Page Category: Out and About

Build your own backyard kitchen garden

Sure, the Mira Town Centre is right around the corner – but why not grow your own vegetables and save time and money? We’ve gathered some great advice from our landscaping team that you can employ to grow crunchy cauliflowers, tangy tomatoes and juicy melons.

1. Check your calendar

The time of the year is a crucial factor when it comes to prepping your garden. The winter months from September to December are the best time to start sowing seeds.

2. Pick plants that thrive in UAE

Vegetables: Tomato, lettuce, beetroot, mint, radish, eggplant, pepper, cucumber

Fruits: Lemon, lime, pomegranate, mango, papaya, fig, guava

3. Ensure the soil is well nourished

Your plants soak up all the nutrients they need from the soil, making it crucial that the soil is well nourished with the necessary fertilisers. The soil in UAE is generally low in nutrients, so make use of fertilisers rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Tip: You can also pour water used to cook vegetables or boil eggs – they’re loaded with water-soluble nutrients.

4. Water as necessary

If you’re using smaller containers to hold the plants in your garden, ensure they have a hole at the bottom to allow excess water to drain. The soil in pots is likely to dry out faster, so they may need to be watered more frequently.

Tip: Insert a dry wooden chopstick into the soil near your plant (careful of the roots), remove after ten minutes and check if the wood has dampened. If it’s dry, your soil needs water.

5. Keep an eye out for pests

As the weather changes, plants become more susceptible to fungus and insect attacks, so it’s a good idea to apply some fungicide.

Tip: For a chemical-free remedy, spray a solution of one litre water and one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with half a teaspoon of oil and a few drops of dish soap.

Fun ways to stay fit in Reem

Tired of jogging? Your community offers you exciting ways to step outside your comfort zone and keep yourself fit in a variety of ways.

1. Cardio and endurance

Pull on your footie boots and head for the football pitch near Mira 5 for a friendly kickabout. Brilliant for developing cardiovascular fitness and endurance, football is a great team sport that will also have you meeting new members of the community and getting to know your neighbours!

2. Strength and stamina

If you’re after building some serious strength while leaning out, the tennis courts at Mira 2, Mira 4 and Mira 5 are the place for you. In addition to working your entire body, tennis tests your hand-eye coordination and improves your reaction time. The game also builds resilience, particularly in the later sets when you’re more fatigued.

P.S. You can also hire a personal trainer of your choice to coach you in the community court! Ask your trainer to speak with the security for more details.

3. Balance and agility

If you’re looking for a fast-paced game to develop quicker feet, improve your balance and hone your accuracy, basketball checks all the boxes. The rapid switches from attack to defence, long-range shooting and dizzying twists and turns make the game perfect for developing agility and speed. There are four half courts in the community (you can find them here) where you can get some shooting and dribbling practice.

4. Stress-buster

If you’re just looking to just unwind and enjoy a light-hearted activity that doesn’t demand much skill or commitment, volleyball is your game. The fun sport is easy to learn, and your community’s beach-inspired sandy court will have you leaping and diving for hours.

Remember to book the courts (except the football pitch) before you arrive – you can do so by logging into this portal and selecting the ‘Amenities Reservation’ option from the menu-bar.

4. Stress-buster

If you’re just looking to just unwind and enjoy a light-hearted activity that doesn’t demand much skill or commitment, volleyball is your game. The fun sport is easy to learn, and your community’s beach-inspired sandy court will have you leaping and diving for hours.

Remember to book the courts (except the football pitch) before you arrive – you can do so by logging into this portal and selecting the ‘Amenities Reservation’ option from the menu-bar.

Terms and conditions apply.

Outdoor fun

If you feel a twinge of envy at the sight of your neighbours heading out on holiday, here are five reasons for you to celebrate instead!

Reem is one of the few communities in the area with its very own dedicated amphitheatre. If you’re wondering what it’s for, there are plenty of exciting things you can do at the amenity! Here are a few:

1. Host a birthday party

Do something different and throw a memorable birthday party at your community’s amphitheatre. The stage is perfect for magic shows and other performances, while the surrounding lawn is ideal for kids’ games and cake cutting. The seating around the venue offers parents a great spot to rest and socialise.

2. Put on a theatre show

If you’re a theatre enthusiast, the amphitheatre is brilliant for hosting or practising your acts. The broad stage facing the open seating area offers the ideal opportunity to experience what participating in a real venue feels like – you can even invite the neighbours over to watch!

3. Organise a band night

Jam with your bandmates and call your friends over for a musical evening at the amphitheatre. You can make things more interesting by extending the invitation to other bands and music enthusiasts in the community. Just note that loudspeakers aren’t allowed, so keep it old school with acoustic guitars, flutes and shakers – you don’t need amps for a great sound!

4. Spark your creativity

Looking for a vibrant outdoor setting to break through a block and get your creative juices flowing? The amphitheatre is just the place. Whether you’re a novelist, songwriter, dancer or artist, the peaceful ambience and surrounding natural beauty is sure to fuel your imagination.

Remember to book the amphitheatre if you’re planning to host an event there – you can do so by logging into this portal and selecting the ‘Amenities Reservation’ option from the menu-bar.

Terms and conditions apply.

Your 12-hour Downtown Dubai-trotting guide

10am to 11am – Explore The Souk

Begin the day by taking a stroll through The Souk in The Dubai Mall, a section of the mall that’s styled after the country’s Arabian heritage. Look out for traditional Emirati handicrafts and clothing here. There’s also a real fossil of a 155-million-year-old Diplodocus longus dinosaur – he’s called Dubai Dino!

11am to 1pm – Beat the heat in Dubai Ice Rink

Head for Dubai Ice Rink to get your adrenaline pumping with some quick-paced ice skating sessions. Be sure to also check out the IceBykes, a fun combination of a bicycle and ice-skates – you won’t find them anywhere else in the UAE!

1pm to 2pm – Re-energise at Burj Plaza

Make for Burj Plaza, where you’ll find a variety of charming restaurants with a great view of the Burj Lake – try out Pizza Naples or Social House if you’re unsure where to go. The plaza is accessible from the Star Atrium at UG Level in The Dubai Mall.

2pm to 4pm – Visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Walk off your meal by wandering through the underwater tunnel at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – don’t forget to stop by and visit Kind Croc, the five-metre, 750 kg saltwater crocodile!

For more details, visit www.thedubaiaquarium.com

4pm to 6pm – Take a tour of Dubai Opera

Explore the incredible architecture behind the iconic performing arts centre – you can book a guided tour through the building and step into the exclusive suites and backstage area. Did you know the seats can be moved to give the hall three different configurations? It can be transformed from a theatre into a concert hall or even a completely flat banquet hall.

For more details, visit www.dubaiopera.com/dubai-opera-tour

6pm to 8pm – Sip tea while you gaze over the city

Visit The Lounge in Burj Khalifa, 585 metres over the ground with spectacular views of the city. Spread over levels 152, 153 and 154, there’s an outdoor terrace too. Live performances from DJs, pianists, saxophonists and other musicians contribute to the relaxing ambience.

For more information, visit https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us

8pm to 9pm – Head for Souk Al Bahar

Drain all the adrenaline of the last few hours by visiting Souk Al Bahar, a quaint marketplace-themed shopping centre. You’ll find art galleries filled with traditional oil paintings, carpet stores with oriental hand-woven rugs, and shops selling authentic Arabian nuts and dates.

9pm to 10pm – Watch water dance to music

Wrap up your day by taking in an incredible performance of water, light and music at The Dubai Fountain – the courtyard is accessible from Souk Al Bahar and is truly a sight to behold!

Unleash your inner artist in Downtown Dubai

Ever wanted to learn salsa dancing, or how to play the guitar? Explore these institutes in and around your community.

Heart of Dance

A professional dance studio located in South Ridge, Heart of Dance offers classes catering to all experience levels, ages, and interests. Lessons are available in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from Latin American styles such as Samba, Rumba and Jive, to European styles like Viennese Waltz and Foxtrot.

For more information, visit www.dancedowntowndubai.com

Arthur Murray

With over 100 years of history, Arthur Murray Dance Center has 250 franchises around the world and offer private, group and practice sessions at their location in The Old Town Island. Practice parties are also held weekly for members to try out their skills in an interactive environment.

Visit www.arthurmurraydubai.com.

My Music Head

Perfect for everything music-related, My Music Head is the place to head for if you’re looking to learn to play an instrument, or refine your singing. The KHDA-approved institute offer lessons in guitar, drums, violin, piano, singing and a variety of other instruments.

For more information, visit www.mymusichead.com

Soul Art Center

Located at Tower 1 of The Residences, Soul Art Center offer art classes in adults and children in a reinvigorating environment. Courses include lessons in colour theory, abstract art, self portraits, Picasso style etc. covering watercolours, acrylics, sketching, oil painting and calligraphy.

For more information, visit www.soulartcenter.com

A sustainable micro-city that is Downtown Dubai

We love Earth, and we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable.

Being green in our operations

  • 50 million litres of water was saved in a year (enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools).
  • 307 tonnes of waste was diverted for recycling last year (as heavy as 43 full-grown African elephants)
  • 22 million kWh of electricity was conserved annually (did you know it could power 2,000 homes for 365 days?)

How do we do it?

  • Aerators are fitted on all taps in the washrooms and changing rooms near amenities.
  • Treated water is used for irrigating lawns, parks, shrubs and green spaces in the community. 
  • Using IoT and with the help artificial intelligence, our systems kick in to save and conserve energy wherever possible. A typical example is when there are fewer people in common corridors, fan speeds are reduced to conserve energy.
  • We’ve switched to LED to save us some AED! Most lights in the community are LEDs owing to its longer life, less heat, better illumination and low operational costs.  
  • We recycle. Each of our towers have recycling bins stationed in the parking bays to collect plastic, paper and cans. Frequent awareness campaigns ensure that all our residents know and join us in this green movement.  
  • Motion detectors in our lift lobbies, stairwells and parking levels help us control lighting only when residents are in the vicinity. (P.S. Lights in these zones don’t need to be lit for up to 80% of the day!)

What you can do to make your home sustainable?

  • Start by fitting LEDs in all your light fittings. 
  • Check the five-star energy rating every time you buy electrical appliances for your home. Try to pick more energy-efficient products.
  • Turn off the main outlet for devices when you’re not using them. All electrical devices consume phantom power when idle.
  • Keep your air conditioning at 24 degrees Celsius for optimal cooling and efficiency.
  • Segregate recyclables like paper, plastic bottles and metal cans and drop them in the recycling bins in your parking levels.

Discover Downtown Dubai’s outdoor gallery

The streets of your community are practically a public museum! We’ve put together five of our top picks for you to explore.

1. Together

Inspiration: Arab dignity and grace, traditional Emirati values. Artist: Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein.

Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, near entrance to Burj Khalifa.

2. Horse 

2. Horse

Inspiration: Dubai’s equestrian heritage. Artist: Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero.

Material: Solid bronze. Location: The Waterfront Promenade, The Dubai Mall.

3. Camels

Inspiration: A symbol of Dubai’s desert landscape.

Artist: South African artist Fernando Botero.

Material: 15 layers of ceramic, cast with molten bronze.

Location: Lawn area near Souk Al Bahar.

4. Al Sidra

Inspiration: The resilient desert tree that symbolises the strength of Arabic society.

Artist: Sami Mohamed Al Saleh.

Material: Solid Bronze.

Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, near Manzil Downtown.

5. Chorus

Inspiration: Flow and movement of a gathering in South Korea.

Artist: Korean sculptor Jaehyo Lee.

Material: Steel and wood.

Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, near Vida Residence.

Fancy an art space with a podcast room, a library, a co-working space, a café all together in one? Drop in to Foundry. Click here for more details.

Health centres and clinics in Downtown Dubai

Dental clinics

Drs. Nicolas & Asp, Souk Al Manzil

One of the top dental clinics in Dubai, Drs. Nicolas & Asp offer a comprehensive and professional range of oral healthcare services ranging from general dentistry to oral surgery. The clinic is located in Souk Al Manzil, opposite the Nshama sales centre. For more information, visit www.nicolasandasp.com or call 04 451 1777. 

Lookswoow, The Dubai Mall

A state-of-the-art dental clinic equipped with advanced dental equipment, Lookswoow is a multi-specialty clinic offering general dentistry, implantology, endodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics and orthodontics. Visit www.lookswoow.com or contact 04 448 7016. 

Medical clinics

Mediclinic, The Dubai Mall

Dubai’s largest ambulatory care medical centre, Mediclinic Dubai Mall covers over 60,000 square feet and offers state-of-the-art facilities ranging from surgery to comprehensive diagnostic imaging. These core services are supported by an on-site laboratory and pharmacy.Visit www.mediclinic.ae or contact 04 449 511 for appointments.

Cosmetic and rehabilitation centres

Excellency Centers, The Old Town Island

An exclusive, physiotherapy centre that focuses on healing physical pain using advanced therapeutic methods, Excellency Centre has a highly trained staff of European specialists offer treatment courses tailored to the personal needs of patients.Visit www.excellencycenters.com or contact 04 4533 377 to book your appointment. 

Silkor, Yansoon 9

Silkor is an industry pioneer and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s leading chain of Laser Hair Removal, Skin Care Treatments, Slimming Solutions, Medico-Aesthetic Services and Cosmetic & Plastic surgery.Visit www.silkor.com or contact 04 5549 049 to book your appointment.

Four world records broken in Downtown Dubai

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Downtown Dubai deserves its own chapter in the Guinness Book of World Records!

Biggest OLED display

The Dubai Mall takes the crown for the world’s largest OLED display screen – no surprise considering the mall itself is the second largest in the world.

  • 820 OLED panels, each 55 inches large were used to build it.
  • Total surface area spans 709 square metres – enough to park 60 mid-sized sedans.
  • The display comprises 1,700,352,000 pixels, or enough to fill over 750 typical cinemas.
  • It’s visible from all three floors of the mall.

Tallest building

It’s the tallest man-made structure ever, but just how tall is Burj Khalifa?

  • It rivals three Eiffel Towers or two Empire State Buildings stacked one over the other
  • Can hold 10,000 people – nearly the entire population of Judenburg, Austria.
  • So tall you can watch the sun set over the horizon from the base, and again from the top.

Largest light and sound show on a building

The unprecedented new year festivities of 2018 made certain that Burj Khalifa would go down in history.

  • The spectacle spanned an area of over 109,000 square metres – the size of 20 football fields!
  • Over 80 musicians from the UAE were involved in composing the music.
  • Preparations took more than five months to perfect. 

Largest choreographed fountain

The Dubai Fountain’s impressive light and sound display makes it the world’s largest choreographed fountain.

  • 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors portray over 1,000 water expressions.
  • Jets of water are blasted to the height of a 45-storey tower – over 500 feet.
  • The layout of nozzles comprises five circular arrangements, connected by two arcs.
  • Over 83,000 litres of water are in the air at any moment when it’s in operation.
  • It’s 275 mejavascript:void(0);tres in length and resides within the 30-acre Burj Lake.

Five things to do in Downtown Dubai this summer

If you feel a twinge of envy at the sight of your neighbours heading out on holiday, here are five reasons for you to celebrate instead!

1. Relax at the pool

Usually the most popular amenity, you now have your community pool all to yourself – for hours and hours of peaceful tranquility in the blissful, temperature-controlled water.

2. Learn a new skill

Whether it’s squash, table-tennis, billiards or darts, check out what your community has to offer and try your hand at learning a new game. Who knows, you might just uncover a hidden talent! Click your community to find out what sports and games it has to offer.

3. Set up a balcony garden

Your balcony is a great place to unwind and enjoy your surroundings – but it can also be the ideal spot for you to try your hand at gardening. Just make sure you select species that enjoy the sun, like Arabian jasmine and Frangipani.

4. Renovate your home

Now’s the perfect time to give your home a summer makeover. Pick out some new exciting colours for your internal walls, or go further and experiment with patterns and funky designs. If you’re up for it, you could even turn it into a DIY project.

5. The gym to yourself

It’s never too late to restart your fitness routine – and with a good chunk of the community on vacation, you don’t need to wait in line for the weights and cable machines.

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