The United Arab Emirates celebrated it’s 49th National Day on 2nd December, 2019. Comprised of 7 emirates; Abu Dhabi, where the crown prince reigns, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. Each emirate has it’s own sheikh and ruling families but all are united as a country. My parents and I got to watch just one of the scheduled National Day celebratory fireworks from JBR, The Walk, in Dubai.
My father, having a background in engineering and an interest in the feat of building such impressive structures in the desert, had expressed interest in visiting the UAE. My mother was, however, originally less enthralled with the idea, especially as she possesses the typical English rose style of complexion which demands sun parasols and liberal coatings of sun cream. And so it came about that I arranged for both of them to visit me for 9 days. For anyone coming from cooler countries, it is best to visit the UAE in the winter months from October to March, where the temperature will gradually decrease to average a pleasant 25C during the daytime.
As with any country, before you travel it is advisable to have knowledge of the laws of that country. Although maybe not seen as liberal when compared with some western attitudes, the UAE practices tolerance towards visitors from other cultures. With a population comprised of 82% foreign residents it is remarkable to witness the hospitable attitude and welcome offered by Emirati hosts. Do, please, check the medications you bring to the UAE to ensure they are not on the controlled and restricted list, as with any prescriptions it is recommended you bring the scrip with you. Contrary to popular opinion, you can purchase and drink alcohol in the UAE. Public drinking (not in a licensed premises) is prohibited. If in doubt, just ask. One of the most common questions I get are from women about dress code. You can wear what you like, just be respectful. Beach clothing is for the beach and on religious sites, like many other countries in the world, you will be expected to dress more modestly. Public displays of affection such as kissing and cuddling are not the norm. and although many hotels may operate under a don’t ask don’t tell policy, it is actually against the law to cohabit with a member of the opposite sex unless you are related by blood or marriage.
In Abu Dhabi, the capital city in the emirate of the same name, The Emirates Palace (owned by Kempinski) and Presidential Palace are located right next to each other There are afternoon tea packages available and I would highly recommend the experience if you care to dabble in luxury. The interior is lavishly decorated with marble and is dripping in gold and your Royal Afternoon Tea (499AED per person) is an echo of this as you are served beautiful and delicate bites topped off with the finale of a 23 karate gold flake garnished cappuccino. I let myself down by inhaling and spluttering on said gold and took it as a clear sign that this kind of treatment is not meant for the likes of me. A pianist and then harpist provided live musical accompaniment to our dining experience.
At Qasr al Watan, aka. The Presidential Palace, you are once again impressed by the grandiose architecture. Two enormous doors are opened by permanently stationed doormen and you are left gazing, wide-eyed, at the finery and sculptures contained within. There are a number of different rooms contained within, such as the Great Hall, Library, House of Knowledge, Presidential Banquet and, my favourite room, Presidential Gifts. In this room was displayed the gifts brought by visiting heads of state and dignitaries – a crystal offering from my home country amoungst the many traditional swords and daggers with decorated scabbards, ornately covered Quarans and numerous other impressive pieces behind glass.
The Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque lives up to it’s name and is, indeed, grand. As part of the must see tourist attractions of Abu Dhabi, be prepared to be amongst a lot of people. Abayas for women, and kandoras for men are available to wear if your dress is not appropriate, although do not expect them to be the sleek and stylish garments you will see Emiratis wearing. I had a rather unflattering shade of rose and was therefore not compelled to take many selfies. It’s well worth availing of one of the free tours for visitors. Led by an Emirati guide, you will be issued headphones and brought into the grand mosque where one of the most impressive facts and sights is that of the 12 tonne chandelier hanging from the center dome. The beautiful building is a functioning place of worship.
My parents visit happened to coincide with the Formula One and as luck would have it, I was fortunate enough to receive free tickets as a thank you for participating as a judge the previous year in the F1 in schools contest. After parking at Yas Marina Mall, we took a free shuttle to the south grandstand and watched the qualifying race. Inside the venue you need to purchase a special card which you top up with your credit card in order to buy snacks and beverages. The F1 event management team travels with the F1, in effect Yas Marina Circuit temporarily hands the facilities over for the duration of the F1 and credit where it’s due, everything ran smoothly, with road traffic, security and pedestrian flow. Outside of race season it is possible to book Yas Marina Circuit experiences such as driving on the track or touring the facilities.
Recently in 2019, Abu Dhabi opened The Louvre, a rather impressive looking building housing an equally impressive collection or art and artifacts from around the world. This had been my second visit and I was struck , again, by how much there is to take in on a visit. You can rent audio guides at the entrance and wheelchairs are also available for those with limited mobility. In fact you can take a golf cart direct from the accessible parking to the entrance of the museum, making life much easier for those who would otherwise struggle. Entry is free for People of Determination plus one, along with the free rental of an audio guide. Regular ticket price is 60AED per adult and half that for senior citizens and children aged 13-22.
We spent just 2 nights in Abu Dhabi, however the emirate boasts many more exciting experiences. Like all the emirates, the city has coastal access to the ocean and therefore many beach or island adventures. There are also mangroves you can paddleboard or kayak around, parks and nature reserves, museums and cultural experiences and a plethora of dining options. There are numerous tour operators which will bundle a few experiences in together on a day trip with hotel pick ups – you can even base yourself in Dubai and organize a trip from there to Abu Dhabi. Dubai, which is often confused as being a country in and of itself, will be the topic of my next post.