Abu Dhabi in 36 hours

Although we all would had happily spent another day at the pool in the desert resort, Expat Mum was not about to miss the opportunity to visit the Abu Dhabi Louvre built on Saadiyat Island (the island of happiness), a natural 27-km² island a third of the size of Paris.

Oh, then there is Ferrari world, how could my Italian husband miss that experience? We had to see the Presidential Palace "Qaṣr Al-Waṭan" (Arabic for “Palace of the Nation”) that opened up to the public just last year. So many things to explore and such little time! Who said all you can do is shop in the UAE?

The next morning we were off to see the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque. Reminiscent of the Taj Mahal with its white marble domes, the building was completed in 2008 and combines Mamluk, Ottoman and Fatimid styles. We skipped the Wat Al Karama, the Qasr Al Hosn, the Emirate Palace and the Heritage village in order to catch our plane back to Paris at 1am in the morning... but I did need to buy at least one little item just before leaving the UAE!

Albeit my initial impression of this country being sterile and artificial, I came to enjoy the divers mixture of people, the soft climate and the lullaby of the Arabian vibes.

A comment I read made me smile: "Dubai is like a high school kid trying to hang out with working adults, it copies them but lacks the experience and similar goals and lifestyles to actually be one of them." However, the Emirates has a great potential, and I will always have a soft spot for it, as the standard of living was by many means OTT and the people heartwarmingly friendly.

Wouldn't it be nice if Paris' Louvre pyramid would be surrounded by palm trees?

A very happy Expat with Kids has made it to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi!

Now, if only I could read Arabic!

Change of gear... Ferrari World here we come...

... always with style!

Ferrari World looks much better from the outside if you want my honest opinion.

Qaṣr Al-Waṭan: prior to its opening to the public in 2019, the palace was used only for official purposes, namely hosting foreign leaders of states, and for meetings of the country's supreme council and federal cabinet.

Great photo ops

Breathtaking interior

This is what I call an Arabian sunset!

Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers reflecting the sunset

Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque, even for people with little interest in religion, this landmark building is worth visiting for the architecture alone.

Waiting for Aladdin to turn up on his flying carpet.

The one and only object I bought throughout my trip to the Emirates decorating my fridge in Paris