With this post, I wish I could take you to Abu Dhabi, even in just text and pictures.
Before my flight to the UAE, I asked my sister, "Will I get to see the sunset from the plane when we land?" (I was landing at about 5 or 6 PM. Unfortunately, there was just the sun glaring at you by the window seat, not a beautiful view of the sunset LOL.)
I adore sunsets! Yet, when my brother-in-law asked why I was so drawn to chasing the setting sun, I found myself at a loss for words. Part of me wanted to explain the fascinating science behind beautiful sunsets, but honestly, the simple truth is, "It's just so pretty!"
Then, something wonderful happened. Sunsets in Abu Dhabi? I was treated to their beauty almost every single day during my more-than-week-long visit!
Did you know that Abu Dhabi is an archipelago?
Now, get ready, because I have plenty of pictures to share – and yes, many of them are of sunsets!
Saying Goodbye to Dubai Almost Felt Wrong.
In my previous travel blog, I recounted happily exploring Dubai on foot and the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye to visit my sister's home of two decades.
I almost hesitated to admit it, but I've definitely become a city girl after nearly eight years in Metro Manila. The constant activity barely fazes me anymore, a far cry from my first days in the city. And the sheer convenience of having everything within a kilometer's reach? That's my absolute favorite.
So Dubai? I truly loved it! It's carved out a special place in my heart.
This was my last photo of Dubai before we drove towards Abu Dhabi.
Saying goodbye almost felt wrong.
Out on the expressway, my sister pointed out that the change from ENOC to ADNOC gas stations, along with the shift in the color of the paved highways, signaled our crossing into the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi – the UAE's capital city.
Of course, the traffic signs clearly indicating our route to Abu Dhabi were also a dead giveaway!
My First Day Exploring Abu Dhabi
My sister kept mentioning islands: Yas, Saadiyat, Al Maryah. Honestly, I was so confused. What... what islands was she talking about?
I couldn't dwell on the confusion for long, as I was immediately captivated by the passing scenery: deserts, seas, mangroves. I wish I could have captured it all in photos – I ended up with mostly shaky videos – but filming was nearly impossible due to the car's speed!
But here are the decent photos I did manage to take of Abu Dhabi. It felt so surreal to finally be visiting this place!
It was late afternoon by then, but I really wanted to visit the beach. It was still Eid, a detail we unfortunately overlooked when we arrived at 📍 Al Hudayriyat Island.
📍 Hudayriyat Beach
It seemed like many others had the same idea that afternoon. The beach was packed; in fact, "a sea of people" felt like an understatement. The water had become murky, and we were crammed together like sardines in a can.
But then, the sunset. Everything glowed gold! Seriously. The water not crowded by swimmers shimmered under the golden sunlight. It was right then that my brother-in-law asked why I loved sunsets, and I simply replied, "Just because!" LOL.
We lingered on the island a bit longer, and as night fell, my sister, brother-in-law, and I started snapping photos of the crescent moon – a friendly competition to see who could capture the best shot. I'll admit, I lost, but look at this!
My sister explained that a thin crescent moon is what Muslims look for to mark the end of the dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan, but on the first "sighting", it is a lot thinner than when we took a photo of it.
The next day, my sister and I had a late start, almost as if we were recovering from the whirlwind travel we experienced in Dubai. But by lunchtime, we'd spontaneously decided to visit 📍 Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace.
📍 Qasr Al Watan
This visit will involve lots of pictures. Honestly, this place left such a lasting impression on me!
I mistakenly thought we had arrived as soon as we parked. We were by an entrance, and I was already reaching for my camera. But I was wrong!
We were actually at the Visitor Center, not the palace entrance itself. To reach the Palace, we had to take a bus.
A bus!
And then, the moment we stepped off the bus, my jaw dropped. The Palace? It was absolutely majestic! And for very good reason.
From the outside, which showcased grand architecture and meticulous planning, with its breathtaking domes, corridors, and gardens...
... to the inside, which told countless stories of the country's rich history, culture, and artistry.
Every corner seemed to whisper tales of the nation's heritage and even its aspirations for the future. The intricate details in the architecture, the carefully curated exhibits, and the sheer grandeur of the halls were simply breathtaking.
The Great Hall
One of the highlights for me was the Great Hall, a vast and luxurious space adorned with stunning geometric patterns. The grand scale of the hall and the artistry of the design seriously mesmerized me. I could have spent hours just gazing at the intricate (and golden!) details.
The Palace was divided into these so-called "Zones." One of the first zones you would get to see was the Memory from the Palace, a fancy term they use to call the Palace's dedicated media room. And then the Great Hall, with a dome that soared to 60 meters!
From the Great Hall, we could wander to the different other zones, which told of the country's past, present, and future.
And boy, here comes my ultimate favorite zone. The House of Knowledge.
House of Knowledge
The House of Knowledge showcases the monumental influence of Arabian scholarship on human civilization and progress. This zone housed a vast selection of valuable artifacts and manuscripts that shed light on the Arab region’s most notable contributions to astronomy, science, art, and literature, among others.
The book collections left a lasting impression on me, so much that I spent a long time going through each book. There was The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. The Elements by Euclid (as a physics graduate, I was floored!).
And the One Thousand & One Nights, in the flesh!!! One of my absolute favorites!
The Palace Grounds
Soon, we were back outside, anticipating one of the most sought-after experiences in the Palace, the Palace in Motion. We still had about an hour and a half before the show, so my sister and I roamed the area for more photo opportunities.
And man, if I could just do the Palace's exterior justice!
The Palace grounds had some of the best sunset experience ever. Watching the skies turned orange and pink and purple then dark left me in awe. I kid you not. The Palace in Motion was exciting, but the sunset experience in the Palace gave the most fitting prelude to it!
It was like a dream... to witness the palace during the day, the dusk, and the night. It was so stunning, sometimes I still think about it and would end up feeling like it was all just a dream. (I acknowledge just how privileged I was to even ever get to see the Palace's domes.)
Just like the days leading up to it, our itinerary was more of a suggestion than a strict schedule. The next day, though, we had a specific spot in mind: the 📍 Louvre Abu Dhabi!
My sister, her kids, and I headed out. Now, even though we had a car at our disposal... we thought a water taxi would make things way more fun.
Stay tuned for that story! For now, here's a sneak peek:
... or two. ;)