eL’s represented his hospital for a work-related meeting/conference in Abu Dhabi (UAE) recently and I got to go along with him again! :D
eL with his poster at the meeting at the Emirates Palace Hotel.
Petrol was cheap (about S$0.55/litre after conversion) while water was expensive (about min. $4 for a bottle of normal mineral water)!
Throughout our first 5 days in Abu Dhabi from 5 Dec 2009, we stayed in the Intercontinental Hotel, which turned out to be a little disappointment as compared with our previous stay at the Intercontinental Hotel (Rialto) in Melbourne earlier this year. The one in Rialto (Melbourne) was definitely brighter and newer while this one was older and certainly did not have enough lighting when the sky turned dark despite having to pay a steep price of approximately S$600 per night after conversion before the Dubai economy crisis. Anyway, it was a good location as not only it was nearer to the Emirates Palace, it also provided shuttle bus service to the Marina Mall which I went there almost every day while eL was at the meeting.
5 Dec 2009: Happy to reach our hotel room after a 7-h flight.
6 Dec 2009: At the entrance of the grand Emirates Palace Hotel.
eL with the picture of their well-respected ruler.
Showcase of a Bedouin tent.
On the 2nd day of eL’s meeting, I decided to take a BIG BUS ride for a tour of Abu Dhabi. It was my first time touring a strange land alone and definitely an unforgettable one. This was why … I missed the shuttle bus to Marina Mall by 5 min and ended up walking there for 40 min! Worst of all, there was a sand storm brewing that day and I had entirely no idea! I thought the sand blowing onto my face came from the construction beside. After brisk walking for 15 min, I reached the Emirates Palace and then I was lost when I arrived at a junction. Which way to take to Marina Mall? Basing my judgement on my previous shuttle bus ride, I decided to take the route beside Emirates Mall. Thankfully, I was right! It was another hot and windy (with sand) 25 min walk to Marina Mall.
When I reached there, I quickly boarded the BIG BUS and sat on the 2nd partially topless deck, still unknown about the sand storm. I was busy grabbing my hat during the bus ride that eventually I decided to retreat to the lower air-conditioned deck. I stopped by the Abu Dhabi Mall and Heritage Village before returning to Marina Mall to buy some stuff from the Hediard for Aunt Mona’s family as we were invited to stay at her apartment in Dubai from 9 – 12 Dec 2009. Taxi fare from Abu Dhabi to Dubai cost a whooping 400 dirhams (approximately S$160!) when the hotel called the cab on our behalf.
10 Dec 2009: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
With Aunt Mona’s son, David, our young and wonderful tour guide!
11 Dec 2009: Guess where we were? Dubai’s golf course at The Montgomerie with a background of skyscrapers.
Embarking on our Evening Desert Safari tour.
More pictures here…