Thursday 11
Brighten up your face: Fasting, lack of sleep and dehydration during Ramadan can all take a toll on your face, leaving you with dull, unhealthy skin. For a quick fix, try Espa’s Instant Brightener Facial, which uses an application of Espa Super Active Skin Brightening Complex to brighten your complexion. You’ll be looking radiant again in no time.
Dhs380, Espa, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0862)
Learn Arabic: Don’t you think its about time you learnt a little of the local lingo? (and no, just being able to say ‘Ramadan Kareem’ ths month doesn’t count). Join Meet Up group Arabic Language Lovers UAE, a friendly bunch that are happy to make tutor recommendations or practise chatting with you.
www.meetup.com/Arabic-Language-Lovers-UAE
Grab an arty bargain: It’s been on for a week already, but there are still plenty of fine wares on offer at the Ghaf Gallery’s Ramadan Art Bazaar. In the spirit of the Holy Month, all works are listed at a considerable discount, with an upper limit of Dhs4,000. Grab your cheque book and get down there.
Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Update your Ramadan wardrobe: If you’re looking for something elegant and fashionable, but of course suitably modest to wear this Holy Month, check out Toujouri’s new Ramadan collection. Floaty, chiffon dresses have medieval flourishes and are available in earthy shades of green, plum and mustard. Perfect for glamorous Ramadan iftars.
Available at S*uce, Marina Mall (02 681 8650)
Friday 12
Get in shape: Whatever your favourite sport – tennis, bowling, basketball or football – you can play it after hours at Zayed Sports City this month. Most facilities are staying open until midnight or later, so head down there after Iftar to work off that extra plateful.
Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200)
Toughen up: All the late-night feeding making you feel soft? Harden up with one of the city’s toughest bootcamps. Lions Sports Club Management has a dozen mixed boot camp sessions with beach training that’ll improve your strength, fitness, weight and overall scary-factor.
Dhs850 for 12 sessions, with a 60 per cent discount throughout Ramadan (056 697 7114) www.lionssportsuae.com
Break fast at a top new restaurant: When our Eating Out editor dropped in to Essence for brunch a few weeks ago, he was so impressed he nearly fell off his chair and bruised his handsome little head. Brunch may be on hold for the Holy Month, but you can bet the goods on offer in their reasonably-priced Iftar are every bit as delectable.
Dhs165. Beach Rotana (02 697 9011)
Fire at your friends: Some friends we like, others we’d like to shoot in the head; friendly-like, and with paint bullets. If you have some of those, round them up for an evening of shooting and head to the Al Ain Sportplex. 100 bullets with safety equipment and orientation will set you back Dhs115.
Kattam al Shaklah street, Al Ain (03 768 8888)
Saturday 13
Welcome back the Premier League: Yup – the beautiful game gets back in full swing this afternoon, with no less than seven matches taking place as the top flight of English football returns. Spurs vs Everton looks to be the pick of the 6pm games, while the 8.30pm tussle ‘twixt Newcastle and Arsenal ought to be a belter, too.
From 6pm. AD Sports
Look after your skin: If you’re fasting this month, it’s important to take extra care of your complexion, as the lack of water (and sleep) can lead to dark circles and dull skin. Try a facial from Zen The Spa at the Beach Rotana, who will tailor the products and treatment to suit your skin type.
Zen, The Spa, Beach Rotana (02697 9333)
Ponder on contemporary sculpture: Fan of three-dimensional art? Get along to Salwa Zeidan Gallery this evening and check out some of the thought-provoking creations on display. As well as pieces from talented local artists, you’ll also see work from some renowned international sculptors, including Junyi Wang and John Van Alstine.
Salwa Zeidan Gallery (02 666 9656)
Take a fitness class: The rather glam Health Club at Grand Millennium Al Wahda is running evening Easy Line classes at the moment, which are designed for all levels of fitness. Great for dropping a few pounds and toning up.
Dhs40/60. 8pm. Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 443 9999)
Sunday 14
Train to be a big, bad rugby player: The Abu Dhabi Harlequins have just started their pre-season training so if you fancy joining the rugby club, get in touch with them for a session.
Email clubcaptain@abudhabiquins.com for more details
Smell like a local: Give Calvin Klein and Christian Dior a break and discover the musky smell of Arabian perfumes. Yas Perfumes in Abu Dhabi Mall has a fine selection and helpful staff.
(02 644 4562)
Get to grips with the oud: Been left in awe of the masterful fingerwork of the musicians in the city’s Suhoor tents? Have a go at mastering Arabian tunes yourself at House of Oud.
Eat and smoke: The Hilton’s traditional Suhoor is one of the coolest in town, so head down to their Suhoor Zaman Tent and the Beach Garden every day from 8.30pm. The a la carte menu come with a Dhs45 minimum cover charge.
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Monday 15
Feast on curry: It’s Indian Independence Day, meaning the time is right to get out there and fill your belly with something spicy. Don’t know your rogan josh from your murgh makhani? Flick to page 8 for our pick of the city’s best curries, plus instructions on how to knock up a fool-proof Indian meal at home.
Discover the UAE’s latest R&B star: What Nigerian-born, Dubai-based beat-dropper Ash Hamman lacks in modesty, he more than makes up for in toe-tapping urban tunes.
Educate the kids: If your little ones are a buit baffled by all the Ramadan goings-on this month, ease them into the Holy Month’s concepts with an illustrated children’s book. Jashanmal at Abu Dhabi Mall has an interesting selection.
Jashanmal (02 644 3869)
Socialise indoors: If you’re not in the mood to get out but still miss the mates, why not set up an indoor socialisation evening (or ten)?
Tuesday 16
Kill some time: It’s hot, you’re in the aircon and nothing short of a miracle will move you from your chair. To make matter worse, this happens to be your computer chair, and you’re glued to your screen.
Grab a fishy lunch: Non-fasters needn’t resort to instant noodles and tinned hummus – TOAD Award-winning Japanese joint Wasabi is open for midday meals throughout the holy month. We recommend the unagi nigiris and the miso cod.
Al Diar Mina Hotel (02 677 8415)
Wear gold nails: Need to brighten up your summer look? Invest in a Minx manicure in a Star Wars C-3PO-esque shade of gold that’ll stay put for weeks.
Color Me Spa (02 556 4557)
Loiter within tent: The lavish Iftar spread being laid on at Origins may be Yas Island’s finest – head along to scoff some fast-breaking fare and play a game or two of backgammon while things digest.
Dhs175. The Yas Hotel (02 656 0760)
Wednesday 17
Rub against a volcano: Are you so tense that your friends would rather poke a bear in the eye than spend an afternoon with you? It’s time for a massage, but not just any massage, you need a volcanic rock massage! That’s right, delicious heated volcanic basalt can be pushed into your back today, for just Dhs280. Get it while it’s hot.
Tips & Toes (02 681 8386)
Feng shui your living room: If you’re clocking off at 3pm, put the afternoons to good use by adding some mystic energy to your humble abode. No idea what we’re talking about?
Break fast at Sheikh Zayed Mosque: Could there be a more spiritual or scenic place for Iftar? We think not. Tuck in to a free meal with 14,000 others at sunset each evening in one of Abu Dhabi’s grandest traditions.
Score a strike: Beat the summer boredom with an all-night bowling session with your mates; yes, all-night.
Khalifa International Bowling Centre (02 403 4200)
