As temperatures start to soar in the UAE, it's safe to say that summer has officially arrived.
While this often means spending more time indoors, it doesn't mean there aren't still plenty of activities to enjoy.
Whether it's taking the family to Ski Dubai or Snow Abu Dhabi, or indulging in some pampering in the Snow Room at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Talise Ottoman Spa, there is something for everyone.
Here’s a look at six quick ways to cool down in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Chillout Ice Lounge
Spread across 213 square metres and set at -6ºC, Chillout Ice Lounge is the Middle East's first sub-zero lounge. Located in Times Square Centre, Dubai, it is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice. Visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink and snack upon entering. There is also tea, coffee and signature hot chocolate on sale. Food options include sandwiches, soups and cakes.
Dh89 for adults, Dh49 for children; 10am to 10pm daily; chilloutindubai.com
Ski Dubai
The indoor ski centre at Mall of the Emirates is one of Dubai’s most recognisable attractions and is popular with snow sports enthusiasts. Opened in 2005, Ski Dubai has five ski slopes, a family-friendly snow park and a waddle of resident penguins. The park offers temperatures of -4ºC and, in addition to skiing, the venue hosts events including an Ice Warrior Challenge and Festive Fun Run.
Prices vary; Monday to Thursday, 10am to 11pm; Friday, 10am to midnight; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to midnight; www.skidxb.com
Snow Room
For those looking for a more relaxing environment, the Snow Room at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Talise Ottoman Spa offers a unique and invigorating experience and sub-zero temperatures. The frosty retreat, designed to simulate a winter wonderland with real snow, promotes health benefits such as improved circulation, muscle recovery and skin toning. Typically used after a sauna or steam room session, the Snow Room is said to enhance detoxification and offers a refreshing contrast to warmer spa treatments.
Prices vary with treatments; 9am to 9.30pm daily; www.jumeirah.com
Snow Abu Dhabi
The first snow park in the capital has 12 rides and 17 attractions spread across nearly 1,000 square metres. The park, located inside Reem Mall, is inspired by a whimsical enchanted forest. It maintains a temperature of -2ºC. The attractions include two huge slides called Ice and Floes Toboggan Race and Grauppel’s Summit Escape. Snow Abu Dhabi's rides include the Flight of the Snowy Owl, the Magic Carpet, the Polar Express Train and the Crystal Carousel.
Prices start at Dh215 for adults, Dh165 for children; 10am to 10pm, Sunday to Thursday; 10am to midnight, Friday and Saturday; www.skidxb.com
Ice skating at Zayed Sports City
Put on the skates and hit the ice rink at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi for a refreshing escape from the soaring heat. The rink is maintained at consistently low temperatures to ensure the ice stays frozen. It offers high-quality skates and safety gear for rent, ensuring skaters of all levels are well-prepared for the ice. Instructors are available for those looking to improve their skills, or learn the basics, through individual or group lessons. There's also a cafe that overlooks the ice, where spectators can relax and enjoy a warm drink while people-watching.
Prices start at Dh55 per session; noon to 9.30pm, Monday to Thursday; noon to 11.30pm, Friday; 10.15am to 10.30pm, Saturday, 10.15am to 9.30pm, Sunday; www.zsc.ae
Snow Cave at Al Wathba
Abu Dhabi's first snow cave, at Saray Spa at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, is a room that’s covered in ice and snow with temperatures maintained at a chilly -2ºC. The Snow Cave builds on the age-old therapeutic concept of taking the body from hot to cold – to improve circulation and muscle recovery, for example – and is ideal for post-work relaxation in a serene, wintry setting.
Day passes start at Dh200; 11am to 10pm daily; www.sarayspaalwathba.com
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
RESULTS
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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