We have wanderlust again so I am typing this blog at 32000 feet on the way from Abu Dhabi to Paris. After flying from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi on 16/17 May, we spent our first night at Al Ain, a satellite town about 150 Kms from Abu Dhabi .
As only one day here we visited only 3 sights- Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Jahli Fort and Al Ain National Museum. Of these by far the most impressive is the Palace Museum,which is really a tribute to the ruling Al Nahyan family, especially Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,the ruler from 1966 until 2004, and the man primarily responsible for the formation of the United Arab Emirates.
He was also responsible for 19 sons and 11 daughters from 6 wives so he led a fairly busy life!
As it was a special day to celebrate, at all the museums we were invited to sample some of the local home-cooked food offered to us by the Muslim ladies in the museum.
Away from the city we took a taxi trip to a mountain area about 10 Kms from the city, called Jebel Hafeet. This is UAE’s highest point and the drive to the peak to view the evening sun and city lights is truly spectacular. Although the view from the top was somewhat spoiled by the haze it was well worth the trip with the Nepalese taxi driver who seemed as nervous as I was on the way up (obviously not a relative of Sherpa Tenzing !)
FRIDAY 18th MAY
Superb breakfast at hotel then taxi from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi. Cristal Hotel in centre a delight.
Again given the time constraints we opt for a Big Bus City tour on an open-decked bus (temp in 40’s). Abu Dhabi a truly magnificent city with a clear goal to become the cultural, arts and ‘Green’ Capital of UAE.
The Grand Mosque in honour of Sheik Zayed is the 3rd largest in the world after Mecca and Medina is an awe-inspiring sight. Equally imposing is the Emirates Palace Hotel , a 7 star establishment with 128 kitchens and guests quite clearly far more well-healed than this blogger!
Works in progress in AD include a Guggenheim Museum, British Museum, an Abu Dhabi Louvre and for the Philistines such as myself, a world-class golf course designed by Gary Player.
Early night after fine buffet meal at hotel to prepare for 6.45 start the next day and 9.00 am flight to Paris.
SATURDAY 19th MAY.
The day of our 39th wedding anniversary! (Gail has also asked me to mention that it is the Champions League Cup Final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich)
Early taxi to airport,courtesy of Etihad and 9.00am flight to Paris
The Obese Ferret
2geonomads 
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