Relaxation is the name of the game on the first day of the new year, say UAE residents

Families and friends took advantage of the public holiday by relaxing in beaches, at parks, or atop the highest peak in the UAE.

Families enjoy the New Year's Day holiday at Zabeel park in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // After the chaos and fireworks of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, residents and tourists in Dubai and Abu Dhabi opted for a much more relaxing first day of 2015.

Beaches and parks in both emirates were busy with people out enjoying the public holiday and the winter sunshine while others headed for the malls to make the most of the sales.

Meg Klien and her husband spent their first day of the new year at Kite Beach in Dubai, close to their home in Umm Suqeim.

“We decided to go for a long walk on the beach because it’s a gorgeous day and we thought it would be nice to take some time and enjoy the sights,” said Mrs Klien, who is from the United States.

“We’ve been living in Dubai for 14 years and there have been big changes at the beach, which is nice, but I also miss the old Dubai, to be honest. It’s been a nice relaxing day, though.”

For tourist Ann Christine, her husband and their two sons, January 1 this year was much sunnier than what they are used to back home.

“We came from Sweden for the new year celebrations, which were really great as it’s our first time in Dubai,” said Mrs Christine, who spent the day on the beach with her family.

“Dubai has amazing weather and really nice people. This weather is really much nicer than Sweden at the moment so it’s a real nice holiday for all of us.”

Mariam Yusuf, her husband and four children visited Mall of the Emirates for the opening day of the Dubai Shopping Festival.

“Dubai has so much to offer in terms of shopping and variety,” said the 38-year-old Palestinian. “You can spend your whole day at the mall here and not get bored, especially with the kids, because there are shops, restaurants and the cinema.”

Visitors to Zabeel Park enjoyed a free concert by the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra.

“Anyone can come and bring their kids and their picnics to enjoy an afternoon of wonderful orchestral music,” said Joanna Marsh, who composed the WNO’s performance of her song Kahayla.

“It’s very nice to have them here to do that and it’s a really interesting programme because they have a Chinese conductor, a famous Indian artist called Amjad Ali Khan and a wonderful Filipino pianist.”

Others ventured farther out, heading to the UAE’s tallest peak, Jebel Jais, for the first day of the year.

Ibrahim Khaleel, from India, spent the day with 12 people, including his brothers and cousins, 1,930 metres above sea level.

They travelled from Sharjah to have a holiday picnic, Mr Khaleel said. “We discussed where to go and some of our friends said Jebel Jais was a new sightseeing place and it was really a nice experience, full of mountains, nice views and the weather was very nice.

“We were singing and dancing all day, taking photos and videos,” he said.

In the capital, people headed to the Corniche, renting four-person bikes, taking pictures and enjoying a dip in the sea.

Some families took the opportunity to picnic and barbecue in the green spaces near by.

Gustaf Akermark, 62, from Sweden, strolled along the Corniche with his family, including his grandchildren. They took a bike ride and bought ice-cream for a laid-back holiday.

“We’re just taking a nice day,” Mr Akermark said. “Our sons are here visiting with their families.”

Attractions such as Ferrari World and the recently-opened Yas Mall also attracted lots of visitors to the capital. Staff at the amusement park expected about 6,000 people to come through the doors yesterday, with 11,000 people having visiting over the past few days, said Leigh Joe, marketing administrative assistant for the park. There were more visitors than usual because of the holiday, she said.

At the nearby Yas Mall, a picture frame for selfies proved a big draw for visitors, said Anthony San Diego, a customer service representative at the mall, while the shops were busy with customers looking for new year bargains.

For American Sadiq Mohammad, the day was about taking it easy. The 45-year-old American, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for five years, spent New Year’s Day with family and friends and was looking forward to “just hanging out” at a barbecue.

“Basically, it is just a relaxing day,” he said.