The welcome
The drive from Abu Dhabi took four hours. After navigating through mountains, stretches of desert and a sudden dust storm with our son singing “9,999 bottles on the wall” at the top of his voice, we reached Fujairah with fraying tempers, only to find the hotel conspicuously absent. Stopping to ask for directions at a petrol station, we were told that the hotel is practically in Dibba, Oman. This infuriated my husband, who pointed out that the word “Dibba” should figure more prominently in the hotel’s address. Once we had arrived, though, check-in was super-fast: we were led to comfy red chairs in the bright lobby, offered juice and cold towels and then escorted to our room by a charming attendant.
The neighbourhood
Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort sits on a stretch of white sand between the Hajjar Mountains and the Indian Ocean, so there’s plenty to do: snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, sightseeing trips to the nearby Fujairah Fort, and hiking in the mountains. The hotel has a daily shuttle to Fujairah city (which, as it turns out, is a good 50 kilometres away).
The service
From a craving for hot chocolate in the middle of the night to the demand for a three-pin plug to revive a dying laptop, every request was handled efficiently and quickly, even though the hotel was swarming with guests when we visited.
The room
We were alloted a large room on the 10th floor. Despite the huge extra bed, the room managed to retain its airy, spacious feel. Although the furniture was non-descript and a little worn, the immense king-sized bed with its mound of soft pillows and the wide, glass-fronted balcony facing the ocean more than made up for it. But I liked the bathroom the best. Divided into three areas – shower, toilet and bath – each with a separate door and opening on to a main dressing area, it could have accommodated four dancing couples quite easily.
The food
We breakfasted, lunched and dined at Views, the high-ceilinged restaurant overlooking the gardens. Breakfast was a noisy but happy affair, with a vast spread that included large baskets full of fresh bread, jugs of ice-cold juices, fresh fruit, felafel, spicy alu bhaji and puri, and a staggering variety of cold meats. Dinner – it turned out to be seafood night – was a quieter experience, and as delicious: we feasted on grilled tiger prawns, lobster and crab with cumin rice.
The scene
The hotel was full of guests, mostly European and Middle Eastern, wandering around in slippers and bathrobes. A few families spent the entire day by the huge, free-form pool, with dads and children splashing in the water while the mothers sat on deckchairs, holding French fries and glasses of juice for the kids. We visited in summer when it was quite hot, but everyone stayed outdoors slathering on suncream. The pool stayed full that weekend, from morning until nightfall.
Loved
Strolling around the beautiful gardens at dawn. There’s a lot to see and enjoy – a little bridge, a pebble-filled stream and an enormous chess set in the shade of a flame tree. We stumbled upon a couple of fat rabbits sleeping in a corner, and wooden cages with chickens and mynah birds.
Hated
The lack of deckchairs around the main pool. We had to stand around for ages and then dive as if our lives depended on it the minute one was vacated.
The verdict
A (remote) getaway with something for everyone, from a professional dive centre to a spa offering Balinese massages. If you go, make sure you have a GPS, and that the kids have enough to keep them busy – and quiet – during the long drive.
The bottom line
A double room with a balcony and ocean view costs from Dh1,176 per night, including breakfast and taxes. Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah (www.lemeridien-alaqah.com; 09 244 9000).
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Company%20Profile
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
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- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
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- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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SPECS
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Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
RESULTS
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J%20Street%20Polling%20Results
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