Open Skies | July 2017

A DUBAI ADVENTURE

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Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Ian Fairservice Gina Johnson gina@motivate.ae Mark Evans marke@motivate.ae Andrew Nagy andrew.nagy@motivate.ae Roui Francisco rom@motivate.ae Surajit Dutta surajit@motivate.ae Donnie Miguel donnie.miguel@motivate.ae Salil Kumar salil@motivate.ae Londresa Flores londresa@motivate.ae

Editor-in-ChiEf Managing PartnEr & grouP Editor EditoriaL dirECtor grouP Editor SEnior Editor digitaL / Print dESignEr digitaL aniMator VidEo Editor Sub Editor EditoriaL aSSiStant

ContributorS Christopher Beanland, Emma Coiler, Sarah Freeman, Marina Kay Cover: Jade Wills

gEnEraL ManagEr ProduCtion S Sunil Kumar ProduCtion ManagEr R Murali Krishnan

ChiEf CoMMErCiaL offiCEr Anthony Milne anthony@motivate.ae

grouP SaLES ManagEr Michael Underdown michael@motivate.ae

SEnior SaLES ManagEr Shruti Srivastava shruti.srivastava@motivate.ae

SEnior SaLES ManagEr Michelle Quinn michelle.quinn@motivate.ae

EditoriaL ConSuLtantS for EMiratES Editor Manna Talib arabiC Editor Hatem Omar dEPuty Editor Catherine Freeman WEbSitE emirates.com

InternatIonal MedIa representatIves auStraLia/nEW ZEaLand Okeeffe Media; Tel + 61 894 472 734, okeeffekev@bigpond.com.au bELgiuM and LuXEMbourg M.P.S. Benelux; Tel +322 720 9799, francesco.sutton@mps-adv.com China Publicitas Advertising; Tel +86 10 5879 5885 gErMany IMV Internationale Medien Vermarktung GmbH; Tel +49 8151 550 8959, w.jaeger@imv-media.com hong Kong/MaLaySia/thaiLand Sonney Media Networks; Tel +852 2151 2351, hemant@sonneymedia.com india Media Star; Tel +91 22 4220 2103, ravi@mediastar.co.in JaPan Tandem Inc.; Tel + 81 3 3541 4166, all@tandem-inc.com nEthErLandS giO media; Tel +31 (0)6 22238420, giovanni@giO-media.nl PaKiStan D&S International News Agency; Tel +92 3235345727, dnsnewsagency@gmail.com SWitZErLand, franCE/itaLy & SPain IMM International; Tel +331 40 1300 30, n.devos@imm-international.com turKEy Media Ltd.; Tel +90 212 275 51 52, mediamarketingtr@medialtd.com.tr uK Spafax Inflight Media; Tel +44 207 906 2001, nhopkins@spafax.com uSa World Media Inc.; Tel: +1 212 244 5610, natalyameytin@worldmediaonline.com Emirates takes care to ensure that all facts published herein are correct. In the event of any inaccuracy please contact the editor. Any opinion expressed is the honest belief of the author based on all available facts. Comments and facts should not be relied upon by the reader in taking commercial, legal, financial or other decisions. Articles are by their nature general and specialist advice should always be consulted before any actions are taken.

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134,109 copies July – December 2016 Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai, UAE

E d i t o r ’ s

l E t t E r

ANDREW NAGY

ON THE COVER

SenIor edItor

E

verybody should have a theme park story. A gripping tale that involves riding a roller coaster or eating way too much food or, ideally, doing both at the same time.

Your first visit is pure rite of passage stuff, like buying your first car, or a first holiday without your parents. Okay, so perhaps not quite as grand, but the memory stays with you for life – much like the car sticker we were given on arrival proved to be (we had to scrape it in the end).

and the only roller coaster was a subterranean ride called The Rat. It had been built underground because the owner’s wife didn’t want it to ruin the countryside. None of that mattered to an 11-year-old me. It was amazing.

Fast-forward 30 years and a trip to Universal Studios in LA brought that feeling rushing back – whether on the spectacular rides or having a photo taken with Goofy. Although, on reflection, I’m not 100 per cent sure that he actually worked there, my levels of excitement

HARD wORk, DEDICATION AND BIllIONs Of DOllARs HAs gONE INTO THE sTEllAR REsORT RIsINg OUT Of THE DEsERT Lightwater Valley had first opened in 1969 as a fruit-picking farm in the UK. But as local farming struggled, the owners decided to build rides and attractions that could make up for their lost earnings. Fifteen years later, I showed up, a Spider-Man T-shir t and a dream.

At this point the country – at least the part of it that made theme parks – was aiming to emulate the success of Disneyland in the US. ‘We can do that’ they thought, and so they did, albeit to varying degrees of success.

The reality of my day out was fairly pedestrian – the terrifyingly sounding Hell Slide was about six foot high

were undiminished. That’s why I’ve been so intrigued by the theme park rising out of the Dubai desert.

It wasn’t tough to persuade our writer to go and spend a day at Dubai Parks and Resor ts, but what he found there surprised even him. Billions of dollars and years of dedication and hard work have created what he describes as a: “theme park lover’s dream”. While it may have initially taken a little longer than expected to come to fruition, it’s now geared up for stellar success and ready to create a few memories in the process.

A DUBAI ADVENTURE It wasn’t tough persuading photographer Jade Wills to play with Lego for our cover. We think that its low-shot perspective recreates a childlike excitment that everyone will feel walking through those gates.

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C O N T E N T S

FRONT

18 20 24 32 Experience

Stay

Neighbourhood

Lunch With

MAIN

38 46 57 A Dubai Adventure

The Bus

Swim Club

BRIEFING

66 70 72 74 76 Emirates News

Inside Emirates

Destination

Comfort

80 82 88 90 UAE Smart Gate

Route Map

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The Guide

Customs & Visa Information

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Carefully curated content focused on unique experiences Neighbourhood

Experience

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Stay

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FRONT

E x p E r i E n c E

July 1-23

Tour de France

G e r m a n y- B e l G i u m - F r a n c e

The world’s greatest bike race owes its very existence to a spot of military espionage. Well, the notion of it, at least.

In the 19th century scandal known as the Dreyfus Affair, French soldier Albert Dreyfus had been accused of selling secrets to the Germans. At the time, France’s largest sports paper, Le Vélo – which also dabbled in politics – championed his innocence, something at odds with the opinions of advertisers such as carmaker Comte de Dion and industrialists Adolphe Clément and Edouard Michelin. The three men promptly went out and formed their own rival sports paper, naming it L’Auto.

Dreyfus was ultimately exonerated but L’Auto didn’t really go to plan.

Poor sales led to a crisis meeting just a few years later on November 20, 1902. The last man to speak was 26-year-old Geo Lefevre – the most junior in the room. Lefevre suggested a six-day road race around France to boost sales. If the plan worked, it could well put their rivals out of business.

L’Auto officially announced the Tour de France just two months later.

Despite the first year of the Tour almost being its last – cheating was rife and rival fans often beat up the riders – it ultimately proved successful, doubling the

Emirates serves three destinations in France – Nice, Lyon and Paris.

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ailing paper’s circulation in the process.

Fast-forward a century and you have the most revered race in cycling history.

This month’s Tour features ten new stages and the first time in 25 years that the five mountain ranges of France – the Vosges, the Jura, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central and the Alps – will all play a part.

In terms of who can win it, last year’s winner Chris Froome is as good a bet as any, but BMC Racing Team’s Richie Porte is the man who those in the know are tipping. But don’t let that influence you too much. As history proves, in this race nothing is ever a sure thing. letour.com

imagE: gETTY

ESPiONagE, POwEr STruggLES aNd ONE OF ThE biggEST EvENTS iN SPOrTiNg hiSTOrY. ThErE’S mOrE TO ThE TOur dE FraNcE ThaN mEETS ThE EYE

S t a y : C L a S S I C

The DolDer GranD Zurich, SwitZerland

Words: sarah Freeman Image: dolder grand Lording over Zurich with showstopping views of the Alps, this turreted hilltop hotel is a fairytale vision that seamlessly blends old and new.

Originally opened in 1899, the resor t underwent an ultra-modernising project in 2008, with the addition of a golf and spa wing and revamped rooms that wow with wraparound windows and Jura

limestone bathrooms.

Dolder Grand is also is home to a museum-worthy collection of art, comprising 150 works that guests can browse with a self-guided iPad tour, from Andy Warhol’s famous Big Retrospective Painting that greets guests at reception, to the poolside Botero and original Dali works that you can admire over breakfast.

Emirates offers a twice daily service to Zurich with the Airbus A380.

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With its nine-hole golf course, ice rink and the city’s zoo on the doorstep, it’s hardly surprising guests don’t venture beyond the Dolder’s luxe environs. If you do decide to take the 10-minute trip into town, hop on board the 19th century milelong cog mountain railway, which stops conveniently just outside the hotel. thedoldergrand.com

Experience Polynesia in the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Step into an exciting world of curiosity with an unforgettable stay at Lapita, a unique gateway to the endless fun and enjoyment on offer at Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Create moments to treasure with friends and family when you stay at Polynesian inspired rooms, bond over a meal at amazing restaurants or unwind at the Lapita lazy river.

Exactly like nothing else.

Book now at lapitadubaihotel.com Tel +971 4 810 9999 Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, P.O. Box 334221, Dubai, UAE LapitaHotel | LapitaHotel | @lapitahoteldubai

S t a y : c o n t e m p o r a r y

Petit ermitage W e s t H o l ly W o o d , U s

Words: AndreW nAgy ImAge: PetIt ermItAge A bohemian hideaway in West Hollywood, Petit Ermitage is not your average five-star hotel in the city.

Whether it’s the creeping vines that adorn the entrance, the poem that’s placed on your pillow before bed or the rooftop garden – a hummingbird and butterfly sanctuary recognised by the National Wildlife Federation – where

you’ll take breakfast, this boutique proper ty is par t theatre, par t hotel.

The suites are filled with warm colours, a comfy bed, a fireplace and old tin toys that line the mantelpiece but this place is really all about the rooftop.

Whether you’re checking out the view or taking a dip in the saltwater pool, it’s a great place to spend the day. Grab

Emirates operates a daily Airbus A380 service to Los Angeles.

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yourself a sunlounger, order a glass of something cold and crisp from Napa Valley and you’re set.

As evening falls, head to the garden for dinner – you have to try the squid ink linguine – and take in the 360-degree views by night. If there’s a better spot in the city, we’ve yet to find it. petitermitage.com

N e i g h b o u r h o o d

Words and IMaGEs: sarah FrEEMan

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N e i g h b o u r h o o d

KEMANG, INDONESIA

M

uch like its fruity nickname of the Big Durian, Jakarta is a city people either love or hate. Despite a long and diverse cultural history, the chaotic yet cosmopolitan capital of Indonesia serves predominantly as a business hub and gateway to the country’s 17,000-plus islands.

If you can grin and bear the air pollution and gridlocked traffic, there’s a city brimming with enterprise and creativity to discover – you just need to know where to look.

A good place to start is Kemang, the city’s sprawling southern district and an incubator for Jakarta’s contemporary art scene.

Galleries such as Biasa Artspace, Galeri Hadiprana and Edwin’s are leading the movement, together with concept stores like restaurantcum-gallery Koi and community-focused Dia.lo.gue.

Before Kemang succumbed to development in the 1970s, it was a simple Betawi village strewn with traditional Javanese-style mosques, surrounded by green fields and a handful of its namesake Kemang mango trees. For a glimpse of the original kampung (village), you’ll need to explore the network of tree-lined alleys that lazily branch out from the neighbourhood’s main traffic-choked artery, Jalan Kemang Raya.

This neighbourhood is also the place to brunch, with families flocking to reliable haunts like Komunal 88 and Baconerie at the weekend while al fresco rooftop bars like FJ on 7 draw a younger crowd to their all-day Sunday parties.

Kemang’s diverse food scene is proof that nowhere in the city straddles two worlds quite like this district. Street food vendors wheel their colourful carts past towering residential blocks and fancy restaurants, and you can line your stomach with some of the best bubur ayam (rice congee) in town for about 40 US cents or spend 10 times that on a scoop of artisan ice cream. Add to this a slew of home decor stores, from upscale six-storey Bika Living specialising in colonial homewares to traditional shack-style shops and you have all the ingredients of a neighbourhood worth exploring.

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N e i g h b o u r h o o d

in the area ( S ix -mi nut e S coot e r r ide )

Bikes + Baskets

THRIVE MOTORCYCLES Kemang has its fair share of motorcycle repair shops but none with a waiting list that reads like a who’s who of Indonesian celebrities. Thrive’s five founders – a group of local creatives, including a photographer and a graphic designer – set up the garage six years ago. Despite having zero mechanical background, their like-minded passion for riding motorbikes prevailed. The sketches hanging on the wall of Thrive’s topsy-turvy workshop reveal the quintet’s unusual design ethic, which head builder Barata Dwiputra brings to life in his reworking of classic motorcycles from Harleys to Hondas. No engine size is too big or small for Dwiputra. He works his magic on British, Japanese and American bikes, doing complete engine overhauls and hand-fabricated bodywork that has earned Thrive a reputation for top-notch craftsmanship. On average the custom workshop makes just eight bikes per year, each one a bespoke work of art.

Jl Kemang Timur Raya no 15, RT7/RW3, Bangka, Mampang Prpt, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12730 | 0812 840 14081

Pd KArYA mAndiri

Nicknamed Kemang’s Bamboo Man, Karya Mandiri’s shack-style workshop is packed to the rafters with one-of-a-kind baskets, ladders and chicken cages-turnedlampshades, fashioned from bamboo with the owner’s trusty machete.

Jl BeNda No 35, RT8/RW4, CilaNdaK TiM, Ps MiNggu, KoTa JaKaRTa selaTaN, daeRah Khusus iBuKoTa JaKaRTa 12560

Emirates serves two destinations in Indonesia – Jakarta and Bali. Choose from three daily services to Jakarta and, starting this month on July 2, two flights a day to Bali.

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N e i g h b o u r h o o d

In the AreA

Art + ArchAeology

( F our -mi nut e s coot e r r i de )

DIA.LO.GUE Although Dia.lo.gue’s location is just a stone’s throw from one of Kemang’s noisiest intersections, there are few places more tranquil in the city than this cultural venue.

Designed by renowned Indonesian architect Andra Matin, the art space, cafe and shop’s indoor/outdoor vibe, concrete walls and wooden panels (not to mention floating staircase) make it one of the most instagrammable galleries in town. What’s in a name? Well, in Dia.lo.gue’s case, more than you’d think. In Bahasa Indonesian, dia means he/she, lo means you and gue means me, echoing founder Engel Tanzil’s vision to build an art community. The light-flooded gallery hosts five to six major exhibitions a year showcasing mainly Indonesian artists, whilst the eclectic shop stocks ceramics, vintage posters and unique stationery crafted by local designers. Even if the art doesn’t float your boat, come here for a glass of iced lychee tea – best enjoyed alfresco in their shaded, stylish garden.

Jl Kemang Sel no 99a, Bangka, Mampang Prpt, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12730 | 217 199 671 | dialogue-artspace.com

museum di tenGAH KeBun

Translating as ‘museum in the middle of the garden’, you can take a 90-minute private tour of Pak Djalil’s vast collection of archaeological artefacts and antiques, sourced from over 63 countries.

Jl Kemang Timur raya raya nomor no 66, rT7/ rW3, BangKa, mamPang PrPT, KoTa JaKarTa SelaTan, Daerah KhuSuS iBuKoTa JaKarTa 12730 | 217 196 907

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N e i g h b o u r h o o d

In thE arEa ( Ni Ne -miN ut e s coot e r r i de )

Shop + Eat

TULISAN This whimsical boutique might be housed in Colony 6 outlet mall but its vintage fixtures and secondhand furniture could be mistaken for an atelier. Tulisan started life in the garage of its graphic designer owner Melissa Sunjaya, who worked tirelessly on her grandmother’s Singer sewing machine alongside an upholstery tailor before launching the international lifestyle brand in 2010. Her passion for typography and illustration infuses the store’s colourful collections of notebooks, cooking aprons, passport holders, stationery and canvas tote bags, each one handcrafted and produced sustainably. Jakarta-raised Melissa’s ongoing philanthropic work with KDM (a non-profit set up to rescue Jakarta’s street children) is encouraging conscious shopping. Her latest project has generated more than US$12,400 through the sale of 1,700 pepe dolls, handmade by disadvantaged kids using Tulisan fabric offcuts. Every doll sold provides one child with either a week’s worth of schooling, five square meals or up to 10 visits to the local health centre.

Jl Kemang Raya no 6, RT14/RW1, Bangka, Mampang Prpt, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12730 | 212 952 9927 | tulisan.com

simPLY rAW

The brainchild of another native female entrepreneur, Yus Dina, this newly opened plant-based organic restaurant serves creative dishes like zucchini lasagne, fruitarian sushi and durian cacao tart.

RaYa, Jl BenDa Blok BamBu kuning no 20a, RT6/RW4, easT CilanDak, PasaR minggu, souTh JakaRTa CiTY, JakaRTa 12560 | 212 278 0962

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SLEEP IS LIFE’S GREATEST PLEASURE.

SLEEP IS LIFE’S GREATEST PLEASURE.

L u n c h

w i t h

MaxiMilian Büsser The man behind the MB&F watch brand talks dreams, selling out, and the day that changed his life IMAGES: KRISTINA NABIEVA

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L u n c h

“

I always make people laugh because I can’t afford my own pieces. This is one year’s salary for me,” says Maximilian Büsser, pointing to his wrist. “I can’t go and buy a watch at that price.”

The owner and creative director of Maximilian Büsser and Friends (MB&F) is discussing the car-themed Can-Am, the product of more than 50 prototypes and 18 months of production. Like most of his timepieces, from idea to delivery took somewhere between three and four years.

“This is the engine bay and you’ve got the heads-up display of the dashboard,” he says, indicating each intricate part. “And you’ve got the engine, which is winding up the watch while you’re actually wearing it – see the gold battleaxe. And these are the titanium roll bars that protect the car.”

It doesn’t actually look like a watch, which Büsser takes as a compliment.

“You could never do market research for this because everybody would tell you you’re completely crazy – that you’re never going to sell one. But I do 20 a year. There are 20 people out there who are as crazy as I am and who have got, unlike me, the means to actually buy the piece.”

Büsser is an old-school eccentric, although you’d never think it from his appearance. He is smartly but casually dressed and our lunch at Zahira in the H Hotel lasts more than two hours, punctuated by moments of extreme honesty – the death of his father, the need for therapy, an unhappy childhood, near bankruptcy, the addictive nature of creativity.

He occupies a world of visions and make-believe, creating very particular, unique and dramatic watches, most of which will set you back in excess of US$150,000.

“I realise I’m not like everybody else,” he admits. “It’s interesting because when I was a kid I was the one who didn’t fit in and I suffered a lot for that. For a very long time I judged my childhood as unhappy. I didn’t have any friends, although I longed to have them.

“Then I discovered way, way down the line that to be different was okay. But it took me a really long time to get over that one.

It’s not by chance that I chose this photograph for my brand,” he adds, pointing to an image of two boys with wired-up colanders strapped to their heads. “This was the photo that most resonated with me when I decided what the brand was all about.”

MB&F is a company of rebellion, an artistic concept laboratory, an assembly of independent watchmakers united around the simple idea of developing radical horological masterpieces. At its centre is the belief that a creative adult is a child who survived.

It is perhaps apt, then, that we are dining in Greg Malouf ’s Zahira, with its elevated take on traditional Levantine dishes and Malouf ’s years spent working on the evolution of Lebanese cuisine. Both he and Büsser come from traditional creative disciplines in which experimentation is sometimes frowned upon.

“I often say that starting off in watchmaking saved my life,” says Büsser, whose company generates US$15 million in revenue a year. “Not because I really adore watchmaking – that’s not the

w i t h

point, I used to adore car designing – but I entered watchmaking when the industry was virtually bankrupt.” He says JaegerLeCoultre was foundering when he joined the company 26 years ago. “The CEO became my surrogate dad. He said: ‘We’re going to save this company, come with us.’ He basically gave me a meaning.”

Half Swiss, half Indian, Büsser studied microtechnology engineering in Switzerland before being approached by HenryJohn Belmont, the chief executive of then ailing Jaeger-LeCoultre, in 1991. He remained with the company for seven years before joining Harry Winston’s rare timepieces department, a company he says was also struggling at the time.

Büsser says he took a company with revenues of US$8 million and increased it tenfold.Yet the more the company grew, the more unhappy he became, with the death of his father ultimately leading him to seek therapy. “I went there to talk about my father but the therapist said: ‘What about you? If something happens to you today, would you have any regrets?’ And I was shocked because I was living the life. I was the man, the guy who’d come out of nowhere and was receiving all these plaudits – and I realised I would have a ton of regrets. The first was that the little boy who was sketching cars all the time had basically sold out. I’d become a marketeer. Everything I did was always to create products for market, always to create what I thought would sell and it was a complete abnegation of myself. It

“When you CReate pRoDuCts that you think WiLL seLL, you usuaLLy take aLL the ChaRaCteR out of them” wasn’t what I wanted to do, it was what the market would take. And I was like: ‘What am I doing? Am I proud of this?’ No, absolutely not.

“When you create products that you think will sell – meaning you want to sell to the most people possible – you usually take all the character out of them. Nobody hates them but nobody loves them either. Our creations – a lot of people hate them. A lot. But those who like them adore them. We’ve got a very polarising creativity.”

Childhood looms large in Büsser’s work. There are spaceships, mechanical jellyfish and what looks like a rocket inspired by Buck Rogers but is in fact re-imagined from the stories of Tintin. His pieces have names such as Space Pirate and Aquapod while the company’s Mechanical Art Devices (MAD) gallery, pioneered in Geneva, curates quirky kinetic art. There are two other galleries, one in Taipei and another Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue.

“What I’ve discovered over the years is that creativity is basically like a drug,” says Büsser, who set up MB&F in 2005 with US$900,000 he’d saved up.

“You need to increase the dose all the time. If you constantly do the same thing, you don’t feel it anymore. You’re always trying to push the boundaries.

Want to learn more about the Dubai dining scene? Listen to the Dubai Restaurants podcast on Channel 1505 on ice Digital Widescreen.

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L u n c h

“When I create I don’t care if people like what I do. I’ve actually come out with products – the Thunderbolt in 2010, for example, that I thought would bankrupt the company – but that piece liberated me. It also showed me there are people out there who are even crazier than I am and are okay if I go that one step further. It’s not a question of price, it’s a question of mentality. Am I courageous enough to wear a thing like that?”

Gordon Robertson, Zahira’s floor manager, serves us wagyu beef skewered with pearl onions and Hungarian peppers. There is Egyptian-style pigeon twice-cooked in aromatics too with freekeh and chopped Arabic salad.

“When I first started MB&F, it was very much about sketching my ideas,” says Büsser, who works with designer Eric Giroud.

“When I found something I would refine it until I liked it and only then would I realise it was a spaceship or a car. Now, many years down the road – this is going to seem very weird [but] I have visions. When I’m alone. I have to be alone and that’s why I’ve created so much more in Dubai than when I was in Switzerland because when I’m in the workshops, I’m always interacting with people and I can’t create anything then. Here I just sit in the garden and let my mind wander.”

Dessert is served: ice cream with white chocolate and leatherwood honey truffles and buttermilk rose cream with rose jelly and caramel berries.

Does he have any regrets?

He laughs. “I’ve never been this happy in my life,” he says. “It’s actually very weird because I’m at a point where I realise I was always searching, always on a personal quest of trying to achieve what I wanted. And now suddenly, I’m getting scared.

“Before I had nothing to lose. Now I’ve got a beautiful family, we’ve got a really nice life here in Dubai, a house for the first time in my life and the company’s doing incredibly well. But I guess I continue my therapy with the brand.”

w i t h

The Bill 1 x wagyu beef skewered with pearl onions, eggplant and Hungarian peppers (US$53) 1 x Egyptian-style pigeon twice-cooked in aromatics with freekeh and chopped Arabic salad (US$31) 1 x Buttermilk rose cream with rose jelly and caramel berries (US$10) 1 x Knife and fork ice cream with white chocolate and leatherwood honey truffles (US$11.50)

Total: US$105.50

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7 FOR ALL MANKIND ARMANI B A L LY BOSS B O T T E G A V E N E TA BURBERRY CA LV I N K L E I N J E A N S COACH CONVERSE DIANE VON FURSTENBERG DIESEL DOLCE & GABBANA ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA ESCADA ETRO FALKE GUCCI HACKETT HOGAN HOUR PAS S IO N JIMMY CHOO JOOP! LA PERLA LACOSTE LEVI'S LINDT LORO PIANA MARC O'POLO MAX MARA MICHAEL KORS MISSONI MONCLER MÖVE N A PA PIJR I NIKE OAKLEY P E T I T B AT E AU PUMA REEBOK S.OLIVER SAMSONITE SCHIESSER SCHIESSER KIDS SEIDENSTICKER SIGIKID STRELLSON SUNGLASS HUT SUPERDRY SWAROVSKI S WAT C H THE BEAUTY SPOT PERFUMERY THE NORTH FACE

EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING DESTINATION O U T L E T C I T Y. C O M

TIMBERLAND TOD'S T O M TA I L O R TOMMY HILFIGER TORY BURCH VERO MODA

Discover international labels from New York, London and Milan in flagship outlets with award-winning architecture only 30 km away from Stuttgart and 2 hours from Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich.

WINDSOR WMF ZWILLING AND MANY MORE

A collection of stories from around the world A Dubai Adventure

The Bus

48

Swim Club

57

38

MAIN

A dubAi

Adventure How a theme park rose out of the desert to save your summer Images: Jade Wills

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A

a

d u b a i

pproximately every 10 minutes a new fountain show begins at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. Music sounds, water rushes, the display commences. Only it’s not the real Dubai Fountain, it’s a scale replica made of Lego bricks.

We are in Miniland in the heart of Legoland Dubai, where the city’s skyline and other landmarks from across the Middle East have been recreated on a scale of one to 25.

Only the Burj Khalifa is different, scaled down to one to 50 to fit inside the venue’s vast 25-metre-

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tall dome. Fittingly, it is the tallest Lego building in the world.

There’s the long, iconic strip of Sheikh Zayed Road too and its accompanying metro, the dhows and abras of Dubai Creek, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Jordan’s Petra, the pyramids of Egypt, The Kuwait Towers and The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

There’s even a 7.5m-long version of Dubai International Airport. In total, 20 million Lego bricks were used for this one attraction alone.

There are six themed lands in Legoland Dubai

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It is just one of six themed lands within Legoland Dubai.

“If you want to do everything, one day is not enough,” admits Siegfried Boerst, general manager of Legoland Dubai. “And that’s just one park.”

The two of us are sitting on a terrace overlooking Miniland. It is summer. We are indoors. There is air conditioning.

“Model builders from all over the world worked on these,” says Boerst, indicating the buildings around us. “From the US, Denmark, Germany, Malaysia. It took about three years to build all of the models and in total we used 60 million Lego bricks for the entire park. The Burj Khalifa, for example, arrived in five pieces and was assembled here, although there is a steel structure inside to support it. But everything you see is made from Lego.”

Much of it is also interactive.

Press a button and window cleaners will get to work on the Burj Khalifa. Press another and the doors of a Lamborghini will open or a hot air balloon will take off over Petra. You can even crawl through a tunnel and emerge inside Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque if you wish.

“It’s impressive to see what model builders can do with Lego bricks nowadays,” says Boerst.

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With 27 key rides and attractions inspired by 13 of Hollywood’s most memorable movies – 21 of them indoors – it’s a theme park lover’s dream

“The animation, the lights – it’s incredible. When it gets dark outside we dim the lights in the dome and you’re mainly left with only the lights from the buildings, which creates a very special atmosphere.”

Legoland Dubai is just one attraction within Dubai Parks and Resorts, the largest integrated theme park destination in the Middle East.

Nearby are Legoland Water Park, the Hollywood-inspired

Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai, the first theme park of its kind anywhere in the world. A fourth park, Six Flags Dubai, is under construction and due to open in 2019.

For anyone unaccustomed to theme parks, especially integrated ones, the sheer enormity of Dubai Parks and Resorts is something to behold. Built on 30.6 million square feet of land at a cost of

Rides based on Hollywood blockbusters are a huge draw

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US$3.5 billion, it features more than 100 rides and attractions with the entire destination connected neatly by Riverland Dubai, a multi-themed dining and retail district.

“It’s a massive undertaking,” says Brian Machamer, general manager of both Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai. “When you already have a park and you build a new ride, that’s an undertaking. When you build

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a new land inside a park, that’s an undertaking. If you build a theme park, that’s an undertaking. But when you build three theme parks, a water park, a hotel, a night-time dining district, a transportation centre, parking, a substation and sewage treatment, you’ve got to basically build a city. It was the biggest challenge and the biggest project I’ve ever worked on. Part of the reason for coming on board was to be part of it because it’s just one of those amazing, once-in-alifetime opportunities.

“The quality is excellent and the team was solid. We didn’t have the type of manpower that you’d see at a Universal or Disney park when they put a project together and we didn’t have Disney Imagineering or Universal Recreation so a lot more work had to be done by a smaller number of people.

But when you see the guests’ reactions, when you read the surveys and you read the satisfaction scores, everyone’s extremely happy with the product we’ve created.”

The three theme parks opened at different times during the final quarter of last year while Legoland Water Park launched in January.

The Lionsgate zone within Motiongate is set to open later this month or in early

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August but the rest are up and running, including the DreamWorks Animation and Columbia Pictures zones.

The job now is to raise awareness, challenge perceptions and increase visitor numbers to the destination, which is located just off Sheikh Zayed Road, midway between Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

“In hindsight, with Six Flags coming in 2019 and for any future developments, my strategy would be to open in June or July so you have a couple of months to get all the bugs worked out and then hit October, November, December and have a solid season,” says Machamer.

“We tried to have the entire project finished by October 1 last year, but that didn’t end up happening so we kind of missed out on our first peak season. But it’s allowed us to regroup, to make sure from a training standpoint that everybody is where they need to be and that there’s crossutilisation of manpower across the parks. The plan now is to get the word out to overseas markets, make sure we’re on people’s travel itineraries and that the hotel is going to be full come the end of summer.”

So is the pressure on?

Song and dance can break out at any minute in Bollywood Parks Dubai

Model builders around the world took three years to create all of the models at Minland, using 60 million Lego bricks in the process | 42 |

“Everyone wants as much revenue as possible coming in and the perceived success,” says Machamer. “And what people perceive as a success is high turnstile counts and things like that. We’ll have to make it through the summer months and look at how we can optimise our visitation during that period but October and the six months following that will be the real indicator of how effective we were from a marketing and sales perspective.”

Machamer has worked in theme parks all his life. The week he turned 16, he got a driving licence and a job at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where he worked

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in food and beverage at Frontierland before moving to Universal Orlando when it opened in 1990. He hasn’t looked back since.

“I never would have thought it would turn into a lifelong job,” he says. “I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and there’s an amusement park there called Cedar Point, which has got some of the most amazing rollercoasters in the world. I like the biggest, fastest, tallest rollercoasters, those kinds of rides. So for me Six Flags and working on the design of that park was very exciting. It brought back memories of my childhood at Cedar Point.

“I can remember my first day at Walt Disney, my first day at Universal and from a timeline standpoint, I have great memories as a guest and also as an employee. It’s kind of a full circle. I’ve of course been a guest, I’ve been a frontline employee and what I like about my role now is that I can make changes if I see things that are not correct

or need to be changed. I didn’t think when I was a guy parking cars or working as a cashier 27 years ago that I would be making the big decisions. But it’s funny because back when I started, the senior management at Disney and Universal, those guys had also been in the parks for 25 or 30 years – so I guess you see a lot of longevity in people in the theme park business. Those who really enjoy it stay for a lifetime.”

Within Dubai Parks and Resorts, Motiongate is the flagship. With 27 key rides and attractions inspired by 13 of Hollywood’s most memorable live action and animated films (21 of which are indoors), it is essentially a theme park lover’s dream. There’s Dragon Gliders, a multimedia suspended rollercoaster within DreamWorks, Madagascar Mad Pursuit, a rollercoaster that propels visitors forward at speeds of up to 85 kilometres per hour upon launch and Zombieland Blast-off, a 58m drop and shot tower identical to the one that featured in the movie.

“Outside of Dragon Gliders – which is rare because there was only one other of its kind built at the time – we took stable ride systems and created themed experiences around those rides or we created media specific to that ride,” says Machamer. “That ride system might exist somewhere else in the world but the experience here is one-of-a-kind.”

Within the DreamWorks Animation zone Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon and Madagascar are the stars, brought to life in an immersive, all-indoor environment.

Elsewhere Hotel Transylvania,

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We tried to have it all finished by October last year and that didn’t end up happening so we kind of missed out on our first peak season.

But it’s allowed us to regroup A theme park destination, you can be in a small village one minute and outside the Taj Mahal the next

Ghostbusters, The Smurfs and The Hunger Games provide all the entertainment.

A short distance away is Bollywood Parks Dubai with its cinematic rides, vibrant entertainment and the 856-seater Rajmahal Theatre, home to a Broadway-style, Bollywood-themed show called Jaan-e-Jigaar.

“When I first joined I knew virtually nothing about Bollywood,” says Machamer.

“So one of the first things I did was watch all the movies. I was travelling to Los Angeles quite a bit working with creative and the movie studios so I’d always watch the films and get to understand the stars.

“I didn’t really have an appreciation or understanding of how big that industry is.

“We took all the big films from the Bollywood industry and the stars of those films, such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and the films like Krrish and other classics such as Sholay.

“The recipe for creating the movie park was similar to that of Motiongate, just based on Bollywood instead of Hollywood.”

Back at Legoland Dubai, Boerst appears happy.

“I was the first Legoland Dubai employee,” he says.

“The first time I came here at the end of 2013 it was still all

sand. They had started to do the infrastructure work but it still looked like a desert. What we were trying to do was create interactive attractions and activities for children | 44 |

where they could influence the experience and that’s what we did. So it’s not only passively sitting in a rollercoaster or on a carousel, it’s about the Lego experience and children actually experiencing what they play with in their living rooms, only in life-size.

“I grew up with Lego as a kid, so for me it’s a dream job working with a company where you identify with their values. It’s a toy, it’s fun but it has educational value as well and if you can bring enjoyment to families with children and see them having fun, then that’s reward enough.”

THE BUS

Exploring India can be something of a wild ride, which means touring with a group is often the best option – even for the most independent traveller. But going on a bus tour of the land of kings? Keeping a diary proves to be our writer’s salvation

words by marina kay | 46 |

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On my first visit to India, the subcontinent tested my patience, overwhelmed my senses and gripped my mind with its intensity. I think of it often.

Travelling solo, the only way I could make sense of it all was through journalling my experiences.

Well, I say solo…

Based on a 13-day ImperIal rajasthan tour wIth InsIght VacatIons, InsIghtVacatIons.com

September 14, 2016: Scenes from a moving bus I’m driving around one of the world’s most crowded cities with the cast of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. At least that’s how my Canadian neighbour (a veteran of these types of tour groups) describes us – and she’s right.

Our motley crew of 19 includes a widowed Irish anaesthesiologist, a Texan auto dealer with his wife, a retired Louisianan doctor, an Australian couple travelling the world and a Canadian vet with her extended Ghanaian family.

Acquainted over a welcome dinner at our Delhi hotel two nights ago, now we’re like old friends, sitting pretty in an air-conditioned coach, shielded from India’s sweltering heat and hubbub. Outside, it’s a sweat-fest: about 35C in the shade and with monsoon season just finished, we’re soaking in the tail end of a humid summer.

And Delhi – how can I describe the capital of the world’s largest democracy?

Unruly, untidy, chaotic. That’s all part of the charm, they say. After touring Qutab Minar, the birthplace of the nation’s Islamic period (Delhi has been reincarnated over half a dozen times. New Delhi was planned by British architect Sir Edwin Luytens), we stopped at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

Earlier that day we visited Humayun’s Tomb, beautiful for its Persian detailing and double dome and designed for the second Mughal king by his widowed wife.

It’s a place that certainly takes some getting used to and not even our talkative tour manager Virendra could have prepared us for the swarm of children that engulfed us at Jama Masjid mosque, nor the choked alleyways of Chandni Chowk

Some welcome shade at the Taj Mahal

bazaar, which we navigated from the backs of bicycle rickshaws. What we saved in fuel emissions we made up for in added chaos.

Perhaps that’s why today, seeing the Taj Mahal (a “teardrop on the cheek of eternity,” according to poet Rabindranath Tagore) felt so surreal.

Having traversed highways, dir t roads and Agra For t (where Indian children wanted photos in case we happened to be Hollywood stars), we endured an archaic security process and throngs of crowds to see this wonder of the world. Magnificent against a | 48 |

cloud-strewn sky, its white-marbled symmetry stunned from afar. Up close, we marvelled at the inlaid stonework, so intricate, until the heat proved too oppressive. Not that this deterred the hordes, who kept taking selfies left, right and centre from the famous Princess Diana bench, of course.

I sought solace in the ornamental gardens, shaded and calm, grateful for the respite before the onslaught that toiled beyond: filth, smog and desperate poverty.

Children chased us, clutching magnets, postcards and snow globes, yelling: ‘Two for 100 rupees.’ I felt helpless... broken.

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September 17: Namaste for the flu

The iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

September 15: Onwards to Jaipur Headed to the 16th century Mughal capital, Fatehpur Sikri (city of victory), today. I dropped behind the guided tour, distracted by the heat, instead taking photos of locals immaculately dressed in glittering saris and colourful kaftans.

Long stretches between bus stops allow us time to recalibrate and take in the changing scenes: new glass towers outside Delhi, shanty towns by bridges, sheep, camels and roaming cows, dozing children on dusty ground, parched swaths of land, women wrapped in saris balancing sacks of produce on their heads, stores made of corrugated iron, dentists and barber shops along the highway, buses laden with cargo, packed with passengers, their heads poking out of windows, groups of three teetering on the edges of tiny motorbikes.

Dodging goats and a herder shaking his shepherd’s crook at us, the bus finally pulled into our destination, Le Meridien Jaipur, where staff greeted us with garlands of marigolds. Many of us were also given bindis to signify true love, prosperity and marriage. How quickly they spotted our wedding ring fingers.

I’m down with a sore throat and sniffles but not miserable enough to miss seeing Jaipur, known as the pink city for its ornate salmon-coloured buildings. Two of the town’s locals led us through the Old City, its maze of laneways jammed with temples, courtyards and shops selling bangles, spices, saris and men’s wedding garb. We prayed to the monkey god Hanuman and one of the guides treated us to syrupy jalebi (like funnel cakes) and spicy chai, which was expertly poured into our tiny cups by a gangly chaiwallah.

From there, jeeps transported us to Amber Fort, the former capital of Rajasthan, whose Palace of Mirrors, gleaming in the centre of crumbling ancient pavilions, was spectacular.

After the visit, instead of retiring to the hotel to watch CNN – as has become my routine – I broke off from the pack and escaped to Rambagh Palace, a onetime royal residence now run by the Taj Hotel group. (After independence the government stripped royal families of their stipends so palaces were turned into hotels to pay for their upkeep.) I booked an Ayurvedic cupping treatment set in a tent amid manicured grounds populated by peacocks. It really was a treatment fit for a maharani.

Rickshaws swerved pedestrians, tuk-tuks dodged buses and trucks zoomed past plastered with the words “blow horn” or “honk please”

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What we saved in fuel emissions we made up for in added chaos

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Jaisalmer Fort, a fully preserved fortified city

September 20: Baked by the desert There’s a problem. Apparently I’ve been sitting at the back of the bus too much and tongues are starting to wag. The tour manager came to my seat and requested that I move up front. It wasn’t all bad there. Apart from nattering about insurance, pensions and gardening with my neighbours, I watched the driver tackle roads devoid of working traffic lights and signs. And if there were any rules, they were completely disregarded: Rickshaws swerved past pedestrians, tuk-tuks dodged buses and trucks zoomed past, plastered with the words “blow horn” or “honk please”.

As you can imagine, incessant honking ensues all day, every day, so much so that I’ve become immune to it.

After Jaipur, we spent the night in a small palace hotel in Bikaner before embarking on the six-hour ride to Jaisalmer, a caravan city that was once a central trading hub for spices, wheat and opium.

In the heart of the Thar desert, which heats to 40C on a good day, stands Suryagarh Hotel. Built a few years ago to resemble a fort, it feels stuck in the middle of nowhere, 20 minutes from town, about 160km from the Pakistan border, surrounded by nothing but undulating sand and India’s biggest wind turbine farm.

That said, everything about this hotel is exotic: the chai, unique desert sweets, outdoor courtyards, silk throw pillows and staff in multi-coloured turbans. Imagine a scene from One Thousand and One Nights and you’re not far from the truth.

On the first day touring Jaisalmer (founded in 1155), we trudged up to its residential hilltop fort packed with buildings and home to about 2,000 people. The guide took us on a silent walking tour through the labyrinths filled with vendors hawking books, saris and fans. Overheated, I bought one without even haggling.

Architecturally, the fort city stuns with its elaborate Jain temples and multi-storey mansions, or havelis, decorated with frescoes and sandstone filigree. From one of the rooftops, we photographed the city below, baked golden by the scorching sun.

That evening, sand dunes beckoned with camel rides and sunset. Thanks to rounds of rum and coke supplied by our guide, the mood was more jovial than usual and we whooped it up back to the hotel before indulging in an eight-course dinner under the stars.

Emirates serves nine destinations in India – Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Kolkata.

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September 22: The food I’ve just realised I haven’t written anything about Indian food. Street stalls abound and we have tried plenty of delicacies based on tour guides’ recommendations, such as jalebi and cooling mango lassi, a luscious mix of yoghurt, cream and cardamom.

Dairy is very popular here – the cow is a sacred animal and protected by the Hindu religion – and no meat is consumed. It’s all about vegetables, lentils, breads and spices.

Oh, and plenty of bananas.

I’ve been ordering a lot of spinach paneer (firm cottage cheese squares) and idli (rice and lentil dumplings) topped with different chutneys: coriander, coconut and tomato with curry leaves. For today’s breakfast, the waiter brought moong dal kachori (mini empanadas with potato and lentil fillings) and dosa, a rice and lentil crepe that you dip into sambar (lentil and vegetable stew made with tamarind). It was

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all so delicious, especially the rich and fresh coconut chutney.

All of the hotel buffet breakfasts include western options – omelettes, toast, eggs Benedict and Danish pastries – which the tour group takes to because they either fear getting sick or subscribe to the if-Ican’t -pronounce-it-then-I-don’t-want-toeat-it mentality. Full disclosure: I cannot get used to eating with my fingers.

But I’ve been eating copious amounts of yoghurt and honey to cool down my mouth and insides from the heat of the spices that come as standard.

September 23: India’s Venice of the East My last night in India before enduring the long journey back to LA. Just when I thought I couldn’t tour another fort, we visited Meherangarh, one of the most beautifully preserved monuments with views of blue-hued Jodhpur. Against this landscape, bright colours really stand out.

Lunch of paneer kebabs was followed by a visit to a textile warehouse, where

Without fixers and guides, pulling off a two-week trip of this kind would have been incredibly tough

A stall owner selling produce at Chandni Chowk bazaar

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the second generation owner sold us on stories of his dealings with major fashion houses. I got sucked in, just like everyone else, and now own a Valentino wrap and Hermès pashmina.

Following a long drive with stops at a Jain temple, we arrived late in Udaipur, known as the city of lakes.

My spirits lifted upon boarding a boat headed toward the Taj Lake Palace. We were staying in the hotel that anchors the Venice of the East. Rose petals showered us as we entered the marble lobby covered with sofas and pillows.

Candles lit up the place and we sipped guava juice while waiting for our keys.

My room had an amazing view of Lake Pichola and the City Palace, aglow under the morning’s sunrise. The hotel felt like a boutique cruise ship, resplendent with fountains and gardens overlooking ancient views. Everywhere smelled of incense and flute players abounded. Apparently James Bond’s Octopussy was filmed here so I ordered a version of the film’s signature cocktail – made with vodka and jasmine syrup – at the bar.

I’m sad to be leaving. Travelling with a tour group has been enjoyable. Truth be told, I’m partial to independent travel but navigating India is not easy.

Without fixers and guides, pulling off a two-week trip of this kind would have been tough, and being surrounded by a circle of fellow travellers lessened the intimidation of India staring me straight in the face.

As for travelling solo in a group, that part was liberating. I never felt lonely, took my time, escaped when I needed to, avoided cliques, caught up on my reading (Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a non-fiction book about Mumbai slum life, was a constant companion) and didn’t have to question whether someone else was “having a good time”.

While I might have done my own thing and occasionally adjusted the sightseeing schedule (not that I’ll ever forget first seeing the Taj Mahal with a bunch of sticky strangers under the blazing afternoon sun), there’s one thing I simply would not have changed for the world – that air-conditioned bus.

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Ahmed Elbayed illusion show

Masha & the bear on ice

9-31 July 13-30 August Bawadi Mall, Al Ain

Iftah Ya Sim Sim 3-5 August Al Raha Theater, Abu Dhabi Ninja turtle 27-29 July Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi 3-5 August Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi

Tom & Jerry cheese maze Namaste Abu Dhabi

9-12 August Bawadi Mall, Al Ain Comedy Superstar

13-19 August Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi

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Swim club From swimming wild in some of London’s most historic parks to stylish bathing in retro lidos, Londoners are taking the plunge like never before Words and Images: Sarah Freeman

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Parliament Hill Despite being unheated, this shimmering 60-metre Art Deco beauty remains surprisingly toasty, thanks to its stainless steel pool liner (the only one in the UK) that moderates water temperature. Take an afternoon siesta in one of the gazebos or retreat to its pop-up sauna to escape any winter chill

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here’s something rather beautiful about a lido. Even in the UK, these ornate creations remain true to their Mediterranean style cues, silently and solemnly disapproving the beige-carpeted leisure centres that brought about their demise.

A staggering 169 lidos were constructed in the UK during the swimming boom of the 1930s, most of which fell into disuse in the 1960s and 1970s when holidaying abroad became more affordable and people realised that England was, well, freezing. Add to that bouts of vandalism and the scene was set for a shift indoors.

But the desire to swim in the open clearly appeals to the average Londoner and the city is now entering a second golden age, with 17 lidos currently open for business (including one of Europe’s largest at Tooting Bec) and ongoing bids to resurrect even more Art Deco relics.

It’s people that have generated the movement. Retro gems like Uxbridge’s iconic 12-sided star pool, the Olympiclength Brockwell and Grade II listed Parliament Hill have all been spared demolition and abandonment, thanks

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Charlton Flanked by a delightful rose garden in leafy Greenwich, this municipal-feel allweather, Olympic-sized pool might be a schlep to get to from central London but its balmy 25 degrees, year-round waters are well worth exploring

almost entirely to community support.

One of east London’s best-kept secrets and the city’s only floodlit lido, London Fields, was restored to its former glory a decade ago after a local pressure group campaigned for nearly 20 years.

The Charlton Lido Swimming Club, meanwhile, rallied to re-open Greenwich’s Charlton pool in 2013, which finally underwent a much-needed facelift.

From retro to radical, one outdoor pool that recently thrust the city’s aquatic recreation into the spotlight was King’s Cross Pond. Dubbed a land art pop-up, London’s first man-made, self-cleaning, freshwater pond was an art installation that proved so popular it almost outlived its two-year planning permission, with calls for it to remain a permanent fixture unfortunately falling on deaf ears.

This isn’t just a lido thing, however.

Urban swimming experiences are expanding beyond the confines of man-made pools as Londoners are reconnecting with the city’s natural waters.

Astonishingly, it’s London’s main artery, the Thames – once so polluted it was deemed biologically dead – where it all began.

Londoners have been taking a dip in this iconic river for more than 400 years. King | 61 |

Charles II famously swore by a daily 5am swim and the ambitious kickstarter-funded Thames Baths Project – backed by the artist Tracey Emin – is on course to reclaim some of the city’s famous waterway for swimming once more.

If England’s second longest river is a little too high profile for you, thankfully you’re spoiled for choice. At Hampstead Heath,

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Highgate Men’s bathing pond Elevated on a hillock, the men’s pond affords a bucolic setting, just 6km from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. The best way to make an entrance?

Dive in using the pond’s springboard, reached via a wooden jetty

formerly a reservoir system supplying water to the capital in the 1700s and set in an enormous 320-hectare ancient park, you can now perfect your front crawl alongside bobbing ducks and moorhens.

If you’d prefer something with a royal edge, try Hyde Park’s regal lake – Henry VIII used the area as his personal hunting ground – where swimmers are close to outnumbering the swans. Its Serpentine Swimming Club also happens to be the oldest of its kind in Britain.

Taking a dip with wildlife adds a whole new dimension and it’s no longer a niche hobby. Wild swimming is gaining momentum, thanks to cleaner rivers and heroic charity challenges while the lido rebirth gathers momentum by the month.

The UK Outdoor Swimming Society’s members have swelled from just 300 in 2006 to a whopping 25,000 today but it’s not just the about the activity.

In reality these outdoor pools and lakes are community hubs as much as they are fitness destinations. All you need to do is turn up and take the plunge.

Emirates operates nine daily flights to London. Choose from six daily services to London Heathrow and three daily services to London Gatwick.

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A collection of inspirational quotes from

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan a man who fought for unity, preached equality and transformed the UAE.

‘I had many dreams. I dreamt of our land keeping pace with the growth of the modern world.’

– S H E I K H Z AY E D B I N S U LTA N A L N A H YA N

ava i l a b l e i n a l l m a j o r b o o k s t o r e s a n d at b o o k s a r a b i a . c o m

# Fat h e r O f O u r N at i o n

Essential news and information from Emirates A380 upgrade for Shanghai and Beijing

Inside Emirates

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A380 UPGRADE fOR BEIJING AND SHANGHAI

*Terms and condiTions apply

EXPLORE DUBAI WITH MY EMIRATES PASS

Be sure to keep hold of your boarding pass if you’re travelling to or through Dubai between now and August 31 – it might just make your day.

My Emirates Pass turns your boarding pass into an exclusive membership card for the city, which means Emirates customers can explore more of Dubai and enjoy exclusive offers and discounts across 120 world-class restaurants, championship golf courses and the city’s must-see new attractions – including Dubai Parks and

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To take advantage of the fantastic offers at some of the city’s best known hotspots, simply show your Emirates boarding pass* and a valid form of identification and get ready to have the time of your life.

To see all My Emirates Pass offers in order to plan your trip, and for a complete list of terms and conditions, visit emirates.com/emiratespass

ULTRA SUccESS fOR EMIRATES

Emirates has received yet more accolades, this time voted Best Airline in the World and Best Middle Eastern Airline by the readers of the Daily Telegraph’s luxury travel magazine Ultratravel in its prestigious awards, The Ultras, 2017.

Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates airline, received the awards at the ceremony in London’s Savoy hotel, attended by key members of the travel industry, British personalities and a notable special guest: Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York (pictured).

It’s a fantastic reward for an Emirates team known for its dedication to improving the travel experience of its passengers. Earlier this year it was also named Best Airline in the World at the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for airlines, after being the most positively reviewed airline in the industry, and only last year it won the World’s Best Airline award at the 2016 Skytrax World Airline awards. | 66 |

Being two of the most populous cities in the world, it’s unsurprising that customer demand is high on routes to Beijing and Shanghai. As a result, Emirates has upgraded its daily services to an all A380 operation that will commence on July 1.

The move will increase capacity on the route, offering passengers even more seamless A380-to-A380 connections between the two Chinese cities and at more than 30 international points – including 18 in the UK and Europe – via its hub in Dubai. The new flights will replace the current Boeing 777-300ER operations.

The upgrade strengthens Emirates’ overall mainland China offering, which also includes services to Guangzhou, Yinchuan and Zhengzhou.

The popular Emirates A380, which offers up to 519 seats in a three-class configuration on Chinese routes, now flies to seven North Asian cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul in South Korea and Narita, Japan.

E m i r a t E s

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THIRD DAILY FOR BRISBANE

A third daily service to Brisbane is to be launched by Emirates on December 1, complementing the airline’s two existing daily services.

The launch will give passengers in the UK, France and Nor th America greater access to Australia with just one stop in Dubai as par t of Emirates’ global

route network, which includes over 150 destinations in more than 80 countries and territories.

The direct ser vice will be operated by a B777-200LR aircraft and has eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business Class and 216 in Economy Class. The additional flight will increase capacity on the route by 3,724 seats a week, inbound and outbound between Brisbane and Emirates’ Dubai hub.

Flights EK434 and EK435 operate nonstop between Dubai and Brisbane and onwards to Auckland, New Zealand, while flights EK432 and EK433 operate between Dubai and Brisbane via Singapore.

Additionally, with codeshare par tner Qantas, Emirates offers ser vices to Singapore twice daily from Brisbane.

FIRST FREIGHTER TO LUXEMBOURG Emirates SkyCargo, the world’s largest international cargo airline, operated its first scheduled weekly freighter service to Luxembourg on June 12 and was warmly welcomed by a traditional water canon salute on arrival.

The freighter operation between Luxembourg and Dubai World Central (DWC) is one of the first steps in the implementation of the strategic operational partnership between Emirates SkyCargo

and Cargolux Airlines that was announced in May this year.

Emirates SkyCargo will operate its Boeing 777 freighter aircraft on the route, providing a total cargo capacity of over 100 tonnes.

Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter will arrive at Luxembourg at 13.25 local time every Monday and will depart for DWC at 15.25 local time.

Luxembourg joins Emirates SkyCargo’s global network of over 150 destinations in more than 80 countries across six continents. | 68 |

SECOND DAILY A380 TO BIRMINGHAM

Emirates is to introduce a second daily A380 service between Dubai and Birmingham in the UK. Beginning on October 29, flight EK39/40 – currently operated by a Boeing 777 – will be replaced by the iconic and highly popular Emirates A380, adding to the existing daily A380 already operating on the route.

Emirates’ decision to use a double-daily A380 ser vice was in par t driven by huge demand from passengers to travel on the iconic aircraft. Since the first A380 ser vice from Dubai to Birmingham launched on March 27, 2016, more than 300,000 passengers have flown on the aircraft between the two cities.

As with the current A380 used on the route, the aircraft will operate in a two-class configuration, featuring 58 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 557 spacious seats in Economy Class, as well as Emirates’ popular Onboard Lounge.

i n s i d e

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the big wash

An exclusive look at how Emirates keeps its aircraft clean and shiny – and how it saves millions of litres of water in the process

step one

A liquid cleaning product is first applied manually to the entire external surface of the aircraft.

did yoU Know?

It’s still possible for other maintenance work to be carried out during a drywash.This is not the case when washed with water.

an environmentally friendly clean in nUmbers...

12

Hours it takes to clean an A380

3

9

Hours it takes to clean a Boeing 777

Number of times Emirates aircraft get a drywash each year (in comparison to four or five times for a pressurised water wash)

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11,300

Litres of water it takes to wash an A380 using traditional pressurised water techniques

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step two

step three

Clean microfibre fabric is then used to remove the cleaning product – which has now dried to a film – removing the dirt along with it.

The aircraft is left with a fine protective film allowing the painted surface to retain a longer gloss and shine.

DID YoU KNow? The dirt accumulated on an aircraft will actually increase its fuel consumption by making it heavier and less aerodynamic.

11,000,000

15

Litres of water Emirates saves every year by using the drywash technique

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Number of people in a cleaning crew

D e s t i n a t i o n

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D E S T I N A T I O N

NICE Take advantage of Emirates’ daily A380 to Nice and enjoy a city filled with all the style and swagger of the South of France Ah, Nice. The Côte d’Azur, the Mediterranean, the sun-seekers, the high-rollers, the joie de vivre, the belle époque. Playground to the rich and famous and gateway to Provence, Nice is the stretch of the Côte d’Azur famed for its benign winter climate and year-round sun.

The grande dame of the French Riviera, the city is sometimes overshadowed by its glamorous neighbours – the aristocratic Monaco, star-studded Cannes, and the Champagne-soaked St Tropez – but it more than holds its own. A beautiful mix of the old and the new, it is the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Azur.

Much of what Nice has to offer can be digested sedately and languidly within the course of a day or two. The Promenade des Anglais, with its pastel-painted buildings overlooking the sea, is the centre of most tourists’ attention, while the narrow streets of Le Vieux Nice – in the old Town – house cafes, restaurants and boutique shops.

Place Rossetti, meanwhile, is a charming square fronted by the baroque Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate – a must-see along with the Parc de la Colline du Château, which overlooks the city and provides wonderful views of the Baie Des Anges (Bay of Angels).

EAT

STAY

DO

RESTAURANT JAN Holder of a single Michelin star, Restaurant Jan is an intimate little venue near the port serving a seasonal tasting menu. Run by South African chef Jan Hendrik, it serves modern French plates with touches of inspiration from his South African heritage. It takes some beating. restaurantjan.com

HOTEL NEGRESCO With the added benefit of being home to Le Chantecler, a two-star Michelin restaurant run by JeanDenis Rieubland, Hôtel Negresco is arguably the finest of the city’s fivestar hotels. Situated on Promenade des Anglais, it has sea views and opulence in abundance. hotel-negresco-nice.com

PARC DE LA COLLINE DU CHATEAU You can’t visit Nice without trekking up to Castle Hill. Once boasting a reputedly impregnable citadel, it’s now a wonderful point from which to view the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the port below. Access is via steps that start at Place Garibaldi and lead to a maze of greenery.

OLIVE & ARTICHAUT Situated on Rue Sainte-Reparate in the Old Town is this modern restaurant with an ever-changing chalkboard menu that embraces both the sea and the mountain.

Another proud holder of a Michelin star, expect steak tartare, tarte à la sardine and albacore tuna. Oh, and plenty of olives and artichokes. oliveartichaut.com L’ACCHIARDO Get your fill of authentic Niçoise cuisine at this frequently packed and noisy restaurant, run by the Acchiardo family since 1927. Expect dishes such as pissaladière, swordfish with confited lemon and a superb soupe au pistou. +33 4 9385 5116

HOTEL LA PEROUSE Another seafront hotel, this time at the point where the Promenade des Anglais becomes the Pointe de Rauba-Capeu. Roughly five minutes’ walk from the Old Town and built up and around the rocky headland, it not only has a superb terrace, but unparalleled views of the Baie Des Anges. leshotelsduroy.com HOTEL LA VILLA VICTORIA A landmark building located on the Art Deco-style Boulevard Victor Hugo, this stately townhouse has a large garden, an open-plan ground floor and is just a five-minute walk from the sea. Recently renovated and featuring 38 rooms, it sits peacefully on one of Nice’s more distinguished central streets. villa-victoria.com

PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS The most famous stretch of seafront in Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is named after the English aristocracy who used to frequent the city in the early 19th century and helped pay for its construction. Stretching for seven kilometres, it is lined with numerous attractions and is perfect for sunset strolls.

LE VIEUX NICE The Old Town is where the majority of attractions lie, particularly if the finest food and drink is what you’re after. Get lost in the narrow lanes and wander aimlessly until you find Cours Saleya, where the flower, fruit and vegetable markets take place.

It’s a huge square that’s pleasantly packed in summer.

Emirates flight EK77 leaves Dubai at 08.45 and arrives in Nice at 13.40, while EK78 departs Nice at 15.40 and arrives in Dubai at 00.10 the next day.

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C O M F O R T

COMFORT IN THE AIR To help you arrive at your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed, Emirates has developed this collection of helpful travel tips.

Regardless of whether you need to rejuvenate for your holiday or be effective at achieving your goals on a business trip, these simple tips will help you enjoy your journey and time onboard with Emirates today.

SMART TRAVELLER

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER Rehydrate with water or juices frequently. Drink tea and coffee in moderation.

TRAVEL LIGHTLY

WEAR GLASSES

USE SKIN MOISTURISER

KEEP MOVING

Carry only the essential items that you will need during your flight.

Cabin air is drier than normal, therefore swap your contact lenses for glasses.

Apply a good quality moisturiser to ensure your skin doesn’t dry out.

Exercise your lower legs and calf muscles.

This encourages blood flow.

BEFORE YOUR JOURNEY Consult your doctor before travelling if you have any medical concerns about making a long journey, or if you suffer from a respiratory or cardiovascular condition.

Plan for the destination – will you need any vaccinations or special medications?

Get a good night’s rest before the flight.

Eat lightly and sensibly.

AT THE AIRPORT

MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE Loosen clothing, remove jacket and avoid anything pressing against your body.

DURING THE FLIGHT

Allow yourself plenty of time for check-in.

Avoid carrying heavy bags through the airport and onto the flight as this can place the body under considerable stress.

Once through to departures try and relax as much as possible.

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Chewing and swallowing will help equalise your ear pressure during ascent and descent.

Babies and young passengers may suffer more acutely with popping ears, therefore consider providing a dummy.

Get as comfortable as possible when resting and turn frequently.

Avoid sleeping for long periods in the same position.

SHARPS BOXES Sharps boxes are available onboard all Emirates flights for safe disposal of medical equipment. Please ask a member of your cabin crew for more information.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE Try some light exercise or read if you can’t sleep after arrival.

c u s t o m s

&

v i s a

i n f o r m a t i o n

Guide to us customs & immiGration Whether you’re travelling to, or through, the United States today, this simple guide to completing the US customs form will help to ensure that your journey is as hassle-free as possible.

CUSToMS DECLARATIoN FoRM All passengers arriving into the US need to complete a Customs Declaration Form. If you are travelling as a family this should be completed by one member only. The form must be completed in English, in capital letters, and must be signed where indicated.

ElEctronic SyStEm for travEl authoriSation (ESta) If you are an international traveller wishing to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for electronic authorisation (ESTA) up to 72 hours prior to your departure.

ESta factS: Children and infants require an individual ESTA. The online ESTA system will inform you whether your application has been authorised, not authorised or if authorisation is pending.

A successful ESTA application is valid for two years. However, this may be revoked or will expire along with your passport. apply onlinE at www.cbp.gov/ESta nationalitiES EligiblE for thE viSa waivEr*: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom** * SubjEct to changE ** only britiSh citizEnS qualify undEr thE viSa waivEr program. | 76 |

c u s t o m s

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i n f o r m a t i o n

Cut the queue at JFK with quiCK ConneCt If you’re connecting through New York JFK, you can avoid long waiting times in US immigration and queues for connecting flights with the Quick Connect service. The US Customs and Border Protection agency created the special service for passengers who have a connecting flight within three hours of arrival at New York JFK.

Follow TheSe STePS:

1

2

3

4

have your boarding card or ticket for your connecting flight ready for the ground staff as you exit.

You’ll be given a Quick Connect card. Continue to the Quick Connect queue in the Arrivals hall.

After passport clearance, claim your baggage and clear US customs, regardless of your final destination.

If your bag is tagged to your final destination, hand it to emirates staff at the transfer counter for your onward flight.

quarantine in australia Australia has strict biosecurity laws, so when you arrive you’ll need to declare certain food, plant or animal items on your Incoming Passenger Card.

You also need to declare equipment or shoes used in rivers and lakes or with soil attached. All aircraft food must be left onboard. Please take particular care when you complete your Incoming Passenger Card – it's a legal document and false declarations may result in a penalty.

quarantine in Japan Japan has strict rules around exposure to livestock and bringing in livestock items.

You will need to go to the Animal Quarantine Counter if: • you have recently been to a livestock farm • are bringing livestock products into Japan • your visit to Japan will involve contact with livestock The counter is in the baggage claim area. If you’re bringing meat and livestock products into Japan without an import certificate, you must see the animal quarantine officer. | 78 |

Focus on your priorities.

Not ours.

A Valiant Life is a philosophy.

It’s about taking control and making the most of every minute. Our preventive health services help you work towards a better you.

We want to see you out enjoying life with no time wasted. From Cardiology to Gastroenterology to Pulmunology, Health Check-ups and more, Valiant Clinic provides advanced preventive healthcare to ensure you spend more time with loved ones, and less time with us.

For a consultation, call 800 VALIANT (8254268) or visit valiantclinic.com The future of healthcare, today. Now open at CITY WALK.

MOH#UK08153

U A E

S M A R T

G A T E

BE SMART! USE UAE SMART GATE AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

NATIONALITIES THAT CAN USE UAE SMART GATES

UAE

Andorra

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Brunei

Canada

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Kuwait

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Monaco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Oman

Portugal

Qatar

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

*UK

USA

GO THROUGH IMMIGRATION IN SECONDS AND GET YOUR VISIT TO DUBAI OFF TO A FLYING START Citizens of the countries listed on the right and UAE residents can speed through Dubai International by using UAE Smart Gate.

If you hold a machine-readable passport, an E-Gate card or Emirates ID card you can check in and out of the airport within seconds.

Just look out for signs that will direct you to the many UAE Smart Gates found on either side of the Immigration Hall at Dubai International Airport.

USING UAE SMART GATE IS EASY

1

Have your machine-readable passport, E-Gate card or Emirates ID card ready to be scanned

2

Place your passport photo page on the scanner. If you are a UAE resident, place your E-Gate card or Emirates ID card into the card slot

OK!

3

Go through the open gate, stand in the blue footprint guide on the floor, face the camera straight-on and stand still for your iris scan.

When finished, the next set of gates will open and you can continue to baggage claim

REGISTERING FOR UAE SMART GATE IS EASY To register, just follow the above process and then spend a few moments having your details validated by an immigration officer. That’s it! Every time you fly to Dubai in future, you will be out of the airport and on your way just minutes after you landed.

IF YOU’RE A UAE RESIDENT Remember to bring your Emirates ID card next time you’re travelling through DXB – you’ll be able to speed through passport control in a matter of seconds, without paying and without registering. Valid at all Smart Gates, located in Arrivals and Departures across all three terminals at DXB. | 80 |

*UK citizens only (UK overseas citizens still require a visa)

UAE SMART GATE CAN BE USED BY:

• Machine-readable passports from the above countries • E-Gate cards • Emirates ID cards

R O U T E

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M A P

R O U T E

M A P

NEW ROUTE: Phnom Penh: daily service via Yangon starts July 1

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*SUSPENDED

R O U T E

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M A P

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LEGAL SERVICES LITIGATION, ARBITRATION & ADR BUSINESS SETUP & COMPANY REGISTRATION OFFSHORE & FREE ZONE COMPANY FORMATION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & E-COMMERCE LAWS BANKING, INSURANCE & MARITIME LAWS REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION LAWS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE DRAFTING & CONTRACT REVIEWS LEGAL TRANSLATION DEBT COLLECTION TRADEMARK & PATENT REGISTRATION PROTECTION & ENFORCEMENT

DUBAI

EMIRATES TOWERS 14th Floor, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box: 9055, Dubai-UAE T+971 4 330 43 43 F +971 4 330 39 39

ABU DHABI

JABEL ALI

SHARJAH

INTERNET CITY

TEL: +971 2 639 44 46 auh@emiratesadvocates.com TEL: +971 6 572 86 66 shj@emiratesadvocates.com

TEL: +971 4 887 16 79 jafz@emiratesadvocates.com TEL: +971 4 390 08 20 dic@emiratesadvocates.com

RAS AL KHAIMAH

TEL: +971 7 204 67 19 rak@emiratesadvocates.com

UAE | SAUDI ARABIA | QATAR | BAHRAIN | KUWAIT | OMAN

R O U T E

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M A P

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Special offers are available at selected Mediclinic hospitals and clinics in Dubai and selected Mediclinic facilities (previously Al Noor and Al Madar) in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.

For more information, and a full list of participating facilities and applicable procedures, please visit www.mediclinic.ae

Offer valid until 31 August 2017

EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST. A MEDICLINIC INTERNATIONAL COMPANY.

F L E E T

EMIRATES FLEET

Our fleet of 261 aircraft includes 246 passenger aircraft and 15 SkyCargo aircraft

AIRBUS A380-800 2500+ 18% All Emirates A380 aircraft are fitted with Wi-Fi, Mobile Phone and Data Roaming services. A total of 17 (18%) of the A380s are now equipped with Live Television, with more coming soon.

96 in fleet. Up to 489-615 passengers. Range of 15,000km. L 72.7m x W 79.8m

BOEING 777-300ER up to

2500+ 77% 103 (77%) of Emirates Boeing 777-300ERs are equipped with Live Television, Wi-Fi, Mobile Phone and Data Roaming services, with more coming soon.

133 in fleet. Up to 354-442 passengers. Range of 14,594km. L 73.9m x W 64.8m

BOEING 777-200LR 2500+

10 in fleet. Up to 266 passengers. Range of 17,446km. L 63.7m x W 64.8m

EMIRATES SKYCARGO

BOEING 777F

The most environmentally friendly freighter operated today, with the lowest fuel burn of any comparably-sized cargo aircraft. Along with its wide main-deck cargo door which can accommodate oversized consignments, it is also capable of carrying up to 103 tonnes of cargo non-stop on 10-hour sector lengths.

13 in fleet. Range of 9,260km. L 63.7m x W 64.8m

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F L E E T

CONNECTIVITY AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES AVAILABLE

# Live Television

Wi-Fi

Mobile Phone GSM

Data Roaming GPRS

Channels of in-flight entertainment

BOEING 777-300 1500+

6 in fleet. Up to 364 passengers. Range of 11,029km. L 73.9m x W 60.9m

AIRBUS A319 550+

1 in fleet. Up to 19 passengers. Range of 7,000km. L 33.84m x W 34.1m

The Emirates Executive Private Jet takes our exceptional service to the highest level to fly you personally around the world. Fly up to 19 guests in the utmost comfort of our customised A319 aircraft with the flexibility of private jet travel. Further information at emirates-executive.com

EMIRATES SKYCARGO

BOEING 747 ERF

This aircraft is capable of carrying up to 117 tonnes. The deck-side cargo door, with a height of approximately three metres, allows the uplift of oversized shipments that cannot be accommodated in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft. The nose door allows the carriage of long pieces.

2 in fleet. Range of 9,204km. L 70.6m x W 64.4m For more information: emirates.com/ourfleet

Aircraft numbers accurate at the time of going to press

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s t r e e t

k n o w l e d g e

the Guide

You need more than a few daYs here Come for a week and divide your time between Barranquilla and Cartagena, which are only about two hours’ drive apart. Both cities are beautiful with stunning coastline views. the best waY to spend Your time?

Eat! I’m passionate about Colombian food so when I’m home I catch up with arepas (a corn cake) and fresh fish. It’s all delicious. if it’s Your first daY, just relax Barranquilla is one of the most relaxed places there is.

The first thing you should do is grab an Aguila (Colombian beer) and just get to know your new surroundings. if You’re looking to eat like a local Sancocho is a very traditional dish – and it’s one of my favourites. It’s a soup but with meat, vegetables and sometimes even fish.

This is a coastal city so the seafood here is very good. if You want to shop You need to go to places that you can only find in Colombia.

There is a fantastic open-air market in Barranquilla that is a must-see. For me it sells the tastiest fruit in the world,

plus there’s so much other delicious street food.

that will be relaxing after a big night out.

there are some rules for an evening out If you want to go out in Barranquilla you have to be ready to dance all night – we simply don’t allow sitting down. There are dance clubs all over the city, but if you head for Calle 84 there are lots of places to enjoy and they’re all especially busy at the weekend.

You have to come for the carnival This is one of the most famous in Latin America – the only one bigger is Rio. It’s spectacular, so if you’re here in February come along and help celebrate our heritage.

the perfect option for the next daY Head just out of the city to the Totumo natural mud baths set inside a volcano. It’s a very famous attraction – and one

the best daY? Simple. Have a breakfast of arepas and fresh fruit on the beach, do some shopping at the local markets, then go and watch our very good football team win at the national stadium. End the day by dancing until the early hours of the morning.

Emirates’ five times weekly service from dubai to Fort Lauderdale lets you take advantage of a codeshare partnership with JetBlue Airways and connections to 32 destinations in the uS, as well as the Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, dominican republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru.

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wordS: EMMA CoILEr; ILLuSTrATIon: rouI FrAnCISCo

Star of the Golden Globe-winning TV series Modern Family and the highest paid actress in America, Sofia Vergara shows us around Barranquilla