Abu Dhabi - A Weekend by the Desert (Part 2 of 3)
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REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, 1,2,3…
You can just lie in the sun all day every day on the public beaches or…
(1) Take a guided tour inside the fabulous new Grand Mosque. Third biggest in the world, a reputed cost of half a billion dollars including the world’s biggest carpet, from Iran. Remember to leave your shoes at the door. Or try a stroll along the Corniche on a Friday (Holy Day) when there’s less traffic and more families out and about. The beach has shelters to escape the midday sun with vendors offering water and dates.
(2) The Emirates Palace, all gold leaf and high ceilings, is a destination in itself but there’s also a free permanent exhibition of the ‘cultural masterplan’ - the drawings, musings and architectural models from Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster and others, whose projects will soon cover Saadiyat Island. The museums, theatres and galleries there will be adjoined by 27 new hotels.
(3) Window shopping is best done in the fully air conditioned malls, the Marina Mall being the best, complete with huge French hypermarket Carrefour in the basement sans vin. The open-air souks can still be found, even if the tents of yesteryear have been replaced by something more perfunctory. At Port Zayed there’s the Iranian (household) Souk, Carpet and Fish Souks, plus an extensive fruit and veg market with an avenue entirely dedicated to local dates (15 yummy varieties for about £1 a kilo). The Gold Souk at the Madinat Zayed Centre is where to go for fixed-rate tax-free gold.
LET’S DO LUNCH
Cheap
Shawarma (think doner kebabs, but tasty) are high quality, cheap and plentiful. Top drawer is Lebanese Flower which has three branches. Choose from chicken, lamb and Mexican (spicy beef) or try grilled fish or meat with hummus. All accompanied by delicious fresh salads and flatbreads plus excellent fresh fruit juices and non-alcoholic cocktails. Plenty for two at under a tenner.
Not so cheap
In the revolving rooftop restaurant Al Fanar (+971 2 695 0490) you’ll see the entire city in 90 minutes. Semi-formal, the French inspired set lunch at around £25 plus taxes of 16% certainly takes second place to the stunning view over the city, its creeks and islands. Great for a romantic supper too as the sun goes down.
Not cheap but worthwhile
Friday is Holy Day (Sunday is a normal working day) so try brunch instead at Sofra (+971 2 509 8555) in the Shangri-La, overlooking the beach, with kids entertainers, jazz, jugglers, and barbecues alfresco. Starting at about £20 per head, kids are half price, but add-ons and taxes add up.
Follow that with afternoon tea at the Emirates Palace where caviar, smoked salmon and 24 carat gold covered chocolate petit fours will set you back a princely £30 or more, depending on which caviar you choose.
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Useful links
Arabian Adventures
Emirates Palace
Howard Johnson
Shangri-La Hotel
Visit Abu Dhabi
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