Scaling new heights on top of the world
We all know that Dubai likes to be at the top of the charts. And from humble beginnings it has travelled far. Dubai doesn’t really appear on a map until the 18th century. It was a small fishing village famed for its pearls. With cultural influences from Muslim, Turk, Mongol and Ottoman Empires, the Arabian Peninsula then became a British strategic base in the nineteenth century. Having defeated the pirates in the Gulf, Britain offered protection in return for local influence and the Trucial States were born.

So from a piece of grit grows a beautiful pearl. The dancing fountains at the Dubai Mall are the World’s largest, and the same mall boasts the World’s largest fish tank (or to be precise the largest piece of acrylic). The indoor ski slope at the Mall of the Emirates is the World’s longest.  Dubai is also on the edge of the largest desert (The Empty Quarter). In short, Dubai likes its claims to fame; from high rise living and the biggest residential project  (Jumeirah Beach Residence) to the desolate salt flats; from the mountains on one border to the spectacular coral reefs on the other. Dubai is a place to be explored.

We travel around the World, so why not travel up? And in my mind all explorations should start with the Burj Khalifa. Whether you like the high life or not, this is one structure which cannot fail to cause your jaw to drop. It is the spinnaker that keeps this Emirate afloat. It is the pinnacle around which the city revolves, and as the World’s tallest building standing at 828m, it dominates the skyline.

The Burj Khalifa opened in 2010, only six years after construction began. At one point a floor was being built every day and to keep the concrete from setting in the heat, before it reached its lofty destination, ice was added to the mix.

It should be on your travel wish list, but thanks to a new image, which places you right on top of the World, you can now visit from the comfort of your chair.

The interactive photograph offers a 360 degree view, and was created by photographer Gerald Donovan to celebrate the second Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photography Award (HIPA), which will take place in Dubai in March.

The photograph is really a jigsaw, which allows you to zoom and navigate, and is made from 70 separate 80 megapixel images pieced together.

And it gives you access to a view like no other. Although the public observation deck is on the 124th floor, the photographs were taken from the 160th floor. Whether you suffer from vertigo or not, the final steps on a 200 metre ladder are not ones I wish to take. It sounds like a Mission Impossible, and I think I’ll leave that to Tom Cruise.

If you want to visit the observation deck on the 124th floor book in advance. This not only guarantees your ticket but is also much cheaper than on-the-door tickets. Unfortunately, if a sandstorm blows in you won’t be able to change your visit slot. For tickets visit the Burj Khalifa website. 

To find out more about the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photography Award (HIPA), and see the 360 photograph, visit their website by clicking here.

Going round in circles: roundabouts I have loved
The topic of traffic and terrible driving is a popular one among expats in Dubai, who like to spend the evening chewing the cud over a glass of wine. And it is little wonder that the habits of some leave a lot to be desired.

As part of the Trucial States, British law governed the roads that were to form the new UAE, and therefore people drove on the left. However, with independence in 1971, and the growing influence of its Saudi neighbours, the decision was taken to switch sides. I’m not saying you should have sympathy with the 18 year old driving a Maserati, who cuts you up by crossing five lanes in one go. But there is possibly an inherent reason why driving standards are poor.

Another reason could be that as Dubai is such a melting pot of cultural diversity, different road rules and habits are thrown together in a kind of road ratatouille. The courteous driving habits of one driver might be getting in the way of the speed thrills of another, for example.

The third reason is the pace at which the road networks and number of drivers is expanding. Fifty years ago Dubai had fewer than fifty cars. Today there are more than 1 million. The roads are clogged with minibuses, taxis, supercars and 4x4s making the driving experience a test of nerves and patience.

I’m not going to name and shame but you can almost identify someone’s nationality by their driving style. While one country’s representative might have a 40% chance of causing an accident, another national statistically has a 400% chance of being the culprit. 

This is not, however, an analysis of driving, but rather a prelude to the fun you can have while driving. On our travels, we have seen some spectacular road systems, interesting signs and wonderful roundabouts. (Yes, I can really be that boring). And this is the topic of the day.

Roundabouts were introduced by the British. (I’m sure parts of the inheritance were more exiting.) But we’re talking about more than a road system here. We’re talking about well known landmarks that provide anchor points to lost travellers when the lack of road names offer few clues.

There is a saying that you know you’ve been in Dubai too long if, when asking for directions to the building opposite, you receive the answer “left, second right, third right, first left”, and that sounds normal. This isn’t a point and shoot society. You can’t aim your vehicle in the general direction you want to go and hope everything will be ok. And forget satnav. Road networks change overnight. Several times I’ve been lost coming home from work.

And even when you do find a street name, it might have two names; an official name and a nickname. Or a historical one and a new one. And forget about the ambiguity created by the different spellings caused by translating names from Arabic.

So roundabouts became important navigation points, and as such the central space within the roundabout has been haloed by some pretty creative monuments and sculptures. I’m pretty fond of the fish roundabout in Fujairah, so named because, well, I’ll let you work it out. And the oyster and pearl roundabout in Ras al Khaimah is pretty special too.

So you see, despite the frustrating, nerve wracking, perilous journeys we make in our cars, roundabouts never fail to raise a smile and lighten the mood. Just make sure you pay attention to the road to ensure you don’t miss your exit and get lost. Once lost you may never be found again.

So, the World did not end. And although I feel a little bit wobbly from the excesses of Christmas, I’m still standing.

The start of a year is a good time to reflect on the past year, clear the slate and plan for the coming year. So what have I got planned?

But before I start thinking of destinations, ticking things off my list, I’ve been thinking about trying to answer the question: “What is travel and adventure?”

My immediate reaction would be to say it’s about climbing every mountain, fording every stream, following every rainbow…. Hang on. I think I’ve just had a Christmas movie flashback. Truthfully though, I am the type of person to tick off lists. Just ask my husband. But I’m also the type of person who likes to challenge myself, not to be better than anyone else, just to see if I can do it and build confidence.

So let’s take that as a starting point.

Answer no 1: Travel and adventure help you to build confidence.

I’ve visited 48 countries in four decades. In case you’re wondering there are around 200 countries. It’s almost impossible to say how many exactly – as soon I research the number, someone declares independence, or the United Nations ratifies another application. The point is that borders change, but patriotism doesn’t, and that’s why borders change. The only constant in this is that borders will continue to change. How people respond to their environment is an investigation in itself. Why do people live where they do? This is a question that can only be answered by overlaying different perspectives and asking questions. The answer may be historical, geographic or political. But is always fascinating. In one trip I’ll learn about how the Kiribatis survive on the remote Pacific islands, and on another excursion I’ll learn why the Hisatsinom homes cling to the Mesa Verde cliffs in the US. 

Answer no 2: If the World is a jigsaw, travel and adventure help you to understand how to put the jigsaw together.

That seems to be a pleasing balance. One answer is about the traveller and the other is about the destination. The Yin and Yang of travel: complementary and interconnected.

I didn’t have to travel far to have this theory tested though. My two little girls don’t travel and explore with the predetermined agenda of an adult. We drag them around with us. But adventure is another matter. The meaning was reflected in my three year-old’s face as she casually cruised by me on her scooter (a little bit cocky for my liking, which is probably why she crashed). It was also reiterated in the face of my five year old as she wobbled on her new bike without stabilisers. For my children, these experiences were about what they could do in their surroundings.

So maybe that’s the final answer that ties these musings together:

Answer no 3: Travel and adventure is about learning something new – about you and your environment.

Happy New Year and happy travelling. This year I’m looking forwards to country cottages in the UK, remote tropical island beaches, an African adventure – and a reinforced bank balance.

So, the World did not end. And although I feel a little bit wobbly from the excesses of Christmas, I’m still standing.

The start of a year is a good time to reflect on the past year, clear the slate and plan for the coming year. So what have I got planned?

But before I start thinking of destinations, ticking things off my list, I’ve been thinking about trying to answer the question: “What is travel and adventure?” 

My immediate reaction would be to say it’s about climbing every mountain, fording every stream, following every rainbow…. Hang on. I think I’ve just had a Christmas movie flashback. Truthfully though, I am the type of person to tick off lists. Just ask my husband. But I’m also the type of person who likes to challenge myself, not to be better than anyone else, just to see if I can do it and build confidence.

So let’s take that as a starting point. 

Answer no 1: Travel and adventure help you to build confidence.

I’ve visited 48 countries in four decades. In case you’re wondering there are around 200 countries. It’s almost impossible to say how many exactly – as soon I research the number, someone declares independence, or the United Nations ratifies another application. The point is that borders change, but patriotism doesn’t, and that’s why borders change. The only constant in this is that borders will continue to change. How people respond to their environment is an investigation in itself. Why do people live where they do? This is a question that can only be answered by overlaying different perspectives and asking questions. The answer may be historical, geographic or political. But is always fascinating. In one trip I’ll learn about how the Kiribatis survive on the remote Pacific islands, and on another excursion I’ll learn why the Hisatsinom homes cling to the Mesa Verde cliffs in the US.  

Answer no 2: If the World is a jigsaw, travel and adventure help you to understand how to put the jigsaw together.

That seems to be a pleasing balance. One answer is about the traveller and the other is about the destination. The Yin and Yang of travel: complementary and interconnected.

I didn’t have to travel far to have this theory tested though. My two little girls don’t travel and explore with the predetermined agenda of an adult. We drag them around with us. But adventure is another matter. The meaning was reflected in my three year-old’s face as she casually cruised by me on her scooter (a little bit cocky for my liking, which is probably why she crashed). It was also reiterated in the face of my five year old as she wobbled on her new bike without stabilisers. For my children, these experiences were about what they could do in their surroundings.

So maybe that’s the final answer that ties these musings together:

Answer no 3: Travel and adventure is about learning something new – about you and your environment.

Happy New Year and happy travelling. This year I’m looking forwards to country cottages in the UK, remote tropical island beaches, an African adventure – and a reinforced bank balance.