UAE: Abu Dhabi Downtown

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi (lit. Father of Gazelle) may be second to Dubai in terms of popularity and population count, but it's the capital city of the UAE with its city centre situated on an island off the Persian Gulf. It's thought that the name arose due to the abundance of gazelles, as well as a folk tale involving Sheikh Shakbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahya.

Sheikh Shakbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahya was the ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1795 to 1816 before the UAE was officially formed. As the story has it, he tracked a gazelle to a spring on the island and eventually built a village nearby. It's also in that very area that Qasr Al-Hosn, which is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, was built. Today, it's an expansive and advanced metropolis.

Here's a view of a small street that my BFF and I walked through when we exited Oryx Hotel.

Remember to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Our first destination was Al Khalidiya Park, a green space that provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's free to visit the park in the morning, but you need to pay AED 1.00 (~S$0.40) when you enter from 3.00pm onwards.

There are a few children rides at the park.

Moving to the north, we walked past another park called Family Park.

Do abide by the rules of the park.

I'd love to play in that boat-shaped playground.

There are two interesting mosques that we saw in town.

Below are a few more photos of buildings that I took as we made our way to Abu Dhabi Dhow Harbour by foot.

Al Madfaa Heritage Park showcases interesting sculptures of Middle Eastern-related objects. 

World Trade Centre is a shopping mall designed to resemble a traditional Arabian market.

On another occasion, we walked from Oryx Hotel to UAE Heritage Village, passing by Corniche Beach along the way.

I don't know what pose was I doing.

I wonder if that used to be an actual dhow turned into a monument.

The 8th tallest flagpole in the world stands is approximately 122 m tall.

After having lots of fun at UAE Heritage Village, we went to Marina Mall for lunch.

Even though I love Ferris wheel, I didn't take a ride.

Opened in 2001, Marina Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in Abu Dhabi.

Let's take a look at the interior of the mall.

Can you spot the sun and the moon?

Marine-like ambience?

Somehow, I was reminded of Jurassic Park when I saw the mammoth and the vehicles.

The founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has got his own memorial that's located not far from Emirates Palace.

The UAE has enjoyed rapid development under Sheikh Zayed's rule.

On the last evening in the UAE, we dropped by The Ritz-Carlton after visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

There's a section known as Venetian Village within the hotel compound.

The swimming pool is facing the nearby canal.

Our last stop was Zayed Sports City that houses a stadium and other facilities, such as a bowling centre.

We went to the bowling centre not to play, but to have dinner at a Southeast Asian restaurant.

The four eateries that we tried are as follows:

- Al Sayyad Marine (Middle Eastern)

- Shish Shawerma (Middle Eastern)

- Zaatar w Zeit (Middle Eastern)

- Noodle Bowl (Chinese and Indonesian)