This would be our last planned trip to the Gulf, or
the Emirates (the UAE) to be more specific. We would spend this weekend in
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. It is less well known to the outside world than its neighbor
Dubai (just down the highway) but in reality is a richer city, being one of the richest cities in the world. While Dubai represents the nouveau rich, being brash and bustling, Abu Dhabi represents a quieter established wealth, with its own share of development. Maybe a Los Angeles versus Boston analogy? Although both of these UAE cities are situated on the Gulf coast, Abu Dhabi sits on a series of islands and inlets, making the presence of water a more integral part of its cityscape.
Unlike the Red Sea side of the Arabian Peninsula there has been a lot of European influence on the Gulf (or UAE) over the last several hundred years. Initially by the Portugese presence but subsequently the longest and up until the mid 1900's by the British - hence a very different feel and attitude compared to Saudi Arabia for example, which was never exploited by European powers.
Initially this region was supported by trading, fishing, and pearling, occupied by various Bedouin and coastal tribes, with evidence of habitation going back several thousand years. Only when the oil boom hit in the mid 1900's did this region take off with development, and also become a major tourist destination.
We started our journey at the UAE Heritage Village, an outdoor / indoor museum, to get a sense of the heritage & roots of the region.
The evidence of habitation going back several thousand years.
Then came the advent of Islam, this older Koran as a representation.
The Bedouin tribes enjoyed their coffee during social gatherings, as the modern Arabs still do. What may not be known is that coffee originated here on the Arabian peninsula, in Yemen. The Portugese were the scoundrels who smuggled the coffee bean plants out to be planted in other parts of the world that now have become major coffee growing regions.
Bedouin women from earlier last century - yes things have changed dramatically here with the oil boom, and although moderately conservative, far less though than in the Magic Kingdom or in other poorer Muslim countries.
The date palm being the major "palm tree" in these parts, instead of the "coconut palm" normally associated with tropical locales.
Being a maritime nation, although bordering on a vast desert, venturing into the sea has had a long tradition for trade, fishing, and obtaining pearls from the seabed. Arab traders ventured as far away as China long before Europeans discovered those shores. The traditional Arab Dhow (sailing vessel) comes in a variety of forms and sizes. Today the vast majority of Dhows in existence are motorized.
Older traditional vessels in contrast to the growing urban landscape.
A note on "new" boats, being inspected here by the skipper.
The environment takes a heavy toll on modern vessels due to the high temperatures, continual sunshine, and sand, in addition to the salt water.
The continued growth of these Gulf cities fuelled by the oil boom.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom this region is very open to multinational business with a strong emphasis on continuing to develop the tourist trade, being more open to the outside world and the development of new ideas.
Now here may be a surprise to fellow Canuks - in one of the major shopping malls a "Timmies" is slated to open (there are now at least two branches that we know of in Dubai, having frequented one of them).
And also a surprise for us just recently noting a planned opening of one here in Jeddah. Good to see home grown expansion, especially to a part of the world where coffee originated!
The "Emirates Palace" was worth a visit being one of the established landmarks in Abu Dhabi. A very large hotel & convention structure built in a more traditional style, with many different varieties of marble. This is a location used when many foreign dignitaries are visiting. We did the usual tourist walk about and enjoyed an early brunch - no we didn't wish to see the dinner prices.
Looking only - diamonds and precious stones in a variety of guises.
It's amazing that people actually buy them - and there are many forms of Bling to be seen. Clearly a world far away from our own.
Unfortunately our brief "weekend escape" had to come to an end.
Many expats, and more locals that the Magic Kingdom wishes to admit, use these short flights out for brief excursions to rejuvenate ones view on life.
For our final dinner we visited the "Fish Market" to pick our choice of food, express the way we wished it cooked, and to have it washed down with a nice bottle of wine. We feasted on tempura battered fish, scallops, tiger shrimp, and Omani lobster (much like our Maritime lobster, not the more common spiny lobster).
A note on service. We have noted that there is a much higher level of service in the restaurants of the UAE than in the Magic Kingdom. Of course having "real" wine didn't hurt!
The last trip to the Gulf during this tour of duty? Likely so.
As our time winds down, and the anxiety of packing along with the paperwork needed for leaving gears up, we appreciate these events one by one.
There are at least three sides to the Arabian peninsula that we have been fortunate to experience over time - the poor but somewhat exotic Yemen, the rich but strict society of the Magic Kingdom, and the rich but much more "open" lands of the Gulf. The Gulf is clearly a very unique region in the Muslim world.
For now so long to the playground of the UAE.
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