Saturday in the City

As the temperature drops we are able to start exploring Abu Dhabi on foot rather that from air conditioned cars. On Saturday we started by looking at boat building/repair yard where some of the traditional wooden dhows were being worked on.

This one looked like it had seen better days.

Next stop was part of the harbour front. Since Abu Dhabi is an island you are never far from the sea although sometimes it feels like there is more concrete than beach. This is Marina Mall. One of many shopping malls that I am learning to loath. Today we arrived in time to witness one of the many Formula One related events. This time it was a speed boat race.

The boats were just being lifted into the water when we arrived.

While the boats were warning up we visited the Abu Dhabi Heritage Centre. A really pleasant, green, shaded oasis. Lots of replica buildings and exhibits with demonstrations of arts and crafts and a welcome beach front cafe.

After a lemon & mint drink (Sue had pomegranate juice) the day went downhill for a while. Somehow we ended up in Marina Mall buying clothes. Not too sure how that happened but at least we ended up having a very late lunch in one of the cafes before meeting Manda at an art exhibition in the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Not my photos but they give you an idea of the place. It really needs to be seen to be believed. The hotel is reputed to have been the most expensive ever build (at US$3b). Cheapest rooms are a bargain US$400 a night but you would probably want to treat yourself to the Palace Grand Suite at a mere US$11,500 a night.

The great thing about this place is that it is often home to fabulous exhibitions which are completely free. Todays had art galleries from all around the world displaying some beautiful paintings and sculptures, most of which seemed to have been sold. These were some of our favourites…

No art exhibition is complete without something wild and wacky. The skull was made from kitchen utensils while the gorilla was made entirely from coat hangers.