Arabian Dreams [Part 1/3]: Visiting Abu Dhabi

We are at the start of a brand new travel series, that will take us all to the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to be precise. As you will quickly notice, this is not a journey I undertook, but a travel Jasmina and Amer made recently. I edited the images for them, and I liked them so much, that I decided to feature their travel here. Both of them aren't strangers to this blog, and you have seen them many times in my own images, so I hope you will enjoy these as well.

In the first part we will see glimpses from Abu Dhabi, which is the federal capital and center of government in the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and one of the most modern cities in the world.

This is a multi-part travel series. Other parts include:

Part One: Visiting Abu Dhabi

Part Two: A Desert Safari

Part Three: Trip to Dubai

Photos taken by: Jasmina Donko and Amer Cemalovic

Photos edited by: Mersad Donko

click on the images for a bigger view

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The trip begins with the 6th largest mosque in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque (which is also the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates). These shots that follow were taken during sunset and dusk, a perfect time for travel photography. The surroundings are wide and mostly open to visitors who can roam freely. There are no entry fees for the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which is a nice thing considering you have to pay entrance to most of the tourist attractions.

The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's spectacular columns, which becomes even more glorious at night.

The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque and the architecture was inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish design.

Inside the Mosque

The mosque has many special and unique elements. For example, the carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran).

This mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals.

As the night rolls in...

The place transforms with dusk and into the night. The unique lighting system was designed by lightning architects to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.

The design and construction reportedly 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and of course the United Arab Emirates.

In the City

The origin of the name "Abu Dhabi" is uncertain. Meaning "Father of the Gazelle", when literally translated from Arabic, it probably referred to the few gazelles that inhabit the emirate.  Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast.

The Etihad Towers complex can be seen in the background in the upper shot, as well as prominently featured in the next one.

Up next, is the Emirates Palace which is a seven star luxury hotel Built as a landmark showcasing Arabian culture has created a niche in luxury hospitality. Situated on a private beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of gardens and lawns, with 114 domes that are 80 meters high, Emirates Palace comprises 394 rooms and suites.

End of Part One

To be continued...

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