Remember I said we could actually sleep in past 530am today?? WHHHHHYYYY AM I WIDE AWAKE AT 5AM?? Well, I watched the dark sky turn into daylight as Eddie played Sleeping Beauty, and waited for room service to bring us breakfast. We got ready and headed downstairs to the travel guide, and we planned our day for today and tomorrow. We arranged for a private tour guide to take us to Abu Dhabi from 11am to 5pm for 1800 aed, or $490.05.
Our first stop was Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque where I had to wear a black long sleeve gown because you could see the silhouette of my legs thru my long skirt-glad our tour guide had one in the car for me to use. I did bring my own head scarf and long sleeve cardigan, but the one he had all matched…you have to leave your shoes at the entrance.
This Mosque was gorgeous, and has a 3.5 ton chandelier, and the largest one piece rug
This pic we took, we had our arms around each other and the security said we couldn’t do that…oops…
Next stop was at the Miraj where it was the museum of stuff to buy, handmade pricey furniture things, and jewelry we had no interest in, but hey, at least we got some steps in.
Then we went to Heritage Village where they had a few little shops of clothes and knick knacks with some hand crafted stuff. We watched a man hand stitch designs on cloaks, I would have taken a picture, but they say you need to ask permission before you do so I didn’t bother.
The beach skyline from the Heritage market is so pretty!
Ferrari World was a quick stop for us, it was 310 aed, or $84.40 per person. We aren’t really Ferrari people so it wasn’t enticing to spend the money on the exhibit so we walked around the largest Ferrari shop in the world, had froyo, and left.
Here’s some other snapshots we took-not sure of the names:
I learned quite a bit from our nice tour guide, but a few things stuck out for me.
It is very safe as they don’t tolerate crime. Gambling is a crime! They don’t bet on camel races, instead the winnings go to the camel’s owner.
Only 5% of their revenue comes from oil-I thought most of it did!
If only one woman in the lift (elevator) and a man wants to come in, he waits for next one unless she says its ok. Women have priority here, and are treated extremely well. Apparently it’s a misconception that women are not treated fairly.
Women who work do not need to share their money or property if they don’t want, but the men need to share…women don’t need to ask permission to shop, they just do (isn’t that how it should be??)…He did say that the reason why men are still allowed to have 4 wives is if one is naughty, they bring another wife in to keep her straight, and if the 2 fight it leaves the men alone since they are busy barking at each other lol…not sure how true that is, but I kind of found that funny…
The Royalties, Prince, and Rulers drive and walk around like the locals and don’t have security, they’re mostly by themselves when their out. Their Palaces are gated open and no security at the gate, sounds like the “gate” is for show.
We had a 50 min drive to Mall of Emirates to eat and walk around. We came across a Lululemon, and of course had to go in-maybe they have stuff here that we don’t have in the States. I get a 25% off trainer’s discount, and asked if that applied here in Dubai. The Lululemon stores here are franchised and not corporate and follow only some of corporate rules. Also, the prices are definitely more here-the Commission shorts Eddie bought were 395 aed, or $107.54 where in the States its $88.
That same bracelet I was looking at was only $100 more, not the $200 more in Thailand…
We found a place to eat called Dean & Deluca. Eddie ordered a rib eye, I got the wood fire chicken, pop, water, and 2 gelato for 287.70 aed, or $78.33 usd. Yes, this meal was much better than New York Steakhouse in Bangkok…still not over it.
About 7pm I feel like my eyes were struggling to stay open, and my body wanted to stop moving so we headed out to find a taxi. We arrived back to the hotel at 8pm after a 15 minute nap ride back to hotel, which cost 42.50 aed, or $11.57…..
xox~j