Dubai Day 9 - Abu Dhabi & Sheik Zayed Mosque

After the disappointment of our desert safari, I was hopeful that our much anticipated day-trip to Abu Dhabi would offer the priceless day trip we were looking for. After looking into the costs of:

• hiring a taxi for the day (costly, especially once in Abu Dhabi having to hop from cab to cab);
• renting a car (cheapest option, but heard a few nightmare stories about the complexities of having to call the police if we were to get into an accident);
• hiring a car/driver for the day (pricey, but easiest option)
• taking the bus and then cabs once there (a much longer day); or 
• joining a tour company's day tour (still pricey, and we'd lose our independent agenda)

Ultimately, based on time efficiency and ease, we opted to go with a private car/driver for the day. It was admittedly pricey, but not much more than the first or last options, and would give us the independence we were looking for (we are not good sheep, as we tend to wander off on our own and shirk all the standard tourist traps you get forced to stop at along the way...in this case, think of Ferrari World).

So we booked a driver to drive us the 2-hours over to Abu Dhabi, and asked him to drive by this disc-shaped building (the Aldar Group's headquarters, and known as the 'HQ' building) so we could get a glimpse of it. The pics aren't great because it was raining ("Only the third time in a year!" according to our driver) and hazy, and because we were racing by due to an accident that had slowed us down.  

I loved this funky bridge!

Our primary reason for going to Abu Dhabi was for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque located there. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate of the UAE, and also the capital city, so the mosque there is not only considered to be one of the most important in the country, but also the Muslim world (as it's the world's 8th largest mosque).

It can accommodate 41,000 worshippers, and has the third largest chandelier in the world (covered in Swaroski crystals), as well as the largest carpet in the world (made by hand by about 1,250 carpet makers over two years). Both were simply stunning to see, and far exceeded expectations.

Because the mosque does have fairly modest dress requirements, even covering up your female legs and arms was not quite enough (as I still had exposed hair and the occasional glimpse of my ankles). So rather than buy my own head scarf and wear socks (hooot), I opted to use the abayas for women they had available. What I didn't expect was how much I loved mine, and wanted to keep it. The material was soft, comfy and clung to my body. Sure, I looked and felt like Obi Wan Kenobi, but to heck with that...I was comfy and ready to purchase one at the gift shop! Except there was no gift shop, or Starbucks either. ????

Though the mosque grounds were not as massive as I'd envisioned, we still spent over 90 minutes there taking in all the splendor.

One of the two chandelier, this one was in the outer chamber.

I believe this was the larger of the two, in the inner chamber...but both were equally spectacular.

We have been fortunate to have visited a few other stunning mosques- the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and the Hassan II in Casablanca come to mind. This mosque definitely ranked up there as one the most amazing places I've ever set foot in. I can say that I truly felt the calming, powerful presence of God there...and though I may not hold a traditional view of God (I'm a bit of a hippied out Universalist that believes 'all roads lead to heaven' than traditional Christianity), but I enjoy seeing buildings built in glory to God, and being in them and feeling all of the love, passion and labor (and sometimes lives) built into those walls.

I will also grant this mosque the award for prettiest floors, walls and bathrooms (which you'll see in a moment). Not so much for their over the top grandeur, but for their simplicity.

I couldn't believe the detail of the inlaid (floral designs) in the marble  everywhere! There were thousands of these on the floors, columns and walls.

The 'rents and Rich, cruising the halls

At this point of the mosque tour, we are about the enter the hallowed restrooms...

Oh, just a standard drinking fountains, that's all. It only probably cost more than my home.

The wash room...nicer than most spas.

The curved wall across which are the bathroom stalls (you could eat off the floors), and they were very liberal with the air freshener. I'm quite sure my lungs have a layer of air freshener in them to this day from the amount I breathed in, but better that than what everyone ate for dinner the night before, I suppose.

Once we left the mosque, we were off to Emirates Palace, another hotel of epic grandiose and luxury. Directly across from the hotel were these buildings...I love the one that looked copper-plated (it was another hotel), like a brand new, shiny penny.

                             

Emirates Palace is yet another insanely pricey hotel built (3 billion US dollars) and owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, and is said to be the second most expensive hotel ever built (it was more than the Burj al-Arab in Dubai). Driving up to it, it really did look more like a palace- there were over a hundred domes atop the hotel, and the grounds looked massive and well manicured with the usual grand staircase, synchronized water fountains, topiaries, etc. Keep in mind that my crappy photography skills and iPhone camera do not do any justice trying to capture the bling factor.

Photo credit: FlashyDubai.com

The hotel also boasted the world's only gold (bar) ATM until recently...so we didn't get to see it and make our planned purchase. ;-) I did, however, see enough gold-plated furniture, walls and decor that would drive ol' Donald Trump wild with envy.

The domed roof of the main lobby

Our final stop of the day before heading back to Dubai was to the Heritage Village. Since the one in BurDubai was closed for renovation, we hit up the one in Abu Dhabi despite it having a reputation of being a bit run down and well...meh. Indeed, it could be skipped, but for a short stop it isn't horrible (and again, we're pretty easy to please).

There were booths selling traditional handicrafts.

The requisite camel, who was on break and behind bars, but still friendly.

I think the best part of the center was the half dozen traditional dwellings/structures built on the property. It reminded me of the open air museum we went to in Vietnam with the tribal homes. I can't help but show my deeply closeted inner realtor here by wondering which dwelling I'd be the best fit too...

This home got my vote for #1 based on its cooler interior and stronger walls to keep the desert life away from me.

I'm pretty sure this is the house that one of the little piggies built, but was blown down.

People watching

The gorgeous view of the city of Abu Dhabi from the Heritage Village

The last part of the village was the half dozen or so merchant craftsmen who were making traditional weaponry, carpets, silver dishes, artwork, etc. Most were out to prayer while we were there, but we still got to see their work areas.

There was also a mock architectural digging site set up, which I thought were wells. (Thank goodness that history degree is so accurate and useful!)

We got back fairly late that day, but the trip to the mosque was well worth the journey and cost...the side visits to Emirates Palace and Heritage Village were just icing on the cake. Eight hours was barely enough time to get it all done...as we spent about 90 minutes at each location plus 4-hours of drive time (we were definitely rushing toward the end of our trip). I would've loved more time there to see the architecture and learn more about that emirate, but our trip was winding down and we needed a down day for Ryan the next day.