taken during different time showcasing Abu Dhabi Corniche. Enjoy them and I would love to read your comments.
Fishing – a Friday morning pass time activity for some expats
A municipality worker cleaning the beach front early in the morning.
The mangroves at the Eastern Corniche – keeping ecological balance and preserving nature
The mangroves at the Eastern Corniche – another view
Eastern Corniche
Eastern Corniche – try going for a walk soon, this area is getting renovated and may be you may not get to walk here at all.
Migratory Birds at the Mina Port area
Dhows waiting to load and offload goods at the Mina Port
Cruise ships at the Mina Port
Shaikh Khalifa reviews new building project by Adnoc
Shaikh Khalifa reviews new building project by Adnoc
(Wam)11 December 2007
ABU DHABI — The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, yesterday reviewed a model of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s new headquarter project in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The project, designed by an international consultancy house, envisages construction of a 39 to 49-storey building which can accommodate over 2,000 staff and customers.
The project’s first phase involves construction of the main offices. Work on the first phase will commence in 2009. It is scheduled to be completed by 2011. The project’s second phase will be completed in early 2014. The state-of-the-art building is designed to be energy efficient. It will be located in an area adjacent to the Emirates Palace hotel and Adnoc’s old building.
The company’s old building was opened in 1979 by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The reviewing session was attended by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, Chairman of Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (Zonecorp), Shaikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President’s aide de camp, Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, other Shaikhs, members of the Supreme Petroleum Council and senior officials.
Currency Crunch: Hard-Up Dirham
Currency Crunch: Hard-Up Dirham
By Derek Baldwin, Jay B. Hilotin and Subramani Dharmarajan, Staff Reporters GULF NEWS
Expatriates say the weak dirham means they will have to stay working in Dubai longer than they had planned to shore up savings.
Hopes of an imminent revaluation of the dirham faded this week after Gulf leaders declined to discuss the weakened US dollar.
The Central Bank also warned money changers and hotels this week not to exchange dollars at less than the usual rate of the dirham.
It’s anyone’s guess, meanwhile, where the dirham rate will go in the near future as expats and financial officials wrestle with up to 24 per cent losses on the dirham as a result of its long-time peg of 3.6725 to the US dollar.
Less Purchasing Power
Ronald Simmonds is a Canadian lawyer who moved to Dubai in 2006 with his wife and two children with hopes of earning a high income.
However, Simmond’s Dubai savings account ledger is disappointing to say the least, he told XPRESS, because the dirhams that he sends home every month have less purchasing power to buy Canadian dollars.
Simmonds, 38, had instructed his local bank to automatically transfer Dh10,000 a month to his Canadian investment fund but has stopped doing so because he was losing more than Dh1,500 when the money was exchanged.
“We’re hanging on to our dirhams now until we see where they are headed against the US dollar,” said Simmonds
“To take this kind of hit every month really hurts our future when you add it up over the long term.”
For the moment, Simmonds said he is banking his money here in the UAE until he decides the best means of getting the biggest value for the dirham.
He is carefully watching international money markets with the hope that predictions that the dirham could rebound are true.
Simmonds said his dream is to save enough cash to buy a home in Toronto or at least save a large portion of the cost to ease years ahead when he returns.
David Wright, 56, is an American engineer who has been frustratingly watching his earning power drop steadily in recent months. He said he will hang on to his money until the dirham comes back in value.
Wright as well is trying to save money to buy a new home outside of Chicago when he returns to America but said the devalued dirham is making it difficult.
“We’re going to have to spend more time than we planned on living and working in Dubai to make up for the lost value,” Wright said.
“My wife really wants to go home but we need to stay a little longer than we expected.”
Diminished Income
Harold Orona, 30, a Filipino food technologist, doesn’t like the devalued dirham either.
“The dollar’s decline has cut my income [in Philippine peso terms] by about 20 per cent in the last 24 months. I had started paying for a two-storey house in Manila in 2005 and expected to finish paying for the mortgage in six months. Now, it looks like it would take more than that. ” he said.
Janytte Siega, 28, a Filipina events organiser, said the dirham dilemma has put her between a rock and a hard place.
“I came here four years ago, when the dirham’s value against the peso was about 1:15. Due to the dirham’s peg to the greenback, the exchange rate now is about 12 pesos for one dirham.
“The peso appreciation also means I am saving less and shell out more for the same expenses back home. But here too I can’t save because of the rising cost of living. It’s a big squeeze,” she said.
Money Trail
Indian Rupee vs. Dirham
Dec. 5, 2003 – Dh1 = INR12.44282
Dec. 5, 2004 – Dh1 = INR12.02506
Dec. 5, 2005 – Dh1 = INR12.58809
Dec. 5, 2006 – Dh1 = INR12.15018
Dec. 5, 2007 – Dh1 = INR10.74094
Peso vs. Dirham
Dec. 5, 2003 – Dh1 = Php15.07841
Dec. 5, 2004 – Dh1 = Php15.33433
Dec. 5, 2005 – Dh1 = Php14.75343
Dec. 5, 2006 – Dh1 = Php13.59078
Dec. 5, 2007 – Dh1 = Php11.51132
UK Pound vs. Dirham
Dec. 5, 2003 – £1 = Dh6.32562
Dec. 5, 2004 – £1 = Dh7.14360
Dec. 5, 2005 – £1 = Dh6.36781
Dec. 5, 2006 – £1 = Dh7.26910
Dec. 5, 2007 – £1 = Dh7.57604
Euro vs. Dirham
Dec. 5, 2003 – €1 = Dh4.43576
Dec. 5, 2004 – €1 = Dh4.94771
Dec. 5, 2005 – €1 = Dh4.30632
Dec. 5, 2006 – €1 = Dh4.89504
Dec. 5, 2007 – €1 = Dh5.39751
Fog diverts flights from Abu Dhabi
Fog diverts flights from Abu Dhabi
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief, and Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: December 09, 2007, 23:20
Abu Dhabi/Al Ain: Thick fog on Sunday shut Abu Dhabi International Airport for more than five hours resulting in a diversion of at least 14 flights to other airports.
An official at Abu Dhabi International Airport disclosed that the airport was closed for five and a half hours owing to bad weather conditions.
“The airport was closed from 4am until 9.30am. Ten passenger flights and four cargo flights had to be diverted to other airports,” he told Gulf News.
Security first
While seven passenger flights were diverted to Doha, two were diverted to Muscat and one to Al Ain. All four cargo flights were diverted to Al Ain airport. Al Ain airport received a total of 17 diverted flights on Sunday, four from Dubai, eight from Sharjah and five from Abu Dhabi.
Senior airport officials reiterated that they were working towards alleviating disruptions to air traffic due to bad weather as much as possible.
Khalifa Al Mazroui, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), said: “Although we understand the frustrations passengers go through, our first and foremost responsibility as airport operators is to the safety and security of our passengers.
“ADAC is currently upgrading the existing runway from CAT II to CAT III, which will enable landing and take off at a visibility level of 50 metres. The work will be completed before the end of 2008.”
With visibility reduced to 100 metres in most areas, particularly in Abu Dhabi, motorists had a tough time on the roads. However, the traffic police did not report any major accidents.
Officials at the UAE Meteorological Department yesterday said the early morning fog would continue to blanket different parts of the UAE along with a general slide in temperature and reduced visibility.
Describing fog as a regular seasonal phenomenon, a weatherman said it was the result of low overnight temperature and humidity.
on Sunday, the average temperature in the country was 26-29 degree Celsius. Over the next two days partly cloudy weather is expected with a slight fall in temperatures over most areas.
The weatherman said fresh shamal winds would cause dust storms this evening. The weather would remain rather cool at night and hazy over scattered areas by this morning.
Wind speed would be between four to 12 knots, stronger in the evening. It will gain strength by this morning reaching 28 knots over the sea. The sea will be moderately rough with waves as high as seven feet.
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