Our apartment is literally no more than 400 yards from the beach, walk out the door, down the road, cross the Corniche and you are there. For a number of months, in fact from before I first visited 6 months ago, they have been busy renovating it, and adding more facilities to create a pleasant space for people to visit at any time of the day or night.
It finally opened last Wednesday after great anticipation, and in true UAE style, they had to have a "biggest ever" and break a record - they had the longest inaugural ribbon. The ribbon ran the full length of the beach and was actually 5555 metres long. As this record is now held by Abu Dhabi, I'm sure, not to be out done, it won't be too long before Dubai try and beat it!
The beach is fantastic, not only because it takes 2 minutes for me to get to it, but it looks good and the facilities are great. As you step down, there is the most beautiful green grass running the full lenghth, with loads of palm trees, a wide path and wooden decking leading down to the golden sand which apparently had to be imported from Saudi Arabia! Handy facilities include dedicated toilets and changing rooms, showers, an area with a cafe bar, ice cream parlour, juice bar, grocery store, etc. There are a host of well manned lifeguard posts and the beach is constantly patrolled by police, which has nothing to with poor security, as that isn't a problem at all. However, for those who know why that is needed, it is working well.
Sports are encouraged on the beach (apart from cricket which is banned, probably for the same reason as why the police are patrolling), football is played and they have also supplied a number of volleyball courts. The beach also has it's own purpose built mosque. I don't know why but it is quite nice to lie there, relaxing in the sunshine and occasionally hear the call to prayer. I suppose it reminds you of how different a culture you find yourself in.
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