The Third Weekend - Saturday

Saturday we got up early. Michael and I had great aspirations. We had quickly discovered that we were both bikers. The UAE is supposed to have really intense mountain biking out in the Wadis. A Wadi is a dry creek bed. They’re rocky, twisty and dry, at least until the rains come in December and fills them with flash floods. Despite construction detours and lost directions, we made it to Waffi’s bike store only an hour late. They do rent bikes, pretty cheaply, in fact. However, to go biking in the Wadis, you also need minimum 3 quarts of water, a first aid kit, 3 spare tubes, a spare tire, wrenches, and 4x4 truck or SUV. The Wadis are only accessible by “dune bashing” almost two hours’ worth of desert. Despite the cheap rental price, the cost of the extras is staggering. Plan B.

Nothing sounds more official when you’re flying by the seat of your pants than Plan B. Shaggy has a great song about picking up girls in Abu Dhabi. We decide to check it out. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate and the governmental center of all the U.A.E. It sits atop one of the largest oil reserves in the world. Michael and I climb back in my rental corolla and hit the road. The drive is about 90 minutes. It is one of the straightest, flattest roads I have ever seen. There are speed cameras every couple kilometers, ensuring you don’t break the 120 km/hr (~75mph) speed limit. If you’re lucky enough to get in behind a local, they know where they all are. Feel free to speed up to 160-180 km/hr (~105 mph), but be sure to slow down with them to avoid the trap. My car has an alarm when ever you exceed 120. Lights on the dash flash in tempo with an audible alarm emanating from somewhere on the dashboard.

A cool looking circle building on the way to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a more maturely developed city than Dubai. Traffic isn’t as bad and we find there’s actually been some city planning. Streets and buildings are laid out in blocks like a western city. We have no idea what there is to see or do, so we head to the Corniche, or sea front drive. We find a beach and head in for a swim. As we approach the gate, we are barred from entrance. Turns out Abu Dhabi is a much more conservative emirate. There are separate beaches for men and women/families. We find our way to the men’s beach and go for a swim. I don’t know what Shaggy was singing about, he really must be Mister lover lover if he’s picking up women here. The water is warm and SUPER salty. After a bit of swimming and napping on the beach, we continue exploring.

An Arabic water fountain in Abu Dhabi

The walk signs are a little more intense here, complete with Michael's imitaiton.

A view of Abu Dhabi beach, as close as I can get with a camera.

The Crown Prince of the UAE lives in this palace.

Across the bay we see this cool looking tower and decide to check it out. Much to our dismay, we find out that its only a tower in a mall, attached to an Ikea. Nevertheless, we head in. Like any mall here, it is a center for social life. During the summer months, the heat is overwhelming and most people, from all walks of life, congregate in the malls. Abu Dhabi has clearly grown jealous of Dubai, as we witness continuing construction of a second indoor ski slope. Additionally, this mall has elected to include what they claim to be an Olympic sized skating rink. We attempt to go up the tower, only to find entrance is barred. Michael and I take a nice dinner at a French restaurant within the mall and then begin our long drive home.

The cool looking tower, from the outside.

The mall, inside, complete with cool looking tower.

Cool looking tower, again.