I was able to get in a sunrise this morning, although it was partly blocked by my neighboring buildings. As we were getting ready we hemmed and hawed on what to wear, as part of our tour today was to visit a mosque and they had indicated that there was a strict dress code to visit. So we settled on what we felt would pass mustard, looser shirts with long sleeves, loose long pants and had grabbed a scarf so we could cover our heads for when we were about to go in.
Abu Dhabi
Right as we were about to head downstairs to wait for our pickup for our tour we had scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi we received a phone call to let us know of a delay. They had to change our drivers and the new guide was on his way now but would be an hour later than planned. They said no worries though no part of the tour would be cut short and we would just return an hour later.
There was a little scuffle when we got into the car as one of the other people on the tour apparently was unaware of the dress code and didn’t have the necessary items. We had time to run back for him to return to his room to change so we could all head out to the day. Once that was done we were on the road to Abu Dhabi, which is around 1.5 hours away. We learned on the drive that a new train (the fastest) is in development which would take this 90 minute trip and turn it into a 15 minute excursion. I had to have this repeated for me, 15 minutes?! Yikes, that just seems dangerous.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city and while its growing they are holding integrity of the main city line and all building is outside but still considered Abu Dhabi. Our first stop was in Yas and we visited Ferrari World. Pulling up we could see all of the roller coasters, one of which is the worlds fastest one. Talk about a stomach turner. It wasn’t open while we were there I’m thinking due to the heat. Internally I was happy for this as I don’t know if I would have the courage to go on, I’m sure I would but not being a huge rollercoaster fan so I am sure I would have my eyes slammed shut for the bulk of the ride.
We started at the Formula One track. The cars hardly looked real, they felt like something I would have found in my nephew’s lego or model car building kits. They had options to take a few laps around the track in a variety of car options with a driver. It was tempting but figured we would die with the heat and that there wouldn’t be time. We then proceeded over to Ferrari World and saw all the fast red cars they had on display.
Abu Dhabi is a more conservative city than Dubai so as mentioned earlier we were prepared with our clothing options. We had one wardrobe malfunction moment where Cecilia’s sports bra strap became unhooked while enroute to the palace. I was trying to help her rehook it but to do so she had to unbutton her shirt down so I could reach back to clasp it. It was a little comedic moment as she was trying to hunch down as she was facing the windows now and trying to not flash the passing cars while secured her in. Proceeding in a giggly moment for the two of us.
Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace used to be the sheikh’s home but now it’s setup as a seven star hotel and for his 2nd wife I believe. This place is dripping in gold. A Rolex gifted to them, which is the most expensive Rolex, is a clock is hung on the outside prior to you entering. They claim there is an ATM inside that you can have gold dispensed instead of cash, I was on the hunt for it but alas I didn’t find it.
You can wander about and take pictures but certain areas (reception desk and restaurants, etc) they restrict pictures I am assuming to protect the guests privacy. Gold is in the walls, in the floors, in every adornment throughout the palace. They even lit the palm trees they have inside just so, it is in a way it appeared they were tipped in gold as well. Towards the back after a grand staircase it opened out onto a patio with magnificent yachts sitting right at your fingertips. We wandered out the front gate for a bit to enjoy the fountains and city views but oh the humidity. We have found it, not in Dubai but in Abu Dhabi. Soon we were melting so we broke out the cooling towels I had brought along to beat the heat and snapped them around our necks to keep us sane.
After the palace we stopped off at the mall to grab lunch and they have the “biggest” Ferris Wheel. Bigger than the London Eye our guide claimed. We were noticing a trend that everything here is the biggest and most expensive. To my little eye it did not appear to be bigger, but I’m no expert. Later we swung through the Heritage Village. I was a little overheated at this time so I was mostly checked out but it was interesting to see the different housing types depending on the terrain/location of the UAE you lived in and considering that was just 40 years ago puts the massive amount of change and new city build up really into perspective. We were discussing a lot of the culture and how it’s changed and now there us some desire to go back to some of the aspects of yesterday.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
It’s the 4th largest in the world but the most expensive. It is primarily marble and has the world’s largest silk rug (must have been 2 football fields in length) and costs over $20mm (the rug not the mosque). So we donned our scarves to cover our hair and were ushered into the ladies only entrance. We were quickly sized up and pointed over to a room to don one of their cover up robes. Now we painstakingly chose what to wear today so we weren’t quite sure what we were missing but being respectful of the culture we threw them on and went on in. We did make a few references to Star Wars as we seemed to look more like Jedi knights.
Honestly the place takes your breath away all white marble glistening in the sunlight with the gold accents, its hard to put into words and pictures do not do it justice. We walked forward to enter into the main prayer room, before entering you are astounded by the magnitude of the chandeliers, they are huge and are all glitz and glam. We entered into the prayer room and the call to prayer started once we entered. It was breathtaking inside and the rug felt luxurious. Not too often do I feel overwhelmingly humbled but this was one of those moments. I could have walked around the mosque for hours there was so much to take in and enjoy. The marble felt so wonderful under your feet and it was just so calming and inviting to stay, but we did need to head back. We were sad that we didn’t have an overnight trip as it would have been amazing to see the mosque at night when it is lit up and is a magnificent blue item to see.
Ladies Night and the Dubai Fountains
On our way back since we are an hour behind schedule we hit rush hour so leaving at 4:30 we didn’t get back until almost 7 pm. We had dinner planned at 8 PM so we were in a rush to change and get ready. Tuesday’s are a big thing here I guess and is dubbed as “Ladies Night”. We had found an excellent combo deal for ladies night and was a restaurant that overlooked the Dubai Fountains. We opted to go a little less conservative for dinner as we are seeing that is the time that people really dress up and drop the long skirts, sleeves aspect. But while we went less conservative we still had maintained some levels and didn’t go full cocktail dress attire which we had heard is acceptable.
Once we were ready I ordered an Uber. This turned into a debacle. My first driver cancelled on me, the second driver kept going in circles and couldn’t quite connect. I texted him with no response. So Cecilia started a request and her person appeared they were going to get there before mine so I cancelled mine out. She had the same problem with her person and now we were already late for dinner so we cancelled that one and grabbed a cab from the hotel instead. This added a little stress as we were about 30 minutes late so we thought our table would’ve been let go as they claim to only hold for 20 minutes but thankfully they still had a spot.
We ate at Karma Kafe, an Asian fusion place that overlooked the fountains at the Dubai mall and the Burj Khalifa. Every 30 minutes until 11 pm, starting around 6 pm I believe, the fountains have a light, music, display show, so we were looking forward to being out on their veranda. Apparently ladies night is only applicable in the bar and not outside. The deal is supposed to be 3 free drinks, something about the meal having a deal, etc. Regardless we decided to stay out on the patio to enjoy the views even without the ladies night deal. Cecilia order a nice cucumber drink and I ordered a spicy margarita. We shared an appetizer of edamame then she had sushi and I did a beef short rib. Food was wonderful and the drinks even better. We had 3 rounds which ended up being the most expensive portion of the dinner, but worth it, after all how often are you in Dubai.
After dinner we went over to the bridge over the fountains to get a good view of the Burj and the fountain display. Very similar to the Bellagio Fountain show in Las Vegas but on a grander scale. Afterwards we asked a few people if they could take a picture of us, it took a few tries before we found someone to help out. At this time someone asked me if I could take a picture, or something along these lines. Of course I can help out, so I go to grab the camera and they all huddle around me. Apparently they wanted a picture of them with me not me to take the picture. I laughed and went with it. I guess I’m kinda like a celebrity there, although I am sure it has more to do with the red hair. All in good fun.
We went back to the same spot we were dropped off by our cab as it seemed to be the right meeting point and a good spot to grab a cab back. This is when we ran into a group of ladies who were definitely off for a night on the town and geared up for a bachelorette party. Cecilia and I just took it in, I mean we went slightly less conservative but these ladies were full on night on the town/cocktail attire. A lot of see-through short items. In the context of where we were both of us were a little wide eyed, even though at home this wouldn’t have phased us one bit.
Only in Dubai!
Links: