See ya!

With night time temperatures an incredible 100oF (at 1AM in the morning), now is the perfect time for Abu Dhabi Daily Photograph to take a vacation. Whilst I’m away I highly recommend you head over to http://yabba-abu-dhabi.blogspot.com/ who's doing a special A-Z feature of Abu Dhabi – Should be a blast!

I leave you with a shot of the unusual interior of Abu Dhabi Airport.

Thanks Abu Dhabi Tempo!

 

Nice article about my blog in this month's Abu Dhabi Tempo - The coolest magazine in the UAE! Checkout the hi-tech colourful barcode (bottom right) which allows readers to scan and open websites from their mobiles - Wow!

Riding off into the Sunset

 

Jet skier enjoying a sunset ride on the Arabian Gulf .

Cyberdelic

 

The futuristic ‘Information Commons’ at one of Abu Dhabi’s top universities has the latest IT, combined with library facilities and a range of study spaces – Awesome!

Child’s Play

 

Emirati authorities may have refused clearance for filming “Sex in the City 2” here but it seems they have given permission for the latest “Child’s Play” flick. And here's the legendary star in a kandura on the set of 'Chucky's Desert Adventure' – Doesn’t he look cute!

Island hopping

 

Exploring one of Abu Dhabi's nearly 200 islands scattered along the coast of the Abu Dhabi emirate. If you squint, you can just about make out the city's skyscrapers in the distance.

Blue Skiff in the Water

An aluminum skiff in the harbour at Port Zayed. Checkout the pail for the leaks!

Al Dallah (coffee pot)

How to Make Qahwa Arabeya (Arabic Coffee)

(Adapted from www.wikihow.com)
3 tbsp Ground Arabic coffee (finely ground)
1 Arab Coffee Pot
A Table spoon
Water
Serving cups (Finjan)
A Serving plate
A Stove (unless you like your coffee cold!)
Serve with dates and enjoy!

Photo taken at Café Layali Zaman on the Corniche

We have lift-off!

Congrats to Neil Roberts for correctly guessing yesterday's photomontage was that of Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters, AKA 123 Silver Tower (above). Neil wins an all-expenses trip for one to South Africa to watch England vs North Korea in the final of the World Cup*.

*Disclaimer: If either team fails to make the final, prize null and void :)

Name That Building!

This is a well known building in the city and a favourite of Abu Dhabi Daily Photograph but what's it called? Answers on a postcard (or just leave comment). Come back tomorrow to find out.

My Window Stays Open

My window stays open
so I can feel the stars
and I wonder if you wonder
about the pain and scars.
My window stays open
so I can watch the moon
swing over the trees
and flowers that won't bloom.
My window is an exit
an escape from my dreams
and I wonder.. do you wonder
about life's better things?
My window, little box
that wind is blowing through.
Birds pass by
and I wish that I could fly too.
My window tells a story,
and I'm eager to lend my ears.
Listen to the world
that I've ignored for years.
My window stays open
and I watch the stars glow,
and I wonder, oh I wonder,
if you're watching the same show.

By Cayce

Name That Tune!

"Listen with your eyes
Listen with your ears
And sing everything you see"

This is part of the lyrics to a very well known tune. But what's it called?
The colours of the buildings should give it away.
Come back tomorrow and check the comments for the answer.

The Magic of Water

 

"If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in the water".

~Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

Photo taken at one of the many underground walkways in the city

Those Jet Skis

 

"Have you seen those Hoons on those Jet Skis ?
Those Things that Run round so Fast
They Duck in and out of the Swimmers
Each Day could just be your Last !!

I guess that it's Fun just to Drive One
With the Wind & the Spray in your Hair
To Jump off a Wave while Shore Dwellers Rave
And Boaties Shake Fists in the Air !

But we Need some enforced Regulation
The Stocks, the Ratan, the Lash !
Or whatever it takes in applying the brakes
To a Menace that can trash in a Flash !!"

~Bernie Kyle

The Royal Horse Whisperer

 

A 2003 photo of a gimongous sculpture of HH Sheikh Zayed riding Vain Hussar, a white Asil Arabian horse. This iconic structure was located on the Corniche until the 2005 land reclamation, when it was removed forever. Being such a popular landmark with Emiraitis, expats and tourists, I’m thinking starting a national campaign to bring it back! You can show your support by leaving a comment below :)

Hook, line, and sinker

 

A fish should swim thrice: in water, in sauce, and in wine. (French)

A fish who keeps its mouth shut never gets caught. (Jamaican)

The freshest fish smell after three days.(Don't wear out your welcome - Japanese)

Photo taken at Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi.

Corniche Strollers

 

"I, who cannot stay in my chamber for a single day without acquiring some rust, and when sometimes I have stolen forth for a walk at the eleventh hour of four o'clock in the afternoon, too late to redeem the day, when the shades of night were already beginning to be mingled with the daylight, have felt as if I had committed some sin to be atoned for".
~Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Blowout

 

A tyre repair shop next door to a Pakistani restaurant on the back road to Al Ain - What a strange combo!