| Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi, the largest
of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, is the capital
of the country and is also possibly the wealthiest, most powerful and
therefore most glamorous of the seven.
Its capital, also named Abu Dhabi, is a modern city with buildings galore
and busy shopping to be done. Exploring the city, visitors will be struck by
the amount of greenery around the city. Throughout the broad boulevards and
tall skyscrapers are trees, shrubs, gardens, plants, and any other form of
flora you can find. This is surprising considering the small amount of rain
that falls in the country each year, but the city’s gardens are definitely
worth exploring.
One such place is the Corniche, which is considered to be the city’s
showpiece with its beachfront location. It is a popular place for visitors
and residents alike, and a place that would particularly be of interest to
visitors is the Breakwater, an area of reclaimed land off the main Abu Dhabi
Island. It is a place that not only possesses beautiful views, but is also a
place where a number of Arabic cafes and restaurants and the Heritage
Village that give a cultural edge to the pride of the ever-growing Abu Dhabi
tourism sector.
Another popular site for visitors is the Al-Hosn Palace, not because of
its glamour, but because it is one of the few buildings in the city that is
more than 30 years old. The Al-Hosn Palace, or more commonly known as the
Old Fort or the White Fort, was built in the late 18th century and has
recently been modernised. It is now used by the Cultural Foundation to store
its documents and as a research centre. It is an interesting site to see,
even if it is just to compare between what Abu Dhabi was and what it is
today.
To have a look at what the locals do, visitors should head to the Dhow
Wharf and fish market. Here visitors can find locals bartering and comparing
the day’s catch. Not only that, it offers an excellent view back towards the
city.
Another common activity that visitors to the city are recommended is
camel trekking in the desert. There are several companies which take
visitors out to the desert to enjoy a days ride through the dunes with their
own camel and own guide. It is an excellent way to experience an Arabian
adventure.
After an exciting and exhausting trek through the dunes, visitors could
settle back into their hotel in the city, or they could enjoy the all the
nightlife that this vibrant city has to offer. There is generally a dress
code – meaning designer smart casual – but once you are in, you are
guaranteed an excellent night of dancing and fun. At the end of the night,
all visitors have to do is hail one of the many cabs that cruise the streets
to get back to their place of rest.
Since the first discovery of oil in the region in 1958, Abu Dhabi has
grown to become the quintessential petro-dollar city, converting all their
reed and mud-brick constructions into metal and glass sky-scraper towers.
Abu Dhabi is set up to offer the discerning traveller a very memorable
experience in the United Arab Emirates. |