Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Journey to Abu Dhabi and First Day in the UAE’s Capital:
Salaam Aleikum from the UAE!
Today was all about getting ready for the next leg of our travels in the UAE—we were off to Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. Although one might be led to believe that Dubai is the capital city (because it is far more scintillating, for one thing), it is, in fact, this slightly less dazzling sister, that has the distinction.
To fuel up for our travels, we had another big breakfast, courtesy of the Ayubs and prepared by Seema: scrambled eggs with buttered toast and preserves, coffee. It was a great way to start our day that would provide much-needed foot rest after the hectic day we’d had at the Expo on our feet for literally twelve hours at a stretch!
With just our strollies (wheelies) packed and ready to be loaded into the taxi, Naazli called us a cab. We said our temporary goodbyes to her (knowing that we would meet again after three days, upon our return from Abu dhabi). The taxi driver took us to what is known as the “Ibs Batuta” Bus Station. By the way, I recall from my eight-grade history classes that Ibn Batuta was a well-known Arab traveler who was one of the earliest to document his extensive travels in the Medieval Age. What a great name to give a bus-station!
Bus Journey to Abu Dhabi:
We were at the Bus station in about fifteen minutes and found out the counter from which we could buy our tickets to Abu Dhabi. The UAE has built a superb highway that now connects Dubai and Abu Dhabi (and the rest of the five famous Emirates) within 90 minutes. The journey cost us about 28 dirhams which is roughly $7—a real steal for the length of the journey, its speed and comfort. I have taken this bus journey both ways, about six years ago, and so although my cousin Ashley (from Abu Dhabi) volunteered to drive to Dubai to pick up and bring us to his place, we declined his kind offer as we did not want to unnecessarily inconvenience him. We told him we were more than capable of taking the bus ourselves. And, indeed, that was what we did.
The bus journey was so comfortable in a luxurious, air-conditioned bus (that was about fifty percent full) that I have to admit I simply put my head on the backrest and fell fast asleep. I guess our hectic days and late nights are leaving me sleep-deprived and my body is craving a bit more rest. At any rate, we were driving right by the gorgeous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque close to Abu Dhabi City Center when I opened my eyes. Less than ten minutes later, we were skimming through the capital’s grid of evenly constructed streets and making our way towards the Main Bus Station. A few minutes later, we unloaded our bags and connected with my cousin Ashley who has lived in Abu Dhabi for at least the last forty years. I have stayed at his spacious apartment before and feel fully at home in their residence. About a ten-minute drive later, we were at his building, Golden Tower, a high-rise apartment building in the Electra Park area of Abu Dhabi which is basically a very happening segment, right in the heart of the city surrounded by shops, restaurants, banks, etc.
Meeting with Ashley’s Family and Enjoying a Home-Cooked Lunch:
Waiting for us in Ashley’s apartment was his wife Meena whom we were seeing after about six years as she and Ashley had come to Connecticut and stayed with us at our place for a week. They have two adult daughters, Karen and Sharon. While Karen was home (working at home due to Covid and came out to greet us immediately), Sharon joined us about an hour later as she is working from her own office. They lost no time showing us our room, offering drinks and snacks and then getting lunch organized as it was about 1.30 by the time we arrived at their home.
Meena is an excellent cook and she started us off with delicious homemade chicken satay that was absolutely tops. This was followed by a table full of dishes: Pork curry, chicken curry, pulao and salad. For dessert, Meena made a spectacular Caramel Custard that was just delicious. Eating our fill of her delicious offerings also gave us the chance to catch up and find out what and how the girls are doing, Both Ashley and Meena have retired from their respective jobs and were intending to return to live in India. However, since their daughters, both single, continue to live and work in Abu Dhabi, they have decided to stay with them at least for the moment.
Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Formation of the UAE:
I have not made mention of the fact that we had arrived in the UAE at a most auspicious time. The nation was in jubilation as the Emirates were celebrating the founding of their nation in 1971--this occurred 50 years ago. December 2 is celebrated as National Day with a festive, holiday air. This year was even more jubilant because it was a significant milestone in the history of a fledgling nation. We were told that celebrations would include wonderful fireworks at night and we were happy to bear witness to the gaiety. Everywhere we turned, there were larger-than-life size cutouts of Sheikh Zayed who made the UAE the modern nation it is with enlightened religious pluralism and an incredible modernist outlook in a country in which Islam is the state religion. The four-colored UAE flag was flying from every building, official and otherwise, in the run-up to the actual date.
With our bellies groaning with food, it was time for a shut-eye and we retreated to our room to get in our forty winks. By the time we awoke, twilight was fast falling over the city. We decided to go for a long city drive before we lost all light.
A Drive Around Abu Dhabi:
Ashley kept telling us that, unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a very small place. And indeed it is. All the same, it is spiffy and modern, super-clean and organized. Traffic moves in orderly fashion, cars are snazzy and new, public transport is quick and easy-to-use, malls are buzzing. However, since the UAE has suffered deeply over the last two years due to the closure of its borders to tourists, it is determined, not that it has opened up, to keep its people and visitors safe. There are strict Covid protocols everywhere. Although the situation is more casual in Dubai, you cannot enter a public place (malls, mosques, museums) in Abu Dhabi without showing proof of a clean Covid test. Hence, although Ashley did drive us down the beautiful sea-facing promenade which is known as the “Corniche”, around the Royal Palace and the gorgeous Emirates Palace Hotel, he did suggest that we get to a vaccination testing center as soon as possible so that we would have a clear test certificate to show at the entry to all important buildings. It was the best and most inspired idea he had.
Getting Tested for Covid:
Ashely next drove us to the Covid Center and we were whisked through the various desks to get registered and tested. It was superbly organized, ultra silent and, as in every place in the UAE, located in spacious quarters. People moved about in a very purposeful manner, the assistants at the desk (mainly Indian Keralite women) were extremely polite and well-spoken and, before you know it, we had our tests done and were told to provide email and mobile numbers as our results would be revealed through those platforms. We were told it would take 10-12 hours and indeed, by the time we awoke in the morning, both of us had clear test results. This appeared on our phone and was shown at the entrance to every building from then on.
Off to the Carrefour Mall:
With this important errand accomplished, Ashley and Meena drove us to the Carrefour department store (a French chain of supermarkets that has a dominant presence in the UAE). Here too, the place is huge—like a BJs or Costco warehouse! They led us straight to the Xmas decorations’ section which was huge and filled with all that one might desire to decorate the house. I decided to buy something for my Bombay apartment and ended up with a set of baubles in blue and silver that came in a single box—I received about fifty of them in varied colors and sizes and textures—and a set of lights. Equipped with these, I felt as if I could bring some festive cheer to my Bandra apartment. We left with our goodies, as well as some food items that Meena wished to purchase before we left the store.
Dinner at Zahrat Lebanon:
Night had fallen over Abu Dhabi by this time, and people were out—either buying dinner to take home or congregating on the streets to enjoy it at the restaurants themselves. Ashley and Meena decided to swing around to their apartment so that we could use restrooms and pick up their girls who were also going to join us for dinner. They too decided to take us out for Arabic food and they too chose a Lebanese restaurant called Zahrat Lebanon which is a chain with many outlets in the city. The one they chose was spacious and offered table seating for larger parties.
As at Dubai, here too, the meal consisted of mezzes such as hummus and mutabbal with kaboos, the wonderful puffed bread eaten all over the Middle East. They also ordered a Mixed Grill platter which came with a variety of meats: lamb chops, lamb kebabs, ground beef kebabs, chicken shaslik, etc. and a variety of vegetables and pickles. Yes, everything was absolutely delicious. For dessert, I was keen to eat kanafi, but our hosts suggested we pick it up from another place that specialized only in this dessert. Accordingly, Sharon drove us to the place, I stepped out with Karen into a tiny little shop that had a variety of them in large circular platters, I picked one of them and with our little parcel, we returned home.
We did tuck into the kanafi right away and it was indeed wonderful. I was certainy having my fill of this unusual dessert in this part of the world. I was tired but Llew and Ashley sat down to shoot the breeze with a glass of their favorite tipples. Meena and I bid everyone else goodnight and went off to bed after what had been another lovely day in the UAE.
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