Starting out in Dubai- Good places for hobbies/friends?
Thread Starter
Starting out in Dubai- Good places for hobbies/friends?
Hi, first post here so please be nice!! 
I'm new to Dubai & I wanted to get some advice from expats already living here about good places to do/see things and to meet people. I tried using the search function but it brings up a lot of discussion on T&Cs, housing, salaries, that sort of thing.
I've been here about 5 months now and am starting to despair of finding some nice people to spend time with! I'm working currently as cabin crew and am finding with the lifestyle in Dubai it's difficult to make friends unless you want to go out clubbing and drinking on your days off. This isn't really my thing, though I don't mind the odd night out, and I'd really like to know how you all got on when you first moved here. I have a couple of friends who I knew before moving here, but would like to increase my social circle a bit.
While living here I'd like to actually get to see some of the local culture and surrounding areas rather than just the inside of Zinc. Time Out Dubai is a good way to start to find places to go but I'm interested in PEOPLE. With my job I tend to only meet people who are crew. That's fine but by virtue of the lifestyle a lot of people are very flighty and plans are easily made & broken, your friends work away so are never home when you are and I'm not sure where to start to make some friends who aren't working in the airlines. Are there any expat clubs, associations etc that are a good starting point? (FYI, I'm late 20's Aussie)
I also have an interest in flying and would like to make some friends with that in common also, but sadly it seems that as soon as you show any interest in that side of things on a flight, everyone assumes you're trying to pick up on the pilots
Basically, just want some ideas on where you started out and maybe some fun hobbies/sports I could take up easily in Dubai that I haven't thought of which could be a starting point to make new friends here. (Any of you have a mrs who is bored and wants a shopping/sightseeing companion? 
) Cheers for any suggestions
(Sorry moderators if this isn't the right place)
I'm new to Dubai & I wanted to get some advice from expats already living here about good places to do/see things and to meet people. I tried using the search function but it brings up a lot of discussion on T&Cs, housing, salaries, that sort of thing.
I've been here about 5 months now and am starting to despair of finding some nice people to spend time with! I'm working currently as cabin crew and am finding with the lifestyle in Dubai it's difficult to make friends unless you want to go out clubbing and drinking on your days off. This isn't really my thing, though I don't mind the odd night out, and I'd really like to know how you all got on when you first moved here. I have a couple of friends who I knew before moving here, but would like to increase my social circle a bit.
While living here I'd like to actually get to see some of the local culture and surrounding areas rather than just the inside of Zinc. Time Out Dubai is a good way to start to find places to go but I'm interested in PEOPLE. With my job I tend to only meet people who are crew. That's fine but by virtue of the lifestyle a lot of people are very flighty and plans are easily made & broken, your friends work away so are never home when you are and I'm not sure where to start to make some friends who aren't working in the airlines. Are there any expat clubs, associations etc that are a good starting point? (FYI, I'm late 20's Aussie)
I also have an interest in flying and would like to make some friends with that in common also, but sadly it seems that as soon as you show any interest in that side of things on a flight, everyone assumes you're trying to pick up on the pilots
Basically, just want some ideas on where you started out and maybe some fun hobbies/sports I could take up easily in Dubai that I haven't thought of which could be a starting point to make new friends here. (Any of you have a mrs who is bored and wants a shopping/sightseeing companion? ) Cheers for any suggestions(Sorry moderators if this isn't the right place)
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I am assuming that you are female cabin crew in DXB.
One of the better groups there are the HOG Dubai chapter.
Lots of events every week with ones from all sorts of jobs in the UAE.
Members are from all over the UAE, DXB, AUH, AAN.
Most have there own bikes but welcome guests from everywhere.
Weekly events and rides , even some pilots, great group of people.
If you want to see the UAE one of the best ways I know of.
One of the better groups there are the HOG Dubai chapter.
Lots of events every week with ones from all sorts of jobs in the UAE.
Members are from all over the UAE, DXB, AUH, AAN.
Most have there own bikes but welcome guests from everywhere.
Weekly events and rides , even some pilots, great group of people.
If you want to see the UAE one of the best ways I know of.
Thread Starter
Cheers, thanks for the suggestion, shall look into it. Used to ride with my dad when I was little & after the intial terror, loved it
Yes, female CC but over going to the mall
Yes, female CC but over going to the mall
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Hi,
If your interested in flying light aircraft that is a real challenge here as all the flying schools really only want to train local pilots at mega dosh and the old club at Um Al Qwain has closed down.
But there is a great club at Ras AL Khaimah for ultra light and microlight aircraft where you can even take lessons at around 500 AED per hour and I think around min of 25 hours, the aircraft are great ,look like normal aircraft and its fun there as some of the ruling family also fly microlights.
Check out Jazira Aviation Club ; Jazirah Aviation - Home
Its quite different from the bigger stuff but much more fun, I was so worried about failing my microlight check ride as I could not have faced the indignity having never before failed a commercial ride and then failing a microlight check ride ( had 2 hours dual to get ready !)
good fun mixed bunch including locals and grumpy old pilots !
If you want something sportier try sailing, DOSC or DIMC.
Happy Dubai.
If your interested in flying light aircraft that is a real challenge here as all the flying schools really only want to train local pilots at mega dosh and the old club at Um Al Qwain has closed down.
But there is a great club at Ras AL Khaimah for ultra light and microlight aircraft where you can even take lessons at around 500 AED per hour and I think around min of 25 hours, the aircraft are great ,look like normal aircraft and its fun there as some of the ruling family also fly microlights.
Check out Jazira Aviation Club ; Jazirah Aviation - Home
Its quite different from the bigger stuff but much more fun, I was so worried about failing my microlight check ride as I could not have faced the indignity having never before failed a commercial ride and then failing a microlight check ride ( had 2 hours dual to get ready !)
good fun mixed bunch including locals and grumpy old pilots !
If you want something sportier try sailing, DOSC or DIMC.
Happy Dubai.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Dubai
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If you're interested in getting out on the water..try Kayaking. Quite a large group of young (and some not so young) Aussies, Kiwis and South African/Zims regularly out on the water every day. Club is on the beach between DOSC and the next fishing harbour to the south.
Website is DSKC Official Website
Great way to get fit, tanned, and meet some new friends. (and for the girls...some of the young fellas are pretty fit and toned!!...unfortunately I can't quite include myself in that group)
Website is DSKC Official Website
Great way to get fit, tanned, and meet some new friends. (and for the girls...some of the young fellas are pretty fit and toned!!...unfortunately I can't quite include myself in that group)
Thread Starter
wow you guys have really come through, this is exactly the kind of stuff I wanted to know. I did Google but it's always better to get recs from people who actually do this, you know
Some fit tanned boys would be a nice bonus
I'm not really a gym bunny type so anything that's fun AND gets me fit is a plus.
Hedfan, is any type of license/permit required to go take lessons here? (Like a student/sport license?)
Cheers all, much appreciated! Excited to give everything a go & see how it works out.
Some fit tanned boys would be a nice bonus
I'm not really a gym bunny type so anything that's fun AND gets me fit is a plus.
Hedfan, is any type of license/permit required to go take lessons here? (Like a student/sport license?)
Cheers all, much appreciated! Excited to give everything a go & see how it works out.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Ultralight flying
Hi,
No problem only real issue is getting security clearance, as always very ........
here. best thing would be to go and see or take a trial flight see if you like it first, no real problems then with paperwork they issue their own licence so less trouble, aircraft are good and sound and will land accross a football pitch cant guarantee seriouslly fit lads up there but its fun.
If you need more info pm me,
No problem only real issue is getting security clearance, as always very ........
here. best thing would be to go and see or take a trial flight see if you like it first, no real problems then with paperwork they issue their own licence so less trouble, aircraft are good and sound and will land accross a football pitch cant guarantee seriouslly fit lads up there but its fun.
If you need more info pm me,
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If you want to try scuba diving, try the Pavillion Dive centre at Jumeirah beach Hotel. Fantastic people and excellent training, Give Phil O'shea a call, he's one of the good guys.
