Joanna James
At times one could argue that the cosmopolitan glittering city of Dubai has overshadowed the capital of the country. Yet, in some aspects, Abu Dhabi has challenged Dubai convincingly.
Such a large expanse of the sand desert as at Liwa Desert is only seen in Abu Dhabi. Given that these sand masses are iconic parts of the region, to behold one as gigantic and spoken of as Liwa, is no small forte. The Empty Quarter of the desert is often referred to as the best part of the experience as it is sand, dust, dunes and endless desert terrain with almost no one around. If you are someone who thought that sand dunes change shape and size every two days or so, think again. The Tel Moreeb stands at 300m above ground and has been that way for a very long time. It is not one big mound of sand that awaits your admiration only, it invites you to race down its incline and engage in motorsports. The mangroves are the other noteworthy natural endowments of the city with thousands of square kilometres of it. Believe it or not, it is entirely natural.
As you coast around you suddenly feel that you have been transferred into the book of Aladdin when you pass by Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. For those who have visited the Taj Mahal, there is an instant connection with the Indian monument and the mosque and those who are in complete oblivion are simply mesmerized by the gigantic structure which glistens in white.
The Louvre which took some time to be unveiled sits by a body of water boasting of everything that the French Louvre holds and more. The Guggenheim will soon be its neighbour and cast other Guggenheims the world over to look like Lilliputians.
A rollercoaster ride with a thrill is what allures most people to the Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. It is a stand-alone attraction that is worthy of one section of this article being devoted for the simple reason that no one else has thought of creating a theme park of this nature. The speedsters of the world are fascinated by it and appreciate the opportunity to race their favourite brand in various forms across the park.
The Ferrari World is also technically a part of Yas Island, but the rest of the fascinating destinations within Yas Island are presented in a nutshell herein. The golfers find their happy place in Yas Links, the cartoon enthusiasts find Warner Bros World to be their home away from home, music fanatics time their visits when there is a great gig at du Arena and those who prefer water theme parks head straight into Yas Water World. In short, Yas Island has something that would entice anyone in the family or even of a larger group. If you are now wondering whether Abu Dhabi has anything on offer for shopaholics; look no further than the Yas Mall located right here on reclaimed land. Staying at luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi the likes of Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas will also let you have an authentic experience.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
