May 14-16 Dubai

May 14-15 – at sea

After four very busy days visiting a variety of ports in India, it was time for a rest. We enjoyed our balcony and sitting out on the open decks. We had arranged to meet some other passengers on a couple of afternoons and we had a great time socialising as well as winning some money in the casino.

May 16 – Dubai

The first leg of our two cruise holiday has all but finished. We are overnight in Dubai and so we had organised a full day out visiting Abu Dhabi. Our guide was waiting for us as we exited the terminal. What a guide she was.

We left Dubai and headed down the coast to Abu Dhabi the largest and richest of the Emirates. Along the way our guide pointed out sights and explained about the development of this amazing country, in particular, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There are 7 Emirates in all and they constitute a complex unity of small Arab nations. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah being the largest and most affluent.

The drive to Abu Dhabi was about 1 ½ hours but freeway (four lanes) all the way. There's no consideration when planning these cities, the wide roads are built first, then landscaped, then the building starts!

First stop the Sheik Zayed Mosque. Sheik Zayed's name is everywhere in the Emirates as he was the most progressive ruler and brought the country to prominence with the building of the Burj al Arab 7 star hotel. He also set in train the building of the Mosque in Abu Dhabi which, sadly, was not completed before he died. This beautiful building has to be seen to be believed. I was very glad we had a guide with us to explain about the building, its architecture, design and detail. An amazing place.

We continued on around the sights of Abu Dhabi which included a visit to the Emirates Palace Hotel – another extraordinary place to visit – Ferrari World and the F1 race track. As we were returning to Dubai sunset had come and gone and our guide offered to take us to Dubai Mall to watch the musical fountains. Another must do in this extraordinary city.

Arriving in Dubai

Always an amazing sight even through the heat haze

Fascinating watching the ship turn on its axis

A somewhat, more efficient rope hauling team here

Architecture in these cities is astonishing - all about money I suppose

One of many bridges in Abu Dhabi. This Emirate is a series of islands

Sheik Zayed can be seen everywhere

All that glisters IS gold (and marble)

Looking very elegant in my abaya. I was wearing long pants and long sleeves and my own large scarf, but thought this would be more authentic. These were hired to those who were not appropriately dressed, but our guide keeps one in her car.

These beautiful tiled panels are all different and break up the columns

Lots of water

Each column has a different design

The inside of the domes are beautiful

This marble courtyard in the centre of the mosque was designed by a British designer.

The main entrance - more water

Swarovski crystal chandelier combined with Venetian glass

The clock for prayer times switches from Arabic to English. It is also a work of art

Prayer times are different each day

We were, of course, bare foot walking about. This gives a sense of the scale of this astonishing place

The carpet has to be seen to be believed. The ridge in the middle repeats across the carpet and is how they faithful line up to pray

More chandeliers

Beautiful glass doorways

This is the mausoleum where the Sheik was buried - only for the faithful

Anything that looks like gold, is gold

A place of such peace

Now here's an entrance ..... to the ladies facilities!

This huge tiled entrance - no worries about using these facilities!

Some more startling architecture

Everything which is built meets strict environmental standards too, despite all the glass

And some new but still traditional buildings too

Like the Palace Hotel

Again - what looks like gold IS gold

Unless it's a carved rough ruby!

No words!

You can also eat it!

We opted for a camelcino, absolutely delicious

A welcome break from the intense heat outside

The amazing architecture continues outside the Emirates Palace Hotel

Add caption

Another hotel set to rival the Emirates Palace

The water was lovely. Perhaps I can now say I've paddled in the Persian Gulf!

Old style dhows take tourists out on the water

Our guide took us to the date market. So many varieties - dates like you've never tasted before. Exquisite. This island also hosts other markets as well as the fishing fleet. Everything is so orderly!

The traditional fishing boats

One of the islands still under development. This one is dedicated to culture and the arts

The name Abu Dhabi comes from the gazelles which used to roam this desert

A map in the exposition showing how Abu Dhabi's islands fit together

This will be Saadiyat when it is completed. Guggenheim arts centre to the left, Louvre gallery to the right in the foreground. The remainder, accommodation, hotels, recreational areas.

Model of the cultural museum yet to be constructed. The Louvre  is due to be finished by the end of 2015

This is Ferrari World with the largest logo of the brand in the world on its roof, clearly seen when flying in to Abu Dhabi

One of the longest roller coaster rides in the world - of course

It's a boy thing

But for the ladies, connected by an air bridge is a shopping centre!

There's also a water park close by

Next stop the Grand Prix track

We would consider visiting for the GP. Everything is so well managed

We have almost come full circle around the islands of Abu Dhabi

A new airport under way for Ethihad which will rival Dubai

The famous Dubai Mall

Home to Burj Khalifa

Also famous for the musical fountains

Different music is used for each on the hour display

We had Bollywood music

There's also an aquarium in the shopping centre which has to be pretty spectacular inside if this is what you see from the outside

And so the day came to an end - wow!