To say the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is big would be an understatement. It's quite hard to bring that size across in photos to be honest.
This is a shot looking from just inside the indoor part of the mosque back out towards the entrance. The size and detail of the design is most impressive.
Here we're inside one of the massive halls - this one can fit 7,000 people. A few things of note in this shot are you can see where the imam sits, and next to that is a golden arch in the wall for Qibla. Qibla means the direction for prayer, which in the case of the Muslim religion is the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Which is only 1,000 miles away! The room here at my hotel also has a Qibla indicator on the ceiling, I'll try to remember to snap a pic of it before I leave.
From all I hear, the former President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed was a great man. He is often described as "the undisputed father of the nation". He became President in 1971 and was still in charge until his death in 2004. Even to this day, the locals still have enormous respect for how he brought the Emirates together and developed the country into an economic power.
The name fooled me at first, but this is not where the current President lives. This is Emirates Palace, a luxury hotel which cost something in the region of $3 billion to build. No, that's not a misprint. It is the second most expensive hotel to build in the world after...Marina Bay Sands in Singapore! We weren't allowed to go inside because we weren't dressed for such an occasion.
Our next destination was a quick trip up to the gates of the real Presidential Palace - our driver advised us it was not a good idea to be taking photos anywhere near it...apparently there are hidden cameras all over the grounds and surrounding area watching you!
So our next stop was this...
The UAE Heritage Village. Yeah I know, one of those places they take the tourists!
This is a great shot, the old with the new. In the foreground, that's a archaeological dig site dating back to the Bronze Age. And in the background, you can see part of the city skyline of Abu Dhabi.
I love this photo, sort of old and new again. But take out that busy city skyline and you could be on any tropical island in the world! That's one of the traditional wooden boats they'd have used back in the day.
After a lunch stop at Marina Mall (first time I've ever been to Starbucks), we hit the road to return to Dubai.
And it's a fun trip out on the highway! Someone using a blinker to change lanes is almost an event to celebrate, considering it doesn't happen all that often. The nominal speed limit is 120, but people do up to 140 without a problem. And the main highway is incredibly wide - in the southern part of Dubai around Jumeirah it's seven lanes each way! Feels like you're drowning in a sea of tar...
Speaking of Jumeirah, I'll get to see the Palm Jumeirah amongst other things when I go on a three hour Dubai city tour. Then this evening, I'll have dinner onboard a traditional dhow as we cruise along Dubai Creek. I am expecting some brilliant photos!
And in another piece of news, I've booked a ticket for the Burj Khalifa tomorrow. Am hoping for less hazy weather so I can get some awesome pics of the city, but maybe I shouldn't hold my breath!
Must find time for a shopping expedition...but when? I leave on Saturday night!
Your blog is unbelievably fantastic. This is very nice and informative blog.48th UAE National Day 2019.
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