Room with a View

 

Being a small island with a large population, rents in Abu Dhabi are both sky high and through the roof! These gorgeous looking apartments are in the expensive part of town. Imagine being perched up on one those balconies watching the World go by down below over a G&T.

A Sharks Tale

 

Gruesome shot of a pair of blacktip reef sharks in coolers at the fish market. A sad sight but stark reality I'm afraid. Shark-hunting is officially banned in the UAE from January to the end of April. This photo was taken in March!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

 

Right now we’re experiencing some turbulent weather with both sandstorms and thunderstorms bashing the UAE. Over the weekend both Andrea Bocelli and Coldplay played Abu Dhabi (not together of course!) and had to contend with unseasonable downpours during their outdoor concerts to 25,000 adoring fans at the Emirates Palace.

Corniche Al Qurm

 

These quaint huts at Al Qurm Corniche (or the Eastern Corniche) overlook an island full of protected mangrove trees.

March through the Arch

 

The imposing arched entrance to Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Centre. A great place to visit if you’re after gold, gifts, perfume, traditional Arabic dress (e.g. disdash, abaya) or general knickknacks.

Abu Dhabi Harbor

 

The main harbor in Abu Dhabi is located near Port Zayed on the north-eastern tip of the island. I’ve taken you here before (to the fish market). Here you see the wheelbarrows and fish baskets that transport the daily catch from the dhows to the market.

China Pavilion - Fine Art

 

Take your pick of fine art at the China Pavilion with lookalike Van Goghs, Monets, Renoirs and Picassos, all at giveaway prices.

Indian Pavilion - Night of the Henna

 

Getting your hands (and other bodily parts) hennad is very popular in the UAE and cost about $2.70 at the Indian Pavilion. It stays visible for about a week (longer if you don’t do the washing up or take a shower).

Yemen Pavilion - Going Nuts!

 

One of the best pavilions to visit was Yemen. Nuts, spices, incense, honey and jewelry were all in abundance and at knock-down prices.

Drawing Distinction

 

The annual Global Village is a three-month long, giant international street market on the outskirts of Dubai running from Nov to Feb. Love it or hate it, there’s always plenty to see and do like getting your portrait drawn by a street artist. Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you what else you can do and find there!

FREEJ store at Global Village

 

The FREEJ store at Global Village had an extensive collection of FREEJ merchandise including toys, branded key chains, chocolates, desert cars as well as notebooks, memo cards and other stationary items. Not to mention branded DVDs, puzzles and dominos.

Um Saeed from FREEJ

 

Um Saeed is the eldest member of the group and the wisest. The group gathers at her house everyday and she’s addicted to coffee. She loves reciting poetry and old traditional sayings. She's also very sarcastic in nature!

Um Khammas from FREEJ

 

FREEJ (meaning 'Neighbourhood') is the cartoon tale of four old UAE national women living in a secluded neighborhood in modern day Dubai. The show's main characters are Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and the rebellious member of the group Um Khammas (featured here). She has a very dictating strong personality, is a three time widow, runs her own catering service and traditional music band.

Early Morning Dip

 

Lovely shot of two thoroughbreds and their owners exercising at Jebel Ali (approximately 90km from Abu Dhabi). Unfortunately, this pristine beach is now closed to the public (and horses) as work has commenced constructing the World’s biggest airport, costing a cool US$10 billion which is due to open in 2017.

Lost in Translation 3

 

Another prime candidate for my "Lost in Translation" series. For those new to my site, here's 1 and 2 again.

Bloomin' Lovely

 

All the bougainvilleas around town are at their best this time of year. And they come in all flavours - Here's a lovely red one!

Miniature Perfume Bottles

 

Take another look at yesterday's photo - Can you see a resemblance?

The Giant Perfume Bottle

 

A lot of the new architecture in the city seems to be modeled on perfume bottles.
Come back tomorrow and I'll show you what I mean!

Moon over Al Saada Street

 

"Moon over Al Saada Street" would make a great song title - What do you think?

Sun over Lulu Island

 

Lulu Island is the man-made six square kilometre island I took you to on 22 Dec 2008

Arabic Archway

 

Under the ornate Arabic-style archway at one of Abu Dhabi's premier learning establishments.

Going Underground

 

One of the many underpassess that dot the city. All have beautiful themed tile work - This one has shells.

Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory

 

Chocolate heaven at the Sofra Bid Restaurant, Shangri-La hotel, Abu Dhabi.

The UAE Flag

 

According to Maps of World.com, the green stands for fertility, white for peace and neutrality, black for the oil wealth of the country and red represents the former flags of the Kharijite Muslims. All the four colors in the UAE flag together stand for Arabian unity.

ADIA Tower at night

 

The ADIA Tower (Abu Dhabi's tallest) at night creates a dramatic profile on the Abu Dhabi’s skyline.

Ticket to Ride

 

Last June, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport launched a great, new, free public bus service around Abu Dhabi Island. So popular, that the 120 buses operating 9 routes were constantly jam-packed. Last month, they started charging $27 cents per ride – still a lot cheaper than in most other World cities and still popular with the ex-pats here.

The Magnificent 7

 

Saw this huge billboard the other day displaying the rulers of the UAE's seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah. In pecking order, here they all are:

HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi
HH Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai
HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ra's al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah
HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman
HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain.

On fire

 

Civil defence and rescue officials rushed to a residential building in the Khalidiya area in Abu Dhabi early on Sunday evening after a fire broke out on the second floor. Fortunately, the fire was put out within minutes and no one was hurt in the incident. Other recent (and more serious) fires in the city have resulted in residents being helicoptered off the roof.

High drama!

 

High drama on the streets of Abu Dhabi last Sunday evening. Get the full loadown here tomorrow.

Food Glorious Food

 

For those who wanted something more substantial than just tea (see yesterday’s post), local delicacies were on offer.

Afternoon Tea

 

A tea boy prepares a fresh brew for weary exhibition goers.