PHOTO STORY
Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE
PHOTO STORY
Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE
UAE is one of the most popular transit destinations in the world, and we are all familiar with its incredible growth story and world-class airlines. But winter in the UAE is a whole different experience.
UAE is one of the most popular transit destinations in the world, and we are all familiar with its incredible growth story and world-class airlines. But winter in the UAE is a whole different experience.
After countless transits, I finally took a 4-day trip to see the hype for myself, the only plan I made was to spend one whole day in Louvre Abu Dhabi and man, what an incredible legacy Sheikh Zayed has created.
I have seen many beautiful places of worship around the world and then there is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – the unapologetic grandeur was more magnificent in person, standing in the courtyard and being surrounded by vast white marbles is overwhelming and peaceful at the same time.
I have seen many beautiful places of worship around the world and then there is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – the unapologetic grandeur was more magnificent in person, standing in the courtyard and being surrounded by vast white marbles is overwhelming and peaceful at the same time.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a masterpiece that symbolise heritage, opulence and piety in the 21st century.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a masterpiece that symbolise heritage, opulence and piety in the 21st century.
I was fortunate to have been able planned my trip soon after the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened and was able to experience its first exhibitions. The museum is built on the sea with an unmistakable silver mesh dome visible from the main highway. But what really stood out for me was the storytelling in its exhibits, unlike many other museums including its Parisian sibling.
I was fortunate to have been able planned my trip soon after the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened and was able to experience its first exhibitions. The museum is built on the sea with an unmistakable silver mesh dome visible from the main highway. But what really stood out for me was the storytelling in its exhibits, unlike many other museums including its Parisian sibling.
Louvre Abu Dhabi's presentation was refreshing and commanding, many of the exhibits were curated by their cultural similarities as opposed to the classic format of geography or periods, designed for its visitors to experience historical artefacts through humankind as instead of borders. An example was how goddesses of nursing often carry similar features despite originating from different ends of the world at completely different times, or the significance of gold funerary masks from Ancient Greeks to the Incans and Southern China.
Louvre Abu Dhabi's presentation was refreshing and commanding, many of the exhibits were curated by their cultural similarities as opposed to the classic format of geography or periods, designed for its visitors to experience historical artefacts through humankind as instead of borders. An example was how goddesses of nursing often carry similar features despite originating from different ends of the world at completely different times, or the significance of gold funerary masks from Ancient Greeks to the Incans and Southern China.
Dubai is a magical city that needs no introduction, the hourly light show on Burj Khalifa was impressive, emotional even, to witness such architectural and technical might.
In my previous transits during the summer, I remember scurrying between gateway busses at DXB/AUH, stunned by the immense dry heat even at 2 am in the middle of the night.
Winter in the UAE is a completely different story, it averaged about 20°C and it's a surreal experience walking in the mid-day desert and sipping hot tea by the marina.
