Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi
introDespite humble beginnings in 1971, Abu Dhabi has quickly become renowned as a symbol of luxury and excess. From a fishing and pearling hamlet to the modern metropolis of today, local insider and writer Lindsey Parry reveals there’s far more to the city than just glitz and glamour.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
camel races7am: Watch Camel Races At Al Wathba – Camels have been highly prized beasts in the region for centuries, and racing them remains a national sport to this day. One of the few early morning activities in a society that lives largely at the opposite end of the day, visiting the races means arriving at the track at 7am on weekends between October to March to cheer on the camels as they reach remarkable speeds, and marvel at the contrast between old and new as robotic jockeys guide the animals in this time-honoured sporting ritual. [Photo: Abu Phampi/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
fish market10am: Observe The Traditional Way Of Life at Mina Port Fish Market – Wander around the Mina Port next to the fish market to gain insight into the humble beginnings of the city, as well as a glimpse of how life was before the oil boom. Passing traditional working dhow boats and lobster pots, it’s a world away from the five-star cliché of today. Don’t miss a visit to the indoor fish market for a peek at the daily catch – just leave your best shoes at home. Purchase the fish of the day, take it along to the men in red for gutting and filleting, then move on next door to the cooks at the back of the spice area who’ll cook it up as desired. Find a lobster pot by the dhow harbour outside, where you can sit and enjoy taking in views back along towards the city and Corniche beach. visitabudhabi.ae
2/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
mosque11am: Immerse Yourself In Culture At The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – An unmissable icon and spectacle of beauty, marvel at the intricate detail and craftsmanship of the marble prayer hall, the world’s largest carpet and several of the world’s largest chandeliers, among other wonders. Join the free walk-in tour at 11am (except Fridays) to get the most from a visit. szgmc.ae
3/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
museum12pm: Glimpse The Future At Manarat Al Saadiyat – A dedicated arts and cultural centre, Manarat Al Saadiyat hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions both local and international throughout the year. Also home to The Saadiyat Story, see the vision of the future come to life in this interactive and multimedia narrative on the islands’ past, leaving with a taste of the incredible plans for the future of the city. manaratalsaadiyat.ae [Photo: Christoph Derndorfer /Flickr]
4/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
arabic coffee1pm: Relax With A Cup Of Traditional Arabic Coffee – Take a break from it all and watch the world go by, enjoying an Arabic coffee and a bite from the menu at Al Arish in Mina Port. Traditionally served as a welcome for special guests, a small cup is filled around a quarter full. For a refill, gently shake the cup a few times before handing back to the server.
5/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
hospital2pm: Visit A Hospital Dedicated Entirely To Falcons – As the national symbol of the UAE, it’s fair to say the falcon plays a large part in the traditional culture and heritage of the country. Abu Dhabi is home to the UAE’s largest animal hospital dedicated purely to the services and protection of falcons, allowing visitors to experience the grace and majesty of these birds close up, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of the falcon in UAE culture. All tours must be pre-booked in advance. visitabudhabi.ae
6/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
pearling4pm: Explore History With Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey – Pearling is an ancient industry that played an enormous part in the heritage and culture of the country. Hop onto a traditional pearling dhow and take in the sights and sounds of this bygone way of life, watching as pearl fishermen sing traditional Emirati songs, teach oyster shucking and guarantee that visitors leave with a souvenir pearl. adpearljourney.com [Photo: Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey]
7/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
al horn6pm: Discover The Story Of Abu Dhabi At Qasr Al Hosn – The city’s oldest building and the first permanent structure in the Emirate, dating back to the 1760s, Qasr Al Hosn has served as a watch tower, a fort, home to the ruling family and the seat of government. This free-to-visit permanent exhibition highlights the foundation and history of Abu Dhabi, as well as the importance of the role of Qasr Al Hosn in Emirati heritage and tradition. qasralhosn.ae
8/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
galleria7pm: Squeeze In A Spot Of Shopping At The Galleria – It isn’t actually a national sport, but it may as well be: Shopping has in recent years become a favourite national pastime. Spend a little time exploring this ultra-modern, high-end mall stacked with luxury brands. Take home souvenirs of the very best in dates and date condiments from Bateel, then if the budget won’t stretch to the other upmarket stores on offer, take the weight off and sit back in one of the many seating areas or coffee shops for a fascinating spot of people-watching and a peek at the lives of the ultra-wealthy. thegalleria.ae
9/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
hotel9pm: Refuel In Style At The Emirates Palace Hotel – No trip to Abu Dhabi is complete without sampling a little of the luxury culture that has become synonymous with today’s city, and where better to dine than the world-famous Emirates Palace Hotel? Choose from a number of excellent restaurants, including internationally renowned Hakkasan, dine on the beach in style at BBQ Al Qasr or perhaps opt for something more authentic at Mezlai Emirati Restaurant. kempinski.com
10/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
shisha10.30pm: Finish The Day In Local Style With Shisha At Le Boulanger, Marina Breakwater – A common afternoon or after dinner occurrence, smoking shisha is a way of life. The place to be to catch up with friends for a chat and relax, reflect on the day and while away the time into the wee hours amongst the buzz of the late-night atmosphere and the cool of the evening. Panoramic views back across the corniche to the city make this venue an excellent choice to take in the fast-evolving city skyline.
11/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
watchWatch Before You Go: Going To Heaven – An award-winning feature film directed by Emirati filmmaker Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry, Going to Heaven was shot entirely in the UAE. Staying true to the culture of the UAE, the story follows 11-year-old Sultan and his best friend on a search across the UAE for Sultan’s estranged grandmother, depicting the move of society away from traditional communication towards newer technologies. imdb.com
12/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
readRead Before You Go: Arabian Sands By Wilfred Thesiger – Focusing on Thesiger’s own travels across the Empty Quarter between 1945 and 1950, Arabian Sands captures the traditional Bedouin way of life while reflecting upon a society in which he sees increasing changes. A fascinating personal account, illuminating a way of life that has all but vanished. amazon.com
13/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
listenListen Before You Go: Back To The Beach Podcast On iTunes – Highlighting and showcasing local DJs from around the UAE as well as international talents, this underground podcast reflects the modern music movement in the UAE. With a goal to produce a mix of music for chilling on the beach, as well as a musical insight into the region, the podcast offers beats to get you into the holiday mood. itunes.apple.com
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Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
writerWith a background in the media industry, Lindsey Parry is currently a freelance writer by trade and a blogger through passion. Lindsey has spent over 10 years in the UAE as an expat, using her blog, Arabian Notes, to share what life in Abu Dhabi is all about – addressing the most common questions, highlighting the many opportunities for expat travel and offering advice on where to go and what to do in the city. See more at ArabianNotes.com arabiannotes.com
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Travel
24 Hours In… Abu Dhabi.
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