Twelve years after it first opened to the public, Yas Island is undergoing a bit of a transformation.
Over the past year, the island has welcomed an 18-000-capacity-indoor-entertainment venue, debuted the world's first Warner Bros hotel and launched Yas Bay Waterfront — the capital's newest leisure and entertainment hub complete with an Ibiza-style beach club.
And it seems the area is also now making a name for itself as the go-to place for pet owners in the city, with several outlets on Yas Island welcoming guests that want to dine with their four-legged friends in tow.
If you’re in the capital and want to head out with your dog, here’s where you’ll be welcome on Yas Island.
Diablito
For tasty tapas and delicious stone-baked pizzas served with a side of Yas Marina views, the popular casual dining spot Diablito has you covered. With a Spanish-style menu, regular drinks deals and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s also open for those who want to dine with their dogs in tow. Four-legged diners are welcome to join on the downstairs terrace, where you'll also get great superyacht views. The terrace is small, so it makes sense to pre-book if you're bringing your furry friend along.
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/diablito_yasmarina
Emmy Squared Pizza
The New York restaurant chain, known for its Detroit-style pizza, has found its first UAE home at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Bay Waterfront. Drawing inspiration from the original Brooklyn outpost, the restaurant serves square-shaped pizzas with crisp bases, fluffy focaccia dough and caramelised cheesy crusts. With indoor and outdoor seating and a location offering views of the waterfront, this new spot is also pet friendly — with dogs welcome to join on the terrace.
Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/emmysquaredpizzauae
The Lighthouse
Abu Dhabi’s outpost of The Lighthouse restaurant serves up Mediterranean-inspired classics, great coffee and a yummy selection of pastries. It also has daily drinks deals and super-friendly staff who welcome human and doggy guests with a smile. You’ll only be able to sit outside if you bring Fido along, but huge umbrellas mean that it should be easy enough to find a spot in the shade of this Yas Bay eatery.
Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/thelighthouse_ae
Akiba Dori
Following its success in Dubai Design District, Japanese street-food concept Akiba Dori has recently opened at Yas Bay. The only Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizzeria in the UAE, the eatery takes its name and decor inspiration from the neon-filled district of Akihabara in the capital of Japan. Inside, it’s all neon lights and brightly-coloured furniture, but outside on the terrace things are a little more chill, so much so that you can bring your dog along when dining here. Staff will happily fill up a water bowl for your pooch, so you can both enjoy a refreshment accompanied by waterside sunset views.
Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.instagram.com/akibadori
Stars N Bars
While it’s not quite 100 per cent dog-friendly, Stars N Bars at Yas Marina hosts weekly seasonal Sunday brunches where pups are welcome. The long-running American-themed eatery welcomes dogs and humans from noon until 4pm, every Sunday during winter, with a Dh99 menu that includes one drink and items such as a full English breakfast, French toast and shakshuka. Even better, dogs get a big bowl of water and treats to keep them occupied while you eat. The last event this season took place at the end of March, but this is one to keep on your radar when the temperatures cool down again.
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.starsnbars.ae
Yas Bay Waterfront
The recently opened Yas Bay Waterfront is one of the hottest places to go to in the capital right now, and it’s also incredibly dog-friendly.
With beautiful waterfront views, wide open palm-lined pathways and several very cool sculptures dotted along the perimeter, it’s a great place to go for a sunset walk. Dogs are welcome, as long as they are kept on-lead at all times. There are even handy bins with waste bags attached to them to make it easier to clean up after your dog.
W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island
Yas Island is also where you'll find the first luxury hotel in the capital that allows guests to book a room with their dog.
The W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island welcomes pets, including dogs, cats and goldfish, that weigh up to a maximum of 18 kilograms, with the animals allowed inside the hotel's Living Room (lobby area) and suites.
Doggy guests will get their own bed, bowls for food and water, and a complimentary snack. There's also a pet-friendly menu filled with tasty meals, snacks and toys that can be ordered from room service.
And while it’s great that the hotel welcomes pets, keep in mind that they’re not allowed at the pool or in any of the hotel restaurants or bars, but with many dog-friendly eateries nearby, you can simply head out of the hotel and find somewhere to dine at Yas Marina or Yas Bay Waterfront.
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.marriott.com
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m, Winner Bandar, Fernando Jara (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer).
7.05pm Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m, Winner Well Of Wisdom, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Star Safari, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner Moqarrar, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
8.50pm Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m, Winner Secret Advisor, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner Parsimony, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.
10pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m, Winner Simsir, Ronan Whelan, Michael Halford.
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner Velorum, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Naga
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Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
