Living as an expat in the UAE without your family close by (or even in the same time zone) can be lonely, and that’s why your friends become your family and closest confidants. We suggest that you take this opportunity – it’s International Friendship Day tomorrow – to salute your besties and high-five their awesomeness with a proper celebration. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
A Brunch of Friends
Treat your bestie to the American-style The Over Easy Brunch at CMP Bar & Grill, which serves yummy breakfast dishes from traditional cheddar biscuits to short-rib Benedict coupled with bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas every Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
CMP Bar & Grill, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 04 580 7983, www.cmprestaurants.com, from AED 95
Mission: Break Out
Escape room NoWayOut is sure to get your adrenaline pumping and have you and your friends on your toes. There are four escape rooms to choose from with themes such as fantasy, mystery, horror, and history – with just one hour to ‘escape’. Think you and your friends have the teamwork and creativity to do it?
NoWayOut Escape Room, JLT and CityWalk, 04 243 8208, www.nowayout.ae
Into the (Aquatic) Abyss
Fight off the summer heat by taking your friends for a dive into an underwater abandoned city at Deep Dive Dubai. The world’s deepest swimming pool welcomes all – from absolute beginners to experienced divers – with various packages that focus on snorkelling, diving, and freediving. We recommend the Discover Scuba Diving experience for beginners, where you’ll be introduced to the essentials of scuba diving and diving equipment, practise in shallow water, and explore the underwater city!
Deep Dive Dubai, Nad Al Sheba 1, 04 501 9444, www.deepdivedubai.com, from AED 1,800 for the Discover Scuba Diving experience
Of Girls and Guns
Enjoy the thrill of guns blazing – with the best standards of safety and security, of course – at the Caracal Shooting Club in Al Forsan International Sports Resort. Choose from more than 25 types of handguns and rifles in .22 and 9mm calibres. Plus, they also have an indoor archery range! Beginners need not fret as all new visitors are provided with a safety briefing.
Caracal Shooting Club, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, 02 441 6404, www.alforsan.com, from AED 160
Easy Does It
Delve into a world of healing and escape at the award-winning Anantara Spa in Abu Dhabi. Located far from the hustle-bustle of the city centre, near the serene mangroves, Anantara offers a chance to wind down in luxury with your besties. Cleanse your skin at the Turkish hammam which can seat up to eight people, enjoy a traditional Thai massage, and top it all off with their signature hydropeptide ultimate anti-wrinkle facial spa treatment for a day spent well.
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel, 056 188 7658, www.anantara.com, from AED 80
That ’50s Show
Whether you and your BFF are early birds or love a sleep-in, the retro-fabulous breakfast menu at SAUCE is the ultimate breakfast date! Expect to dine on hearty and wholesome dishes like Croiffle (a waffle made from homemade croissant dough and topped with honey and cream cheese) and a triple-layered pancake stack topped with strawberries, maple syrup, and whipped cream for sweet-toothed gals. So,wake up little Susie! This one’s worth leaving bed for.
SAUCE, Noora Tower, Al Habtoor City, 056 538 8388, @saucedubai
