When people think about the United Arab Emirates, their thoughts typically zoom in on Dubai with sparkling buildings, rapid fire expressways and oddities like shopping center ski hills. 

But within an hour and a half drive, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE,  is certainly worth a look-see. 

The Middle East is gradually moving from being totally dependent on oil, to relying on tourists as an important part of the economy. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have taken very different approaches.  

Abu Dhabi

When I signed up to go to Oman and Dubai on a photo tour (Jim Cline Photo Tours) I added some extra time so I could explore Abu Dhabi. Something about the name of this large city in the UAE fascinated me. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi.  It’s just fun to say. 

I was a little surprised that the tour company didn’t plan an extension there because I had heard about some pretty dramatic things to see.  They have added it to the 2021 trip.  I’m happy about that.  

So…I booked a guide and a driver and interestingly, two people on my tour had also booked extra time to tour Abu Dhabi and decided to join me.  We did our own tour extension. 

Our guide, Shehnaaz, from Tours by Locals,  said, “Dubai is like Las Vegas with shopping and bright lights and glitzy buildings.  Abu Dhabi is all about culture.” 

Hmmmm, sounded interesting, so off we went.   We coached her on our wanting to see forward thinking architecture, so our first stop was a futuristic W hotel with a race car track running through and around it.  Fabulous.  Would be fun to stay here during the Nascar races. 

The hotel is located  is located on a man-made Yas Island known for Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and the Formula One Grand Prix.

Dubai is known for its architecture, but Abu Dhabi has some interesting buildings as well.

The W hotel was stunning so we meandered and captured some images shown above along with some other modern looking buildings before we got to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.   The museum is located in a part of Abu Dhabi where eventually there will be four major museums including a Guggenheim. 

The Louvre in Abu Dhabi, doesn’t look anything like the one in Paris.  It is boxy and modern, inspired by an Arab medina with small streets and squares oriented towards the water.  We didn’t go in, instead photographed the outside of the  building—an art piece in itself—and mixed with some of the visitors. It was a Monday when the museum was closed.  

I was especially enthralled with some school girls. They were  nice about letting us take their photos.  Their mothers probably wouldn’t have given permission.  I got a kick out of with this young lady with new braces on her teeth.  WE had a nice conversation her experience and  about my grand daughter at home who had gotten braces while I was gone.  Darling girls both of them.  

We also had a good time with black and white forms.  Black and white shapes are a photographers dream.   

The Government Palace

Then on to the Government Palace. I was told  is a bit like our White House, but my gosh, it is nothing like our White House.  Talk about fancy upon fancy.  This is so Middle East, complete with huge domes, lush gardens, beautiful tile and inlays and dramatic chandeliers.  I wonder what Jackie Kennedy would think. 

I especially like these huge art installations of mirrors—creating kaleidoscopes with the reflections.  

They do a light show every night but we had to miss so that we could be at the Grand Mosque at sunset.  

Our last stop and the piece de resistance was the Grand Mosque.  Now you might be thinking about historical cathedrals in Europe.  Been around forever kind of thing.  Not this one.  The Grand Mosque, inspired by the Taj Mahal in India, was finished in 2007 and is a hybrid of experiences.  It is breathtaking.  

Let me explain. First you walk through a shopping center to get to it.  Of course, there is security.  I noticed large posters with the rules about what you can and can not wear. And then you go up an escalator  to the building and follow the roped walk ways.  

There are 82 domes, 1,196 columns, handmade with inlaid stones and gold date palm trees .   Seven huge chandeliers stun the visitors with their beauty along with the reflecting pools, the huge prayer hall with the  largest carpet in the world and stunning lighting.  

It is like a huge entertainment center .  Six of the seven days of the week, it is devoted to tourists. Fridays are for prayer.   The main prayer hall can hold as many as 50,000 people.  We spent several hours at the mosque capturing the scene and the changing light.  Delightful.  

If I could go back to Abu Dhabi, I’d make time to go into the Louvre Abu Dhabi, visit the Falconry Hospital and the big fancy hotel every guide book talks about.   I understand there are also lovely beaches and a dramatic corniche for strolling.  I think one needs several days to explore it all.   

For an earlier blog post about the Oman/Dubai Photo tour, click here.  

Come back to DesignDestinations.org for more about this part of the world.