Abu Dhabi Days

On our way home from Dubai, we decided to detour through Abu Dhabi. Caitlyn had visited there briefly during her stint here with us when she was staying with M friends, and wanted to around some more and show us the hospital she visited.

As we approached Abu Dhabi, we were treated to more skyline similar to Dubai's. While not as big as Dubai, or as glamorous, Abu Dhabi is working on its own transformation--building more skyscrapers and adding more shopping attractions that we in the west would appreciate! Here are some of the views as we headed into town and back out again:

It was a very hazy day, and this picture is not all that great, but I though it was unusual
that the triple towers are connected by a horizontal building at the top!

Mural painted on the sides of the underpass tunnel as we begin driving under the ocean.

There were miles of the carved shrubs along the sea road, or corniche.

This man was laughing at me because I had the camera out and was clicking away on it,
so I decided to take his picture as well!

The Sultan--a typical way to honor and recognize their leaders in the Middle East.

Entrance to the Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, one of only a few of  7-star hotels in the world.

The Palace Hotel 

New construction with the Arabic twist.

Does this need any explanation?

The palm tree on the left is not really a palm tree. It is a cell tower disguised
as a palm tree. We saw these all over the Emirates.

These trees with beautiful orange flowers were planted all over
Abu Dhabi. They reminded me of orange mimosa trees!

The giant sphere in the background is part of an enormous water park--looked like fun!

An IKEA store--imagine my thrill--and I spent some money there too!

There might be one in Dubai, but this is the first honest-to-goodness, true
 hardware store I've seen since moving here!

Caity at the Hospital in Al Ayn. Check out Care International if you want to
find out more about it. She really enjoyed her visit there!

Du--bai Nights

While Caitlyn was still here, we wanted to explore both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so we packed up the car and headed out. Since it is Ramadan here, it was a bit of an unusual trip, since there is no eating or drinking in public during daylight hours. We had to be creative with our mid-day meal, but I can assure you we really enjoyed our dinners!

Before heading out to Dubai, Caitlyn just HAD to make one stop in Muscat to get the henna drawing on her hands and feet. Here she is getting the work done. The lady doing the work was truly an artist, painting totally free-hand matching the contours of Caitlyn's limbs.

We began our first evening in Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates. Since it is Ramadan, the mall was totally decked out in lights--the equivalent of our Christmas season in the States. Regardless of the differences in cultures, it is always appropriate to take some time to appreciate another culture, so enjoy the beautiful architecture and decorations here during this season.

The Mall of the Emirates was spectacular at twilight looking through the glass roof domes.

It's hard to tell, but the moon is a perfect crescent
shape in the twilight sky--signifying the beginning
of Ramadan.

The next day, Caitlyn got the full driving tour from her dad. Here they are out on Palm Jumeirah Island. Interesting fact to note--those rocks you see in the background? They were taken from the mountainous terrain in Oman and shipped to UAE to build the entire Palm Jumeirah Island area.

The Atlantis Resort on the Palm Jumeirah.

Inside the "new" souk they built in Dubai. Looks authentic enough, but the best
part is it's air conditioned and the roof is enclosed!

Outside the new souk looking at the canal where you can take boat rides. Note the Burj Al Arab in the background.

Shisha pipes for sale...favored evening past-time in Oman and the Middle East.

Caitlyn just had to have this picture of me with my glasses all fogged up--if that gives you any idea of how warm and humid it was the day we were in Dubai!

After eating a wonderful dinner at an Italian restaurant in the new souk, we traveled across town to look at the Dubai Mall. Caitlyn hadn't been there, and we wanted to catch the fountains at night.

Back at the mall after dinner, you can tell what captured Don's attention
 as Caitlyn and I were looking at the shops. It's not really fair to display
these in the middle of the walking area in any mall!

Outside of the Dubai Mall is a very large, shallow water pool. It is filled with fountains. Every evening, you are treated to a concert combination of music, lights, and fountains. The fountains come off and on in time with whatever music is playing. We heard a rousing rendition of something like the old Bonanza theme as well as a slower more romantic classical piece. Truly amazing. You can tell from the crowds of people trying to take pictures that it is a very popular event.

One of the architecturally unique buildings in Dubai outside of the mall, bordering on the  pool.

The Burj Khalifa in the background during the water fountain performance. You can tell how humid and wet the area was. My camera lens fogged over!

The courtyard surrounding the pool. Inside the mall are most of the restaurants, which overlook the pool.

After the fountain performance, we walked across the water by bridge to another unique, souk-styled shopping center. There was an Arab with a hawk on his arm, gorgeous lighting, shops, and a Starbucks!

Don, sitting on the "Sultan's throne!

The quality of this image is very poor, but that's because they were quickly moving--
maybe trying not to get their picture taken? See the LIVE hawk on the man's arm?

Chandelier made using elements of traditional lanterns.

Square donuts at Starbucks! Donuts are an evening favorite in this part of the
world, and in fact are even sold at movie theatres and in malls.

Here's the celebratory "Ramadan" cup at Starbucks this year--covered in the henna-type drawing that women have put on their bodies.









We finished up with dessert from the Cheesecake Factory--an all-time family favorite, but especially Caitlyn's! The back of the restaurant extended out into the mall--yet another area decorated in traditional Arabic style. It was a beautiful room, and we had a great time. Hope you enjoyed yet another trip to Dubai with us!'

There is a giant "Koran" in the rotunda--this is one of the ways they celebrate Ramadan.