eNewsletter March 2011
In this issue
It’s nursery season at Desert Islands, and Sir Bani Yas Island is glowing thanks to the newest additions to our animal families! As well as catching a glimpse of baby giraffes and Barbary Sheep, guests to the island can expect to see rare Ospreys nesting outside in the lagoon. In other news, our newly opened retail shop, ‘The Souk’, which offers rare treasures and the sought after Oryx plush toys, is proving to be very popular with visitors at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. Meanwhile, our Desert Islands interns are enjoying the experience of learning more about nature and wildlife. Read further for more details on how you can take part.
Guests Observe Rare Pair
This month, guests at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara were thrilled to spot two Ospreys fishing in the lagoon outside the hotel. Also known as Nisr Al Bahar or Aqab Assamak, these majestic looking creatures are fish-eating birds of prey. They often breed in the Arabian Gulf, with 90% of the entire UAE population of Ospreys breeding in and around Abu Dhabi.
This bird prefers to nest on isolated and undisturbed island beaches such as those found at Desert Islands. In the Arabian Gulf, important breeding populations are also found in Bahrain, the western islands of the UAE and Musandam in Oman.
Ospreys reach maturity and begin reproducing around the age of three to four years, but this may be delayed if there is a shortage of suitable tall structures, which they use as nesting sites. To ease this problem, posts are sometimes erected to provide more locations suitable for nest building. There are a few of these posts in the lagoons around Sir Bani Yas Island, including the one viewable from the hotel, which was used by the Ospreys this week to perch and observe their next fishy meal.
From Graduate, to Intern to Employment
Five Dalma Island residents are buzzing with excitement this week, having graduated from courses at the Desert Islands Education Centre.
The students, who have lived on Dalma Island their whole lives, started studying at the centre last year, and dream of working in the Western Region’s tourism industry; their new qualifications put them in good stead for a career in this area. One student, Mariam Ahmed Ahmed, studied a number of different courses including computers, keyboarding, and Travel and Tourism, developing a varied skill set in the process.
The Desert Islands Education Centre is very active in offering its students hands on training. This month, the women’s study group took a trip to neighbouring Sir Bani Yas Island, which is currently undergoing expansion work. When this is completed at the end of the year, the island’s new facilities will include water sports, conference centres, stables and two lodges. Most of the girls will join an internship programme on the island in the coming weeks to further their experience, before seeking permanent employment in the industry.
Shaika Mohammed Al Ali completed her studies in English, computers and Travel and Tourism last year, and is now employed as a work placement officer at the centre. “I joined the course to improve my skills and I am now doing a very interesting job helping students find employment. It’s really rewarding,” she said.
Discover Treasures at the Souk
Guests to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara can now explore a new retail shop called ‘The Souk,’ where they will have the opportunity to buy charming gifts and mementos to take home with them.
Possessing the charm of a traditional Middle Eastern souk, the outlet opened in early February, and features a number of local and imported items. The shop offers traditional style jewellery, carved wooden artifacts and accessories, as well as a number of Desert Island branded items, toys, fashionable kaftans and a special coffee table book.
Guests can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere as they browse the shelves of this charming, rustic shop, which was created by the renowned team at Robert Sherwood Interior Design. Open between 11am and 8am daily, the Souk is located next to the Palm Restaurant on the ground floor level of the hotel, making it the perfect place to shop following a long brunch.
Desert Islands Welcomes Little Bundles of Joy
We advise visitors to Sir Bani Yas Island to keep their eyes peeled over the next few months because it is nursery season! Whilst enjoying outdoor activities, guests should now be able to catch a glimpse of the newest members of our animals’ herds.
The Arabian Oryx, Blackbuck, giraffe and Barbary Sheep have already welcomed the latest additions to their growing numbers. Soon the gazelles will also start to give birth to their young, and with the likelihood of twins making an appearance, there is the potential for twice the amount of fun!
The newborn animals are keeping close to their parents as they learn to adapt to life in the wild. The new Barbary sheep is already as fleeting as his parents, and has mastered their rock-climbing techniques. The baby giraffes are extremely curious about the guests on the viewing platform, and watch them very closely with their big brown eyes, whilst the baby Blackbuck is a chubby cutie who is continuously watched by his protective father. The birth of the Arabian Oryx is especially exciting because it takes the number of this formally extinct in the wild species well over the 500 mark.
Guests can best observe and photograph these adorable new additions to the growing animal family on Sir Bani Yas Island by signing up for one of our many activities, such as the Nature & Wildlife Drive, Nature Walk or a Mountain Biking session.
Pen an Arabian Tale in Calligraphy
This month experience Abu Dhabi’s authentic Desert heritageand follow your next visit to Desert Islands with a trip to Qasr Al Sarab, its breathtaking sister resort. Located in the Liwa Desert the resort is offering an exclusive interactive workshop and exhibition with distinguished Arabic calligrapher, Khaled Al Saai, in partnership with Sharjah Calligraphy Museum on 8th and 9th April.
Using age old tools, guests can master the technique of ancient Arabic calligraphy, which has thrived for more than 1,200 years, as well as modern abstract styles, all under Al Saai’s master guidance.
Perfect this poetic art in a setting that is both fitting and unique – from the undulating dunes of the Liwa Desert, to the sun and moon that arch majestically across the star studded sky, and the beauty of a resort that pays homage to Arabian culture, you will find yourself both inspired and mesmerised by this once in a lifetime experience.
Guests can also enjoy a special two day exhibition at the hotel by Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, which reveals an evolution of calligraphy masterpieces. These include classical Arabic styles that are native to the region and some interesting, modern canvases from English, French and even Chinese calligraphers.
This special package includes one night’s accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, one day Arabic calligraphy course for one participant (including materials Prices start at 2,375 AED for a single deluxe room. To book click qasralsarab.anantara.com