A few weekends ago we headed south to the capitol city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. We spent the day hitting the main highlights. It was a great city. If our international adventure ever lands us back in the UAE, I would advocate for Abu Dhabi. It’s a little older, felt less pretentious than Dubai, seemed slower paced. And it was landscaped. It was the most green I’ve seen since landing in the Middle East. Maybe that’s why I loved it so much.
The first stop was Emirates Palace. Which I am sorry to say, is not an actual palace. It’s a hotel. But if you think we told Tessa that, you are out of your mind. We looked for Princess Jasmine high and low. We never did find her (I didn’t have the heart to tell her that if Princess Jasmine walked in dressed in her Disney designed outfit, she’d probably be thrown in jail) but we did find the “queen” i.e. the hotel greeter, who gave Tessa and Bode a teddy bear upon arrival. We had a cupcake and drink in one of the little sitting areas. It was all we could afford.
So maybe it was bright? Sorry kids.
Gold. Everywhere.
Even on the cupcake.
And this ATM machine? It will deliver your money in the form of gold bars. GOLD BARS. I assume you would go ahead and get money out here if your pockets were already too full of million dollar bills?
Here are some interesting and ridiculous facts about Emirates Palace:
-It cost approximately 3 billion dollars to build. I wonder how long it will take them to make that back…
-In 2010 it boasted the world’s most expensive Christmas tree valued at 11 million dollars. How on earth, you ask, do you decorate a Christmas tree worth 11 million dollars? Well, you would string real emerald and rubies from it stupid.
-The top floor has 6 suites dedicated solely for Emirati royalty and dignitaries.
-The cheapest room starts at $400 in the off season and goes up to $11,500 per night for the Palace Grand Suite. Chump Change. Get me a gold bar!
Did I just say that I liked Abu Dhabi because it felt less pretentious than Dubai? I-yi-yi. Don’t mess with the Sheikhs!
After failing to find Jasmine, we went and grabbed lunch that would not necessitate compromising our children’s college education. Then we found a park and laid on the grass in the pleasant weather for awhile.
Well, Tessa, Wade and I laid on the grass. Bode found some dirt and a car. Have I mentioned that I love this child?
After a time out at the park we headed to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
She was a sight to behold.
That large carpet is several pieces woven together to make one large complete piece.
I donned an abaya for the first time out of respect for the mosque dress code.
The cutest blonds at the mosque. Bode just kills me in his traditional Omani outfit. And my pretty girl in her sequins.
She can’t help herself.
I’ve been telling you my kids have a trail of admirers nearly everywhere we go here. I finally have photographic evidence so you don’t think I’m making this stuff up.
I am glad we got the tip to go at dusk. The lighting and pleasant weather just highlighted the beauty of the building. The attention to detail was exquisite and other than that chandelier that leaned toward gaudy, I thought it was very tasteful and lovely. The atmosphere was quiet and reverent. I would love to be able to see it on a Friday afternoon full of worshippers.
Some facts:
-it was initiated by the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, his final resting place is next to the mosque
-it is the largest mosque in the UAE and the 8th largest in the world
-during high holidays, such as EID, it can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers
-The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's design and construction 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and United Arab Emirates. More than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction of the mosque.
-the mosque cost about $545 million dollars to build and is owned by the Emirati government
We finished the day with dinner on the Corniche. A boardwalk down by the water. I love these days we get together, exploring somewhere new as a family.
2 comments:
those children are so so darling, and look happy as can be. I was wondering what to get you for Christmas... a few gold bars, perhaps?? I can't really wrap my head around the amount of money floating around over there!
This is insane! Over the top but so interesting.
And your outfits! You look really cute, actually. And the kids. Stop it right now! It is too much. And that better be a Christmas card photo.
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