Our Working Wonders of the UAE series takes you to some of the country's most recognisable destinations to uncover the daily duties of the talented employees working there
Thousands head for Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain attractions during cooler months – and former British Royal Marine Philip Durrell oversees their trouble-free operation.
As senior director of adventure activities at RAK Leisure, he primarily ensures Jebel Jais activities align with stringent international health and safety standards.
Mr Durrell, 51, also spearheads development of future activities with a multinational 100-plus team, looking after Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line, the Jais Sledder and Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. The keen diver, sailor and Ironman also overseas Wadi Shawka mountain biking and coastal water sports.
Before joining RAK Leisure in November 2020, Mr Durrell was regional manager for international school expedition company World Challenge, having previously led expeditions in 35 countries including Arctic, African and Himalayan locations.
He came to the UAE in 2007 to create a leadership and development programme with higher colleges of technology.
Now father to two grown up daughters and a grandfather, Mr Durrell lives in Dubai’s Arabian Ranches with wife Lynne with whom he completed San Francisco’s Escape from Alcatraz triathlon.
Have you always been adventurous?
It all went wrong around my eighth birthday when my mum and dad bought me a tent. Our back garden backed on to a national park so I would sleep there every night from about March to September.
I joined the scouts and was one of the first people with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at the time. I'm an assessor now.
I was very involved in the outdoors, paid my way through college working in a climbing shop and got discounts on equipment.
Then I studied architecture at university and realised it wasn't for me so I joined the military.
What was that like?
The Royal Marines has an extremely high failure rate. It took me 12 years to realise they weren't going to kick me out.
I had interesting experiences in places like Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Iran, and came home unharmed.
In 2000, I lead an expedition for World Challenge to Costa Rica and that month changed my mindset.
We didn't have working mobile phones and seeing young kids taking on this challenge and dealing with it made me realise being involved in youth development was something I wanted more of.
I led another expedition to Peru, decided to leave the Marines, then worked freelance for expedition companies, including on Kilimanjaro, completing 17 summits in six weeks.
Were you a fan of Jebel Jais?
Before working here it was one of the places to get away from everyday life, to leave your computer and spreadsheets at home and just enjoy being out.
When we first moved here in 2008, we hiked the Stairway to Heaven. I also did Jais Flight with my eldest daughter in 2018.
Things have changed a lot. There's so much more to see and do, not just for high energy thrill seekers.
Jebel Jais is at least 10 degrees cooler on the top. It’s a very different experience and people often don’t realise how close all this is to them.
Are you always at altitude?
I try for at least one day a week on the mountain. My “office” there has the best view you can imagine.
It's a bit of a niche job, but also still being involved in the development strategy of how we grow a destination and doing it in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way.
RAK has everything – the mountainside and wadis of Jebel Jais, beautiful desert areas, amazing coastlines, the pearl farm and one of the biggest mangrove areas you can kayak through.
How hands on are you?
I never ask someone to do something I’m not prepared to do myself.
I give all my managers full autonomy to do their job and have an amazing team on the mountain.
I like to be seen and help where I can … making sure what we’re doing is to international best practice.
What is Bear Grylls’ influence on experiences?
His ethos in life is something I identify with – “never give up” is one of his main lines.
If an opportunity and an experience comes along, you must take it. If you don't put yourself out there and have these experiences, how are you ever going to know?
We launched a big school residential programme with Bear Grylls. About 100 students a day come out and we try to give them something they wouldn't experience on a family holiday.
They stay in dormitory, military-style tents on camping beds and learn life skills. There's no Wi-Fi, no phones and we communicate only by talking.
Are those skills important?
You'd be surprised at how many people we have rescued from the mountain who have only taken a small bottle of water with them when it's 40 or 50 degrees.
There are no maps as such or cleared trails. We're trying to allow people to go out and have that adventure but do it in a safe way.
We use the explorers camp to train people so they have survival skills.
A few years ago a guy fell on Stairway to Heaven and broke his tibia and fibula. I co-ordinated the rescue with a team of 32 people, 300m of abseiling, to lower him down in a stretcher and carry him out. It took about six hours.
Any other challenges?
Operating on any mountain – Jebel Jais specifically – throws up many logistical things you wouldn't think about, such as basic maintenance, getting supplies up there, general day-to-day management and getting your 100-strong team there safely and making sure they're doing their job.
People want comforts, but there's no running water or power supply on the mountain, although we have generators and are introducing solar.
One of our biggest challenges is weather. When it rains on the mountain, things get closed. We have to get out as soon as possible to make sure it's safe and there's no damage.
We often get phone calls to help people. Everyone loves it when it rains in the UAE, but sometimes it isn't the safest place to be. We have people's lives in our hands and we've all the fail safes in place.
Is your role rewarding?
Yes, it's still relatively young as a destination for tourism and adventure so it's great seeing how the whole destination is developing.
We are giving people the opportunity to have great experiences. It's not just about how to make money, it's how you can educate, to come to a sustainable environment, enjoy it and take away rubbish.
You see school groups getting off the bus wondering what’s going to happen. After a couple of days, hopefully we’ve done our job and got them really dirty and muddy and they’ve had a great time. Seeing their faces going back is a great sort of achievement.
Do you apply your past skills?
It’s possibly a bit more the mindset. I understand how you deliver these things, manage 100 students, safely send 170 people down a zip line at 160km an hour.
Then how you do budgets, sort out accommodation, who you need to recruit. I still get my toes in the water occasionally; it’s important to remember why you’re doing it in the first place.
I want things that are going to challenge people, bucket list experiences. But also to have people come to Bear Grylls, just sit around a campfire and tell stories.
How is your commute?
It’s an iconic drive up. Traffic jams for me are normally the goats that cross the road in front.
My wife will tell you it’s not a job … I can assure you it is; it’s long hours, but it is very rewarding.
More on animal trafficking
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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Fight card
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)
Catch 74kg
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)
Strawweight (Female)
Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)
Lightweight
Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
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
Company%20Profile
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
The%20team
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World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
ELECTION%20RESULTS
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FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
Honeymoonish
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
