I am not a brave man.
Ever since I was a child, I have felt extremely uncomfortable in small spaces. I can’t watch a horror film without a cushion to cover my face. And I am unable to swim in the sea without assuming that Jaws or one of his pals are planning to test my lower leg for firmness and flavour.
Nothing terrifies me more, however, than distances greater than my own height away from the wonderfully safe ground.
It is a crippling, life-altering phobia. My 13th-floor balcony pales into insignificance when compared to some of the unreasonably high outdoor living spaces which tease me mercilessly during visits to some friends’ apartments. Yet, I cannot steadily carry a cup of tea from one end of my balcony to the other without worrying I am going to spontaneously throw myself over the edge.
But phobias are for conquering, everyone will tell you (whether you want them to or not).
I've previously transformed a shark fear into fascination by learning more about the amazing creatures. Since then, I have become a keen scuba diver, plunging myself into waters populated by dozens of huge razor-toothed fish.
But dizzying heights? They are a different animal altogether.
Nevertheless, when the UAE launched its latest daring attraction, Sky Views Dubai – a 219-metre walk of faith around the narrow edge of a 53rd-floor platform at the Address Sky View in Downtown Dubai – I found myself agreeing to give it a try.
Watch The National take on Sky Views Dubai:
The attraction also features a glass-bottom slide with nothing underneath but fresh air, plus an observation deck with a glass floor.
I started with the ledge walk.
A harness strong enough to hold many times my weight was not enough to convince me I had made the right choice, but before I knew it, I was kitted up and being ushered outside.
Astounding views across Dubai held my gaze as the far distance became my closest friend (“don’t look down” is Rule Number One).
As I shuffled my feet along the slender ledge, my much braver wife enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and I began to feel somewhat comfortable. “I can do this,” I thought. Only a few hundred metres more and I can once again enjoy the safety of walls surrounding me.
As I descended the skyscraper, I noticed the glass lift which had been terrifying on the way up now seemed quaint on the way down
But then we stopped, about a quarter of the way around, so our guide – a burly, fearless man whose former job was with Russian special forces – could go down the line and try to convince us to swing over the edge. The ultimate trust exercise.
He threw his considerable frame (“I eat too much!” – his words, not mine) over the edge before swinging back to the safety of the platform to demonstrate the safety of the set-up. I had no doubts that it was safe – I just wasn’t willing to put my life on the line to prove it.
Surely only the bravest – or most idiotic – would take up the challenge, I thought. I was wrong. In fact, the only member of the group (other than my wife, out of solidarity) who did not hang over the sheer drop was me. Even the other scaredy cat eventually lifted up his feet and put all of his trust in the narrow rope.
Did these people have no self-preservation instinct?
I was perfectly happy to be the group wimp. One step at a time, as I told our good-natured guide as he attempted to persuade me to also try the 170-metre-high zipline in Dubai Marina. No chance.
Another 20 minutes of me shuffling, everyone else swinging, and we were back inside.
After that, the glass slide was somewhat easy, even thrilling. And the glass-floored observation deck was, well, like a walk in the park.
As I descended the skyscraper, I noticed the glass lift which had been terrifying on the way up now seemed quaint on the way down.
I am not saying I have cured my fear of heights – a small amount of fear is healthy – but perhaps now I can sit at the table on my comparatively tame balcony for a meal served without the usual side order of all-consuming dread.
Just don’t ask me to try the zipline.
See more photos of Sky Views Dubai here:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from our Neighbourhood series:
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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CREW
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Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Naga
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'Ashkal'
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What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more