Abba Dabba Abba Dabba Abu Dhabi

If you do not know what the title means, ask us to sing it for you. You must be too young to know.


We set off bright and early in a hired 4 wheel drive, complete with driver. We did not need to engage low gear because there is an 8 lane highway linking Dubai (population 1.8 million) with Abu Dhabi (1.3 million), the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was a fascinating drive on a super highway where speed cameras monitor your speed…. to check you are not going too slowly! The traffic all rolled along at 140 kph but if you do under 60, you face a big fine. It took just over 1 hour to cover the 140 km.

The skyscrapers of Dubai quickly gave way to desert but the process was soon reversed as we drew closer to Abu Dhabi. Forty years ago there was nothing much here but sand and a few fishermen’s shacks. It is a modern, thriving city that we found far more picturesque than Dubai. The architecture is both extraordinary and outstanding with a huge number of projects currently under construction.

Our favourite place that we visited was the Sheik Zayed Mosque, the 3rd largest in the world (the other 2 are in Saudi Arabia). It is one of those places that are impossible to capture adequately on film. Externally, the architecture is simply stunning and internally, elaborate and spacious. In the main prayer hall is the world’s largest carpet and the largest chandelier. The welcome was genuinely warm and we were able to visit all areas.

We were aware of the dress code but Gail had to don a robe to cover her hair, arms and head. Each robe was freshly laundered, made in a lovely fine fabric and embroidered on the sleeve with a gold motif.

We also enjoyed a visit to the 7 star Emirates Palace Hotel. This former palace was as elaborate as you could possibly imagine and included museum quality works of art.

The king is one of 32 brothers (his father had 5 wives) and he was the eldest but he has nominated his youngest brother as the crown prince.

We also saw the 4 main royal palaces, lunched in a mall, visited the Abu Dhabi Corniche (beach), a heritage village, the F1 race track and the Ferrari “theme park”.

On the way back, we saw 3 islands being built in the sea with architecture that will rival anywhere else in the world. In a few words “Yabba dabba doo Abu Dhabi”. If you do not know what this means, then you are too old!

                                                 External view of the Mosque

                                         A closerlook.

                                           That lady seems familiar.


Interior of the mosque

The hotel cake shop -  we did not have time to stop for morning tea!

The garden of the Emirates Palace Hotel

Part of the foyer of the hotel