We might have had clouds and drizzle outdoors this week, but soaring summer temperatures in the UAE still mean activities in the open air are (mostly) off the agenda.
Thankfully, Dubai has an abundance of "cool" attractions with ice, water and sub-zero temperatures served as part of the experience.
Here are some of the best in the emirate.
Chillout Ice Lounge
The Middle East’s first sub-zero lounge is celebrating 15 years this summer and to mark the landmark anniversary, they’re offering deals for all. A family of four can enter for Dh190 including rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers. An adult pass costs just Dh60, too, and also includes use of clothing as well as being redeemable on food and drink.
The Time Square Centre venue, which is set at -6ºC, is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice, while on the menu are warming soups, hot chocolate and more.
Open Saturday-Wednesday 10am-10pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-midnight; Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road; 04 341 8121; www.chilloutindubai.com
Ice Bar at London Project
The latest ice attraction in Dubai is the Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters Island. Set inside a simulated ice castle, it’s the first licensed venue of its kind in the Gulf.
Visitors can keep cool with chilled tunes, mixed drinks in frozen glasses, hot plates and icy decor. The blue-and-white-themed venue has tables, chairs and oversized thrones carved from ice as well as icicle-style lights dangling from the ceiling. The outpost has plenty of fluffy faux-fur coats to use to keep things extra cosy, too.
Open daily; noon-midnight; entry is Dh99 including a complimentary beverage; Bluewaters Island; 054 306 1822; thelondonproject.com
Ski Dubai
The king of cool attractions in the emirate is, of course, Ski Dubai. Located in Mall of the Emirates, the venue has plenty to offer those looking to chill out this summer. Try skiing or snowboarding and don’t miss the rides or Zorb ball experiences, too. Then there are the penguin packages, where you can walk with snowy friends or even have breakfast with them.
Open Monday-Friday 10am-1am, Saturday-Sunday 9am-1am; prices vary; Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha; 600 59 9905; www.skidxb.com
Snow Cinema
You don’t have to be active at Ski Dubai to stay chilly as Vox Cinemas also offers family screenings in the snow. Anyone aged 2 and up is invited to enjoy a film while wrapped up warm.
Hot chocolate and popcorn is included in the price, as are the blankets, socks, boots, a beanie, gloves, heaters and wireless headphones. For the VIP experience, you also enjoy a meal for two at North 28. You can even order food from the extensive menu right to your seat.
Films currently on show include Thor: Love and Thunder and Minions 2: The Rise of the Gru.
This attraction was even featured on Bafta-winning British TV show This Morning earlier this month when host Alison Hammond paid a visit.
Various timings; from Dh200 for two guests; reserve seats through VOX Cinema's website or app; Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha; uae.voxcinemas.com
Deep Dive Dubai
Why not try scuba diving indoors this summer at Deep Dive Dubai? It’s home to the deepest indoor pool in the world, complete with a sunken city for swimmers and divers to explore.
There are discounts on offer to mark the facility’s first anniversary until July 31, with a complimentary diving experience worth Dh2,100 up for grabs for those marking their birthday this week. Otherwise, Deep Dive Dubai experience and courses start from Dh800.
Open daily, 9am-6pm; Nad Al Sheba, Dubai; 04 501 9444; www.deepdivedubai.com
Swim with sharks
You don’t need to head out to the ocean’s depths to find sharks in Dubai, but to indoor aquariums across the city. Shark diving experiences are available at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, where for Dh790 you can swim with sand tiger sharks, reef sharks, leopard sharks, stingrays, giant groupers and more.
Meanwhile, Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm offers a shark safari experience and a new shark snorkel option, which it introduced for Shark Week, running until July 31 with a host of themed activities.
Prices and timings vary; Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai; 800 38224 6255; www.thedubaiaquarium.com; The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah; 04 426 1040; www.atlantis.com
Ice bath with Cool Out Breathe In
Perhaps there’s no better time to try plunging yourself into an ice bath — and you’ll learn a thing or two about breathing properly in the process. In Dubai, Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of Cool Out Breath In, hosts a weekly breathwork workshop where participants do exactly that. This method of breathing was made famous by Dutchman Wim Hof — known as the Ice Man for his feats of endurance against the cold.
More information is at @CoolOutBreathIn on Instagram and Facebook
Blue Wave Club
While Blue Wave Club offers swimming lessons and other water-based activities, one of its biggest draws is the indoor waterpark. Splash Island is a temperature-controlled, safe and secure environment offering eight slide beams, a “forest” and buckets splashing children as they play. It’s a particularly great spot for those summer birthdays. On Wednesday, the team invite ladies only from 3pm until closing.
Open Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-8pm; Dh95 for two-and-a-half hours access; Blue Wave Club, Al Quoz 3; 04 331 6117; www.bluewaveclub.ae
Infinite Ski
Technically speaking, there isn’t any snow at this venue and it’s about as cold as the A/C thermostat is set at, but you can certainly pretend you’re in the Alps at the Middle East’s first Maxxtracks indoor ski slope. What that means is the technology used for the slopes, built and developed in the Netherlands, consists of a revolving belt, simulating an endless ski slope with a true-to-life textured surface. There are two slopes, while the belt speed and angle are adjustable to suit the skills of the skiier.
Summer camps for children are ongoing this season, too.
Open Monday-Friday 1pm-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-8pm during summer (summer camps run weekdays 9.30am-1pm); from Dh110 per session; 123-26th Street, Al Quoz; 04 235 3408; www.infiniteski.com
Cryotherapy
Is now the time to try a spot of cryotherapy? It’s a treatment where the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures in short spurts. It’s often used in a medical setting for the removal of abnormal tissue, for example, but it is increasingly being utilised in wellness environments, too.
There are many cryo chambers, as they’re called, across Dubai at centres touting its benefits, which is said to include fighting inflammation, boosting blood circulation, increasing collagen production, aiding weight loss and more.
Dubai Ice Rink
An oldie but goodie: nothing beats an ice rink for wintery vibes and where better than the stalwart Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall? Complete beginners mingle with budding Torvill and Deans in the rink, where every so often a shower of snow sprinkles down on skaters.
If you want to take your axels more seriously, classes are also available for people of all ages and abilities, from 7 years old to 97-plus.
Open daily 10am-midnight; Dh110 for 90 minutes; The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai; 800 38224 6255; www.dubaiicerink.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
MATHC INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Greatest Royal Rumble match listing
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
