Dubai: Construction work on Route 2020 is scheduled to begin early next year as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) kick-starts the form...
Showing posts with label WHERE TO GO IN DUBAI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WHERE TO GO IN DUBAI. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Sunday, 26 April 2015
WHERE TO GO IN DUBAI
With so much untouched beauty beyond the city limits, thousands of UAE camping enthusiasts are shunning the bright lights and heading to the...
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WHERE TO GO IN DUBAI
Dubai: Construction work on Route 2020 is scheduled to begin early next year as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) kick-starts the formalities to select the contractor for the mega project.
More than 100 international contractors have shown interest in bagging the construction contract of the Route 2020 Metro line, which is a 15km extension of the Red Line from the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station to the Expo 2020 site, the RTA has announced.
The prequalification and selection process for the contractors begins from May 31, with the construction work set to begin early next year.
The RTA announced the timeline of the bidding and selection process of the contract during a presentation of the project it organised recently, which was attended by more than 300 executives representing 100 firms from 34 countries.
The gathering included suppliers of trains, rail communication systems and technology firms as well as ambassadors and consuls of eight countries.
Making the presentation, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said that the contractual procedures for the construction of the project were conducted in all transparency.
“The RTA will start receiving Requests for Pre-Qualification from May 3 this year, and the shortlist of consortiums qualified to undertake the project will be selected on June 30 this year. On July 2, the RTA will release the tender documents and on December 6 the RTA will start receiving proposals,” said Mattar Al Tayer, announcing the timeline of the bidding process.
He added that on January 28, 2016 the RTA will announce the consortium winning the project construction.
“Construction work on Route 2020 project will start once the contract is awarded in the first quarter of 2016, and the project is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2020 and will be up and running to serve visitors of Expo 2020,” he said.
The‘Route 2020 project, which stretches about 15km and covers seven stations, was approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, last month.
The Route 2020 will run elevated for 11km, while 4km will be underground, including five elevated stations and two underground stations.
Three more stations are planned to be constructed later, to serve Al Maktoum International Airport.
The new line passes through several densely populated districts such as the Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estate, and Dubai Investment Park, which are inhabited by about 240,000 people.
With so much untouched beauty beyond the city limits, thousands of UAE camping enthusiasts are shunning the bright lights and heading to the desert. But what if you’re a first-time city slicker? We’ve created a camping rulebook, picked the brains of an outdoor expert, reviewed the pick of the places, and even written you a shopping list. It’s time to get your camp on…
WHERE TO GO
BIG REDThis enormous terracotta-coloured dune is less than an hour’s drive away from Dubai, but it feels as if you’re a million miles away. Be wary that this place is popular off-roading and quad biking terrain so you’ll need to consider your camping spot carefully. Our advice? As you pass Big Red, you’ll see a few farms dotted along the road, which are good pitching spots.
Terrain: Desert
Distance from Dubai: 1 hour
Coordinates: 24.960083, 55.717964Great for: Dune bashing adventures and stunning sunsets
Bad for: Novice off-roaders
Distance from Dubai: 1 hour
Coordinates: 24.960083, 55.717964Great for: Dune bashing adventures and stunning sunsets
Bad for: Novice off-roaders
WADI MADBAHCamping in Wadi Madbah is touted as being one of the loveliest routes for novice campers and off-roaders thanks to a relatively easy drive with loads of camping spots to choose from. Best of all, there are pools here to dive into.
Terrain: Wadi
Distance from Dubai: 2.5 hours
Coordinates: 24.093114, 56.127330
Great for: Splashing around in one of the secluded pools and waterfalls
Bad for: Pitching tents. Secure corners of the tent with rocks
Distance from Dubai: 2.5 hours
Coordinates: 24.093114, 56.127330
Great for: Splashing around in one of the secluded pools and waterfalls
Bad for: Pitching tents. Secure corners of the tent with rocks
JEBEL YIBIRDie hard camping enthusiasts can still get their fill in the hotter months by seeking cooler climes up in the mountains. Our favourite is Jebel Yibir – it’s the highest peak in the UAE (reaching 1,350m) with some stand out camping spots around the 400m mark.
Terrain: Mountain
Distance from Dubai: 1.5 hours
Coordinates: 25.647246, 56.129738
Great for: Hiking – there are many routes to choose from
Bad for: Fidgety sleepers. Rocks make for a hard night’s kip
Distance from Dubai: 1.5 hours
Coordinates: 25.647246, 56.129738
Great for: Hiking – there are many routes to choose from
Bad for: Fidgety sleepers. Rocks make for a hard night’s kip
AL GHARBIAWatersports enthusiasts will know all about Al Gharbia from the annual kite surfing competition that takes place here. The long stretch of coast in Mirfa is a kite surfers dream, and many pitch up on the beach to take advantage of the morning winds.
Terrain: Beach
Distance from Dubai: 3 hours
Coordinate: 24.121591, 53.455835
Great for: Non-4WD owners
Bad for: Privacy. Beaches can get pretty crowded
Distance from Dubai: 3 hours
Coordinate: 24.121591, 53.455835
Great for: Non-4WD owners
Bad for: Privacy. Beaches can get pretty crowded
AL QUDRA LAKESSplit by the Al Qudra bike track, this gorgeous spread of manmade lakes, with their birds and other wildlife, desert and cultivated woodland is one of the coolest new places to explore in the UAE. Firewood is available from the nearby Trek Store (it also rents bikes for people who want to ride the track), while canoeing is also allowed on some of the lakes.
Terrain: Beach/desert
Distance from Dubai: 25 minutes
Coordinate: 24.837586, 55.376922
Great for: A daycation
Bad for: Adventure seekers. This is just a pleasant day/night out; nothing too serious.
Distance from Dubai: 25 minutes
Coordinate: 24.837586, 55.376922
Great for: A daycation
Bad for: Adventure seekers. This is just a pleasant day/night out; nothing too serious.
EQUIPMENT CHECKLISTRubbish bags, Toilet rolls, Warm clothes for the evening, Sun protection, First aid kit (including personal medication), Insect repellent, Matches or lighters, Newspaper or firestarters, Camping stove, firewood or barbecue, Food and drink, Water, Cool box, Maps or a GPS system, Torches and spare batteries, Air bed, Lightweight sleeping bag, Tent.
RULES OF CAMPINGPassionate adventurer and founder of Adventure HQ, Sam Whittam, explains the fundamentals for camping safely in the UAE.
Be prepared Ensure your car is serviced and in good condition. Check tyre pressure and fluid levels. Charge your mobile and let people know where you are going.
Be considerate Try to minimise light and noise pollution
Dune camping Don’t pitch your tents directly at the base of dunes where oncoming off-roaders could plough over your camp.
Fire safety Make sure campfires are properly maintained (and buried when you leave).
Shoes Keep your shoes on at all times, or you might end up stepping on a scorpion.
Respect private property Don’t camp on private beaches or farms without consent.
Water Take enough water for drinking, washing your hands and washing your dishes.
Respect the environment Take all rubbish home and leave your camping spot as you found it.
Worth knowing There are no official off-road rescue services in the UAE – you have to rely on the police of whichever Emirate you are in to come and rescue you. Police Hotline: 999
Be considerate Try to minimise light and noise pollution
Dune camping Don’t pitch your tents directly at the base of dunes where oncoming off-roaders could plough over your camp.
Fire safety Make sure campfires are properly maintained (and buried when you leave).
Shoes Keep your shoes on at all times, or you might end up stepping on a scorpion.
Respect private property Don’t camp on private beaches or farms without consent.
Water Take enough water for drinking, washing your hands and washing your dishes.
Respect the environment Take all rubbish home and leave your camping spot as you found it.
Worth knowing There are no official off-road rescue services in the UAE – you have to rely on the police of whichever Emirate you are in to come and rescue you. Police Hotline: 999
TENT ADVICEIt’s a romantic notion, but sleeping out under the stars isn’t particularly practical – or even safe. Adventure HQ recommends three of the best tents for you and your friends.
Mozzie Dome II Tent DHS 295 SLEEPS 2. This one sheet tent is perfect for hot and dry conditions, and cheap.
Eco Swift Pitch 3 DHS 495 SLEEPS 3. The Uvtex fabric keeps this three-person tent cool in hot conditions.
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