What’s the greatest driving road in the UAE? Ask a casual punter and the odds are that he or she will answer “Jebel Hafeet”. It’s become almost a cliché, but that doesn’t detract from the fact it’s still a cracking stretch of tarmac that’s rated up there with Italy’s Stelvio Pass and Australia’s Great Ocean Road.
Regarded by many as the place to go in the UAE if you’ve managed to score a supercar for a day, Jebel Hafeet has even been voted the greatest driving road on the planet by various international magazines and websites, such as Edmunds.com.
The 11.7-kilometre ribbon of blacktop stands in stark contrast to the barren, rocky terrain it cuts through, adding to the visual drama as you attack it, or merely meander up at leisurely pace while taking in the panorama as you get closer to its 1,249-metre-high peak. (Just as an aside, Jebel Hafeet isn’t the highest mountain in the UAE, as it’s sometimes labelled – that honour belongs to the 1,910-metre-tall Jebel Jais.)
There are two lanes in the upwards direction and one coming down, and there’s excellent sight lines of the road that lies ahead. This means it’s relatively safe to ascend at pace, but you need to bear in mind that it’s a public road, which means you must consider the safety of other road users – including cyclists who go there to train – above all else. If they catch you driving recklessly, the constabulary will also be more than happy to impound your car and furnish you with a hefty fine. So, have fun, but be responsible while you do it.
There are 21 turns, which range from tight hairpins to fast sweepers, so it’s an enjoyable playground where you can explore your vehicle’s dynamic abilities. The surface is super-smooth, which means even hypercars with rock-hard suspension won’t suffer undue wear and tear, nor will it result in your teeth parting company with your fillings.
I had to have about six runs in each direction when I first set wheel on Jebel Hafeet in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera back in 2007, and I’m willing to bet that one trip up and down won’t satiate you either.
Your weapon of choice? The snaking ascent up Jebel Hafeet is wide, smooth and offers great visibility, so you can make the most of a car with bags of grunt and ample grip. Something like a Ferrari 458 Speciale or Lamborghini Huracán should do nicely, but there’s fun to be had even in less-exalted machinery.
What else to do while you’re there
Strap in tight: Al Ain Raceway is arguably the finest karting facility in the UAE. It’s fully floodlit and has arrive-and-drive karts, as well as corporate entertainment and conference facilities.
Refresh yourself: At the base of Jebel Hafeet, Green Mubazzarah is a genuine oasis, with hot springs, lake, swimming pools and chalets. Worth a look – and a dip.
Go wild: Al Ain Zoo has more than 4,000 animals that roam in enclosures somewhat resembling their natural habitats. The zoo has also instituted conservation and breeding programmes, which is laudable.
Take a history lesson: Based in the palace of the founding president of the UAE, Al Ain Palace Museum provides a telling insight into the life that was once lived there by Sheikh Zayed and his family.
Settle in: There’s a wide selection of hotels in the area, including Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, Hilton Al Ain and Mercure Grand (at the top of Jebel Hafeet). They range in tariffs and services, so chances are you can find something to suit your tastes and budget.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Business Insights
As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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The specs
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