Time Outers’ top picks
Only got a few hours to spare this weekend? Read on to hear four TOAD staffers present their case for how you should spend it.
See the skyline by Jet Ski, says David Clack
‘Given that my track record with motorised vehicles has the odd blemish (my only driving lesson might have involved an incident with an emergency stop and an angry pensioner) it was with some trepidation that I recently had my first dabble with watersports.
The controls of my Yamaha WaveRunner looked simpler than a Ford Fiesta’s – squeeze the trigger to go, let go to stop. So, barring a run-in with pirates, I decided I’d be okay.
Setting off from Hiltonia beach club, I kept close to the Corniche, making it easier for the coastguard when I inevitably started sinking. Confidence building, I soon realised this was one of the best ways to see the city, and zipping through the water with the skyscrapers to my right I couldn’t decide if I felt like I was in an ’80s cop show or a ’90s hip hop video. To cover all bases, I donned a moody expression and started humming the theme to Miami Vice. For the first time ever, I was in danger of being cool.
But with Mina port fast approaching, it dawned on me I’d have to turn around, a move that’d surely expose me as the spack-handed seafarer I really am. Thankfully though, a smooth, arcing 180° turn later, I was soaring back across the city’s coastline, salt water spraying my face and imaginary gaggles of beach-bound girls gasping in awe.’
Jet Ski hire Dhs180 for 30 minutes, Dhs280 for one hour. Hiltonia Beach Club (02 681 1900).
Kayak in the mangroves, says Helen Elfer
‘I hadn’t been in Abu Dhabi very long when I got an invite to go kayaking in the mangroves at the dead of night. Up until then, all I’d seen of the capital was fast-food chains, marble hotel lobbies, desperately hot concrete pavements, and the office – in other words not the city’s most impressive aspects. But just a few minutes after I’d set off from the riverbank with a group of kayakers, we found ourselves in what seemed like a whole new world. The mangroves were eerily still, with low hanging tree branches, warm salty water and an almost overpowering smell of vegetation. We’d paddled far enough away from the city to be relying solely on moonlight and torches, so the expedition suddenly felt thrillingly creepy. We made our way down further into the mangrove valley, steering our kayaks as close to the sandbanks as possible, and under the torchlight, hundreds of small sesarmine crabs became visible, scuttling crazily about as we disturbed them. One of our intrepid guides managed to grab one, and up close we were able to examine its amazing electric purple shell. After paddling back out of the mangrove valley, we less-experienced kayakers found our arms and shoulders growing weary, so our guides suggested we stop for a break. Some of the party found the urge to dive into the waves irresistible. Everyone else lay back in their kayaks and gazed up at the full moon. It was idyllic – a middle of the city moment that felt like the middle of nowhere.’
The full moon mangrove tour costs Dhs200 per person. Call 050 721 8928 to book. Visit noukhada.ae
Conquer the Arabian dunes, says Rebecca Morice
‘Setting out on my first desert safari, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – all I knew was I wanted to experience the real Abu Dhabi; the dunes, the sun, the heat (albeit in a safe, easy, air-conditioned way). Of course, as our jeep veered off the road on to the sand and started sliding sideways down a vertical dune, I did begin to wonder what I had let myself in for. However, I soon settled into it, and when we rolled into camp wobbly legged and white knuckled, I was quite sorry the ride was over.
Still, there wasn’t much time for regret as we were greeted with Arabic coffee and dates, and then offered the chance to try a variety of desert activities. While my friends went straight for the dune buggies, I chose the camel ride (partly because there was no extra charge, and partly because I could’ve sworn it winked at me). Riding a camel is nothing like riding a horse; I clung on for dear life while it unfolded, lumbered around a bit and then refolded beneath me.
Of course, it’s not all white knuckle rides and strangely shaped animals, the more sedate part of the evening is just as much fun, with shisha, henna and even a belly dancer to keep you occupied until the evening, when you can lie back on the sand and gaze up at a million stars – absolute bliss.’
Half-day desert safari Dhs290 for adults, Dhs200 for children. Dhs50 for 10-minute dune buggy hire. Emirates Adventures, Salam Street www.eatours.ae (02 644 5117).
Start a paint war, says Karl Baz
‘The Armed Forces Officers Club boasts not one, but two paintball battlefields, featuring a variety of strategic choke points and plenty of obstacles to cower behind. Full kit and instruction are provided, so all you need to do is round up some pals, shout ‘oo-rah’ nice and loudly and let battle commence.
As a man well versed with violent video games, I rocked up to my first paintball session confident of a crushing victory. After all, how different could it be to a round of Call of Duty? Very different, indeed, as it turns out. The main discrepancy being that while my Xbox 360 controller is lightweight and my thumbs nimble, a paintball gun weighs about the same as a baby rhino and my legs aren’t quite as quick as they used to be. The result: within the first minute and a half I already resembled something left in the rubbish bin outside Jackson Pollock’s studio, with six or seven hits to the body and my vision obscured by a well-placed shot to my goggles.
I did manage to squeeze off a few shots, some of which even made contact with other players. Unfortunately, they turned out to be on my team, and before long my comrades had banished me to a small concrete turret at the back of the arena and designated me ‘sniper’, a position which is to paintball as ‘goalie’ is to football. Still, I can’t say I’ve enjoyed myself quite as much since, and my online gaming skills have even improved as a result.’
Paintballing basic rental fee Dhs150 per person, which includes the outfit, gun and 100 paintballs. Armed Forces Officers Club, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 441 5900).
Sink a cool one
Pearls: With jaw-dropping views and eye-watering bar prices, this is one of the chicest party spots in town. Just remember that, although you might feel like a movie star, sipping a blended beverage and gazing out across Maqtaa creek to the Grand Mosque doesn’t make you one.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888).
Beachcomber: There’s something vaguely romantic about huffing on some shisha and swigging exotic fruit juices by the beach. Factor in the softly lapping waves, golden sands and gently fading sunlight, and you’ve got a slice of absolute serenity right in the heart of the city.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333).
Captain’s Arms: Although Le Méridien’s lush green lawn has now been replaced by a sandpit, this is still one of the best spots in town to enjoy some fresh air and cold drinks. You needn’t worry about dressing to impress either – rock up in shorts and sandals and you’ll feel right at home.
Le Méridien (02 644 6666).
Relax@12: For alfresco action at an altitude, Aloft’s plush rooftop bar has got you covered. The soundtrack is less generic than its rivals’, the views over midtown are spectacular and the Asian-influenced snacks are some of the best in the area.
Aloft Abu Dhabi (02 654 5000).
Skylite: Housed within the perforated shell of the Yas Hotel, this one might technically be semi-outdoors, but it’s so achingly cool that we’re willing to let that slide. Comfy sofas, inventive drinks and regular DJ sets add to the breezy, funky vibe.
The Yas Hotel (02 656 0760).
Eat alfresco
Bord Eau: While the main dining room certainly has a lot going for it, the outdoor terrace of TOAD’s 2010 Restaurant of the Year boasts arguably the finest view in the entire city. It overlooks the hotel’s shimmering infinity pool, Maqtaa creek and, in the near distance, the powerfully glowing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. As such, you’re well advised to book a table in advance to avoid missing out.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888).
Talay: As well as a darn fine menu, our favourite Thai restaurant also sports an intimate alfresco area overlooking Le Méridien hotel’s private beach. It’s better to dine in the evening, or you’ll risk having your meal spoilt by a large German man’s posing pouch. Even then pick your table wisely, since sickly sweet couples are known to flock to this romantic spot.
Le Méridien (02 644 6666).
BBQ Al Qasr: Located on the sand beside Emirates Palace, the tables at BBQ Al Qasr are set inside Arabian gazebos that look out to sea. The dining area is punctuated by decorative fires, with long flames licking up the sides of the tall glass cylinders that contain them. As the smell of grilled meat and fish wafts through the warm air, the effect is, quite simply, spectacular.
Emirates Palace (02 690 9000).
Vasco’s: There’s a definite Mediterranean vibe to Vasco’s’ outdoor terrace. It’s an elegant spot for laid-back afternoon dining that looks out over the Hiltonia Beach Club. So sit back, order yourself a glass of crisp dry white with your lunch and spend a couple of hours people-watching and soaking up the sun.
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 632 7777).
Cipriani: The terrace at this smart restaurant is reminiscent of a ship deck, and when chilly breezes catch up over the water a waiter appears with pashminas for diners to wrap up in. Yas Marina views make the perfect backdrop, while at night the sky is lit with neon splashes of colour from The Yas Hotel.
Yas Marina & Yacht Club (02 565 0010).
Get physical
Run around a racetrack: When it’s not playing host to some of the world’s most fearless racing drivers, Yas Marina Circuit doubles up as a gruelling training ground for the capital’s fitness enthusiasts. While you’ll see plenty of spindly, Lycra-clad pros pounding the Tarmac, people of all ages and abilities are welcome to turn up and walk, run or cycle around the 5.5km track every Tuesday night, from 6pm-8pm.
www.yasmarinacircuit.com (800 927).
Cycle by the sea: Head to the Byky stand on the corner of Breakwater Road and Corniche Road, where you can hire a bike for just Dhs20 per hour. Conveniently, that’s just enough time to cycle from the bike stand, down Corniche Road to Mina Port and back again (approximately 16km) as long as you’re riding at a reasonable pace – it’s the only way you’ll feel the wind in your hair in Abu Dhabi between now and next winter.
Corniche Road, www.q8byky.com (056 6944 9640).
Set a hot lap: There’s a reason the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place in November – strap on a set of overalls and helmet in the summer and your flesh would literally evaporate and your eyeballs burst into flames. Yas Kartzone’s Arrive and Drive offer gives you the chance to tear up some Tarmac and rub your winning time in your friends’ faces for Dhs100, so get involved before the mercury rockets.
Dhs100 for 10 minutes (Dhs80 for under-13s), www.yasmarinacircuit.com (800 927).
Stretch out on the sand: Yoga is all about soothing the soul, right? Well there’s little more soothing than stretching your limbs in a gazebo on an empty stretch of beach. The vinyasa flow yoga classes are the perfect way to release the stresses of the day.
Dhs50, plus Dhs10 entrance to the beach. Classes are held at Bake on Abu Dhabi Beach at Gate 2. Monday and Wednesday 6.30pm-8pm and Saturday 9am-10.30am, www.theyogajuice.com.
Tame a stallion: Fancy yourself as a bit of a cowboy? Visit the Al Forsan Equestrian Centre to take a few riding classes – they’ll teach you the basics in riding, dressage and show jumping. You’ll be galloping across the fields like an Arabian hero in no time.
9am-6pm Al Forsan (02 5568 555).
Go boarding: If you’ve got nerves (and thighs) of steel, try this wet and wild extreme sport. Take a wakeboarding lesson at the Beach Rotana’s Beach Club and don’t forget, any time you get too hot you can just let go of the rope and plunge into the cool water.
Dhs55 for two rounds of wakeboarding – about 10 minutes. Beach Club, Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area (02 697 0272).
Chill out
Watch a movie on a rooftop: On Monday nights, the roof terrace of The Village Club turns into a little pop-up cinema, screening classic Hollywood blockbusters, rom coms, family flicks and more. Pack some popcorn and some movie buff chums, pull up a beanbag and enjoy.
One to One Hotel (02 495 2000).
Party on a desert island: Located just a short boat journey away, Maya Island hosts a weekly beach party, where the capital’s least body-conscious revellers congregate to writhe along to house music hits and slurp icy beverages until the sun goes down. Dig out your armbands and check it out.
2pm-11pm every Friday. Boat leaves every 20 minutes from Maya Island Jetty opposite Emirates Palace (02 657 7777).
Pack a picnic: You’ve got just a few precious weeks left when eating outside is still a viable option, so pack your cooler full of goodies and head for one of the city’s picnic pavilions. You’ll find them in Public Park, along the Eastern Ring Road, or in Capital Gardens.
Bask without burning: If you get to the Corniche Public Beach (Gate 2) early enough you can nab yourself one of the spacious Bake cabanas. These come complete with wooden floorboards and elegant white curtains, perfect if you want a bit of privacy or shade. Be warned these get snapped up very quickly, so make sure you grab one first thing in the morning.
www.bakeuae.com.
Smoke like a local: Le Boulanger is a casual restaurant-cum-shisha café with a strategic location at Breakwater Road; strategic because it allows you one of the finer pleasures of local life: a very good shisha with a sea view. The place doesn’t make you pay through the nose for it either; given the circumstances, the menu of Arabic fare, pastas, sandwiches and shisha is priced very reasonably. And, while you could grab a private booth against the huge windows (that almost do the panorama justice), a true shisha fan will need to take in the whole stretch of the city against the water from the outdoor terrace.
Le Boulanger, Breakwater Road, (02 681 6440).
See the sights
Score some dates: Take a trip to the Fruit and Vegetable Market at Mina Port where you’ll find stall after stall selling mountains of dates. The vendors are always eager to hand you fistfuls of their premium stock to sample, and explain which are the best regions to buy dates from (Tunisia and Saudi Arabia apparently).
Tour the Grand Mosque: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque may be one of the most stunning sights in the city, but visit during the height of summer by your absolute peril. The gleaming white courtyard is strewn with floral designs made from dark, heat-absorbent marble, meaning one false step on a hot day could easily leave you with singed toes. You’ll want to tread carefully even in May, but the stunning domes and opulent, golden decorations are worth the risk.
Free tours are available 10am, 11am and 5pm Sunday-Thursday, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm Friday and 10am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm Saturday (800 555).
See Al Jahili Fort: Once one of the largest forts in the country, Al Jahili was completed in 1898 and has withstood time, disrepair and requisition by the British forces in the early 1950s. This impressive fort underwent an ambitious rehabilitation project in 2008, and now houses a visitor information centre, as well as a permanent exhibition devoted to British explorer and travel writer Mubarak bin London (Wilfred Thesiger) who crossed the Empty Quarter twice in the 1940s, a temporary exhibition space, a shop, a café, and absolutely awesome architecture that you need to see.
Dhs1 for adults, free for kids. Sunday-Friday, 8.30am to 1pm, 4.30pm 6.30pm, Al Jahili Fort , Abu Dhabi (03 754 3996).
Discover the city’s secret past: If you fancy balancing a shopping trip at Marina Mall with a little bit of culture, head on down to the nearby Heritage Village. Located on the breakwater, this quaint attraction features an indoor museum providing a glimpse into Abu Dhabi’s pre-oil heritage. Wander around the traditional mosque, watch craftsmen at work making pots or blowing glass, or pick up some souvenirs at the traditional Bedouin stalls. And if it all sounds a bit too educational, there’s even a camel to pat.
Free. Breakwater Road, Ras Al Akhdar (02 681 4455).
Point at a lion: And not just any lion, we’re talking about the rare and beautiful white lions of Sanbona. Straight from South Africa, these magnificent creatures are part of an amazing collection of African lions that the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort has under its protection. The AWPR is in fact home to one of the world’s largest conservation programmes, focusing on threatened animal and plant life from arid regions across the globe. AWPR activities include research, captive breeding and propagation, as well as the reintroduction of threatened species to their wild habitats.
Dhs15 for adult, Dhs5 for children under 12, free for children under two. Sat-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri 10am-10pm, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, Al Ain (03 782 8188).
