Collapsed on a less than comfortable sofa, toddler asleep next door, squinting at each other in the gloom (the overhead light has two settings, either dim or X-ray), my husband declares: "This is better. We both need to relax."
Travel Travelling With Kids
Getaways take on whole new challenges when there are children involved. Our globetrotting parents share their triumphs and mistakes when taking their brood abroad.
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It's week two of our family holiday in northern Cyprus. Last week's accommodation, a collection of lovingly restored rooms in Dipkarpaz, a small and rather badly supplied village stuck out on a limb to the north-east, had tested my husband's reserves of worry and patience. Unlike most of the locals, we did not have access to a vegetable patch, and trying to put nourishing meals together for a 14-month-old, who didn't have enough teeth to chew a kebab, had proved almost impossible.
She'd thrived, of course, thanks to omelettes, cheese and fruit from the breakfast table, and dishes such as vegetarian pasta squirrelled from restaurants and reheated at dinner. Not ideal for a gourmet palate, but as long as my daughter had milk to drink and sand to eat on the beach, she didn't seem remotely concerned.
Days later and more safely installed in a privately rented villa near the resort of Kyrenia, and we have a fridge full of food, soft furnishings, a DVD player, and copy of Nanny McPhee for entertainment. There is even a bookshelf stocked with romantic novels and crime fiction, one of which I have time to read - the first time I've opened a book in over a year. Yet, somehow, even as I watch my daughter enjoy the playground at the local supermarket, not to mention the coin-fed, shuddering car that, much to her to delight, plays a bizarre collection of tunes, I feel rather underwhelmed.
Out in the sticks, with only one form of not very relaxing entertainment on offer - watching bats - the day-to-day had at least been memorable. I conclude that I'm not yet ready to submit to the tyranny of two-week breaks in a rented family box.
At least, not in northern Cyprus. A more adventurous location might have taken the sting out of villa-living but what about sanitation, cooking and other amenities that very young children require? "There must be something better than this?" I wail at my husband who, quite rightly, rolls his eyes. By better, I think I mean more.
If there's a magic formula for a successful family holiday that's rewarding for all concerned, I'm yet to work it out. Next time, though, I think I might try a luxury villa on an endless, white, sandy beach dotted with palms. At present, however, there's nothing for it: I sit back down on the ugly overstuffed sofa and finish reading my book.
cdight@thenational.ae
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SHAITTAN
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia