Those of us in town, with no exotic holiday on the horizon to help escape the summer lull, don't need to struggle to find things to do during the day. With a little amount of imagination, there are plenty of options available. Here's a silly guide to keep yourself entertained this month.
Visit every single water park in a single day
At the last count, the UAE was home to five water parks, from the well-known Wild Wadi and Aquaventure in Dubai, to the cult favourite Dreamlands in Umm Al Quwain, to the more obscure Wadi Adventure (Al Ain) and Ice Land (RAK). For an adventure likely to involve more driving than actual water, but a great story to tell the grandkids later, try to visit every single one in just one day. We suggest you start in Al Ain, head to Dubai, to RAK and then double back on yourself to Dreamlands where you can rest your sodden head for the night.
Play a game of Risk
The classic global conquest board game might not be to everybody's taste, but unless you're playing with a pack of genuine baboons, it's an outing that is likely to last at least two weeks as you attempt to take Africa, defend Africa, retake Africa and finally give Africa up in favour of South America, which has fewer borders to worry about. Sure, there might be fights and fallouts along the way and you way well end up hating your friends forever, but by the time a winner has finally been declared, it will probably be winter. 2013.
Start your own PR company
Every man, woman and child with a MacBook appears to be establishing their own public relations outfit, so why not join them? Granted, Ramadan might not be the best time to sort out the legal arrangements of setting up a company, but four weeks is plenty of time to come up with a cutesy name, throw phrases such as "multi-tiered bespoke branding solutions" into a business plan, design a colourful logo on Photoshop and perhaps find a small corner shop in dire need of revamping its social media strategy.
See how long you can last in the car without the AC on
Transform a dreary journey into an exciting battle of endurance. Turn the AC off and see if you can get to your destination without putting it back on again. If there's a group of you, whoever is the first to give in and push the on switch loses. For an added dose of wildness, don't just turn it off - turn the heat to max! OK, so you might arrive a sweaty mess (perhaps it's best not to attempt this when travelling to a job interview), but just think of the story you've got to tell.
See how long you can talk to your mum on Skype without mentioning the weather
If your nearest and dearest are far away, this is probably going to involve either some rather expensive long distance phone calls or a lengthy stint on Skype attempting to hide the fact that you're watching the TV at the same time. So why not turn this chore into a challenge? See how long you can speak without once mentioning the weather, so often a classic conversation starter for mums living in lands perhaps not experiencing our rather severe summer climes. Hang up every time she asks about the heat or how it's raining at home, remembering to note down the time.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Results
2pm Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,800m
Winner AF Al Baher, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner Davy Lamp, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner Ode To Autumn, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
4pm Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner Arch Gold, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
4.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,800m
Winner Meqdam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
5pm Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner Native Appeal, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner Amani Pico, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
