That's The Badger

There’s something intrinsically satisfying about demolition. Most people tend to only experience this during drunken activities over the weekend or during various acts of DIY – Destroy It Yourself. However, for some people demolition isn’t just an enjoyable pastime, it’s an occupation…

Smack it…

Demolition comes in all shapes and sizes, but the majority of traditionalists still stick with the old ‘if in doubt, smack it’ routine. Indeed, the majority of demolition, whether on a small or a large scale, still involves a succession of sledgehammers, crowbars and general brute force. Bigger demolition works tend to need more sophisticated equipment such as JCB’s and pneumatic drill, but essentially the premise is still the same.

Blow it up like Dibnah…

When brute force and machinery simply isn’t exciting enough, you know that it’s time to take a page out of the Fred Dibnah book of demolition. As one of Britain’s most iconic TV heroes of the 1980’s, Fred Dibnah became famous due to his antics as a steeplejack and as a demolition expert. Contrary to public opinion, rather than using explosives, Dibnah’s technique of choice was to prepare the chimney in such a way that a simple controlled fire was enough to demolish the construct.

Yank it down…

If brute force or pyromania doesn’t interest you then you may want to try out this unique demolition technique involving some rope and four VW Amarok pickups, as displayed by the guys and gals from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in this video.

One problematic technical issue with the use of mobile banking is its compatibility with certain phones: it can be very irritating to find that complex or urgent banking actions (that one was used to doing on a different phone) cannot be carried out on a phone that does not have Java ME, but supports, for example, a SIM application toolkit instead.  Some banks offer services that only work with the former but not the latter, and so on. This is due to change, because the industry is aware of and motivated to overcome format inoperability, and will profit from such a development; until then, the issue is a temporary consumer headache.

Another technical issue that bears consideration is that of mobile banking application upgrades: it is inevitable that app performance and customer demand will lead to novel services and improvements that require upgrades. Consequently, many phones are, and increasingly will be, expected to be able to automatically update apps. Although this is quite possible, it will be a challenge for banks and application producers to implement as well as for customers to keep up with, effectively isolating a section of mobile users who do not have advanced phones.

Whatever technical challenges lay ahead for customers, the security risks of mobile banking are worthy of far greater concern as they cause more than just irritation: they can be a portal for criminal activity and personal loss. Identity theft can open one’s personal details up, in the worst cases, to highly organised hacking operations that will attempt to drain your money dry with efficiency and virtual anonymity.

Having said that, it is important to remember mobile banking is without doubt a growth market for financial institutions: predictions from respected sources suggest that there will be 115 million mobile banking users in Europe alone by 2015 and around 80 Million in the US in the same timeframe. Mobile banking is therefore big business and accordingly, banks protect the security of their clients’ interests as their own – any business that gains a reputation for poor security in this highly competitive field will surely lose customers, and profit. As a result, all financial institutions using mobile technologies will do everything in their power to protect your money and your security details. In some cases, there are security guarantees that appear to ensure refunds in the case of successful online fraud.

Methods to combat security of information including reliable options such as one-time passwords sent to your message inbox or email address by your bank (if that address itself is secure!); intelligently-encrypted information transfer (most contemporary, developed banking tools will do this); encryption of  any insecure data stored in the device and a host of other protections.

Having said that, there is no absolute guarantee of security in the world of electronic commerce, only high and low risk trading partners it is fair to say that most trusted names are very safe, nonetheless it is up to the consumer to exercise caution where it is due.

Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to try something a bit different while on holiday and create an unusual travel experience.

The capital and largest city in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a glittering desert metropolis with many diverse influences. It is one of the most modern cities in the world, and was called the “richest city in the world” by CNN. With a population of just under 1.5 million, the city is a bustling hub of industry.

Abu Dhabi presents an almost endless selection of new experiences, tastes, and sights to choose from. Towering modern skyscrapers that would look at home in a futuristic science fiction film, opulent shopping malls that are big enough to get lost in, green parks and boulevards, and world class dining establishments make Abu Dhabi a treat for visitors.

If you want to have an experience on your holiday which is a bit unique and out of the ordinary, Abu Dhabi presents many opportunities to think outside the box and do something unusual. These five activities will leave you with travel memories you will never forget.

1.    Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Imagine slowly gliding through the air above the city of Abu Dhabi and the desert sands in a hot air balloon! These rides are a perfect way to see your surroundings from a new perspective.  You will see everything from giant red sand dunes to emerald desert oases, to wandering camels.

Many companies in Abu Dhabi specialize in hot air balloon tours. For an extra special experience, set your alarm early for a sunrise flight. Watching the bright sun slip over the horizon while observing the breathtaking desert views will be absolutely worth it!

2.    Live Life in the Fast Lane at Ferrari World

An entire day of fun can be found underneath the classic double curve of a huge 250,000 square metre replica of a red Ferrari car roof. Ferrari World is the world’s largest undercover theme park, and it offers an introduction to the history of this classic car, and some truly fun and unique experiences.

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to pull 4.8 G? Feel your cheeks being pulled back by the force as you brave the world’s fastest roller coaster at speeds of 240 kmph.

If that seems a little bit too intense for you, why not explore a miniature recreation of the most famous locations in Italy, such as the Learning Tower of Piza and the Coliseum in Rome? Ferrari world is only a 30 minute drive from Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.

3.    Go Back in Time

For an interesting contrast to the speed and modernism of Ferarri World, don’t miss the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. This is a reconstruction of how the Bedouin people lived in ancient times, before modern irrigation and even agricultural systems came to existence.

The village is located near the Abu Dhabi breakwater, and is a living village where visitors can take a camel ride, watch falconry demonstrations, and even eat a traditional Bedouin meal.

4.    Experience the Thrill of Indoor Skydiving

Have you ever thought that you would love to experience the sensation of skydiving, without actually having to jump out of a plane flying thousands of feet in the air? Believe it or not, you can actually go skydiving indoors in Abu Dhabi!

Spacewalk Indoor Skydiving recreates the experience by providing a vertical wind tunnel that allows participants to actually fly on a column of air. The sensation feels like freefalling, yet is completely safe for anyone regardless of age or experience. The professional instructors guide you, and control the speed of the wind tunnel during your flight.

5.    Cheer on the Camel Races

Camel racing is an ancient Bedouin tradition that is still a big deal in the UAE, with racing tracks found all over the country. The camel racing season runs from October to March, and if you want to catch a camel race while in Abu Dhabi you can head to the Al Watchba racetrack on Thursdays and Fridays.

Abu Dhabi offers many unique experiences that add up to an unforgettable holiday. For more information on Etihad flights to Abu Dhabi from Europe and international destinations or for travel information in Abu Dhabi, see the respective links.