If the word treehouse conjures images of a few rickety pieces of wood nailed together and balanced precariously a foot off the ground, then perhaps it's time for an update.
It seems that some people have carried a longing for that most childlike of buildings through into adulthood, calling on architects and engineers to construct incredible spaces nestled within tree canopies.
Some encourage birds to build nests within the structure, and others are for admiring lions at a respectful distance. All, however, are places to daydream.
Treehouse Lodge, Peru
As the only all-inclusive treehouse within the Amazon, it has a choice of 12 cabins, all with a different feel. Nestled where the Yarapa River meets the Cumaceba River, the location offers a unique opportunity to see pink dolphins or even fish for piranhas.
Yarapa River, near Iquitos, Peru. Prices from $150 per person, per night.
Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park, Portugal
While the spa has existed for more than a century, the treehouses are a modern addition. Made from sympathetic materials such as wood and slate, the modern-looking treehouse offers perfect peace and quiet.
Bornes de Aguiar, Portugal. Prices from $281 per room, per night.
The Hudnalls Hideout, Wales
A luxurious, secluded hideaway in the heart of Wye Valley in Wales, it overlooks an area of outstanding natural beauty. As a result, the treehouse has a curving balcony that wraps around the structure, to better enjoy the view.
The Hudnalls National Nature Reserve, Wales. A two-night minimum stay, $381 per room, per night.
Woodnest Treehouse, Norway
In Norway, the architects Helen & Hard have created two shingle clad cabins in a forested hillside near the town of Odda in Sorfjorden. Suspended six metres off the forest floor, the cabins are reached only via a gangplank and look out over the magnificent fjord of Hardangerfjord.
Odda is located about two-and-a-half hours from Bergen. Prices from $358 per room, per night.
Chalkley Treehouse, South Africa
Built around an ancient leadwood tree, this lodge is situated deep within the Kruger National Park. More of a platform than a treehouse, it offers a unique chance to hear and feel the sounds of the animals all around.
Lion Sands Sabi Sands Mpumalanga Kruger National Park, South Africa. Prices from $266 per person, per night.
Treehotel, Sweden
At Treehotel in Sweden, guests can choose to stay in a mirrored cube, a giant bird or even a UFO.
Lule River valley, Sweden. Prices are from $103 per room, per night.
Chateaux dans les Arbres, France
Possibly the grandest tree house ever built, it was constructed to echo the nearby castles of Dordogne, hence the name, that translates as "castle in the trees". With fairy tale spires and turrets, this luxury lodge even has an outdoor jacuzzi.
Domaine de Puybeton, Nojals-et-Clotte, France. Prices from $275 per room, per night.
The andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Tanzania
Nestled amid an ancient mahogany forest sits the andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. Nine cabins, built from locally sourced wood and palm, stand on stilts, overlooking the Rift Valley. The owner likes to joke that the local lions learnt to climb trees not to escape insects, but out of jealousy for this amazing hotel.
Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. Prices from $840 per person, per night.
The HemLoft treehouse, Canada
A true adventure in itself, this egg-shaped cabin was built by Joel Allen, who simply wandered into the local forest and started work, using only recycled or free materials. According to Allen, it is "about a five-minute walk from the nearest road," built on "crown land in Whistler, Canada".
The location is kept secret, but it is free to use by those who find it.
Cypress Valley, Texas
The stuff of childhood dreams, this wonderfully sprawling complex of treehouses is nestled in ancient cypress trees. Each treehouse is named for a different tree, so guests can choose to sleep in Juniper or Willow.
Spicewood, Texas, USA. Prices from $200 per room, per night
Birdhut by Studio North, Canada
Built three metres off the ground, this cabin has been designed to encourage birds to nest in the walls. Made from red cedar, it sits on stilts to maximise the view.
Windermere, Canada. Free for hikers to use.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
