Swimming classes
What: Marriott hotel swimming classes
Who: Women and children
When: 3pm to 6pm or 9am to 12pm
Where: Marriott Hotel Abdullah Haroon Road
Contact: 021 3 568 0111
Fee: Rs20,000 for women, Rs15,000 for children, exclusive of tax, for 20 classes
Why: An outdoor pool for the kids, a more private secluded indoor pool for their mothers. Instructors are with their clients for 90 minutes and the remaining 90 minutes are for practice.
Why not: It’s closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, slightly pointless given the fee.
Guitar and keyboard lessons
Raga tracks Music Academy
What: Learn an instrument
Who: All ages, at least 10 years to start guitar lessons
Where: Al Fiza Glass Tower, Johar Morr, main Rashid Minhas Road, near Lasania Restaurant
When: 4pm to 8pm, Fridays off
Tel: 021 3 428 5381, 0343 227 0857
Fee: Rs2,000 for a 12-week programme
Why: Experienced teachers. Imran Faisal can teach Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical and Spanish guitar while Ustad Rasees has 25 years of musical teaching experience. Lesson books for keyboard and harmonium are provided on payment, while instructive keyboard lesson videos are available online. This year the website won a Best Website Music Achievement Award.
Why not: Unusual emphasis on karaoke
Cool off
Swimming classes
What: Sheraton swimming classes
Who: All ages, starting from the age of 5 years
Where: Club Road
When: Monday to Friday 5pm to 7pm any 3 days of the week
Tel: 021 3 563 3333
Fee: Rs5,000 for 12 classes
Why: The cheapest rate for swimming classes at five-star hotels. A coach is on hand to assess the swimmer and makes sure you cover at least two of the five levels.
On a high note
Beatles Music Academy
What: Guitar and keyboard classes
Who: All ages
When: Twice a week, Monday and Wednesday, 3 groups for 12 to 1pm, 4 to 5pm, 5 to 6pm. Classes are taught by Wahab Rasheed
Where: Shop No 2, Mezzanine Floor, 919 C-C Area, Jheel Park PECHS
Tel: 021 3 455 1095, 021 3 455 1057
Fee: Rs300 admission fee, Rs2,500 for the first month, Rs2,000 for any extra months, Rs200 for the course books.
Why: Professional and well known
Why not: The fee
Challenge yoursefl
Indus Scuba
What: Diving lessons for children
Who: 10 to 18 years old
Where: Plot No. C-23, Bukhari Commercial Street No 5 Phase VI, DHA
When: Two-and-a half week programme starting Saturday, July 16
Tel: 021 3 524 3153
Fee: Rs3,500 to Rs6,000 depending on what programme
Why: Children learn the basics of diving in the controlled atmosphere of a pool. They will a receive a certificate for completing the Junior Open-Water Diver course.
Why not: Slightly confusing staff who said that the price depends on the instructor and “how much the person really wants to learn”
Four-legged friends
Seaview Riding and Equestrian Club
What: Riding classes with 45 minutes of intensive riding
Who: Starting from age 4 years
When: Monday, Friday, Saturday 5pm to 7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:30pm to 7pm
Where: Located next to KGS Junior School Campus
Tel: 0301 823 4110
Fee: Packages vary, information available on request
Why: Programmes are flexible according to need: beginners, advanced or polo. Half-monthly packages available. “We cater to everyone” says owner Sahr Pirzada. “We encourage families to join together because it’s something they can all participate in.” Children at the end of the 45 minute intensive session often say “it was too short!”
Why not: Chances of waiting list
For frazzled mums
KIDZ CLUB
What: A recreation centre to drop your kids off, let them play and let yourself unwind. Activities include pottery, Taekwondo, dance, art. Facilities include a climbing wall, ball pool, jungle gym, Owl room, media room and two bouncy castles (one indoors and one outdoors).
Who: Children up to ten years of age; parents and grandparents are also welcome to stay.
When: 10am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, Sundays are off except for birthday parties.
Where: D-92, Block 4, Clifton
Tel: 0323 237 8667
Fee: Rs5,000 for membership. Hourly rate is Rs250 for the first hour, Rs100 for extra half hours.
Why: For Farhana, the owner, it’s all about fostering independence in the child. “Some children are naturally shy and through our programmes they learn to integrate and socialise with other children; essentially weaning children off their parents.” Hours are flexible (drop in any time between 10am and 8pm). At any point there are at least 4 staff members. A surprise hit with working mothers. WiFi.
Why not: Not a school but not a daycare either.
Or haved fun with the whole family
Arena
What: Arena family entertainment centre not only has the Hit Zone, a 16-lane bowling alley but also Virtual Bowling for younger children. Children also opt for The Orange Octopus which consists of coin-operated rides in loud colours. Summer perks includes free ice-skating till July 31 from Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm.
Who: All ages
When: Sunday and Thursday 12pm to 1am. Friday to Saturday 12pm to 2am
Where: FEC-01, Habib Ibrahim Rehmatullah Road, main Karsaz
Tel: 9924 5251 to 4, 9924 5264
Fee: Rs350 per head
Why: Music is straight off the charts. (Our correspondent heard Arif Lohar’s and Meesha Saeed’s Coke Studio hit barely a week after it premiered). Other plus factors: Hygienic restaurants, international standard games and activities, and friendly customer service.
Why not: Rs 80 for mushy ice cream? A rip-off in terms of food, but better value for money than Area 51.
Late-night fun
Area 51
What: Bowling alley
Who: All ages
When: 3pm to 12am daily, 3pm to 3am on Saturday
Where: Area 51 Sports Complex, Zulfiqar Street 1, Phase VIII, DHA.
Tel: 021 3 585 5612
Fee: Rs 300 per head
Why: If bowling alone is enough reason for you to trek to the outskirts of Karachi, sure!
Why not: Refer to above. Also, UV light is particularly revealing for anyone wearing white. Teeth look funny too.
Soak up some history
Mohatta Palace
What: Mohatta Palace Museum, purchased by the Government of Sindh, is devoted to documenting and displaying the fine arts of Pakistan. Current exhibitions include “Tale of the Tile: Ceramic Traditions of Pakistan” and “Birth of Pakistan: a Journey through Pakistan’s Early Years”
Who: All ages
When: Tuesday to Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 7pm
Where: Old Clifton road, Karachi
Tel: 021 358 37669
Fee: Rs10 per head
Why: If intricate art, tiles and interactive games and puzzles fail to impress you, then the detailed ceiling will. The Palace was constructed in the style of Rajastani palaces, using pink Jodhpur stone.
Why not: That said, lacking the scale or size of the Lahore Museum or even Lok Virsa means that its exhibitions are few and all temporary.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2010.
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