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Up close with dinosaurs

DUBAI — Ever wanted to get up close and personal with a bunch of huge, fearsome dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago? That’s what 11-year-old Vivek Goyal wanted to do when his family decided to spend their weekend checking out Dubai Shopping Festival activities in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

‘Dinolive’, organised in a large tent at The Walk, JBR, features life-sized versions of the pre-historic creatures complete with realistic sounds and moving limbs that would make one feel as though they may come back to life and roam around the streets of Dubai.

“I wanted to know what they looked like and what kind of noises they made. I wasn’t scared at all. I wish they were still alive,” Troyden said as he picked up a souvenir stuffed dinosaur to take home after his visit to the exhibition.

His younger sister, seven-year-old Payal, on the other hand, said she was glad they no longer existed. “I think we would be in a lot of trouble if they were real,” she said.

The show did not only attract children but also raised the curiosity of older people in the audience as well.

A group of three friends came stumbling out with happy faces after their tour of the show. “I’d never gotten the chance to go, so we decided to come here one day. This is the first time I’ve seen something like this,” said 19-year-old Rola Daher.Outside the tent, one of the dinosaurs was ‘imprisoned’ behind a rope cage to give visitors a taste of what they would come face to face with as soon as they take a step into the jungle. And once inside, edutainment kicks in where families can learn about different species of dinosaurs and bits of information about them.

“It’s a good concept. Our kids love dinosaurs and have always been fascinated by them, so from my point of view, this is a nice surprise for them,” said JBR resident and mother of three Shanel Lopez. “I do think it’s one of the interesting things of the DSF. But the ticket prices should have been lower. It becomes expensive for families with children.”

The daily ‘Dinolive’ exhibition will run throughout the DSF from 9am to 12am and tickets are priced at Dh50 per head. A special 3D cinema experience is also in store for visitors where tickets are set at Dh20 per person.The beachside venue, Jumeirah Beach Residence, also hosts a variety of daily DSF activities such as street paintings, art displays, street shows and photography displays. Stalls with fashion accessories and handicraft are on offer where tokens such as keepsake trinkets and wearables like colorful ‘jalabeyas’ are on offer.

Another attraction is a mini fun fair that is split into three sections — the electrical games area, redemption games area and inflatable games area — and is set to keep families entertained for hours under Dubai’s cool, breezy weather.

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is one of the most fancied destinations to visit this DSF. Its status is partly due to the venue’s relaxed atmosphere and rows of chilled-out cafes and eateries along its line.

farhana@khaleejtimes.com

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