j a m s h a i d’s blog

Stumbled upon this article about some of the hundreds of cool things you can do here in Dubai inorder to beat this summer's heat.

1. Try ice-skating
What better way to combat the heat than ice skating? And the cool prices at the Galleria Ice Rink located in the Galleria shopping complex at the Hyatt Regency (Dh25 an hour) should be very tempting. They even have a team of professional ice-skaters for private skating lessons.
Timings: 10am-1.30pm; 2-5.30 pm; 6-9.30pm.

2. Paint while you snack
For all the artistic ones – skilled or amateur – visit Cafe Ceramique. Located in Town Centre, Jumeirah, and at the Mall of the Emirates, this is a cafe-cum-art studio, where you can choose white ceramic vases to paint on while you sip coffee.

The café offers an innovative menu of bagels, home-made soups, sandwiches and desserts and a large selection of gourmet coffees and exotic beverages at a very low price. An espresso is Dh8, flavoured cafe au-latte is Dh16. A personal favourite is Tea in a Box priced at Dh8. Try it out!

There is a 50 per cent discount on studio fees on a weekday. If you can't shake free of babysitting your younger siblings, bring them along. They can discover their inner artist while you hang out with your friends.

3.Catch sports action
Champions is the first American sports and action restaurant with games and 23 TV screens broadcasting live sporting events.

With the football World Cup round the corner, it is the place. You're assured of good times, good food and great sports.
Location: B1 Level, Hamarain Centre.
Timings: 12.30-4pm and 6pm till late.

4. Read in peace
This cafe offers an intimate atmosphere with foot-tapping music, a tempting food display and exciting art exhibitions. And while you consider the menu's many joys, you could catch up on your reading or flip through the latest magazines that can be borrowed from the bistro's impressive library, free of charge.

Prices range from Dh9 for coffee to juices and sandwiches ranging from Dh12 to Dh15. Not to forget the cakes you get for Dh4. Simply delightful!

5. Bowling anyone?
After a hard day shopping at the Sahara Centre you could try unwinding at Bowling City, which claims to be the finest cosmic bowling alley in the UAE.

The place is equipped with high-tech machinery specially customised for entertainment and tournaments. There is also a large billiards area, a fully equipped skating rink and an electronic and network gaming area.

The charge is Dh15 per frame or Dh40 per hour for bowling. You can skate or unwind with billiards for Dh20. If this isn't good enough the in-house cafeteria Momento has some lip-smacking savouries at very reasonable prices. Coffee is priced at Dh10, a meal of pasta or pizza at Dh17 and Dh19 respectively.

6. Throw a beach party
While you may not enjoy getting burned in the scorching summer sun, in the evening the beach becomes the venue for a cool, splashy party. Economical, with a lot of fun, it is probably the best way to stay cool this summer and show off your funky beachwear.

Leave barbeques for the winter months. Take a nice picnic and enjoy!

7. Tee off at night
Even if this one does burn a hole in your pocket, die-hard golf fans won't mind the expense. The Nad Al Sheba Golf and Racing Club offers special night sessions for the summer. They even have off peak rates of Dh375 per hour. Well, this might be too taxing for your budgets but if you can shell out the bucks then it's definitely a great way to spend the summer nights. Source: Notes

Activity no.2 and 4 doesn't sound very cool to me but better than nothing. Might do them if i run out of options, hope this doesn't happen this summer.

Since last month before our exams we have been planning for the beach party (activity no.6) and was delayed several times. Finally happened last thursday but unfortunately I couldn't attend it , was too busy this week and i think i will be so in the coming weeks too. Anyways, my friends had a hell of a time out there. The more they describe it to me the more they make me……gosh! i wish i was there.