TEAM WHAT’S ON PICK THEIR FAVOURITE THINGS IN THE UAE RIGHT NOW
These are our favourite things in the UAE right now…
Tucking in to a beautiful lunch by the sea at… Nuska Beach
It’s been such a treat to have my extended family in town this week, as my family and in-laws got together for one last group celebration before my wedding in June. We were lucky to squeeze in a Sunday lunch before the Dubai storms took hold of the city at one of my favourite alfresco spots in the city, Nuska. Their rosé lunch deal ticks every box when it comes to location, offering, and ambience – the Mediterranean menu is always lovely, the saxophone player adds a lively but not over-the-top ambience, and the Burj backdrop is a view that gets me every time. Bonus points – it’s Dhs345 per person including unlimited rosé. Bookmark it for better days. – Alice Holtham, Group Editor
Enjoying family days at… Aquaventure
We’re incredibly lucky in Dubai to have so much to do right on our doorstep that I think we can almost become immune to just how incredible our city is. But over the weekend, with my 4 year-old niece and 18-month-old nephew in town for the first time, I was reminded just how amazing Dubai is for people of all ages. At the top of my niece’s bucket list for her first trip to Dubai was Atlantis, The Palm, and a day at the waterpark, which just so happens to be the world’s biggest. Between the splasher zones and the lazy river, she was living her absolute best life – as was I. – Alice Holtham, Group Editor
Celebrating a Friday with… Britannia’s Good Day
Sometimes you wake up on the wrong side of bed and need to be reminded it’s Friday – which automatically means all is about to be well. Couple that with my beloved colleague sashaying into the office this morning in his inimitable style and first delivering good news, then handing me a pack of these teatime treats. Britannia Good Day cashew cookies are a nice mid-day snack – eat them as they are, or dunk them in your karak. ‘Tis a good day, my friends. Happy weekend. – Dinesh Ramanathan, Deputy Editor, What’s On Abu Dhabi
Losing myself to… The Day After Tomorrow
Probably the first sci-fi film I’d ever seen, and it’s left an indelible mark on me even all these years later. This week, for whatever inexplicable reason, I felt like travelling back 20 years in time and watched The Day After Tomorrow, with Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal and Emmy Rossum dealing with a disaster situation like none other. Might be a good one for this weekend, and 2 hours and 4 minutes later, you just might feel a little more grateful for everything aorund you. – Dinesh Ramanathan, Deputy Editor, What’s On Abu Dhabi
Staying indoors and catching up on… Netflix
I am a creature of habit, so over the holidays I watched The Big Bang Theory – most likely making it the 10th time I’ve rewatched the show from start to finish. But then when the rain struck Dubai, I found myself just endlessly scrolling on Netflix to try and find something to watch. I stumbled on this limited series – The Railway Men – The Untold Story Of Bhopal 1984. It tells the story of the Bhopal tragedy and how the railway employees helped the people affected in the area. The incident is said to be worse than the Chernobyl disaster. If you’re at home and looking for something to watch, I highly recommend this series. It’s in Hindi, but you can watch it with subtitles, or dubbed in English. – Aarti Saundalkar, Online Reporter
Going through my TBR… The Sunflowers are Mine: The Story of Van Gogh’s Masterpiece
I am a huge fan of Van Gogh and though I have read several books dedicated to the Dutch artist, I learn something new with every book. I am currently reading Martin Bailey’s The Sunflowers are Mine: The Story of Van Gogh’s Masterpiece which focuses on the artist’s life as he creates his world-renowned sunflower series. Did you know just after he died his 15 Sunflowers were sold for just around 20 dollars? It is now worth around 72.5 million dollars? Wow. If you love Vincent Van Gogh, you need to read Bailey’s books. I have the others in the series, and adore them all. – Aarti Saundalkar, Online Reporter
Feeling incredibly grateful for the… Dubai community
It’s been a heartbreaking week for everyone after the UAE was hit with the equivalent of five months of UK rain in just 12 hours on Tuesday. While it may still take weeks for the country to recover, I can’t help but feel so incredibly grateful and humbled to be surrounded by such an amazing, resilient, and selfless community. Despite the devastation with many people having lost their homes, cars, and businesses, the videos on social media showing members of the community going out of their way to save people’s lives, cats getting rescued, families and businesses (including IKEA) putting stranded people up for the night, not to mention the government’s swift response and emergency teams going above and beyond to ensure the safety of citizens, has been incredible to witness. Truly unprecedented times but, slowly but surely, with everyone coming together, the country will, as always, come back stronger than ever. What a pleasure it is to live in the UAE! – Tamara Wright, Online Reporter
Venturing outside for the iconic… Ferragamo x Bungalo34 takeover
Just when you thought the dreamy beachfront oasis of Bungalo34 couldn’t get any more beautiful, the chic Italian designer, Ferragamo has taken over. The brand’s sky-blue Venus motif is featured across parasols, chairs, cushions, napkins, and even various furnishings within the restaurant including the bar and DJ booth. A special Italian-inspired Ferragamo menu has also been created offering limited edition dishes and drinks. Order the Ferragamo pizzette to start (Dhs94) followed by the spaghettini alla nerano (Dhs102) or if you’re in the mood for seafood, the seabass with olives and anchovy (Dhs270) with a non-negotiable side of truffle potatoes (Dhs46). If all this was not remarkable enough, the designer has opened a short-term boutique inside the concept store, Collective Africa, so guests can shop from its stunning spring collection. It’s a match made in foodie and fashion heaven. The dreamy world of Bungalo34 x Ferragamo welcomes guests until May 15. Weekend lunch plans = sorted. – Tamara Wright, Online Reporter
Watching a new to mew film… Downsizing
Starring Matt Damon (already a win) the film is rather dystopian – where a doctor in Norway discovers a way of perfectly downsizing the human body to a tiny 12 centimetres. The premise of downsizing is in the hopes of tackling problems such as climate change and overpopulation and while I recognise that the likelihood of downsizing ever happening is practically null – the film also manages to send a strong message while also making me chuckle and that kind of feel good but also be aware was just the kind of film I needed this week. – Shelby Gee, Junior Reporter
Watch on @netflixmena
Appreciating the silver linings in… the rain
I’m not trying to diminish the weather situation at all, I’m stranded in my own home. However, I must admit working from home, shovelling water out of my house and standing knee-deep in my garage trying to find if the drains were clogged or if it was just a sheer volume of water, had me and my brother making the most of a bad situation together. While I am heartbroken by the damage done to the homes of so many around me it was a scary storm, it was nice to feel like we were all in it together. – Shelby Gee, Junior Reporter
Making the absolute most of my…Disney+ subscription
When there’s practically a cyclone outside and you’re holed up at home for several days after, you have to find creative ways to keep yourself busy. The most imaginative I could get was just inserting my card details and paying for a Disney+ subscription and I have no problem with that. Since, I’ve paid for it, I will make full use of it, and I must say, it has been quite the companion these past few days. My routine consists of waking up, working from home, eating, napping and filling my time with new movies. I’ve seen it all – crime dramas, romcoms, superhero flicks, spy stories and more. Thank you for your service, Disney+. You did well. – Manaal Fatimah, Junior Reporter
Losing my mind over…perfectly choreographed action sequences
Piggy-backing off of my previous choice, I’ve seen some pretty incredible action sequences this past week. Something about a perfectly choreographed action sequence just scratches my brain the right way – if it’s not just uber cool but also mildly realistic, involving some unique weapon or form of fighting and with a smashing score that has nothing to do with fighting. Bonus points if you’re Colin Firth clad in a bespoke tailored suit that doesn’t crease no matter how many bones you break. The hair stays in place too. What a delight. – Manaal Fatimah, Junior Reporter
Images: Social
2022-01-07T13:13:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd