36 ACTIVITIES Visitor information
Racing ahead Camel racing in Abu Dhabi takes place on Fridays and Saturdays during the winter months at special tracks in and around the city. The atmosphere at these events is charged with excitement, especially during public holidays when major races are held for a not inconsiderable prize purse. The main camel race tracks are Al Maqam
Camel Racetrack, located 45 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, and the Al Wathba Camel Racetrack on the road to the oasis town of Al Ain. Horse riding lessons for all abilities and age groups are widely available in Abu Dhabi, with the riding club at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club ranking among the most popular. The club, just a short drive from the city centre, is one of the region's most impressive venues for horseracing and show-jumping events, with two racetracks, fibre sand and fibre turfs, an equine swimming pool and an indoor show-jumping arena. Race meetings, usually held between November and April, include The President's Cup, National Day Cup and Emirates Championship. The Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club, approxi- mately an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi, has four floodlit polo fields, a racing grandstand and a polo school, among other facilities.
» FAQs
Is it OK for female group members to wear shorts and t-shirts when participating in activities? The UAE is a Muslim country, and therefore it is advisable to dress conservatively when in public areas. However, modest shorts are acceptable for outdoor activities, includ- ing boat trips and island adventures. Beachwear is ac- ceptable for beach and water activities, but make sure all female group members cover up afterwards.
Is it possible to fit more than one activity in a day? Yes, providing the activities are all city based. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate, and therefore transfer times to some events may take as long as 90 minutes. Other- wise, offer multiple options at one destination. An island adventure, for example, could also include fishing or diving, as well as beach- based activities.
Tee time
No business negotiation is complete without a round of golf, and Abu Dhabi offers some of the best greens in the Gulf region. The emirate is home to a growing number of golf courses, all of which offer clubhouses, immaculate greens or browns, lush fairways and a range of additional facilities, including quality pro-shops and dedicated coaching facilities with PGA-qualified professionals. One of the latest additions to the emirate is the much-publicised Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on the under-development Saadiyat Island. A par 72 'figure of eight' configu- ration, it is the first facility to launch on the island. Opened last year, Yas Links is another golfing hotspot suitable for team-building sessions and events. The Kyle Phillips-designed course on Yas Island has floodlit practice ranges, a golf academy and upscale facilities. Other facilities include the Al Ghazal Golf Club, an 18-hole, 6,450-yard, par 71 sand golf course, located near the international airport, and Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, a nine-hole, 6,350-yard, par 70 floodlit course, set in the middle of a racetrack in the Mushrif area, which is situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf, is located just outside the city, and is described as a 'super course' by leading sections of the golfing press. Home to the renowned PGAAbu Dhabi Golf Championship, which takes place every January, the club features one world-class, par-72 18-hole golf course, namely the National Course, and a nine-hole par 36 Garden Course.
High altitude The oasis town of Al Ain offers ample activities for the outdoor adventurer, with its main attraction being the soaring Jebel Hafeet Ð one of the high- est mountains in the emirates.
For those with the penchant for the outdoors, the rugged Omani mountains offer ample oppor- tunities for climbing, abseiling and camping. But make sure your team is up for the challenge. Less active team members may prefer to sit this one out.
¥ abudhabi 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112