dubai ice rinK iCe SkaTinG
Map p216 (%04-437 3111; http://www.dubaiicerink.
com; ground fl, Dubai Mall, Financial Centre rd;
per session incl skates Dh50, disco sessions Dh75;
h2hr sessions 10am, 12.15pm, 2.30pm, 5.45pm
& 8pm daily, plus 9.45pm Thu-Sat) This state-
of-the-art Olympic-sized ice rink is ringed
with cafes and restaurants and can even
be converted into a concert arena. Sign up
for a private or group class if you’re a little
wobbly in the knees. There are also disco
sessions for the braver shakers and movers.spa aT The palace – The
old ToWn Day Spa
Map p216 (%04-428 7888; http://www.thepalace-dubai
.com; palace – The old Town, emaar blvd; h9am-
10pm) Surrender to the magic of Arabia in
this intimate, sensuously lit spa where treat-
ments incorporate Asian products and tech-
niques. A favourite is the One Desert Journey
(Dh685), where you choose from a selection
of traditional essences such as jasmine,
musk, orange blossom or verbena, depend-
ing on your mood. The ‘trip’ starts with a
rose-petal footbath, followed by a revitalising
sand and salt scrub. At the next stop you’ll be
drenched in an oil masque before submitting
to a restorative massage using an ‘oussada’
cushion filled with three types of dried mint
from Morocco. Finally, drift into semicon-
scious bliss with a cup of tea in the relaxation
room. There are only four treatment rooms
for women and two for men, each with their
own private shower and toilet. As a hotel
guest, you’re free to wallow in the gorgeous-
ly appointed spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and
steam, even without booking a treatment.seGa republic TheMe park
Map p216 (www.segarepublic.com; 2nd fl, Du-
bai Mall, Financial Centre rd; per ride Dh15-30;
h10am-10pm Sun-Wed, 10am-midnight Thu-Sat;
c) Dubai Mall’s indoor amusement park
is packed with thrills. Five zones of enter-
tainment include such must-rides as Spin
Gear, a rotating roller coaster that shoots
you through complete darkness; the Wild
Wing and Wild Jungle motion-simulators
that take you on an Indiana Jones–style
adventure; and Storm G, a high-speed bob-
sled ride that twists and turns 360 degrees.
There’s also marginally tamer karaoke
singing. Some rides have height restric-
tions. Pay either per ride or get a Power Pass
(Dh140) for unlimited trips. The Platinum
Power Pass (Dh220) includes unlimited
rides plus Dh200 credit for arcade games.GeMs of yoGa yoGa
Map p216 (%04-331 5161/1328; http://www.gemsof
yogadubai.com; 17th fl above kFC, btwn Fairmont
& Crowne plaza hotels, Sheikh Zayed rd; intro-
ductory class Dh75-100, unlimited weekly classes
Dh400-450; h6.30am-10pm Sat-Thu, 10am-8pm
Fri) These guys are serious about their yoga.
There are plenty of specialised programmes,
from Desktop Yoga for stress relief to Power
Yoga (a combination of aerobics and yoga).
Call ahead or check the website for schedules.1847 Salon
Map p216 (%04-330 1847; http://www.thegrooming
company.ae; boulevard at Jumeirah emirates Tow-
ers, Sheikh Zayed rd; traditional shave Dh100;
h9am-9pm Sat-Thu, 1-9pm Fri) Men: if you’re
lucky enough to be able to grow a good-
looking beard, we highly recommend you
do so while in Dubai. Locals will approve
and be ever-so-slightly more accepting of
you. However, many expats prefer to keep
a hairless visage; the dandies among them
indulge in an old-fashioned straight-razor
shave – complete with hot towels before-
hand – at the clubby men-only ‘grooming
salon’ 1847. Ask about packages, including
body scrubs, mani-pedis and massages.
Good haircuts, too. There are four other
branches in town; check the website.Talise Day Spa
Map p216 (%04-319 8181; http://www.jumeirah.com/tal-
ise; Jumeirah emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed rd;
h9am-11pm) Finally, a spa squarely aimed
at stressed and jet-lagged executives who
are badly in need of – but have little time
for – revitalisation. There’s the usual range
of massages and spa treatments, plus a
few esoteric ones. How about kick-starting
your capillaries in the Oxygen Lounge (per
15/30/60 minutes Dh85/165/330) or tricking
your body into believing it got eight hours
of sleep by spending only one in a flotation
pool (Dh330)? There is another branch in
Jumeirah (p103).dubai creeK sTriders runninG
Map p216 (%04-321 1999; http://www.dubaicreek
striders.com) The Striders meet for weekly
training runs on Friday mornings at 7am,
on the road opposite the Novotel (319 St),
near the convention halls of the World
Trade Centre. The run’s length varies de-
pending on the season, but it’s generally
at least 10km. Contact the club to register
before turning up.s
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