Dubai: Eclectic delights and sky-high dares in the desert city

The spectacular desert city of Dubai has much to entice tourists, from balloon high fliers to towering thrills, writes Jim Gallagher

Balloons over the skyline in Dubai.

There’s a nervous energy on the desert breeze as we wait in the dark for our balloon to be inflated. The only noise is the roar of the fuel burner pumping hot air into the massive inflatable. 

The pilot has just gone through a safety drill for the 20 passengers and already one anxious couple has pulled out.