We got your long weekend plans covered...
Published: Thu 29 Sep 2016, 10:45 PM
This long weekend, visit three countries with visa-on-arrival privilege for GCC residents, go skydiving indoors in Dubai or simply watch exciting movies at the cinema:
Skydive... indoors!
Dubai, as we all know, is one of the world's greatest hubs for skydivers, ranging from screaming tourists to full-time professionals. But skydiving - understandably - isn't for everyone. After all, it involves jumping out of an aircraft! But thankfully, there is a good, air-conditioned alternative closer to the ground: with an indoor wind tunnel!
For those who are interested: Dubai is home to the world's largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel. The tunnel, which is located at Inflight Dubai, is over 20 metres tall and five metres across, and is built around four electric-motor powered fans, which produce a total force of 2,000 horsepower, the equivalent to two Formula 1 cars.
For complete list of holidays in 2016 and 2017, click here.
After a briefing on proper body position and hand signals, participants step into the tunnel and are blasted into the air by the full force of the fans. But with the supervisor's help, even novices are soon able to hover in place, move forward and backward, and turn to the sides. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of more seasoned flyers conducting complicated manoeuvres or practicing for freefall skydiving competitions.
The best part of wind tunnel 'skydiving' is that almost anyone can do it. The extremely friendly staff at Inflight Dubai work with everyone from children and the elderly to professional skydivers practicing freefall formations. Just make sure you meet the criteria before you go.
A smaller but equally thrilling alternative is the iFly facility in City Centre Mirdif which allows one to fly three metres in the air powered by two 400 horsepower fans, which can blast winds of up to 200kms per hour.
No matter which option you choose, you can be rest assured that you'll be leaving the tunnel with a huge smile on your face. Just make sure to book ahead of time as in both locations you need a dedicated time slot to give the instructors time to work with you.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com
Weekend trips Three visa-on-arrival countries GCC residents can travel to this long weekend
It's that time of the year again, where you get three glorious days to enjoy the weekend. This Sunday (October 2), will be an official holiday for all ministries and federal government entities as well as private employees on the occasion of the Hijri New Year. Here are three visa-on-arrival and visa-free countries GCC citizens and expats can travel to this long weekend.
FIVE visa-on-arrival places to travel to this long weekend
Georgia Visit an ancient culture, vastly different to the one we have in the UAE and is just a hop, skip and jump away. Georgia is close by, inexpensive, culturally rich and offers a geography that is very different from anywhere else in the world. The capital city of Tbilisi has so much history, it's sure to keep you occupied. With no visa restrictions for GCC residents, it's just the right place to escape. It's only three hours 30 mins away. Fly Dubai packages start at Dh1,500 from Dubai.
Nepal There's no country more welcoming than Nepal. The tiny kingdom nestled between two Asian superpowers might just be the mountainous escape you need from the desert. In Kathmandu, Boudhanath Stupa is by far the most calming and serene spot in the city even with it's hordes of pigeons just sitting around. If you head over there right before dusk or dawn you can watch the monks chant and take their daily clockwise rounds of the stupa. Don't forget to go to Thamel to shop! You can even go bungee jumping 30 mins away from the capital. Kathmandu is just four hours away from Dubai. Etihad Airways flies to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi at just Dh1,490.
UAE declares Sunday as holiday for Hijri New Year
Jordan This country has been long romanticised by movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones, and Jordan has always been a popular destination among GCC expats and residents. UAE residents are keen to go to Jordan for the amazing desert landscape of Wadi Rum, the tranquil beaches of Aqaba, the magnificent ruins of Petra made famous by Indiana Jones, and most of all for the Jordanians themselves, who are among the friendliest and most welcoming people in the entire region. There are a plethora of flights to Amman offered from Dubai, Abu Dhabi And Shajah. Flights to Amman from Dubai start at Dh800 on Fly Dubai.
Free parking in Dubai for Hijri New Year holiday
Taste of Australia returns
Celebrity chef Tarek Ibrahim is in Abu Dhabi for an Australian feast that will blow you away. Buy tickets for a three-course meal filled with Australian meat and produce and an exhibition of indigenous Australian art selected from The Australian National Museum. The event is on Thursday, from 7pm, Dh500 for Australian Business Group members; Dh600 for non-members, at the Four Seasons, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. For more, visit ausbg.net.
Exhibition on human relationships
Head over to see 'As Cold as a White Stone', the solo exhibition of Lebanese artist Lara Zankoul. Her work explores what she describes as 'the coldness, resistance, and numbness of human relationships nowadays.' Her first solo exhibition was in Beirut in 2011 and her cinematographic work was also auctioned in April 2013 at Christie's Dubai. Open from 10am to 6pm, Ayyam Gallery, DIFC, Dubai. Call 04 439 2395 or visit www.ayyamgallery.com for more.
Go Pink!
Cycle for a good cause Calling all ladies! It's Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and now you can do your bit to raise awareness in the UAE. Join LIV Cycling UAE for Pink Ride for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 1! To participate there is only one rule: all ladies must wear something pink. They will also give away a voucher worth Dh200 to the 'best dressed' woman at the event. Participants will ride 60km around Al Qudra Cycle Track. The event starts at 5.55am on Saturday. Buy your ticket on www.premieronline.com.
Brunch fit for Marie Antoinette
A new Friday brunch is in town and it's a regal affair fit for Dubai's Marie Antoinettes. Guests are greeted by hosts in costumes inspired by the royal court at Versailles: powdered pompadours and wide panniered skirts, breeches and waistcoats. Each dish is then served to guests at the table à la française along with a variety of delectable hors d'oeuvres. The Versailles decadence brunch options start at Dh450 and go right up to Dh 650. For reservations, call 04 435 5577, or email St. Regis hotel at brasseriequartier.dubai@stregis.com.
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