Abu Dhabi - Home Bound

Abu Dhabi, the capital emirate of the United Arab Emirates out of the seven emirates i.e, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The origin of the name is uncertain and it means the 'Father of the Gazelle'. It was named after an old story about a man who used to chase deer. In Arabic, deer is Dhibaa (Plural) and Dhabi (Singular).

Al Nahyan is one of the six ruling families in the United Arab Emirates. The late His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan served as president since 2 December 1971 and is well known as the Founder of the UAE. The present president of the UAE, Emir of Abu Dhabi and Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force is His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan since November 3, 2004, replacing his father HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who had died the day before.

Population = 1.5 Million
Total Area = 972km²


Fun Fact: 

• Masdar City, Abu Dhabi is the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city.
• The Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has the world’s largest chandelier. It weighs more than nine tonnes.

That's more of basic outlook about this emirate. Just like how I had a blog on Chennai, wondered why not Abu Dhabi.
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History and Developments of Abu Dhabi 

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MARINA EYE 

Marina Eye is a giant Ferris Wheel which is located near Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It offers a pleasant sightseeing to the whole view of the Abu Dhabi City. The height of Marina Eye is approximately 196 Ft (60m) and has 42 capsules including VIP.

I would never forget this day when my best friend took me on a ride here. I was so speechless by the view and how beautiful it was to be up there. It was surely worth a million dreams coming alive.

Timing:
         Thrusday to Saturday : 11am to 1am
         Sunday to Wednesday: 11am to 11pm

Cost: 
        Adult     : AED 50
        Children: AED 30 ( Under 12)

FERRARI WORLD 

The must visit destination that makes Abu Dhabi, the best.

It is designed for those with an appetite for G- Force and velocity. Home to the world's fastest roller coaster, which is the only place on the planet where you can be blasted to 240km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Loads of shows and rides, shopping and food.

Ticketing:

There are 3 privileged groups: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

                 Bronze : AED 275
                 Silver   : AED 360
                 Gold     : AED 525

DHOW DINNING CRUISE 

It's the best experience you can get being in Abu Dhabi.

Cost: AED 200 per adult, AED 120 per child (6 - 12 years), Free of charge under 6

Boarding time : 07:30pm
Cruising time: 08:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Mina port near fish market

Facilities: Both boat has a double Decker concept with an air conditioning  facility at lower deck. 2 hours cruising with 4 Star International Arabic

EMIRATES PALACE 

Emirates Palace Hotel is the second most expensive 7 star hotel ever built after Burj Al Arab, Dubai. It was created with the aim of showcasing Arabian Culture. It is an area of 85 hectares of lawns and gardens as well as 114 domes that are 80 meters high. It contains 394 residences.

There are 14 restaurants and bars, some of which are seasonal. Other amenities includes adventure and leisure pools, a kid's club, jogging and cycling trails, a spa and 2 fitness centres. The hotel has a private beach and a marina. Bike rentals, yoga sessions and camel rides are also available.

Fun Facts :

• 1,002 Swarovski crystal chandeliers, including some of the world's largest
• Over one million square feet of marble was imported from Italy, Spain, China and India
• 200 Fountains amid 600 acres of exotic park grounds, home to over 8,000 trees and the hotel's private heliport
• 128 kitchens and pantries
• 140 elevators

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is considered to be the key site for worship in the country. The project was launched by the late president of the UAE, H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art. His final resting place is located on the grounds beside the same mosque. 

The mosque was constructed from 1996 to 2007. It is the largest mosque in the UAE. The building complex measures approximately 290m by 420m, covering an area of more than 12 hectares (30acres), exclusive of exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. 

The mosque is large enough to accommodate 40,000 worshipers including the main prayer hall which can accommodate 7,000 worshipers.

YAS WATERWORLD

The only Emirati-themed water park in the world, inspired by the UAE's rich heritage of pearl diving through its unique story of 'The Legend of the Lost Pearl'. 

The UAE's first mega water park is home to 45 exhilarating rides, slides and attractions - five of which can be found no where else in the world. With rides and experiences on offer to trill the heart of young and plays host to Dawwama - the world's first hydro-magnetic tornado water slide, as well as the globe's first interactive water and laser roller coaster, Bandit Bomber.

Ticketing:

All day pass 

        Bronze : AED 250

        Silver   : AED 325

        Gold    :  AED 485

Family Pass

      Bronze Family : AED 740

      Extra Bronze    : AED 185 

ZAYED SPORTS CITY - ICE RINK

My absolute favorite destination. 

Cost: AED 45 

EMIRATES TOURS AND SAFARI

Evening desert safari with Barbecue dinner, Henna painting, Camel Ride and Belly Dance.

Contact: + 971 2 491 2929

HALLA WALLA WATER SPORTS CLUB

Surfing, windsurfing & Kite-surfing, Stand-Up Paddle boarding, Speed boat tours, Water sports, Water-skiing and Jet skiing

Contact: + 971 56 991 3800

Location: Al Raha Beach

TASLEEH SHOOTING

Tasleeh is the main tourist destination and attraction in UAE for adventurous shooting games.

Contact: + 971 2 555 5303

SPACE WALK 

The Abu Dhabi Country Club has the only indoor skydiving facility. It's a great opportunity to experience the our exhilaration of a free-fall or skydiving without jumping off and airplane or using a parachute. 

Cost: 

Intro Flight                                      : AED 180

Intro First Class                               : AED 290

Quad Flight First Time Flyer           : AED 550

First Time Flyer SW Flight School  : AED 700

Timing: 12pm to 9pm

Contact: + 971 2 657 7601

CHALLENGE CHAMBERS

Challenge Chambers is a 'Real-Life Escape Game' where players end up being locked in a small room under mysterious circumstances. The objective is to solve the mystery by finding hidden objects, answering riddles and solving puzzles by connecting the missing links.

Prices starts from AED 75 to AED 125 depending on the room selection, number of people or the weekend/week-day.

Timing:

Sunday to Wednesday                              : 10am to 10pm

Thrusday to Friday and Public Holidays : 10am to 12pm 

VOCEANA

Get the best diving experience.

Contact: + 971 52 879 1437

Location: Saadiyat Shk Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Highway

BEACHES

• Corniche Beach
• Al Bateen Beach
• Marina Beach
• Saadiyat Beach 
• Al Sahil Beach

MALLS 

• Marina Mall
• Abu Dhabi Mall
• Al Wahda Mall
• Khalidiyah Mall
• The Boutik Mall
• Yas Mall
• World Trade Centre
• Mushrif Mall
• Delma Mall
• Madinat Zayed
• Al Raha Mall

RUN CRAZY, BE CRAZY

• Abu Dhabi Ice Rink
• Caracal Shooting Club
• Fun City
• Grand Al Mariyah
• Yas Kartzone
• Wonderland Paintball
• Action Zone
• Sparky's

LEISURE RIDE 

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque
• Emirates Palace Hotel
• Qasr Al-Hosn
• Emirates Heritage Club
• Observation Deck at 300
• Etihad Towers
• Warehouse 421

HANDY ISLANDS

• Saadiyat Island
• Yas Island
• Al Reem Island
• Al Lulu Island
• Al Maryah Island
• Zaya Nurai Island

LAZY MOMENTS

• Khalifa Park
• Capital Garden
• Formal Park
• Lake park
• Umm Al Emarat
• Mussafah Park 

ABU DHABI FALCON HOSPITAL

This is one of the place if you wish to adopt a pet. My childhood friend Meg and her family took me along to visit cute dogs kept for adoption. Initially we went planning to find a puppy but that din't happen. But this place is the best to visit if you're an animal lover. It's quite sad to see them locked up but they are given the best room instead of a small cage or such.

Most of them even give their pets here while they are off for a long holiday with a particular charge.

Cost of adoption is approx. 400 which is a part of their vaccination.

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WARNER BROs. WORLD - 2018 

It is a planned amusement park in Abu Dhabi which is set to open its first phase in 2018 on Yas Island, near Ferrari World. The park will feature characters from Warner Bros's franchises, such as Looney Tunes and Superman. Plans for the park began in 2007, but were halted by the global financial crisis.

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Here's a bit of Abu Dhabi roads and the right city feel along with police cars. Trust me, you only see these during fire or accidents but racing, not a chance. All you get is a bunch of fines and you could go up to 5000 DHS like my brother, a month and if you go beyond that, they confiscate your car for a month or so like a prison for cars. 

Sweet tooth would be uploaded in a separate blog. I still have places to explore and I wouldn't want to miss out on any best places.

Food is like our daily prayer. Truly devoted.

Sincerely,
Helen