level. They also offer PADI Bubblemaker
courses for children from the age of eight
(provided they can swim). Youngsters can
then advance to PADI Seal Team or Master
Seal Team programs where they learn basic
techniques including environmental aware-
ness. When they reach 12 years old, children
can go on open-water dives.
p lion aVi diVe cenTre Di nViG
Map p218 (www.thepaviliondivecentre.com; Ju-
meirah beach hotel, Jumeirah rd, umm Suqeim
3; beginner’s dive Dh325, bubblemaker Dh275; c)
Pavilion runs the entire program of classes
including diving for beginners and those
necessary for PADI certification; they also
rent equipment to experienced divers, lead
two-dive trips off the Musandam Peninsula
and organise bubblemaker classes for chil-
dren from the age of eight.
d bai u road runners r nninu G
Map p218 (www.dubai-road-runners.com; al-Safa
park, Jumeirah; per adult Dh5; h6.30pm Sat; c)
The club welcomes runners of all ages and
abilities to run one or two laps of the park
(3.4km per lap). Runners predict how long
it will take them to run the course; the one
closest wins a prize. It’s fun and communal.
Just show up in the car park of Gate 4 (off 55
St). There are 10km runs on Fridays; check
the website for details. It’s good for older,
active teens, as well.
sK llZi GyM
Map p218 (%050-556 1751; http://www.skillz.ae; Madi-
nat Jumeirah, al-Sufouh rd, umm Suqeim 3; day
pass Dh75; h6am-10.30pm; c) This kiddie-
gym has a good range of equipment and
also includes access to the adjacent Quay
Health Club’s rock-climbing wall. Children
aged from seven to 17 are eligible.
s nsasia e urban spa Spa
Map p218 (%04-349 8850; http://www.sensasia
spas.com; Village Mall, Jumeirah rd, Jumeirah 1;
h10am-10pm) Detox treatments, facials and
massage from Bali, Japan and Thailand
are the specialities at this women’s indie
day spa done in sensuous Far East–meets–
Middle East style. The menu includes such
highly original options as warm cocoa-
butter stone therapy, chocolate body buff,
fennel colon cleanse (!) and pro-collagen
quartz lift. For the ultimate indulgence, be-
come ‘Queen for a Day’ (Dh1500).Talise Spa
Map p218 (%04-366 6818; http://www.madinatjumei
rah.com/spa; Madinat Jumeirah, al-Sufouh rd,
umm Suqeim 3; h9am-10pm) Arrive by abra
at this Arabian-themed spa, which has 28
gorgeous free-standing temple-like treat-
ment rooms complete with altars laden
with quartz crystal – they’re like the inside
of a genie’s bottle. The only problem is, once
your treatment is over, you can’t enjoy the
sumptuous surroundings because you’re
hustled out the door to make room for the
next appointment. Still, the treatments are
top-notch – a blend of Eastern and West-
ern, from Ayurvedic cupping to Swedish
massage – and convenient if you’re staying
at the Madinat. There’s another branch in
Jumeirah Emirates Towers (p140).d bai u inTernaTional
arT cenTre a CourrT Se
Map p218 (%04-344 4398; http://www.artdubai.com;
Villa 27, Street 75b, near Mercato Mall, Jumeirah
rd, Jumeirah 1) Offers a plethora of art-related
courses, but it’s the Arabic calligraphy les-
sons that are most appealing. Classes cost
Dh190 per three-hour session.Khan Jarsv sit the Al-Ain camel market (p129) or the bullfights at Fujairah (p131) and you’ll see i
old Emirati men wearing khanjars (traditional curved daggers) over their dish dashas
(men’s shirt-dresses)� Traditionally, khanjar handles were made from rhino horn;
today, they are often made of wood� Regular khanjars have two rings where the belt
is attached, and their scabbards are decorated with thin silver wire� The intricacy of
the wire-thread pattern and its workmanship determine value� Sayidi khanjars have
five rings and are often covered entirely in silver sheet, with little or no wire, and their
quality is assessed by weight and craftsmanship� A khanjar ought to feel heavy when
you pick it up� Don’t believe anyone who tells you a specific khanjar is ‘very
old’ – few will be more than 30 to 40 years old� If you’re in the market for one, there’s
an especially good selection at two Jumeirah based stores: Lata’s (p102) and Show-
case Antiques, Art & Frames (p100)�JumeirahSporT
S(^) &
a
CT
iV
iT
ie
S