Sheikh Hamdan shares travel photos of ice drilling and driving from Finnish Lapland trip

The 10 images on Instagram, where he has more than 16 million followers, show him and his entourage enjoying the snowy landscape in Finnish Lapland and pouring hot coffee into a cup over a fire. He also shared a video of himself drilling a hole in the ice to go fishing.

In another shot, he is seen driving a BMW from Lapland Driving, a company that organises motorsports events around the snowiest landscape in Europe. It has three driving centres in Levi and Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, which sits on the Arctic Circle.

In August, he returned to the north-east of England for his annual shooting trip, this time with his twins Sheikh Rashid and Sheikha Shaikha, and shared photos of his experience.

The previous month, he posted footage of his hiking triumph in Yosemite National Park, detailing his peak-to-peak Half Dome trek at the California park. Rising more than 1,500 metres above Yosemite Valley and 2,682 metres above sea level, Half Dome is one of the most challenging hikes in Yosemite.

Spanning more than 30km, the hike is suited to seasoned mountaineers and those with high levels of physical fitness, and takes enthusiasts to the peak of Half Rock, a well-known formation at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley.

A couple of months earlier, he shared his love for Japan after a visit to the country. There was a shot of him posing with a geisha and walking the capital’s busy road crossings, as well as exploring the city’s vibrant food and drink scene. He captioned the post: “I love Japan.”

He also shared photos of his friend and regular travel companion Abdulla Al Naboodah, who joined him on the trip, alongside Maj, the son of his close friend Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi.

This time last year he was making the most of the skiing season with a trip to Courchevel in south-east France. The Alps town is part of the Three Valleys, the biggest connected ski area in the world.

Accompanied by photographer Ali Essa, Sheikh Hamdan's photos show him taking to the slopes. There are also pictures from the resort, which include Maj and Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma, better known as Uncle Saeed, another one of his regular travel companions.

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By Mario Levrero

(Coffee House Press)

Tips to stay safe during hot weather

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

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RESULTS

Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden