Pimp My Ride

 

Abu Dhabians preparing for National Day (2 & 3 Dec) by decorating their cars with photos of sheikhs past and present.

Beauty and the Beast

 

Next month we've the world’s biggest camel beauty contest in Zayed City (in the Western Region). Not sure this chap has much of a chance of winning though.

Sundown in Abu Dhabi

 

The sunsets are quite spectacular this time of the year.

Sheikh Zayed Billboard

 

The billboard-size portrait on the Corniche of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan by Pakistani painter Liaqat Ali Khan. Read more about the artist here

Showboating

 

A young Emirati showboating on his jet ski.

Modern Mosque

 

A nice example of one of the newer mosques in Abu Dhabi and a great illustration of fine Islamic architecture. This one is near the New Medical Centre behind Electra Street.

Pipes of Peace

 

These colourful shisha pipes are set to become an endangered species as the UAE attempts to make the Nation healthier by closing outdoor shisha cafes.

The man from Balochistan

 

Portrait of a Balochistan man found living and working on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

Playtime

 

Emirati children enjoying traditional games

Lost in Translation

 

Good old fish & ships served up in yesterday's Gulf News (a UAE broadsheet). Apparently there’s another great restaurant in town called ‘The Happy Chicken’ which I’ve yet to find.

Song and Dance

 

The Heritage Village on the Breakwater is designed as a living museum where visitors can experience traditional life in Abu Dhabi before the oil boom. Set in lush gardens it features traditional Emarati song & dance, Bedouin tents, a souq, an ancient irrigation system and workshops where craftsmen ply their trades.

Sundial and laser clock

 

During the day the vertical sculpture acts as a sundial and at night a laser beam emanating from the top globe tells the time - Cool!

Fish Tales

 

Another fascinating place to visit in Abu Dhabi is the fish market at Mina Port. It’s a bustling place with a plethora of interesting characters, all eager to have their photo blogged and displayed right here on AbuDhabiDailyPhoto. Rumour has it that the fish market will move off the island to make way for property development – Great shame if it does.

6th largest mosque in the World

 

If ever you're in Abu Dhabi do visit the magnificent Grand Mosque. It's the 6th largest in the World and can hold up to 30,000 worshippers. The mosque is open daily from 8am to 10pm and non-Muslims are welcome (between 9 & 12 only).

Rainbow Sheikh's Car Museum

 

This amazing private collection of Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (aka The Rainbow Sheikh) on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi contains some 200-odd cars including this Mercedes monster truck.

The original mega-mall

 

In the heart of the city you’ll find Abu Dhabi’s original shopping mall - The Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Centre. Although it must be over 20 years old it's still popular with both Emiratis and expats, despite newer and more glitzier malls elsewhere in town. The Arabic-influenced design gives the place real character. Just hope they don't pull it down anytime soon!

Corniche Gardens

 

The beautifully manicured gardens on the corniche after land reclamation costing USD 205.6 million in 2005.

Chamber Tower

 

One of the more architecturally appealing buildings along the corniche is Chamber Tower, which houses Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI). On National Day (in December) they light it up like a Christmas tree.

World's most expensive stay

 

Opened in November 2005, the Emirates Palace is the world’s only second seven-star hotel (The Burj Al Arab in Dubai is the other). It's also the most expensive ever built at US$3bn. However, the not so rich and famous (like me) receive a warm welcome to the various free cultural events regularly held here, such as: international film festivals, art exhibitions (Picasso was here recently) and classical concerts.

Minarets at sundown

 

Beautiful mosque minarets at sundown

Come on in, the water's lovely!

 

With current midday temperatures down to a comfortable 84F/29C, expats flock to one of Abu Dhabi’s public beaches.

He who wears a smile

 

Abul from Bangladesh is one of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers employed in the Abu Dhabi construction industry. Hours are long, working/living conditions harsh and pay poor – Despite all this, he still wears a smile!

Old wooden dhows

 

Traditional wooden dhows at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi. These dhows have many different uses including sailing, fishing, transporting and trading.

Abu Dhabi's tallest building

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Tower creates a dramatic profile on the Abu Dhabi’s skyline.

The dating season

There’s an estimated 40 million date trees in the UAE and although we’re at the end of the harvesting season (July – November) it’s still possible to find the odd bunch like these growing on the streets of Abu Dhabi.

Through the keyhole

This eye-catching yet simple image symbolizes the traditional past and exciting future of Abu Dhabi.

Stalemate

Emirati university students enjoying a game of chess and a coffee - Two of the Nation's favourite pastimes.

Waterworld

The city’s newest icon on the Corniche symbolizes the blue waters of the Gulf and Abu Dhabi’s historic connection with the sea.

The fourth death anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Iconic photo of the much-loved late President of the UAE - Sheikh Zayed (1918 to 2004) displayed on a gimongous billboard on the breakwater in Abu Dhabi.

The old watchtower

Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Abu Dhabi lies the magnificent 18th-century Al Hosn Palace “The White Fort”. It's the most important landmark in Abu Dhabi both historically and architecturally and an oasis of peace and tranquility. With its eye-catching architecture, striking watchtowers, palmed-lined interior courtyards and blue skies it's also a photographer’s paradise!