TA S T E
ASk ThE concIErgE
Arabic coffee
hi sn y h a s s a n moh a me d, he a d C on C ie rge at r a di s s on Bl u ho t e l , a Bu dh a Bi ya s i sl a nd, of f e r s a dv i C e on s ome of a Bu dh a Bi’s Be s t v i s i t or e x p e rie n C e s
Visitors to Abu Dhabi find themselves faced with a huge selection of facilities and attractions. There are world-class shopping centres and luxury hotels in abundance, an ever-growing number of art galleries and museums and multiple sporting venues from pristine golf courses and riding stables to the karting, shooting, wake boarding and other facilities available at Al Forsan International Sports Resort. There is also a thriving dining scene with excellent restaurants offering cuisines from around the world from delicious Italian fare at Filini in Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island to gourmet local cuisine in Mezlai at Emirates Palace. There is a number of things that simply can’t be missed on a trip to the UAE capital and the impressive Emirates Palace hotel is a highlight for most visitors. A great way to experience it and gain an insight into Abu Dhabi’s luxury lifestyle in the process, is to have afternoon tea in the lobby or spend a day enjoying the facilities at the Beach Club. For a taste of more traditional ways of life here, I recommend a trip to Al Wathba Camel Race track. Here, prize camels are pitted against one another in hotly contested races in a sport that dates back to the early days of the UAE, which is now the centre of camel racing in the Middle East. Travel further back into the past and glimpse evidence of early life in Abu Dhabi by paying a visit to Jebel Hafeet, the emirate’s highest peak. From the top, visitors can enjoy a sweeping panorama of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s second-largest city. Dotted around the base are hundreds of ancient burial tombs dating back 5,000 years. These ancient sites stand in stark contrast to the avant-garde architecture of the emirate’s new developments and offer a sense of the diversity that undepins this vibrant city.
Strong, black and bitter-sweet, Arabic coffee is definitely not for the faint-hearted. In the UAE, coffee was traditionally prepared in copper pots on beds of coal in the desert. Today, aside from the cooking implements, the method remains largely the same. The ground beans are boiled rather than filtered before cardamom and saffron are added to complete the distinctive flavour of the brew. It is then drunk from small, expresso-style cups and often accompanied by sweet dates to help offset the sharpness of the beverage. Served in many hotels and practically every Arabic restaurant in the city, it’s easy to enjoy this distinctive flavour of the UAE.
D I S c oV E r
Emirates National Auto Museum A must-visit for any car enthusiast, this extraordinary museum is well worth the drive time. housed in a giant pyramid along the desert road that leads to Liwa, the collection here ranges from the rare and unexpected to the downright bizarre. To begin with, there’s the largest vehicle on the planet – a vast 1950s’ Dodge Power Wagon with a four-bedroom apartment, including living area, kitchen and bathrooms inside. Then there’s the globeshaped caravan that is precisely one-millionth the size of the world and the enormous house on wheels parked outside. In addition to this are seven S-class Mercedes in different colours of the rainbow and the various vintage vehicles, from antique Buicks to rolls royces. Visit: enam.ae
ShoP Gold to go
From the popular gold souk to the many jewellery shops that line its streets and malls, Abu Dhabi is full of places to buy gold. For quick access, however, or simply to pick up a precious souvenir, make a transaction at the gold ATM in Emirates Palace, where the metal can be purchased at the day’s market price in the form of coins and bars stamped with the palace logo. Where: Emirates Palace. When: Daily. How much: Price fluctuates according to the international gold rate. Contact: 02 6909000
32
REGULARS_ESSENTIALS_AUH NOV13.indd 32
10/21/13 4:08 PM