Travel Stories: Side Trip - Abu Dhabi

An hour’s drive from Dubai is ABU DHABI, and I highly recommend that you make time to visit this beautiful city. Abu Dhabi is to Dubai as Elizabeth Wakefield is to Jessica. They’re both equally spectacular and impressive, but the former has a more modest, mature vibe. According to Maboo, our very entertaining Pakistani driver, Abu Dhabi is more laid back and au naturel, compared to Dubai which is more about nightlife and man-made structures. I wish we had spent more than a day here, but as it is, we were at least able to visit the basic attractions of the place.

Our first stop was the GRAND MOSQUE. It couldn’t have had a more suitable name. I have never gone inside a mosque before, but I’m pretty sure the others aren’t as MAJESTIC as this one. As a Catholic, I am very impressed at how the Muslims maintain the sacredness of their place of worship, and for that I have very high regard for the Islamic religion. Although it would have helped if someone was there to give a bit of information on which is what and what for. Just to discuss briefly what exactly we were looking at inside the mosque.

The gold-plated columns, very wide courtyard, and intricately designed walls are apparent evidences of the mosque’s level of sanctity to the Muslims. Naturally, they would also command the same respect from its non-Muslim visitors. Therefore, remember to dress modestly if you plan to visit. For the women, bring a scarf that you can wrap over your head to hide your hair (all of your hair...including your side-swept bangs), and wear sleeved tops and long pants. The men should wear pants. Any kind of footwear is allowed, since you will be taking them off anyway before entering the prayer hall. More importantly, women and men, regardless of whether or not you're related, should NEVER pose intimately (leaning your head on the other’s shoulder or linking arms is already considered intimate) within the perimeters of the mosque. My mom and dad were reprimanded while I was taking their picture. But just follow these rules and you should be fine.

Our 2nd and last stop in Abu Dhabi was FERRARI WORLD. Tickets to the theme park are quite pricey—we paid a total $200 for 3 tickets. I thought it should be worth it, what with the recommendations I got from friends who have gone there before. But while the technologies are notable, the park seems to be only half done. Not to say that I wasn’t slow-clapping after every ride, but I think the $67/head rate would be justifiable when the other constructions are done. Nonetheless, the technology and the idea of designing a theme park dedicated to Ferrari deserves to be commended, and I anticipate the things it can offer once it’s complete. Until then, I give it 3 stars.