Return of the Magnificent 7 (to the classroom)

 

An image of the original Magnificent Seven of 1971 and founding fathers of the UAE, who established the country 41 years ago. They are: Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the Union and Ruler of the UAE and Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice-President of the UAE, Shaikh Khalid III Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Shaikh Ahmad II Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah.

All have since passed but their legend lives on with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Education that it’s to introduce biographies and tales of the seven into the national studies and history curriculum in schools - Can't wait, should be a good read!

Ducenta Millesimus

As this blog celebrates 200,000 pageviews, I'm curious to know a little more about you all, where you’re from and which photos you like best. Well astonishly, you're from 149 different countries - from Aruba to Zambia and everywhere in between. Now that's what I call a global audience! Here's what it looks like on a map.

.....And here's the top 10 visitors to my blog.

....And here’s your all-time top 5 favorites photos. 2009 was obviously a vintage year!

Abu Dhabi named world's best large city!

 

"Abu Dhabi has been named the best liveable large city in the world, fending off a field of tough international competition. The country’s capital city took gold in the International Awards for Liveable Communities, in the Cities with Populations Over 400,000 category — beating out 11 other finalists, including Ankara and New Taipei. An Abu Dhabi Municipality spokeswoman said many people were surprised with just how accomplished the UAE capital was, because it did not have the same profile as many big cities. ‘People were very, very impressed. I don’t think people realise how much is going on in Abu Dhabi, it’s a very low profile city." - Time Out Abu Dhabi, December 2012

Congratulations Abu Dhabi! I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be living & working.

In thrust I trust

 

It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
An Etihad airplane soars over the city skyline to dramatic effect.

Little Rock

Bizarre rock formations located in the desert between Abu Dhabi and Dubai