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New Dubai Water Canal – Simply Stunning!

Canal, Dubai, Jogging Track, Walking Track, Water, Water Fall

Both me and my friend did not know what to expect as we walked towards the newly inaugurated Dubai water canal from the the Metro station. I had heard a lot of good things about the Dubai water canal so I was really looking forward to it. My friend on the other had seemed less interested in the Dubai Water Canal and would have rather been at the movies. Little did he know what he was just about to experience.

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It was Friday evening and we noticed that there were many others along side us including folks in groups who were walking towards Dubai water canal. We noticed the spectacular waterfall and bright color lights as we approached part of the canal that intersected the newly built bridge of Sheikh Zayed Road. There was big crowd already there enjoying the various views of the Dubai water canal.

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After watching it up close, I realized that Dubai Water Canal is something special in the making. Basically, the canal connects Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf. Here are some cold hard facts according to Dubai RTA (Roads and Transports Authority). Since the Dubai Water Canal project was unveiled on 2nd October, 2013, a total of 25,000 tonnes of reinforcement steel has been used along with 150,000 tonnes of cement. A total of 4,650 workers were used. Furthermore, a total of 20 millions hours work was put in making of Dubai water canal.

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With backdrop of World’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and the World’s tallest hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis, the canal is truly an amazing site to see. The Dubai water canal project enhances the ever growing beauty of Dubai even more and is already considered a “must see”  for both tourists and residents alike.

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There are 3 bridges and 5 pedestrian bridges constructed along Dubai water canal. The canal is 3.2 km long and the boardwalk is 5 km long. There is jogging and bike track built along the canal attracting folks from all walks of life to come and enjoy.

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There are even USB phone charging stations all along Dubai water canal boardwalk. The Road and Transport Authority has more development planned along the canal including food, beverage and retail outlets.

img_4032The Dubai water canal is simply a cool place to hangout with family and friends. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has done a marvelous job in completing this project in record time. With only a few weeks since its’ inauguration, the Dubai water canal is already attracting big crowds. Are you one of them?

Cool down this Summer with a Swim!

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Tired of working out in the gym this summer or jogging outdoors in sticky and muggy weather. Ladies and Gentlemen, look no further and transfer yourself to a underwater world. A wet world that would cool you down while giving your body a great workout it deserves. If swimming is not enough, you can even enjoy table tennis with your family and friends or even play a game of badminton. You will find all these activities in none other than Hamdan Sports Complex located off Emirates Road 611 (formally known as Dubai bypass road).

IMG_2357Hamdan Sports Complex is a state of the art building built in 2010. Furthermore, Hamdan Sports Complex has held several world class events including swimming, basketball and volleyball just to name a few. Throughout the year, the facility hosts a number of events attracting athletes from all over the world.

IMG_2359The Hamdan Sports Complex has seating capacity of several thousand and is truly a well designed building both inside and out. Especially when fully lighted up with blue led lights, the Hamdan Sports Complex at night looks like glowing gem in darkness of desert and can be spotted from miles away.

IMG_2366There is one main pool and another diving pool located in the main arena. The main arena is really impressive as well as massive accomodating almost 15,000 screaming fans. In 2010, Hamdan Sports Complex held FINA  world swimming championships in which 153 countries participated. Whenever there is basketball or tennis event, it is amazing how quickly the main swimming area gets transformed into tennis or basketball court.

IMG_2371It is energizing as well as refreshing to swim at Hamdan Sports Complex. The main breathtaking swimming pool is 50 meters long. The swimming pool is normally busy through out the year but summer time and winter breaks are probably less busier and the best time to swim since the kids are out of school. Normally, a lot of school swim teams come and practice at this great facility. And what better way to cool off than to exercise while beating the 50 degree Celsius weather.

IMG_2373Right next to the main pool is the diving pool mostly used for diving competition and practice as well as to play water polo. This pool is off limits to general public and special permission must be taken to use this wonderful facility. During the week days a lot of teams can be seen practicing and playing water polo.

IMG_2379 Overall, the Hamdan Sports Complex is a marvelous place to get a great workout your body deserves while beating the summer heat. There are plenty of lifeguards all around the swimming pool observing with a watchful eye hence folks are in safe hands. Indeed as the saying goes,”You are only one swim away from good mood!”.

Dubai Sports World – Time to Get Back in Shape!

Sports, Team Sports, , , , , , , ,

No more excuses now not to exercise, yes that is correct, no more excuses! Dubai Sports World is the place to be this summer with several football, tennis, basketball, badminton and cricket fields all under one roof. Every year in the beginning of June and start of summer season, Dubai Sports Council organizes this indoor sports extravaganza for the general public. As I mentioned earlier that no more excuses not to exercise because all sporting events are indoors therefore air conditioned!

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The 25,000 square meter covered Dubai Sports World arena is sportsman’s paradise. Upon entering the arena, one can’t help but notice the energy that is in the air. The crowd favorite seems to be the basketball courts because that’s where majority of the folks hang out. There are several basketball teams from all over the UAE that play competitive basketball and standard of play is quiet high at the arena.

IMG_2316As I walked around the arena observing one sporting event after another, I noticed among the hustle and bustle, crowds cheering for their favorite teams. There were not only family members and friends amongst the crowd but also just normal spectators having a great time. Almost everyone at the Dubai Sports World arena were simply amused watching the action while enjoying their favorite snacks.

IMG_2291Badminton was another sport that drew a lot of players as well as spectators. It seemed like that badminton appealed to both young and old fans alike who were enthusiastically watching the action unfold. I stood on the sidelines “glued” watching the intense action as well. The doubles team on each side of the badminton court were extremely competitive and were attacking the shuttlecock with great velocity! Even the ladies who were part of doubles team were fiercely competitive and in some cases better than their men counterparts.

IMG_2281 In order to play different sports at Dubai Sports World such as Cricket, Football, Basketball and Tennis, one needs to pay a fee to reserve the courts. The fee varies between peak and off peak times. But there are certain facilities and sports that are free of cost including using the gym, running track, ping pong and badminton courts.

IMG_2294Another sporting event that caught my attention was the Pro Wrestling matches. First of all my initial thoughts were “Is this really Wrestling going on?”. The matches for World Wrestling Federation taking place in Dubai? Indeed, these wrestling matches were organized by Dubai Pro Wrestling and featured wrestlers from all over the world showcasing their talent. These wrestling matches were especially appealing to young kids who were not just eagerly watching from sidelines but recording on their smart devices as well.

IMG_2323So there you go, no more sitting around your home and complaining that weather is hot outside. The air conditioned Dubai Sports World arena gives everyone a chance to cool off and get back in shape at the same time. Dubai Sports World is conveniently located near the World Trade Center just off 1st interchange. So grab a family member or friend  and come to Dubai Sports World to have a great time!

 

 

 

Al-Qasba – Sharjah’s Hidden Gem

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From a distance far away, I could see the giant Eye of the Emirates wheel turning. Behind the Eye of the Emirates wheel, I could see the Al Qasba buildings glittering in the dark. There was a water canal splitting the Al Qasba buildings in two parts. As I approached the Al Qasba area on my bicycle, I passed through floodlight lit small soccer field where young kids where enthusiastically playing soccer. This soccer field was one of several attractions all nestled around the Al Qasba area of Sharjah.

IMG_1980Al Qasba is a short drive from Dubai and is located between Al Khan lagoon and Buhaira Corniche area of Sharjah. Al Qasba is a great place to have some family fun and hangout with friends. Obviously, the star attraction of Al Qasba is the Eye of the Emirates wheel, but there are lot of other rides where not just kids but also adults can have a blast. Do you want to see the water dance? Then come to Al Qasba musical fountains and enjoy these spectacular shows. Besides, one can simply come to Al Qasba to enjoy wonderful atmosphere and great architecture.

IMG_1983There are couple of options as far as boat rides are concerned. One option is to hop on board on the traditional “abra” boat for tour around Al Khan lagoon and Al Qasba. The other option is to rent water karts. Yes these are indeed eco friendly water karts which are not only silent when operating but also produce zero emissions. Did I mention, they also glow in the dark!

IMG_1977Al Qasba is full of nice restaurants and coffee shops where everyone can have good quality time with the family and friends. These restaurants serve mouth watering food along the Al Qasba walk overlooking the water canal and Eye of the Emirates wheel. For seafood lovers’ there is Fish Corner that serve fresh seafood dishes daily in a nice casual atmosphere. If you feel like eating italian then there is Stefano’s where they serve classic home style italian dishes. Nando’s is another crowd favorite that serves up Portuguese flame roasted chicken.  Other restaurants include Shababeek, a Lebanese eatery as well as Grand Abu Shakra, that serve authentic Egyptian cuisine just to name a few.

IMG_1974Al Qasba offers something for everyone. The Qasba water canal connects Al Khan lagoon to Buhaira Corniche. One can experience some breathtaking views of Buhaira Corniche and greater Sharjah by simply walking along the Qasba water canal to the other side. So next time, head on out to Al Qasba with both family and friends to have a fantastic time.

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Dubai Beaches Are Full Of Pleasant Surprises!

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One, two, three, four, five, the count went on till 15 and one set of crunches was complete. The young man got up and now it was his friends turn to do the crunches.  There were no professional exercise machines lined up here nor there was any music playing to keep them entertained or videos of champion body builders playing on the wall.

IMG_1763This was Al-Mamzar beach where Dubai municipality had done a marvelous job to put these outdoors workout equipment for the public to get in shape and yes get those “six pack abs” just in time for summer.

IMG_1767The cool part about these exercise equipment is that there are even instructions both in English and Arabic that shows different exercise positions and postures for all the novices to learn and do.

IMG_1760But wait a minute, there is more to it to these calm and pristine beaches than just workout benches. There are separate jogging and bicycle tracks that run along the beaches for several kilometers and as far as the eye can see. So now everyone has run out of excuses of being a “couch potato” and being glued to their favorite TV show or updating their status on FaceBook. It is time get off that couch and hit the great Outdoors!

IMG_1786Swimming is the best exercise to get in shape and get an awesome workout for entire body therefore all the Dubai beaches and especially Al-Mamzar beach is exactly where you can do that. The calm waters of these beaches make it great place to enjoy swimming and beat the summer heat at the same time.

IMG_1775After one is done with swimming, there are shower facilities conveniently located as well as clean restrooms with full time cleaning staff. Wow, Dubai has taken hygiene and cleanliness to a whole new level!

IMG_1752While riding my bike, I stumbled upon a sign that read, “Beach Access for Disabled”. This is  very cool as to how Dubai Municipality had taken measures  to ensure that everyone has access to it’s beautiful beaches. Hats off to the authorities of getting this done.

IMG_1772 So if your tired of sitting as well as hanging around your apartment or even visiting the shopping malls for the matter, you would love coming to Dubai beaches and especially Al-Mamzar Beach, Dubai. The access to these beaches is absolutely free and the amenities provided there are without a doubt world class. The time spent at these beaches would be fun, adventurous and exciting for the entire family.

IMG_1793Oh yeah did we mention, don’t forget to take ride in the boat while you are there!

JetSkis are All About Having Fun in Water!

Transportation, Water Sports, , , ,

Wrmmmmmemmmmm… Wwwwwroooooooommmmmm, that’s all I could hear as I approached Al-Mamzar corniche, Sharjah on my bicycle and saw those sea rockets aka Jet Skis glide through water with their high powered 1,500 cc engines. It almost seemed that most of the folks came here to forget about their stressful work week and have fun in water while beating the heat at the same time.

IMG_1647For some of us summer is fast approaching and for lot of us it is already here depending upon what part of world you live in. As the days get longer and mercury rises what better way to spend the day than with family and friends and to ride these fast Jet Skis. These Jet Ski rental and slip way places can be found on the Sharjah side of Al-Mamzar corniche conveniently located on the Sharjah and Dubai border.

Water scooters, personal watercrafts or Jet Skis as they are commonly known can be rented throughout the day. In addition, it especially gets packed on the weekends around the Al-Mamzar corniche, Sharjah with folks from all walks of life flocking in to have some fun with family and friends. Dubai, Sharjah and UAE in general experience sunshine majority of the year. Furthermore, with mild temperatures during the winter and sizzling hot summers make Jet Ski riding a popular sports throughout the year.

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There are a lot of spots throughout the coastline of UAE starting from Abu Dhabi and running along sea shores of Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Quawain all the way to Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah where these agile water machines can be rented. The  local authorities have made it incredibly easy and have made several designated areas also known as slip ways to slide these sea rockets in water. The most popular spot in Sharjah for both Jet Ski slip ways and rental has been Al-Mamzar corniche.

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There is feeling of great joy and enthusiasm as folks arrive to rent a Jet Ski or to ride their own. It is absolutely wonderful outing with both family and friends. During the weekdays, less crowd keeps things quite and one can find good bargains on rentals. Furthermore, these JetSkis can be rented for as low as AED 150 per hour. However, it is different story on the weekends where rental companies charge between AED 200 and AED 300 per hour since the demand for these high powered sea rockets is much higher. These Jet Skis can go very fast and people are not shy stepping on the accelerator. Going at very fast speeds, it almost seems like that these JetSkis are somewhat flying, barely touching the surface of water.

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Precaution must be taken especially on the weekend when there are a lot of Jet Skis in the water. Some kids and even adults for that matter get carried away and start racing each other or come too close to each others Jet Skis. Life savings vests must be worn all the time by all riders in case accidents do happen.

IMG_1655Overall, riding these JetSkis is great way to have fun and beating the summer heat at the same time. However, precaution must be taken to make sure that accidents don’t happen. In addition, Police is also present both at land and sea to make sure that things run smoothly. So next time, if your thinking about beating work stress or spending good quality time with family and friends, come on down to Al-Mamzar corniche Sharjah to have a good time in water!

Travel the World… One Couch at a Time!

host, Travelling, world travel, , , , , , ,

couchsurfing_logo_detail Whether you are a frequent traveller, a family, a hardworking professional or a student with limited resources, the idea of travelling the world and meeting new people is absolutely exciting and reinvigorating. One of the starkest realities of travels to any new city or a country is stepping into an unchartered territory. New place, new faces, new culture and one can’t help but feel out of their element at first. How would you feel if you had an opportunity to network and meet people before you get to a city and guess what…stay with them for free?

doss_01Last year when I was attending a University in Islamabad, Pakistan for my postgraduate studies, I had an amazing professor who was young, free spirited and had travelled the world. While residing in Turkey for a Doctorate Degree, he got to explore not only Turkey but also almost whole of Europe! Going through his Facebook page and seeing a myriad of amazing travel pictures, I couldn’t help but ask him that being a student in a foreign country, how could he manage and afford so many amazing travels. In response to my inquiry he directed me to a totally unique idea of travelling that is not only a genius accord for anyone who loves to travel, but is an amazing networking system which is fool proof, safe and absolutely free.

couchsurfing-values-400x307This website is called www.couchsurfing.com. The concept of this website is as catchy and intriguing as its name! This site is an amazing new sensation of people around the world who share a deep love for travels, culture, meeting new people and also want to do it in the least expensive way possible. Not only this site facilitates making connections for travels, you can also join a community of couch surfers and meet new people for activities right in your area. So in order to be a couch surfer, you go to their website, sign up with your Facebook profile or an email, create your own profile on their site and list yourself as a host or a guest or both. Either way, you get to interact with other profiles and upon being approved by those people as a guest or a host; you can visit their home and stay with them for free. The whole concept revolves around bridging the gap between people while making travel fun and exciting. I would recommend starting as a host for it has great incentives. The review of the website shows that people who are great hosts become the most frequent guests. So the concept works in a totally safe and admirable way. Once you start out as a host, you get requests from people to come stay with you in your city. Its totally up to you whether you accept them or refuse them and its easy because the website has a system of ratings that rates every user as a guest or a host with real time reviews from people who have met them. By reading such reviews you can have a better idea of the people who are trying to stay with you and that way you can decide. Once you host a few people and they rate your hospitality and (mental sanity), you can start requesting to be a guest yourself virtually anywhere around the world.

Couchsurfing-610I thought this idea was a travelling genius. The website also offers a feature where for a small fee you can get yourself verified by the site, giving you an advantage for it will add to your chances of being a guest or a frequently approved host. There are stories that are shared by avid travellers on the site and the world is a virtual possibility of travels, amazing places and great people. One cannot only save money but can make connections and friendships, which can last a life time. And who doesn’t want to visit a new city or a country without feeling like a tourist ready to be taken advantage by expensive hotels and overpriced tourist hotspots. What I find very interesting about this site is that you get to meet real local people who know their city well and can help you explore it in a way that no hotel concierge can. And if one gets an opportunity to make lasting friendships, well that’s an added bonus too. So be adventurous and have an open mind. Explore places and above all be free spirited. Its always great to try new ideas but above all, be safe !!! Happy and Safe Travels!!!

 

 

Home Interior Decoration Tips

Interior Decorations, Interior design, modern contemporary, modern traditional, traditional, , , , , , ,

To be able to decorate one’s house is a desire most of us have. We want to live where our space reflects who we are and where we feel a sense of home and belonging. You don’t need big bucks or an interior decorator to accomplish this. In today’s world with the Internet connecting global markets, it’s easy to find style ideas about the kind of interior decor you are going for: modern contemporary, traditional or modern traditional!

contemporary-interior-design-modernHere are some tips to get started on your very own interior decor:

1) Don’t be scared to add and mix what interests you – if it is something you really want in your space, add it.

2)Creativity in style is always important. It is equally important when there is a budget or time to work within. Perhaps considering to paint walls yourself, taking classes to learn tile or hardwood floor installation can help in reducing the cost in do-it-yourself projects. But be disciplined and organized: understand the A to Z of what is involved in the project and that you have the skill, time, and resources to complete the whole project as planned.

3)Finding look- a- likes of expensive furniture items such as lamps, sofas etc. can be found by searching the web or simply shopping your local market.

4)After you have done your planning on what is needed in your room, choose your paint color last so it goes with your selections.

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5)Select a central point in your room and let everything else work its way around it. A central point would be something that draws your attention to the room when you enter it. This could be a fireplace, a fantastic light, or a painiting in a room.

6)Select furniture and accessories for your room that does not make a room feel congested. If the room is large, it does not mean you have to fill it with a lot of furniture.

7) Rugs always add character to a room. Large rugs with furniture placed on them look great.

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8)Paintings and mirrors bring life to the walls. Hang them at the average human eye level.

9)Last but not the least, style your room with items and colors that make you feel comfortable and have fun doing it!

My Love Affair With Shawarmas…

Food, , ,

IMG_5524Any one who has spent time in the Middle East certainly knows and has eaten shawarma at least once. While roaming the streets of Dubai, especially Deira, Bur Dubai and Satwa, one can’t help but notice these restaurants displaying various meats in shape of gigantic cones, simmering against hot vertical grill. Yes, these restaurants and Mom and Pop cafes are serving up chicken, lamb and beef shawarmas. For those of you who are newbies to the shawarma scene, here is the blue print err.. the breakdown of shawarma: tender slices of meat, chicken, mutton or beef, perfectly grilled wrapped in oval or rectangular shaped bread with a piece of crisp pickle and dash of garlic paste. Man, I can almost eat 3 of these while writing about them now! The  average price of these shawarma wraps are around 5 Dirhams.

There are a lot of places that serve up great tasting shawarmas, both in Dubai and Sharjah. Let’s see in Dubai good tasting shawarmas IMG_5525are served at Al Mullah and Automatic Restaurants just to name a few. Sharjah has quite a few places that serve up some excellent shawarmas as well. In addition, Dar al Sharoor near clock tower in Sharjah, Jabal Lebnan, Chicken House and Laffah serve some top notch shawarmas. The quality of shawarmas just keep getting better and better here in UAE. Each shawarma joint is trying to out do the other with their taste and servings. I got to say that after living in UAE for 8 years and trying several places including big shawarma restaurants as well as small Mom and Pop joints, I think I have found the best tasting shawarmas here and these places that serve up this king of Middle Eastern fast food are located in Sharjah.

I got to admit, both Chicken house (on Jamal Abdul Nasser Street) and Laffah (on Al-Taawun Road) serve up some pretty darn good shawarmas. Obviously, the taste is the driving force behind the sales of their shawarmas, but the quality ingredients they use, is also a big factor. I simply love the thin bread that both of these shawarma joints use while the rest use slightly thicker pita bread. Then there is chicken, grilled to IMG_5526perfection with small portion of garlic mayonoise as well as crispy slice of pickle, all put in thin bread,  slightly toasted and served. These shawarmas are simply awesome. You got try them to believe !

Welcome to MeshnGo.com !

Introduction

It has been an incredible journey so far. Even though it has been roller coaster of a ride, full of bumps and fast downhills, our Meshngo.com team cannot thank enough to the Almighty above for the countless blessings given to us along this fine journey.

So ladies and Gentlemen, here we are at the launch of UAEs newest classified website, Meshngo.com. The philosophy behind Meshngo.com is to bring people together with common interests, to buy and sell almost anything under the sun !

The best part about Meshngo.com is that it is free ! Yes Sir ! We don’t charge folks for placing ads in any of our sections. Whether the ads are related to real estate or simply trucks for sale, they are all free. We encourage everyone to place their ads whether buying or selling on Meshngo.com. On this site you would not just buy or sell, but you will learn something new.

We  cover all the regions in the UAE including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al Quwain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Fujairah. So give us a try, learn something new and be amazed. And yes, we clobber big city prices because we are free!