The start of the long weekend to mark Isra wal Miraj offered Dubai residents a welcome break from work - although filling the extra free time proved to be tricky for some people.
A last-minute problem meant Neelabh Jha's planned trip to Oman did not work out. Instead, the 32-year-old opted to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a beachside cafe at Jumeirah Beach Residence.
However, his friend Sampada Tendulakar, 27, a banking professional, said they were "clueless about what to do" with the rest of the long weekend. "We are trying to figure out what to do next," said Mr Jha. "We are thinking it will probably be a movie."
Many other people will be spending the break at home.
"People have left and only me and my friend are staying," said Lana Gorbasch as she enjoyed a cup of coffee with friend, Marina Judd.
The friends were sitting outside under the shade of an umbrella, enjoying the free time and trying to avoid the worst of the heat.
"We are not doing anything exciting," said Ms Gorbasch, a businesswoman in her 30s who lives in the neighbourhood. "We went to the beach, then had breakfast. We had no chance to book a flight or hotel somewhere on the east coast.
"We can even see JBR is not as crowded as usual."
At the adjacent beach, Mary Esmaellian, 23, was not so sure about that.
"I usually come during the week, so today is definitely busier," said the freelancer. "I think more people will come later."
She said her plan was to swim and sunbathe with her sister, Maty, then go out with friends in the evening.
Some Dubai residents were planning a trip to Abu Dhabi as a way to entertain themselves over the weekend.
Mouna Dani, 28, said she was going to visit today's ladies-only event at Yas Waterworld.
And Daniel Lawlor, 26, said he was visiting the capital tomorrow.
"Today we will just go to the beach and get some jet skis or something," said the Irish marketing manager.
With temperatures yesterday reaching 40°C, the air-conditioned malls were the preferred location for some.
"Today is the last day of my holiday," said Layla, a 25-year-old hospital worker from Saudi Arabia, who was on holiday in Dubai with her family.
They had been shopping at Marina Mall and were pondering their next move.
"Maybe we will go to Dubai Mall," she said, adding that a visit to the cinema sounded appealing.
Brenda Ganwani, 47, was having lunch with a friend, Charu Mathur.
"We are just enjoying the day," said the operations manager. "I did not want to travel anywhere since I am travelling in two weeks anyway."
vtodorova@thenational.ae
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Norway 1 Spain 1
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