DoinDubai Magazine

An Honest Guide to Life in Dubai

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Welcome to the LIVING articles on DoinDubai

Here you will find practical and informative articles connected to Living in Dubai. Articles range from how to sell a car to where to get your jewellery dipped. Find alternative ideas for where to take your visitors, other than a Mall. Read about my experiences of school life in Dubai as regards teenagers. Let me know what you find the most useful in this category; is there anything you would like me to research and include on the website?

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What to Do In Dubai – without spending a fortune

If you get asked the question how would you reply to What to do in Dubai?

Where would you send people to eat and drink and see some of the real city but without spending a fortune? Ideas of meals and experiences giving you more for less.

Read on for my sensible but none the less delicious suggestions of what to Do in Dubai.

Why listen to me?

I’ve been a resident in Dubai since 2006 and and run an award winning food and travel blog and a podcast channel MonicMoments

I love good, healthy food and hate wasting money. So read on and make a list of what you and your visitors could Do In Dubai!

Love Indian Street Food? Then try a TERRIFIC THALI on your What to Do In Dubai List

Indian thali meals are cheap as chips but authentic, hugely authentic and very tasty. They’re great for hearty eaters as you can often have refills of your favourite dishes.

Click the link to Terrific Thali Meals here to find out more where these thali restaurants are which is our favourite!

Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Andrha Thali
Andhra Style thali at Shree Krishna Bhavan
Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Thali Meals Venus Karama
South Indian thali at Venus restaurant
MONEY SAVING DEALS DOINDUBAI MONICA KAPILA Thali at Rangoli Karama Cafe
Gujerati Style thali at Rangoli restaurant

Want some posh nosh in Dubai? Then pay a fraction of the price by trying some BUSINESS LUNCHES at top end restaurants

Business Lunches are a super way to sample Dubai’s fine dining restaurants on a budget.

Eating at lunchtime means you pay way less than you would at dinner time! Mostly available during week days, so that’s Monday to Thursday and sometimes Friday in Dubai at the moment.

See the pictures with captions below to places we really liked and would go again.

We also like the look of Fi’Lia Italian restaurant at the newish SLS hotel. A 3 course authentic looking business lunch for aed 99 with good views too.

ROKA at the ME hotel Business Bay
Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Mina Brasserie Business Lunch Four Seasons DIFC
MINA BRASSERIE Four Seasons DIFC
Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila 99 Sushi Bar
99 SUSHI BAR Address hotel Downtown

So you’re a Culture Vulture and want to chat to local Emiratis about customs and traditions of the UAE? Then try the HERITAGE EXPRESS Moving Majlis experience.

We LOVED our experience of the Heritage Express moving majlis and learnt so much about Dubai despite having been a resident for some many years!

Click the link to Heritage Express Dubai for all details including which meals you can have as part of the experience, special offers and which sites you get to see on this fascinating tour.

Heritage Express Dubai DoinDubai Monica Kapila
Grab some friends and ride the Moving Majlis
Heritage Express Dubai DoinDubai Moinca Kapila Emirati Guides Moving Majlis
Hugely informative and very friendly stories from local people
Heritage Express Dubai DoinDubai Moinca Kapila Pose with a falcon
Pose with a falcon near the Jumeirah Mosque

You love FRESH FISH AND SEAFOOD by the sea then eat well for less in a lovely setting

Fresh Shrimps
Half a Lobster
Spicy Crabs

Great value and very tasty prawns, lobsters, crabs and fish straight from the fish market brought to your table cooked Middle Eastern Style. Just look at the location of our Fish Market in Jumeirah to find the location of the seafood restaurant behind it.

Good sayadiya rice and fresh rocket salad are what we recommend to accompany. Everyone we take here LOVES this great value seafood place by the sea in Jumeirah. If you find Dibba Bay Oyster Hut in Jumeirah 2 then you’ve found Azeema seafood too! The tables are set for outdoor eating now.

Tel 050 289 8181

Money Saving Deals DoinDubai Monica Kapila Dibba Bay Oysters Happy Hour
aed 8 per oyster Sunday to Wednesday 4 to 6.30pm

By the way the oyster hut at Dibba Bay Oysters serves oysters at AED 8 from Monday to Thursday from 4.30 to 6.30pm! Their hut is air conditioned too. Call to check before hand on 054 438 8537

NEW LOCATION at the Sheraton JBR! November 2022

You love food markets and a walk by the creek? Then experience DEIRA WATERFRONT MARKET and have lunch before you leave

Plenty of fresh produce well priced
Stroll along the creek behind the market
Eat some lunch before you head home

Group of girls on a big night out? Then research Dubai’s unique LADIES NIGHTS and have some beverages without breaking the bank

Don’t know what a Ladies Night concept is? Then LISTEN to this Ladies Nights podcast to be in the know. Depending on what time of year it is, there is ALWAYS a good Ladies Night in Dubai happening somewhere!

Just ask at your favourite hotel restaurants once you know which area you want to focus on.

Want to buy some fresh fish to take home or just love fish markets then check out our Fish Market in Dubai post here.

LIFE SHOULD BE A BEACH? Then try taking walking along the quiet bit of track beyond Jumeirah fish market near the sailing club

Stunning Sunsets, sand and sea all for free, take a picnic and do some paddle boarding or have coffee and snacks there.

Great walking track and a bike track now built. Want to know more about Paddle Boarding? Read our post on Paddling in Dubai.

Fish Market in Dubai Jumeirah harbour
MONEY SAVING DEALS DOINDUBAI DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE 2020
Try paddle boarding in Dubai near Sunset Beach

Want MORE? Then follow us on @DoinDubai INSTAGRAM for more up to the minute ideas.

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PORTION DISTORTION

What is portion distortion and how can we avoid it

Portion Distortion subtly nudges you to eat and drink more than you need to. You may be comfortably full but because there’s still food on your plate or some drink left in your cup, you’re very likely to finish it. Why?

image: carrot cake demonstrating portion size.

The link to the full article below provides a clear understanding of this phenomenon and explains why it’s contributing to a growing rise in people being overweight and frankly spending more than they need to in restaurants and coffee shops.

It explains how the phenomenon is all around us and here to stay. But more importantly it gives you some practical ideas on how avoid it.

Raemona Magazine – Article by Monica Kapila October 2022

Image : one breakfast shared between two
CLICK THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE FULL ARTICLE ON PORTION DISTORTION

Anything that helps us naturally eat or drink a bit less without us radically changing how we eat out, shop or cook is definitely something to have a second helping of.

If you want to hear more about this topic listen to this podcast from the BBC’s Food Chain programme April 2021.

More podcasts on ALTERNATIVE HEALTH at MonicMoments.com the author’s podcast channel.

Advert: 20% discount code for ECC adventures. Visit their site
CLICK FOR 20% DISCOUNT USING CODE DOINDUBAI20 till Nov 31st

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HIKING IN THE UAE – awe inspiring outdoor adventures

Time to go hiking in the UAE but where would you go, which company would you choose and are you fit enough? Read on for answers to all these questions. Just pack your boots!

THE SIDR TRAIL HIKE

We know people who LOVE hiking in the UAE with Chris of ECC Adventures

Why? Because Chris is the founder, Program Director and one of the Lead Guides for ECC Adventures.

Not only is he qualified with a very well established and recognized outdoor instructor body, heโ€™s also got a Wilderness First Responder certification too.

But all the guides who leads treks with ECC Adventures have these certificates, so thatโ€™s very reassuring. We know people who’ve gone on numerous trips with them and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chris and his team at ECC Adventures.

Plenty of hiking in the UAE but what would be best for me

That depends on how much time you have and your hiking ability. You can choose from easy half day hikes and treks to more challenging overnight trips.

Some of the regular trips featured by ECC Adventures

The 7 Summits or Al Bidya trail

THE SEVEN SUMMITS TRAIL

This 7-summits/Al Bidya hike is a combination of two entry-level hikes, ideal for beginners and families with children.

The Seven Summits trail begins at the Big Flag in Fujairah then continues across seven summits or forts, representing the seven Emirates that make up the UAE.

You finish the loop where you started at the beautiful gardens, an ideal spot for a quick snack after the hike. This is roughly a 2 hour trail and you walk about 4 km.

The Sidr Trail

Reflect along the Sidr Trail as you take in its quiet waterways, bountiful shade, and teeming life.

As your eyes scan the white and green speckled waters of this Wadi it’s likely youโ€™ll come across the hardy garra fish, toads, and other tiny wildlife. This is roughly a 4 hour trail and you walk about 8 to 9 km.

The Sunrise Trek in Al Aqa

THE SUNRISE TRAIL AT AQA

Al Aqa, or โ€œThe Pearl of the East Coastโ€, strikes the perfect balance between land and sea.

As you set off in the early hours, youโ€™ll certainly energize your typical morning routine as you keep up the pace and endurance on this challenging ascent.

Forewarning, the exhilarating ridge trail isnโ€™t for the faint of heart as you will be exposed to some heights on the steep edges along the way.ย 

The trailโ€™s proximity to Sandy Beach and Snoopy Island lends itself perfectly to a post-hike swim.

After the hike, youโ€™ll have certainly earned that little extra time for some sun and relax! This trail is about 3 km but still takes almost 4 hours, there is an elevation gain of 320 meters.

Where to find out which hike would suit me and which days

Go to the ECC Adventures HOME PAGE. Have a look at all the trips on offer, select your date and you’re set.

They can even offer customised private treks for special events if you like. Just contact them via the link below. Please mention you heard about them from Monica at DoinDubai.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON ALL TRIPS TILL 30th NOVEMBER

ECC Adventures have kindly offered all our readers a special 20% DISCOUNT ON ALL TRIPS booked by 30th November.

Just use the code DOINDUBAI20 when you check out at the payment page for your booking.

20% OFF WHEN YOU USE CODE DOINDUBAI20 TILL NOVEMBER 30 2022

More than just taking a hike

ECC see it as their responsibility to nurture and share a love of the outdoors. They aspire to instill self-confidence through challenging participantโ€™s limits and teaching environmental knowledge and ethics in order to continue preserving outdoor spaces. They fulfill this mission via a range of activities including:

  • Recreational outings
  • Soft/hard skill workshops
  • Ecological programs
  • Leadership/team building workshops
  • Cultural and historical educational sessions
  • Integrated instructional programs
  • Wellness development

So take a walk on the wilder side but on the safe side with ECC adventures this winter in the UAE. Thank you for sharing this post.

Disclaimer

This post was written in conjunction with ECC Adventures, but the views are all my own. The company was recommended to me by a close friend who regularly goes on trips with the ECC Adventures.

More ideas for trips within the UAE

More ideas for trips within the UAE include a trip to Sir Baniyas Island Abu Dhabi or Qasr al Sarab also in Abu Dhabi.

Qasr_Al_Sarab_Room_ViewP
QASR AL SARAB ABU DHABI

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CHASING THE SUN multi sensory photographic exhibition of UAE sunsets

A new collection at the Picasso Gallery Al Quoz – Chasing the Sun is a multi sensory photographic exhibition of sunsets all over the UAE.

Chasing the Sun by Veronique De Suerte

The artist behind this collection of arresting photographs of sunsets from different locations all over the UAE is Veronique De Suerte.

DoinDubai-Monica-Kapila-Chasing-the-Sun-Sheikh-Zayed-Mosque-photo
A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY VERONIQUE DE SUERTE

Veronique uses both DSLR and mirrorless cameras for her work and when it was permitted even a drone! She’s always loved travel and has channeled this passion into a business via her photography.

We were invited to a preview of her exhibition at the Picasso gallery last weekend. The photograph above shows a sunset view of the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

A multi sensory experience

Veronique wanted to share a real sense of place along side the photographs themselves so she has incorporated sounds and lighting to enhance the viewing experience.

All her photographs are printed on high quality German cotton paper. Each photograph has only three prints that will be sold.

VERONIQUE WANTS YOU TO FEEL A SENSE OF PLACE

The Picasso Gallery in Al quoz next to Al Serkal

Chasing the Sun show is on at The Picasso Gallery – an art gallery and showroom next to Al Serkal avenue in Al Quoz. But do hurry to see the show as it’s only on till 31st of October 2002.

PART OF A PHOTOGRAPH UNEQUALLED DUBAI

Gallery opening times

From 11 am to 6pm every day.

If you’re going to Al Serkal then do wander around the cafes and shops before you go. We really like Pekoe for some lunch. Full updated post on Al Serkal coming soon.

Location map

Find out more about the artist go to her instagram and website

Artist’s instagram

Artist’s website

Disclaimer: This post was written in conjunction with the artist but the views are all my own.

NOTE

If you want to go to some of those places in the UAE and check out those sunsets for yourself, then do avail the 20% discount from ECC Adventures with code DOINDUBAI20 till 31st November.

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