Aside from the fact that Carry Bradshaw and her crew went here in the movie Sex & the City 2, I will admit I knew nothing about the city of Abu Dhabi before hopping on a bus and going. This little city lies about an hour and a half north of Dubai, and is rich in both historical and modern Islamic culture. It is not quite a tourist mecca as Dubai, but that makes it almost more enjoyable. Though it is certainly similar to Dubai (if not greater) in wealth and, well, "fanciness." I would now say it is a city worth knowing about :-).
We got a deal on a twenty-passenger bus to take us for the day, and the seats filled up quickly with cast and crew. There are so many options of things to do in Abu Dhabi, and un-knowing challenges of actually being allowed in to certain places. Because of this, I would suggest going in a smaller group and having a better idea of what each person wants to do and see before getting there. However, these are the things you learn when planning day trips overseas for the first time, and despite a few challenges we had an absolutely WONDERFUL day. Here are the highlights of what we got to see and do:
We got a deal on a twenty-passenger bus to take us for the day, and the seats filled up quickly with cast and crew. There are so many options of things to do in Abu Dhabi, and un-knowing challenges of actually being allowed in to certain places. Because of this, I would suggest going in a smaller group and having a better idea of what each person wants to do and see before getting there. However, these are the things you learn when planning day trips overseas for the first time, and despite a few challenges we had an absolutely WONDERFUL day. Here are the highlights of what we got to see and do:
Heritage Village
The Heritage Village is found at the very end of the Abu Dhabi Corniche (the coastline around the entire port and waterfront of the city). It is a re-creation of a historical Emirati village. The view on the waterfront alone is worth stopping here. We were able to stroll through traditional Bedouin (desert dweller) tents, a miniature souk featuring several long-time crafts made in Abu Dhabi, and examples of traditional farming and irrigation systems.
Various signs throughout the village provide interesting information about the history of trade and life in Abu Dhabi, although the print on every sign here seems to be ridiculously tiny! My favorite part was walking through each souk - there was one for leather, blown glass, wooden model ships, loom work, and persian rugs. A historically dressed craftsman or woman was at work in each souk. The set-up felt very much like Colonial Williamsburg, only with COMPLETELY different history, work, architecture, and culture!
Various signs throughout the village provide interesting information about the history of trade and life in Abu Dhabi, although the print on every sign here seems to be ridiculously tiny! My favorite part was walking through each souk - there was one for leather, blown glass, wooden model ships, loom work, and persian rugs. A historically dressed craftsman or woman was at work in each souk. The set-up felt very much like Colonial Williamsburg, only with COMPLETELY different history, work, architecture, and culture!
High Tea at the Emirate's Palace
Some will tell you that you cannot get into the Emirates Palace without a reservation to one of their restaurants. This is not true, yet its a good idea to have a reservation in case. It is true, however, that you cannot get in if not dressed properly. That means pants or long skirts for men and women. I was fortunate to make a reservation with a few of us who did have proper attire.
Walking into the Emirates Palace, I thought about those rare occasions in the States where I was fortunate to go somewhere extremely nice. A few high-end restaurants, some very classic theatre houses, the ritziest casino in Las Vegas. Quite often in these situations, there are aspects of the venue that still seem a little bit… well, fake. That gold awning is surely not pure gold; and neither is the stair handle… nor the etching on the china. The frame around the elevator is molded and painted nicely, but the elevator door is still standard steel; and that chandelier is not made entirely of real crystals.
The Emirates Palace is like any of these experiences, except on an entirely new level. Nothing feels or is fake in any way. Everything about your surroundings is entirely and truly the most real experience of sumptuous, lavish, and splendid you will ever get.
Those gold awnings are most certainly solid gold. As are the embellishments in the restaurant china. And the gold flakes lying delicately atop the foam of your latte. The staircases are grand, the chandeliers are even more grand. A woman is sitting in front of a vast canvas painting of the city and playing an instrument I've never seen before (similar to the cello). I don't think my photos will do the place justice.
A group of us came here for traditional high tea. It made for the most luxurious, relaxing, delicious, and fun afternoon sitting on delicately upholstered couches, eating off of gold-etched china. Here, we felt like we were in the movie Sex and the City.
Walking into the Emirates Palace, I thought about those rare occasions in the States where I was fortunate to go somewhere extremely nice. A few high-end restaurants, some very classic theatre houses, the ritziest casino in Las Vegas. Quite often in these situations, there are aspects of the venue that still seem a little bit… well, fake. That gold awning is surely not pure gold; and neither is the stair handle… nor the etching on the china. The frame around the elevator is molded and painted nicely, but the elevator door is still standard steel; and that chandelier is not made entirely of real crystals.
The Emirates Palace is like any of these experiences, except on an entirely new level. Nothing feels or is fake in any way. Everything about your surroundings is entirely and truly the most real experience of sumptuous, lavish, and splendid you will ever get.
Those gold awnings are most certainly solid gold. As are the embellishments in the restaurant china. And the gold flakes lying delicately atop the foam of your latte. The staircases are grand, the chandeliers are even more grand. A woman is sitting in front of a vast canvas painting of the city and playing an instrument I've never seen before (similar to the cello). I don't think my photos will do the place justice.
A group of us came here for traditional high tea. It made for the most luxurious, relaxing, delicious, and fun afternoon sitting on delicately upholstered couches, eating off of gold-etched china. Here, we felt like we were in the movie Sex and the City.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
I didn't think anything could get much more enchanting than the Emirates Palace… until we were finally let past the gates of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Because we were all in a large van, the guards thought we were with a guided tourist group, and thus told us that a reservation and entrance fee were required. Really, neither of those stipulations are required to enter the Mosque. So after circling the Mosque to each gate repeatedly, we were finally let in - on the true stipulation that all of the women must cover up. We were all covered to the ankle and elbow, and all had scarves to cover our heads, but it was not enough. First stop in is an underground room where we checked in by giving up our license, and in return received a black hooded cloak to wear.
The Sheikh Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is known to be the second greatest Mosque in the world to see. I honestly do not have words to describe it, and my photos will not do it justice.
All I can say is that the entire time spent walking around in awe, I could not stop thinking about how it was a motivation of faith that brought this incredible structure into existence. Mosques, churches, and temples are among the most architecturally and decoratively intricate structures in the world. The Sheikh Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is no exception, and probably a forefront in grandeur of all houses of worship. I find something special in the fact that the motivation of faith, above any other motivation has brought about the greatest architectural work in the world. It makes me wonder what else has been accomplished by faithful motivation that we might not see so obviously, or what could be accomplished in any area of work with a motivation of faith.
The Sheikh Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is known to be the second greatest Mosque in the world to see. I honestly do not have words to describe it, and my photos will not do it justice.
All I can say is that the entire time spent walking around in awe, I could not stop thinking about how it was a motivation of faith that brought this incredible structure into existence. Mosques, churches, and temples are among the most architecturally and decoratively intricate structures in the world. The Sheikh Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is no exception, and probably a forefront in grandeur of all houses of worship. I find something special in the fact that the motivation of faith, above any other motivation has brought about the greatest architectural work in the world. It makes me wonder what else has been accomplished by faithful motivation that we might not see so obviously, or what could be accomplished in any area of work with a motivation of faith.
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