Looking for the Perfect Date?

 

Then try one of these. These plump, succulent dates are for sale at the Mina Port Fruit & Veg Market and kick-off my week long food & drink series. I'll be back tomorrow with some liquid refreshement.

The Grand Finale at the Grand Mosque

 

This photograph concludes our tour of the Grand Mosque. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to tip your tour guide on the way out :~) Come back tomorrow for something different.

The Qibla Wall and Minbar

 

The Qibla wall is 23 metres high and 50 metres wide, and decorated with the 99 names (qualities) of Allah using traditional Kufi calligraphy. Worshippers face the Qibla (the Holy Ka'aba in Mecca) while praying. The Minbar (pulpit) is where the Imam delivers the sermon on Friday.

Inside the Superdome

 

The World's biggest dome from the inside. Reminds me of an Escher drawing.

The World’s largest carpet

 

The main prayer hall features the world’s largest carpet (7,119 square metres). Made in Iran, it took 1200 weavers 18 months to complete and cost a cool $5.8 million.

Inside the Grand Mosque

 

The interior of the Grand Mosque has to be the second most beautiful thing I've ever seen (my wife is the first). The main prayer hall (shown here) features 96 columns and seven 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers, all designed with thousands of Swarovski crystals. Return tomorrow and I'll show you a close-up of the World’s largest hand-woven carpet.

Welcome to the Superdome!

 

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque consists of 80 domes and are all decorated with white marble. Wanna see inside?

The World's Biggest Dome

 

The main dome shown here is the biggest mosque dome in the world, 75 metres (246 feet) high with a 32.2-metre (105.6 feet) diametre. Return tomorrow and I'll show you a couple more domes!

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

 

Yesterday's Islamic tile photograph was taken here, at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Isn't it something? Come back tomorrow for a different view.

Islamic tiles

 

Beautiful Islamic tiles as seen at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.

The Melon Man

 

Sampling the water melon at the outdoor fruit and vegetable market at Mina Port.

Beware of road surprises!

 

Lost, somewhere on the road to nowhere, in the Western region.

Photo of the Month - May's Favourite

 

One of the most unusual photos you’re ever likely to see of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

 

Striking image of a man sitting on top of a dune watching the sun go down. Before too many of you write in to complain, I apologise in advance for the corny (George Michael song) title used for this photo :~) Can you come up with a better one?

The Long Corridor

 

One of the Arabic-style corridors at the Shangri-La hotel, Abu Dhabi.

An Emirati's Castle is his......Gas Station

 

What a clever bunch you all are with everyone guessing correctly that yesterday’s castle is in fact a gas station. The turrets have to be one of the most unusual male and female toilets I’ve ever come across/sat on. This gas station is one of 170 owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Unfortunately, these older 70’s type stations are slowly being demolished making way for new ‘Millennium’ service stations, which pretty much look like any other gas station in the world – Shame! Btw gas costs $1.56 a gallon (a gallon of Perrier costs more) with an attendant on hand to fill your car and wash your windows.

An Emirati's Castle is his ?

 

Can you guess what this 'castle' doubles as? Leave a comment and come back tomorrow for the answer.

Need for Speed

 

This Emariti jet skier was heading straight towards me as I took his picture. This is the dramatic, "LeRoy Neiman" like result.

Welcome to Mirfa-on-Sea

 

The quaint seaside town of Mirfa overlooking the Arabian Gulf in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

The door next door

 

Next door to yesterday's door was another equally interesting one. I wouldn't like to contemplate what it symbolizes. Anyone want to hazard a guess?

Knock, Knock!

 

Spotted this unusual door on a recent trip to Madinat Zayed, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate (also known as Al Gharbia). Apart from the obvious coffee pots you can also find a pair of falcons (the UAE coat of arms) and some traditional perfume bottles. Come back tomorrow and I'll show next door's door!

Thumbing a lift in a sandstorm!

 

Not sure where this poor guy was heading but there weren’t many vehicles going his way (except for this old school bus). Shot in Mirfa, located some 160 kms from the capital.

Castle in the sky

 

Lots of turrets but no castle to be seen. Taken at Al Qurm Corniche/Eastern Corniche.

Welcome to the future!

 

No, this isn't the film set of the latest 007, Inspector Gadget, Men in Black or Austin Powers blockbuster but in fact an Abu Dhabi university campus. These fabby Sonic chairs are the lastest thing in edutainment. Check yesterday's post for a full product description.

To see, to feel, to hear...

 

Two Emirati university students try out the latest hi-tech gadgetry to arrive at one of the capital’s premier learning institutions. These German-made, 350° rotational leather Sonic Chairs each come with their very own 20″ touchscreen iMac, 2-way speakers, a subwoofer, and the chair itself is a “sound membrane” – So cool I want one!

Water, water, everywhere

 

View of Lulu Island and Abu Dhabi from the Breakwater. The big building belongs to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (who are loaded) and is the tallest in Abu Dhabi (for now).

Sheikh Zayed riding Vain Hussar

 

Iconic old painting of the late UAE President on an Asil Arabian horse.

Day break over Abu Dhabi

 

Sun + Glass = Blinding Reflection

Gateway to Abu Dhabi

 

As Abu Dhabi city is on an island the only way in or out is via the Maqta bridge (shown here) or Mussafah Bridge. A third bridge is currently under construction.

Sheikh Mo

 

Sheikh Mo - as he's affectionately known to is the UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President, Ruler of Dubai and as you can see very popular!

Down on the beach

 

Four Emirati women with their chaperone.