KINGS OF THE DESERT

Paul Jeeves is blown away by the past, present and future of sparkling, spectacular Dubai

Aglittering playground of space-age innovation, Dubai never stops dreaming up new ways to grab the limelight.

At the forefront of futuristic vision, it has the world’s tallest building and biggest shopping mall, palm-shaped islands, theme parks, water parks and ski slopes with real snow in the desert.

With an ever-increasing number of visitors spending large amounts of cash, ambition and investment have certainly paid off for the second largest emirate in the UAE, with the country now back on the Government’s coronavirus safe travel corridor.

But beneath the glamour of this pulsating metropolis, there remains a small but significant heartbeat of the Bedouin culture that has existed since transient tribesmen settled on the coast and developed a fishing village in the early 18th century.

As global influences flood their surroundings, these proud Emirati people are battling hard to ensure they do not become a forgotten part of their city’s rapid

while two internal drop-in pockets are handy for maps and documents, or maybe a face mask and hand sanitiser in the age of coronavirus. For travelling, it packs down to a trim 2,500ml, washes at 30C and dries in 9hrs.

Not intended for use in torrential rain, nonetheless its Durable Water Repellency finish saw off some East Anglian showers and drizzle with ease. QUIBBLES: Nit-picking – would have liked an elasticated drawstring at the waist. VERDICT: An excellent winter warmer, and you’ll genuinely wonder how it’s so light.