Can a country be enjoyed by someone who cannot see? This is the question behind the latest chapter in The World’s Coolest Winter campaign, an initiative by the UAE Government Media Office that highlights the myriad tourism experiences that can be enjoyed in the country during the cooler months.
A Winter Through My Eyes is a short film starring Clara, an 11-year-old girl who has been visually impaired since birth. By charting her journey as she experiences the UAE for the first time, the campaign invites viewers to see the country “through a different set of eyes”.
Clara was flown into UAE for an all-expenses-paid one-week holiday. She is seen on board an Emirates flight, squealing with delight during a dune buggy ride and visiting Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, where she blows out candles on a birthday cake before being enveloped in a hug from Bugs Bunny. She is captured playing in the snow at Ski Dubai and with dolphins at Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm. She laughs delightedly as she goes kayaking through the mangroves, listens to the sounds of the Dubai Fountain and settles by a fire on a desert safari.
“This winter, the UAE was the first country I’ve ever travelled to,” she says. “And in just one week, I’ve enjoyed an entire lifetime.”
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, shared the film on his Twitter account, with the caption: “Joy is in the heart, not in the eyes.”
The World’s Coolest Winter campaign aims to highlight the diverse experiences that can be enjoyed across the seven emirates, and their richness in terms of history, geography, nature, urban architecture and community.
“You know what I learnt, when you really want to feel something, you don’t need to look with your eyes,” says Clara. “You need to look with your heart. So, even if I cannot see, it’s everything I have felt here that has helped me see so much more.”
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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