May
found us with a 4 day weekend. So off to the United Arab Emirates we went!
After a fabulous flight aboard Air Astana we landed in Abu Dhabi.
The
ride to our hotel was about 30 minutes long by taxi. They sure have it all
figured out. Taxis in a line...take the first one. This was the protocol
everywhere we went. Easy, inexpensive, and efficient.
We
stayed at the Sheraton Hotel on the beach. It had 2 pools and a private cove.
The air was a soothing 38' C and the water a relaxing 30' C. This trip reminded
me of the cruise we went on with mom and dad. Every wish was our command. They
handed us our beach towels, opened the door, made jovial conversation, and
greeted us continually. The lifeguards gave us kayaks and boards to paddle in
the Persian Gulf. It was super-relaxing.
On
Friday we visited the Emirates' Hotel. What a magnificent structure.
Presidents, Prime Ministers, and leaders stay in this lavish hotel.
Friday
evening we took off on a safari! Arab men picked us up at the hotel in Toyota
Land Cruisers loaded with 3" roll bar inside. Maybe this should have been
our first clue? Off we went down the freeway toward...the sand! Our first stop
was to visit a camel farm. Pictures of camels being milked, eating, and
hugging...then into the air-conditioned tent to visit with the owner. While all
of this was going on I happen to notice our driver letting some air out of the
tires. Maybe this should have been our second clue! After loading up to take
off for our next destination, our driver circled out of line and took the tail
position. Maybe this should have been our 3rd clue! Off we went...for nearly 2
hours we drove up and over, around and down huge desert sand dunes! My pictures
don't do it justice. I took some video also but due to the degree of rocking,
swaying, and jerking I dropped my camera on the floor. The Land Cruisers movements engulfed us in sand, the cars were continually red lined, and we hanging on for
dear life.
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| The owner of the camel farm and our driver (one of the tourists). Notice the air-conditioner! |
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| Air-conditioner in the tent! |
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| Notice the Land Cruisers in the distance. |
After
our roller coaster experience in the sand we finished at a site where our other
activities took place. Upon arrival we were served Arabic coffee...supposedly
the finest, and dates. Then off to sand snowboard, camel ride, and receive a
henna tattoo (not for me). Prior to our meal we were entertained with a belly
dancer. Our dinner was fantastic! Tasteful salads, spicy rice, lamb, chicken,
and beef kabobs.
After
dinner we relaxed in a sofa area (Sorry I'm not too up on the names for all
these things!) where some of the people smoked hookahs. They turned out the lights and we gazed
at the beautiful night sky. So quiet, peaceful, and calm.
However,
the calm was not to last...back in the vehicles we went to return home. The
site was not too far from a nearby road so the excitement was short
lived...thank goodness! Back onto the highway we went...160 kph!
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| Sand boarding down the dunes. |
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| Beautiful night sky. |
Abu
Dhabi is home to Ferrari World. Ferrari World can be found on Yaz Island
home to a Formula One race track, water park, hotels, and shopping. The park is
all indoors except for two ominous roller coasters. We experienced a simulated
flight over Italy, driving a Ferrari on a test track, visited the history of
Ferrari Museum and numerous other attractions. May is the perfect time to go to
Abu Dhabi. The height of the tourist season is November and December when the
temperatures are a little milder and the Formula One race commences. We enjoyed
the short lines and lack of crowds inside the park. The most famous attraction
is the Formula Rossa roller coaster. The coaster accelerates up to 240km/h in
less than five seconds. The whole experience lasted just under a minute. The
list of health warnings was enough to make us second guess our decision to
ride! The park had another roller coaster called the Fiorano GT Challenge. Here
we loaded into a Ferrari F430 Spider as two competing GT coasters raced to the
finish line.
Abu
Dhabi had the kindest people, excellent service, and magnificent buildings.
Next May...Dubai!
Dubai from the air.
