We were given an excellent tour of Abu Dhabi this afternoon. We drove out to the Date Market first, baskets full of fresh dates. If there's any one indiginous crop here, it is dates and palms. We stopped at a date shop and bought chocolate covered dates (coconut and pistachio covered dates too - the coconut is my favorite).
Then we drove out
to Port Zayed. Saw the Dhows, traditional boats, that are still used for fishing. Popped into the fish market. Fantastic looking fresh fish. Definitely the place for crabs, shrimp, octopus and many varieties of fish. Hamour is the most popular local fish and a dietary staple for the UAE.
Just past the fish market is a another market and a cafe. We enjoyed Morrocan tea at the cafe. I'm told they pack them in at night. They also have shisha to smoke from a hooka. I did not try it this time, but it sure smells sweet.
More driving, this time out to Marina mall. There are many malls here and more being built. Marina mall will soon have indoor skiing, just like Dubai. The local cultural center is next door. I think we are visiting it this weekend. There is a great deal of construction going on all over the city. New areas of Abu Dhabi are being developed in 5 year cycles. The "main" area of Abu Dhabi is moving north (or is it south?) into a newly developing section of the island.
We also drove pass the palace and Grand Mosque. Both on our to do list. This place would be an Architects dream, so many interesting designs and use of materials. The Equestrian club, I'm told, has many facilities including, horse racing, tennis, golf, swimming and they just recently added a wind tunnel for indoor "sky diving." Must check it out.
Traffic is rather intense. This is a driving culture. Everyone wants to go fast. Fortunately, they have cameras for speeders and the red lights (you get all your traffic fines when you go to renew your license, plus late fees). But be VERY careful walking across streets - drivers zip out of nowhere.
I sort of have a feel for the city. Sort of know where we live. And I'm completely confused about names of streets. Evidently, the name of a street is not the name of the street, locals have different names for streets and one area calls the streets something from another part of the city (a street may have at least three names it is referred by). Also, there are no addresses here. You navigate by landmarks (banks, car dealership, parks...). You have to get a PO Box if you want mail delivered here.
Very tired after the afternoon tour. Still a lot to see. Tomorrow we're hitting the pool, maybe the beach too.
Best to all.
Then we drove out
to Port Zayed. Saw the Dhows, traditional boats, that are still used for fishing. Popped into the fish market. Fantastic looking fresh fish. Definitely the place for crabs, shrimp, octopus and many varieties of fish. Hamour is the most popular local fish and a dietary staple for the UAE.Just past the fish market is a another market and a cafe. We enjoyed Morrocan tea at the cafe. I'm told they pack them in at night. They also have shisha to smoke from a hooka. I did not try it this time, but it sure smells sweet.
More driving, this time out to Marina mall. There are many malls here and more being built. Marina mall will soon have indoor skiing, just like Dubai. The local cultural center is next door. I think we are visiting it this weekend. There is a great deal of construction going on all over the city. New areas of Abu Dhabi are being developed in 5 year cycles. The "main" area of Abu Dhabi is moving north (or is it south?) into a newly developing section of the island.
We also drove pass the palace and Grand Mosque. Both on our to do list. This place would be an Architects dream, so many interesting designs and use of materials. The Equestrian club, I'm told, has many facilities including, horse racing, tennis, golf, swimming and they just recently added a wind tunnel for indoor "sky diving." Must check it out.
Traffic is rather intense. This is a driving culture. Everyone wants to go fast. Fortunately, they have cameras for speeders and the red lights (you get all your traffic fines when you go to renew your license, plus late fees). But be VERY careful walking across streets - drivers zip out of nowhere.
I sort of have a feel for the city. Sort of know where we live. And I'm completely confused about names of streets. Evidently, the name of a street is not the name of the street, locals have different names for streets and one area calls the streets something from another part of the city (a street may have at least three names it is referred by). Also, there are no addresses here. You navigate by landmarks (banks, car dealership, parks...). You have to get a PO Box if you want mail delivered here.
Very tired after the afternoon tour. Still a lot to see. Tomorrow we're hitting the pool, maybe the beach too.
Best to all.
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