After the madness of Dubai, it was back to calm ‘ol Abu Dhabi and more time with family. My mom wanted to show me the sands of Al Ain. So on a Sunday evening, we hired our usual taxi guy and headed outside Abu Dhabi.
We were on the highway to Al AinTo my rightStopped to take this panorama (comprised of 10 shots)
After driving for nearly 45 minutes, we got off the main highway and I got out of the car.
The sands, once I got into them, were extremely fine and smooth.
They were so smooth that you could slowly slip in to the ground by just standing still for a few seconds.
The only life out there besides us
Even though I’ve had enough sand in my face growing up in the Middle East, being here really was quite a splendid feeling. There were plans to go dune bashing in 4x4s but due to my friends being available only on Fridays made it a little tough to cram it in my already packed itinerary. I didn’t want to opt for a tourist package either ‘cos it was too corny for me.
My father in the back, collecting UAE sand. He's being doing that for every country he's been to.
After listening to hearsay tales from our taxi driver about desert snakes and other ‘dangerous’ reptiles, my father insisted that I don’t tread any further into the sand dune and asked me to get back in the car. Plus it was nearing sunset.
We weren't far from Al AinAll the trees you're going to see out herePanorama comprised of 8 shots
Heading back to Abu Dhabi
The next day…
Since I wasn’t going to sit idle at home, after lunch I took a taxi and headed to Abu Dhabi corniche.
The skies were all grey that day
After taking two Nepalis-driven taxis back-to-back, I got down near Corniche Road.
Abu Dhabi's construction scene is... still happening
You'd take this underpass if you wanted to get to the corniche
But I decided to take a stroll through the park on the other side of Corniche Road.
This park is only meant for boring purposes
I crossed the road to get to the corniche.
Don't have a cycle? You can rent one at the corniche
Really appreciated the emphasis on fitness at this corniche
Abu Dhabi corniche plays host to many cultural festivals
After a coffee break from Cinnabon, I decided to head to Marina Mall for some shopping.
That's a restaurant on top
After seeing Dubai’s mall offerings, there nothing special to point out about Marina Mall. It has all the usual stores — that’s it. And a Carrefour.
First time I've seen a dedicated Vertu store
After spending an hour shopping at Centerpoint, I took a taxi back home.
Found this post boring?
Don’t worry, the next and final sightseeing post from UAE will make up for it, trust me!
Once you are allowed in past the At The Top ticket counter, you wait at the lobby until it’s time for you go up.
At the lobby are some facts, figures and interactive displays comparing the Burj Khalifa to other tall structures around the world.
In the above display, you choose a location (it’s a touch screen) and it then shows you a simulation of what the Burj Khalifa would look like in that chosen landscape.
Compared to other tall buildings from around the world
When it was time, I went through security and made my way to the lift. (Oh yeah, the lift is the fastest in the world.)
There are other displays en route to the lift.
I didn’t align this right but if you get it all in the center, it points to the 124th floor — which is where the observation deck isBehind the tape: “I *was* Burj Dubai”
I queued for the lift (there’s two) and it wasn’t a capsule (or glass) lift so you can’t see how fast you are going. The feeling was just amazing (video is below)! You hardly feel anything. The noise is cut out due to the music that plays and the only indication you are going up at 64kmph is that you feel like something is pushing down on you.
Also, the ride takes less than 30 seconds.
And then, you step out.
The observation deckDubai Mall from up aboveThat’s Dubai: tall buildings and sand. (Panorama comprised of 7 shots)That weird design in the pool is the base of Dubai Fountain
I walked around to take in views from every angle.
There was a slight dust storm that day but what you see in the distance is The World islandsThese digital telescopes give you an accurate simulation of what the view would be at day and at nightThe Downtown Dubai construction siteThere’s a lot of empty land still left in Dubai
(Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this article to see the HD video I made)
After the tour, I got into an empty lift going down.
But pictures aren’t as cool as an HD video right?
Once out, there was more to see.
The (planned) Downtoun Dubai projectThe design (& height) changes Burj Khalifa went throughLooking outA few people behind this massive project get a mention too“Edaa Shebbiru…!”
This is why you need to be in early or book well in advanceWow, even the ‘under-the-escalators’ get attention
It was past 5pm by this time and I had initially planned on waiting for the Dubai Fountain show which begins at sunset.
But my legs were aching!
All that walking around, with my camera bag… my body couldn’t take it anymore. So I decided to catch the fountain show the next time I would be coming here — which would be 2 days from now.
Making my way back to the metro station
Inside the driver-less Dubai Metro
After heading back to Azhad’s room, I gave my legs a rest before heading out again at night. I had dinner plans with a friend, Payal, from my school days who shifted from Bahrain to Dubai a few years ago.
Payal’s book of infinite choices (& discount coupons)
She took me to Wafi City — one of the more interesting real estate projects in Dubai city. A mixed use complex which houses a mall (duh), residences, and a Raffles hotel.
What makes Wafi unique is that the whole place is themed around ancient Egypt.
We first checked out the mall a bit.
Not sure if this was a part of Egyptian history, but looks cool anyway.
We walked past Asha’s and ended up sitting down at Mahi Mahi, a seafood restaurant and a favourite of Payal’s.
We sat out at the balcony and I would advice anyone to do so if the weather permits — the setting is great.
A panorama comprised of 7 shotsThe ambiance inside Mahi Mahi isn’t bad either
Our dinner conversation ranged from the extreme superficiality of people in Dubai to Payal’s Las Vegas plans to my travel plans for this year. (Yes, I will be travelling again later this year)
My friend PayalOur (mostly) seafood dinner
Mahi Mahi is a slightly upscale joint but the portions and food are well worth the price. You can’t beat the night time atmosphere either.
The seafood is very fresh
By 11pm, we left Wafi City (after a bit of Lebanese sweets-shopping).
Dubai felt quiet for some time that night.
But once Payal dropped me back in Deira, the signs of life were still buzzing even as today came to an end.
I went back to the room, knackered. Absolutely knackered.
After driving for nearly 45 minutes, we got off the main highway and I got out of the car.
The sands, once I got into them, were extremely fine and smooth.
They were so smooth that you could slowly slip in to the ground by just standing still for a few seconds.
Even though I’ve had enough sand in my face growing up in the Middle East, being here really was quite a splendid feeling. There were plans to go dune bashing in 4x4s but due to my friends being available only on Fridays made it a little tough to cram it in my already packed itinerary. I didn’t want to opt for a tourist package either ‘cos it was too corny for me.
I crossed the road to get to the corniche.
After a coffee break from Cinnabon, I decided to head to Marina Mall for some shopping.
