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A tour of the Grand Mosque

All pictures: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Date: November 20, 2010.
Camera: Panasonic TZ3

On my last visit to Abu Dhabi in January 2009, I missed out on a chance to visit the inside of the Grand Mosque, although I did wander around it and take a few snaps in the mid-afternoon heat. This time 'round I was lucky enough to make one of the daily tours of the building, accompanied by my parents (on holiday from Australia).

In many respects, entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is quite a privilege because, as far as I am aware, no other mosque in the world allows non-Muslims inside for a 'look-see'. But the sheikh who commissioned this magnificent building wanted to use it as an opportunity to increase understanding about the Islamic faith -- or, as my dad so aptly pointed out, he probably just wanted everyone to see how much bloody money he'd spent on the thing.

Yes, this is a hugely expensive building using hugely expensive materials and craftmanship, but it's all done in a rather understated, almost delicate, style. The attention to detail -- mother-of-pearl inlays, marble "flowers" climbing up gleaming white-washed walls, 1,000 white columns topped with golden palm fronds -- is incredible.

I won't bombard you with facts and figures, because you'll find them online. Let's just say the place is impressive, and what's inside it -- the world's biggest chandelier, the world's biggest hand-knotted carpet -- even more so.

Of course, visiting a mosque means you have to abide by a few rules. If you're a woman it means donning an abaya and making sure your hair is covered up at all times. If you're a bloke wearing shorts you need to don a dishdash. Both items of clothing are available on loan for no charge. (In fact, the entire tour is free and there's no-one trying to make a dhiram or two flogging tacky souvenirs, aka the Church of England.)

I'm not religious in the slightest, but I came away from the entire experience having a newfound respect, not only for Islam, but for those poor women who wear abayas every day: they are heavy and hot. I can only begin to imagine how uncomfortable they must be to wear in the height of a UAE summer.

I took loads of photographs (and that's something else British churches could learn from: banning photography is pointless in this day and age). Here's a few of my favourites.

Drive by tour

All pictures: Down town Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Date: November 19, 2010.
Camera: Panasonic TZ3

Yesterday was one of those lazy days where you sleep late, have sandwiches for lunch and then potter around in the car, taking photographs of the scenery.

Some of the buildings in this city have to be seen to be believed. Many of them are still under construction, including the "leaning tower of Abu Dhabi", otherwise known as Capital Gate, which lean 18 degrees westwards.

My favourite, however, are the five buildings, near Emirates Palace, which are supposed to represent the five sheikhs standing together. This billion dollar  (!!!) investment is known as Etihad Towers.

I took loads more photographs, all of which can be viewed on my Abu Dhabi smug mug gallery.

Ladies night

Place: View from Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Date: November 18, 2010.
Camera: BlackBerry Curve.

Thursday evenings in Abu Dhabi are the equivalent of Friday nights in the UK -- they mark the end of the working week -- with one notable exception. If you're female you can take advantage of "ladies night" promotions -- a set of standard, but potent, cocktails which don't cost a penny.

So, last night, my sister, her husband and I headed out to Yas Island, a short drive from where they live, to partake in the free beverages.

But first we sat outside one of the international hotels -- there are about five arranged in a circle -- and drank ice-cold beers while watching the parade of flash cars drive in and out of the development and the endless family groups making their way to the Jonas concert at the nearby arena.  It was a balmy 27C, and for the first time since finishing work at the end of October, I felt like I was properly on holiday.

Afterwards we went to Angar, an Indian restaurant in the Yas Hotel. It had an open kitchen, all gleaming white tiles and polished stainless steel, behind a glass window. The food was good, too: a shared vegetarian platter, followed by servings of butter chicken, a chicken and pumpkin dish, sag aloo and hot, buttery and totally delicious garlic naans.

Then onto Stills bar, across the road, where we were greeted by wall to wall men, mainly expat Brits by the looks of it, lurking in the dark. I guess that's why the bar offers free cocktails to women, because you certainly wouldn't go there for the ambiance.

We sat outside in a white polished courtyard adorned with palm trees and twinkly lights and enjoyed Cosmopolitans, before calling it a night sometime around 11pm, and catching a taxi home. It was a lovely evening -- even if we only scored two free drinks apiece out of it.

After a long silence...

Place: My six-year-old niece's bedroom, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Date: November 17, 2010.
Camera: BlackBerry Curve.

A lot has happened since my last post. A whole summer has whizzed by and here I am, five months later, in the very early stages of a two-month trip, which will take in China and Australia. But first I am in Abu Dhabi, staying with my sister and her family. Hence, the picture above.

I've stayed in some amazing hotels in my time, but this Barbie-themed bed (note the duvet cover and matching pillow slip) has to be the most interesting yet.

A visit to the Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

All pictures taken: The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Date: Wednesday January 7, 2009.
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ3.

I've just spent a week visiting my sister in Abu Dhabi, my first proper visit to the Middle East beyond a couple of hours layover in Dubai Airport en-route to Australia a few years back.

Sight-seeing was kept to an absolute minimum (it wasn't that sort of holiday), but I was very keen to visit the Grand Mosque, which is one of the first things you notice as you drive into Abu Dhabi from the airport. It hulks over the capital like some sort of beautiful white treasure that's fallen from the sky. No matter where you are, it looks impressive sitting there on the horizon, but it's only when you are up close that you really begin to appreciate its size -- and its beauty.