Cheryl Robertson

Journalist

United Arab Emirates

Writer, snapper, author
Born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe, I write on varied subjects including travel, human interest, history, environment, people, nature, classic cars, air conditioning you name it .....
One time editor of Travel & Tourism News Middle East in Dubai; previously with the Gulf News daily paper; former assistant editor of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning magazine in UK; editor of Thomson Publications trade titles in Zimbabwe; news and features journalist at The Star newspaper Johannesburg, South Africa.
In 1979 I became a cub reporter on The Rhodesia Herald, the national newspaper of the country now known as Zimbabwe, and have been writing ever since. Aka Cheryl Mandy. Contact: tuppy.robertson (@) gmail.com

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Portfolio
Business Traveller Middle East
01/01/2025
Chugging back in time by train

Rovos Rail’s range of luxury sleeper trains snake through Africa’s less-travelled destinations, capturing the romance of rail travel in a bygone era

Airlink Magazine
28/04/2023
Looking for larks

NAMIBIA - Road trip with eight 60-something mates. We bounce, banter and bicker through Okahandja, Okaukuejo, Otjozondjupa and more wonderfully unpronounceable places

Amazon
25/11/2020
Goggas: A collection of captivating creepy crawlies

A quirky nonfiction kids' book about some random insects, those creatures at the bottom rung of the food chain that so richly populate our planet and contribute to our well-being in so many ways

A blog
03/03/2021
From Bennachie to Bulawayo and Beyond

All about my Scottish roots. A record of the Robertson and Thompson families that mostly farmed in the Aberdeen and Insch districts of Scotland. One generation took a ship to Africa in 1938, moving right out of the cold northern hemisphere to a place they hardly knew - Southern Rhodesia. Quite an adventurous crowd I thought.

Gulf News
07/04/2020
Make health a priority now

Simplify and slow down - think of this period of (Covid instigated) confinement as an opportunity rather than a punishing ordeal. Perspectives from Dubai's health and fitness professionals.

Marula Express blog
31/01/2019
3 women & Mr Baby

Eight-days in ‘God’s Own Country’ – Kerala. Magical!

Marula Express Blog
30/06/2019
Pursuing Puffins in Northumberland

Between April and end July it’s puffin breeding season at the Farne Islands off England’s Northumbrian coast.

Gulf News
11/02/2018
Cultural connections

There is a strong bond between Emirati and Japanese residents, for both nationalities appreciate the similar values of good manners, hospitality, respect and craftsmanship. The Japanese Tea Ceremony, Urasenke chado, is a case in point where traditional cultures blend harmoniously together.

TTN Worldwide
01/03/2018
In focus

At a travel forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand, ASEAN countries are being encouraged to improve their infrastructure to enable accessibility for all travellers, including those with disabilities and senior citizens, and to join forces to woo niche market segments

Etihad Holidays 2015-2016
01/10/2015
The Global Collection

Etihad Airways flies to six continents and Etihad Holidays guides travellers to many exciting destinations around the world. Get inspired.

GN Focus
26/03/2015
Jane Goodall in Abu Dhabi

Dr Jane Goodall, primatologist, anthropologist and UN Messenger of Peace, launches the Roots and Shoots learning programme in Abu Dhabi. This global initiative encourages young people to take charge of environmental and community issues in their own regions.

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) website
05/02/2015
How Abu Dhabi is Saving the Dugong

Rising pollution, coastal developments, boat traffic and bad fishing practices are contributing to a decline in the fortunes of the dugong - in Abu Dhabi and around the world. Any threat to this huge migratory herbivorous mammal should be of critical concern to the billions of people who rely on the oceans for their livelihood, according to the website of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Air Arabia
01/06/2014
Bioluminescence - Oman

It’s like a scene from the Life of Pi,’” said Graham Church, still reeling as he recounted the events from the previous night. “Trails of jellyfish right next to the dhow were glowing, moving through the water in shades of blues and greens, while shimmering fish leapt about in the water further afield. Lights pulsated repeatedly from one end of the tide to the other. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Air Arabia
01/06/2014
Beatrix's creatures great and small

The spectacular natural beauty of rural Cumbria has inspired many literary greats - including Beatrix Potter - and those who come to walk in their footsteps.

Gulf News
29/03/2014
Dubai World Cup: 19 burning race-day questions answered

Can you survive among the hoity-toity at Meydan? Do you know your stirrup cups from your stirrups? Here's a rough guide - from how to name-drop without causing a rumpus to the quickest route to securing a hat today

Facilities Management GN
18/05/2014
Setting the falcon among the pigeons

Marley is as quiet as a mouse as he sits on falconer Peter Bergh's gloved hand. Once the calming hood is removed though, he's alert and, taking off into the oncoming breeze, soars around the hotel performing the role he was contracted for.

Gulf News 35 Years
30/09/2013
Printing choreography

UAE newspaper comes to life on an automated Cortina web press, the first installed outside Europe

National Day 2013 GN
02/12/2013
Camel race keeps cultural roots alive

Jostling for space against the starting gate, the camels about to head full tilt down the track don't change their facial expressions once. There's a placid acceptance of their role - no bickering, no pushing or shoving and certainly no biting.

Turkey - GN
10/07/2013
Ramadan in Turkey: Move over doner

Whatever your religious affiliation, Turkey is a fascinating place to be in during the holy month, when traditions and celebrations merge, complemented by the hospitable nature of its people.

GulfNews
03/01/2013
Rhino horror: Shot, dehorned and left to die

There were 500 000 rhinos in Africa and Asia at the beginning of the 20th century Poaching has reduced this to just 29 000 today Cheryl Robertson reports on how myths have fuelled a trade in rhino horns resulting in the brutal elimination of one of the most magnificent beasts in the world

Weekly Telegraph World Edition
09/01/2013
Back in Bulawayo

Cheryl Robertson return's to Zimbabwe as a tourist

Alpha Magazine
08/05/2012
Zimbabwe: No country for old men

Talk about being on an emotional roller coaster. Nothing - not even Germany's Silver Star or the Tower of Terror on the Australian Gold Coast - can produce so many contrasting emotions. White-water rafting on the Zambezi River, which separates Zimbabwe from Zambia, initiates a flood of them, from mortal terror to ultimate exhilaration.

GulfNews
25/10/2012
Would you go to prison... voluntarily?

The nice thing about Australians is that they don't beat about the bush - they say it how it is. If your ancestors came to a country only because they were convicts in Great Britain between 1787 and 1868, despatched out there on a convict ship, would you boast about it?

Hand/Eye Magazine USA
19/09/2012
Of Handbags and Hope

Lebanese women prisoners embroider handbags that jump start new lives, all thanks to a project created by Beirut-born Sarah Beydoun

Hand Eye Magazine
11/08/2012
Social Fabric Woven

"My message to every woman is that the first step to self empowerment is to learn to love and believe in yourself," says Halima Al Quaidah, once a volunteer wool-washer and now manager of the Bani Hamida Women Weaving Project in a barren mountainous region of Jordan.

Arabian Knight
01/12/2009
Magic in a magical land

Rani Resorts is a tourism development company that owns and operates luxury hotels and lodges in some of the most unique, remote and naturally beautiful locations in southern Africa. Pic shows a dhow in front of Matemo

Springbok Inflight Magazine
01/02/1987
Pygmies in the Ituri Forest

Pygmy encampment deep in a forest in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo)

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
08/01/1988
Tracks for Trane

Scroll and screw compressors, quality assurance and microelectronics are Trane's focus