Bubble Planet combines immersive rooms with virtual reality at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Photo: Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet combines immersive rooms with virtual reality at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Photo: Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet combines immersive rooms with virtual reality at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Photo: Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet combines immersive rooms with virtual reality at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Photo: Bubble Planet

Things to do in the UAE this week, from Bubble Planet to social media stardom


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This week, those focusing on wellness can check out limited-edition treatments at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental's spa, while foodies can head to a one-night-only supper club featuring two renowned Dubai chefs.

Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates from January 6 to January 12.

Monday, January 6

Start the week with a one-on-one healing session with renowned physiotherapist and mental coach Gyde von Wlassack, who will take over the spa at Emirates Palace for a few days.

Choose from four different treatments: full body reflexology; myoreflexogy, to relieve tension; osteopathy, for joint and muscle pain; and Vietnamese facial reflexology and counterstain therapy, to relax the face and nervous system. Each treatment is 60 minutes and costs Dh1,285 per person.

Daily, 10am-10pm; until Friday; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi; 02 690 7885

Tuesday, January 7

Indomie is getting a gourmet makeover at SLRP. Photo: SLRP
Indomie is getting a gourmet makeover at SLRP. Photo: SLRP

Indomie instant noodles are getting a gourmet makeover at SLRP, the Yas Mall Japanese ramen spot from the creators of 3Fils. A variety of flavours are available including corn and cheese (Dh35), Wagyu (Dh40) and chicken and truffle (Dh44).

A new line-up of burgers and fries is also on the revised menu, with items such as Wagyu burger combo (Dh45), mushroom Wagyu burger combo (Dh49) and spicy Wagyu burger combo (Dh47).

Daily, 11am-11pm; Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi; 054 599 4575

Wednesday, January 8

Chefs Ahmed Halawa and Akmal Anuar. Photo: Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori
Chefs Ahmed Halawa and Akmal Anuar. Photo: Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori

Japanese will meet Levantine at this culinary collaboration between Michelin-lauded chef Akmal Anuar of Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori and Osteria Funkcoolio, as well as Palestinian chef Ahmed Halawa, who's been running a successful supper club at his villa for years. While specific dishes haven't been revealed, the one-night-only event will feature a fusion of East Asian and Middle Eastern flavours – showcasing both chefs' penchant for culinary experimentation.

Wednesday, from 7.30pm; Dh600 per person; Villa L18, District 16, JVC, Dubai

Thursday, January 9

Truffle lovers can head to Riviera by Jean Imbert, which celebrates the luxurious ingredient for the entire month with a handful of culinary creations. Sweet and savoury dishes are available, including Angus beef tartare with black truffle, seared foie-gras with mushroom foam and black truffle and chocolate souffle tart with winter black truffle and vanilla bean ice cream.

Additionally, throughout the dining experience, chef Imbert will personally guide diners through the menu, offering in-depth insights about the use of truffle and how other ingredients complement its complex flavour profile.

Daily, 6.30pm-10.30pm; until January 31; The Lana Dorchester Collection, Business Bay; 04 541 7755

Friday, January 10

Bubble Planet is ideal for those looking for Instagram-worthy photos. Photo: Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet is ideal for those looking for Instagram-worthy photos. Photo: Bubble Planet

Step into a world of bubbles at Manarat Al Saadiyat's unique activation, Bubble Planet, which features virtual reality technology, themed rooms and immersive bubble landscapes. Visitors can float through bubble-filled galaxies or experience a hot-air balloon simulation among other multisensory experiences. The entire journey takes 60 to 90 minutes.

Daily, 10am-8pm; until February 15; from Dh65; Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Saturday, January 11

Veteran comedian Jimmy Carr takes to the Abu Dhabi stage with his new show Laughs Funny at Etihad Arena. A household name in the UK and one of the biggest-selling comedians in the world, Carr is known for his deadpan delivery of funny yet controversial one-liners. His last tour Terribly Funny sold more than one million tickets globally and was performed in 50 different countries.

Doors open 6.30pm; from Dh295; Etihad Arena; 600 511115

Sunday, January 12

Aspiring content creators or those who want to meet their social media heroes up close can join the 1 Billion Followers Summit at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The event will bring together some of the most influential people in the world of content creation, such as author and podcaster Jay Shetty, Arab gaming personality Abo Flah and American internet personality Zach King.

Talks and workshops are scheduled throughout the three days on topics such as how to generate social media ideas and how to use LinkedIn efficiently.

Saturday to Monday; from 10am; from Dh900 per person; Jumeirah Emirates Towers

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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War and the virus
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester

Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

The five pillars of Islam
Updated: January 06, 2025, 2:12 AM`