Dubai & Abu Dhabi 7 - Full PDF eBook

2

SportS &

activitiES

aquaVenTure WaTerpark
Map p220 (www.atlantisthepalm.com; atlan-
tis – The palm, palm Jumeirah; over/under 1.2m
Dh200/165, combo ticket incl lost Chambers
Dh250/200; h10am-sunset; c) Adrenalin
rushes are guaranteed at this waterpark
at the Atlantis hotel. The centrepiece is
the 27.5m-high Ziggurat (great views!), the
launch pad for seven slides, including the
most wicked of them all: Leap of Faith, a
near-vertical plunge into a shark-infested la-
goon, albeit protected by a transparent tun-
nel. There’s also more than 2km of nonstop
river action with cascades, tidal waves and
rapids. Unfortunately, long lines between at-
tractions tend to interrupt your momentum.
Little ones can keep cool in an enormous
water playground where climbing structures
and rope bridges lead to myriad slides. Tick-
ets also include access to a private beach,
although the water is quite murky and the
sand filled with sharp coral pieces.

dolphin bay Dolphin park
Map p220 (www.atlantisthepalm.com; atlantis –
The palm, palm Jumeirah; shallow-/deep-water
interaction Dh790/975, incl same day access
to aquaventure & private beach, observer pass
Dh300; c) Dolphin Bay is the place to make
friends with those sociable mammals
known for their playfulness and intelli-
gence. Touch, hug or kiss them in a shallow
pool or catch a piggyback ride to the deeper
waters of the lagoon.
Animal welfare activists believe that
human interaction exacerbates the dol-
phins’ stress already caused by captivity,
but people sure seem to be thrilled by the

experience. Learn more about this conten-

tious subject from the Whale and dolphin

conservation society (WDCS; http://www.wdcs

.com.org).

arThur Murray dance school DanCe

Map p220 (%04-448 6458; http://www.arthurmurray

dubai.com; 201 reef Tower, Jumeirah lakes

Towers; sample class Dh100; h9am-9pm) This

well-known name in the world of dance has

exploded onto the scene, especially since

the popularity of TV dance contests such as

Strictly Come Dancing. Instructors teach a

wide range of dances, including ballroom,

like the Viennese Waltz; Latin, including

the Merengue, Samba and Mambo; Country

Western (think Texas Two-Step); and speci-

ality dances, including the Nightclub Two-

Step to wow them on the dance floor (and

the classic Polka, which probably won’t). If

you are short on time you can enrol for a

sample class where you will learn a range of

steps from several different dances.

one&only spa Day Spa

Map p220 (%04-399 9999; http://www.oneandonly

resorts.com; one&only royal Mirage, al-Sufouh

rd, al-Sufouh; h9.30am-9pm) Do you want to

unwind, restore or elevate? These are the

magic words at this exclusive spa with a

dozen treatment rooms where massages,

wraps, scrubs and facials are calibrated

to achieve your chosen goal. A Swedish

massage is just the way to melt away the

strains of the day, although for the most

unique experience, sign up for a treatment

in the Oriental Hammam (see the boxed

text, below).

sofTTouch spa Day Spa

Map p220 (%04-341 0000; http://www.kempinski

-dubai.com; kempinski hotel, Mall of the emirates,

The royal TreaTMenT

In a city built on facsimiles and gimmicks, the not-to-be-missed Oriental Hammam at

the One&Only Spa stands out as the hands-down best re-creation of another coun-

try’s cultural institution: a Moroccan bathhouse� Moroccan-born attendants walk

you into a giant, echoey, steamy marble room lit by stained-glass lanterns, where

they wrap you in muslin, bathe you on a marble bench from a running hot-water

fountain, then lay you down on an enormous, heated marble cube – head-to-toe with

three other men or women (depending on the day) – and scrub your entire body with

exfoliating coarse gloves� Next, they bathe you again, then lead you to a steam room

where you relax before receiving an invigorating mud body mask and honey facial,

a brief massage and your final rinse� Afterwards, you’re wrapped in dry muslin and

escorted to a meditative relaxation room, where you drift to sleep beneath a blanket

and awaken to hot mint tea and dates – just like in Morocco� Pure bliss!

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