Abu Dhabi, UAE – January 25 to February 1

We have been negligent in keeping this blog up to date over the past 2 weeks.  During that time we spent a week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and 6 days in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  In both of these cities we stayed with relatives.  When you visit relatives you don’t have the evenings alone to blog.  So, please accept our apologies as we try to catch you up to date.

 We flew into Dubai on Saturday, January 25^th.  Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most modern, up-to-date, and forward-looking cities in the world.  Just 50 years ago these same areas were inhabited by desert tribes who made their living from their livestock and pearl diving.  When cultured pearls were introduced the price and demand for natural pearls plummeted, making this area one of the poorest in the world.  Then oil was discovered and the rest is history.

We stayed with Sue’s niece, Emma Prete, and her family in Abu Dhabi which is some 93 miles southwest of Dubai along the coast of the Arabian Sea.  The weather was beautiful.  January is probably the best time to visit with daytime temperatures in the high 70’s to low 80’s.  However, summer temperatures range from 100 to 120 degrees F.  For this reason, all malls are indoors.  And, some of their malls are the most the most massive, beautiful and ornate in the world. 

Within walking distance from where we stayed in Abu Dhabi is a beautiful beach area referred to as the Corniche.  It spans eight kilometers and includes children’s play areas, cycle and pedestrian paths, cafes and restaurants and a manicured beach. 

We learned of a car museum outside of the city created by a Sheikh which is now the Emirates National Auto Museum.  The collection includes off-road vehicles, classic American cars, the Sheikh’s rainbow Mercedes collection and the world’s largest jeep and truck. 

 

The most beautiful and majestic building we have ever seen is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayed is the Sheikh that actually unified the UAE and set it on the road to properity, and is considered the founding father of the UAE.  This mosque was started by Sheikh Zayed and completed by his son in 2003.  This building can accommodate 20,000 worshippers in the covered areas and the main courtyard.  Seeing this mosque helped us to understand the true devotion of these Muslims to their religion. 

 

 

One of the most interesting things we did while in the UAE was a “desert safari.”  Some 20 miles into the desert is a camp and small oasis.  We spent 4 hours dune bashing, riding camels, experiencing a falcon show and eating dinner under the palms.  The most exciting and at the same time, terrifying, experience was dune bashing.    Sitting in a 4 x 4, the driver hurls you up an Arabian sized sand dune and just before cresting the dune swerves the vehicle down the dune.   You swear that the vehicle is going to roll at any moment.  It is everything dune bashing should be, on the edge and heart in throat. 

 
This is us -- dressed up.

A day and a half of our week was spent in Dubai.  The buildings in Dubai appear to be an architect’s playground.  Any one of them if located elsewhere would be considered a wonder, but are just par for the course in Dubai.  One of these buildings, the Burj Khalifa, is the tallest building in the world.  The view from the 124th floor observation deck is worth the price of admission.  We also drove out onto the famous Palm, a large artificial island in the shape of a palm tree. 
 

 

While in Abu Dhabi we attended church.  However, there is a difference in the United Arab Emirates.  Because this is a Muslim country, and Muslims worship on Friday, the LDS Church also holds its Sabbath meetings on Fridays.

We left Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and then attended church again in Ethiopia on Sunday.  Two times in 3 days.  Do you think that will get us any extra points in heaven?