Abu Dhabi
Emirate
name: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi (emirate and
city)
Full country name: United Arab Emirates
Area: 67,340 sq km (emirate) (26,000 sq
mi)
Population: 896,751 (2009)
Capital city: Abu Dhabi City
People: Local Arab (estimated at 80%) / Asian
& Western Expats
Language: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu,
Filipino, Bengali
Religion: Muslim (estimated at 85%),
Christian, Hindu
Currency: UAE Dirham (Dh or AED) - check
www.xe.com
Time zone: UCT + 4 hours (+3 during
winter)
Climate: 40-50C / humid (summer), 15-25C
(winter)
Alcohol availability: Bars in hotels and
nightclubs / private buy
"It's modern on the surface and fascinating behind the
scenes. Abu Dhabi is modern, sleek and shiny on the surface and
while the UAE's capital is often accused of being a rather
soulless place, the multicultural backstreets beg to differ.
While it lacks the buzz of Dubai, its laidback vibe is more
distinctly Arabian than its neighbor, and yet it offers every
amenity and attraction that every thrill seeking western
expatriate would expect from a cosmopolitan city, but without
the dust of construction work and endless traffic jams."
Abu Dhabi is the capital
and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), after Dubai. It is also the seat of government of the
emirate of the same name. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island
jutting into the Arabian Gulf from the central western coast.
It borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (south) and the
Sultanate of Oman (east). The emirate borders the emirate of
Dubai to its northeast. In the north is the Arabian Gulf. Abu
Dhabi city is on an island located less than 250 metres from
the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and
Mussafah Bridges. Most of Abu Dhabi is located on the island
itself, but it has many suburbs on the mainland.
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates making up the
UAE and constitutes nearly 80% of the nation's total land area
including nearly 200 islands. The cities of Abu Dhabi and Al
Ain, are the two largest in the emirate. While Abu Dhabi is a
vibrant and captivating city with an impressive skyline, luxury
hotels, palatial villas and mansions, wide boulevards and
beaches, Al Ain, the Garden City of the UAE, has an abundance
of greenery with well-maintained parks and gardens and offers
an even more relaxed pace of life. The oasis city, 148 kms from
Abu Dhabi, also has a history dating back to 4 millennium
BC.
As the capital of
the UAE, this emirate is the centre of government and business
life in the UAE. The parliamentary buildings in which the
Federal cabinet meets, most of the Federal ministries and
institutions, the foreign embassies, state broadcasting
facilities, and most of the oil companies are also located in
Abu Dhabi. The emirate is also the home of Zayed University and
the Higher Colleges of Technology. Abu Dhabi's oil wealth has
been wisely utilised to encourage a healthy trade and commerce
atmosphere, including those apart from oil industries.
State-of-the-art communication services and transport, the
presence of all the international luxury hotel chains, rich
shopping malls, cultural centers and events have made the
emirate a favourite destination for visitors and home to many
nationalities.
With a great location on the coast and on the edge of a huge
desert, Abu Dhabi offers a range of exciting activities
attracting the adrenaline junkies for dune and wadi bashing,
sand-skiing and dune buggying, not to mention climbing,
abseiling and hiking in the Hajar Mountains. And for those who
are at home in the water there is diving, snorkelling,
parasailing, jet skiing and fishing. To continue into the
evening there is a great range of restaurants, cafés,
spas, gyms, bars and nightclubs.
Abu Dhabi positives: Vibrant expatriate community / lots of
activities / great cultural introduction to the Middle East
Abu Dhabi City
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It is the principal city of the largest emirate of the same
name and is home to the government and royal family. The island
city of Abu Dhabi is a lush, modern metropolis, complete with
tree lined boulevards, towering skyscrapers, dazzling shopping
malls and luxurious international hotels, brimming with
vibrancy. Abu Dhabi is growing rapidly, and its evolution from
quiet village to thriving metropolis has been remarkable, a
testament to the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed, and the
energy and drive of its people.
The high rise central business district is home to
imaginatively designed buildings which provide a dramatic back
drop to the corniche area, bordered by the sparkling azure
waters of the Arabian Gulf offering a striking contrast to the
large parks and green boulevards that spread across the island.
Further inland the high-rises make way for beautiful villas,
low rise apartment blocks and quieter tree-lined streets.
Nothing here stands still, and future developments promise an
even more exciting skyline!
The outstanding aspect of life in Abu Dhabi is its dramatic
contrast to its commercial neighbour, Dubai. Abu Dhabi offers
all of the attractions and amenities you would expect of a
modern city ? restaurants, gyms, shopping malls and even a
marina, but in a tranquil and relaxing setting, without the
dust choking development and traffic congested streets of
Dubai. Although Abu Dhabi is spending its oil and commercial
wealth at a startling rate, fast on the heels of Dubai, you
hardly notice the development and construction that has been
contained to outlying and off shore regions.
The UAE's culture is tolerant and welcoming, and visitors
are sure to be charmed by the genuine friendliness of the
people. Abu Dhabi is a melting pot of nationalities and
cultures; all of which are embraced without losing the cultural
and national identity of which the UAE?s people are justifiably
proud; a culture and heritage inextricably linked to its
religion. Indeed you will find the greatest concentration of
mosques in Abu Dhabi than in any other part of the Muslim
world. And that is another welcoming differentiator from life
in Dubai; you feel the culture, you see locals, you feel as if
you experiencing the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi offers a unique Arabian cultural experience
comfortably balanced with the attractions of a western
expatriate lifestyle.
Al Ain
Let us get the bad news out of the way first. Al Ain is not
on the coast. If you look at the map you will see it is
equidistant from both Abu Dhabi and Dhabi; the two cities are
both about 150 km away. It should take you about an hour and a
half by car on Route 66 for Dubai and Route 22 for Abu Dhabi.
Al Ain, which is the capital of the eastern region and Abu
Dhabi emirate?s second city, nestles against the rugged peaks
of the Hajar Mountains close to the Omani border, offering a
superlative back drop of dune seas and a towering jagged
mountain scape.
It is also known as the 'The Garden City of the Gulf'. It is
a fertile oasis with extensive greenery, natural exotic
landscapes and date palm farms. The name comes from the Arabic
word for spring, and indeed offers a tranquil and peaceful
setting within some of the most beautiful landscapes of the
United Arab Emirates. It is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan, the former ruler of the UAE, giving it a
special status in the hearts and minds of the people.
The Arabic words Al Ain mean "spring" and were taken as the
city?s name due to the abundant ground water springs in the
area. This ground water provided for natural oases in the
desert which were the attraction to human settlement. Using
ancient but efficient non-mechanized "falaj" irrigation
systems, which remain to this day, the oases were developed
into major date plantations which were the staff of life to the
local population. Today a visit to the restored Al Ain Oasis
adjacent to the museum can provide visitors with a relaxed walk
providing an interesting insight to date cultivation
Compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Al Ain offers a very
relaxed pace of life. There is not much construction work and
there is an absence of intrusive tower blocks. There are few
traffic jams and the climate is slightly cooler and less humid
than on the coast. Life is more traditional yet offers many
modern amenities- shopping malls, swimming pools, hotels with
bars, gyms and more. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are close by for day
trips and weekend away (and the beach), but being close to the
desert and mountains allows for many adventurous activities
such as dune bashing, mountain biking, climbing, hang gliding
and rock climbing. It is an ideal location for couples and
families as well as singles who prefer a more ?suburban?
lifestyle.
Here is what teachers have said about Al Ain:
"It?s hard to believe a school year flew by so quickly.
I'm back in Canada for two months. I really had an awesome year
in the U.A.E. I traveled to both India and Egypt during my two
holidays. Next year I look forward to traveling again. The
U.A.E is amazing and Al Ain is quite lovely. There was plenty
for me to do- I've met great friends and I found lots of things
to do. I actually thought Al Ain was smaller before I came-
there are two big malls, movie theatres, several parks, and
gyms. During the day I would be busy at work until 3:30, then
in the afternoon I would go to the hotel gym/swimming (it is
amazing and there are quite a few gyms to choose from!) In the
evening I would hang out with friends, go out to the mall, or
do something. Honestly I was never bored!!! I also changed my
license and I rented a car. The drive to both Abu Dhabi and
Dubai is less than 1.5 hours with beautiful roads."
The Western Zone
The Western Zone of Abu Dhabi lies halfway in between Abu
Dhabi and Dubai, near to Oman. The largest city in the region
is Shaikh Zayed City, also known as Madinat Zayed, a carefully
planned two-storey-high town that is one of the few places in
Abu Dhabi with a majority UAE national population. It lies east
of Liwa, the better known oasis where the ancestors of most of
Madinat Zayed's residents once lived, now a holiday destination
famed for its natural greenery and water.
A friendly and welcoming place with shops, hospitals and
access to some fascinating sites listed below, a teacher placed
in Madinat Zayed will experience more of the true Emirati way
of life and culture. Teachers placed in this region may not
have clubs or bars on their doorstep, but instead have access
to dune-bashing open space, beautiful beaches within a half
hour, nature spots such as Liwa and Seer Bani Yas Island on
their doorstep, with the lively Dubai and Abu Dhabi nightlife
less than 2 hours away. This region is suitable for single
teachers or those with no children simply because there are no
international schools in this region at the moment. However,
teachers placed in this region can be assured of a close knit,
lively and adventurous expatriate community on hand for weekend
excursions and exploring.
This area is suited to teachers who:
- Are comfortable with Emirati culture and/or very open and
accepting of cultural differences
- Are single teachers or teaching couples with no dependent
children
- Are interested in places that are 'off the beaten
path'
- Are outdoorsy, imaginative and social
- Are interested in travel and exploration on the
weekends
- Have a valid driving license and willing to drive, as
there are limited public transport options
This region is not suited to teachers who are:
- Wanting a more urban lifestyle
- Needing frequent access (more than 2x a week) to the
'comforts of home'
- Wanting to visit bars/clubs on weekdays
- Are not completely comfortable with Emirati culture or do
not want a true 'cultural immersion'
What to do in the Western Zone
Liwa Oasis
Liwa is the famed fertile crescent of southern Arabia. An
arc of villages, farms and plantations mark this oasis, which
runs across the southernmost corner of the emirate of Abu Dhabi
to the Saudi border.
Why go there?
The vast barren expanse of the Rub Al Khali which borders
Liwa or the Empty Quarter as it is otherwise known) is one of
the most hauntingly expansive deserts on the planet. Liwa, made
up of a series of about 50 villages, is characterised by lush
pockets of verdant greenery and even the odd cabbage field. It
is also the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan family, rulers of
Abu Dhabi, who still maintain a vast palace on the hill
opposite the Liwa hotel.
What to do?
Liwa is no party capital ? the echoing silence of the desert
is more suited to a monastic retreat than a diverting weekend
of dancing. However, take a short trip into the desert along
the brand spanking new road and you reach the 358-foot high
Moreeb, the country?s biggest sand dune where the intrepid or
foolhardy can attempt to scale the shifting mound in a 4x4.
Camel and horse trekking can also be organised through the
hotel at dawn and dusk, as well as belly dancing shows out in
the sands and desert camping.
The Liwa hotel is a recently built four-star set-up which
sits atop the last green hill before the desert opens up in all
its alarming glory. It?s a calming place to stay with spacious
rooms arranged around a large, sun-drenched pool and a pair of
tennis courts. A double room and breakfast cost Dhs260 over the
summer.
Check out www.liwahotel.com for a map.
Seer Bani Yas Island
What it is
A protected island nature reserve, Seer Baniyas Island is
250km west of Abu Dhabi. The island contains over 3 million
forest trees, over 200,000 fruit trees, and 20 hectares of
vegetables. In addition, there are various kinds of animals
like Arabian Oryx and Giraffe, and over 80 species of birds
like Ostrich and Peacock.
http://oasisaamc.tripod.com/articles/seer_baniyas_trip.htm
Jebel Dhanna Resort
Where
On the coast, two-and-a-half hours drive west from Abu
Dhabi.
Why go there
Principally, to see Sir Bani Yas Island, a 240 square
kilometre nature reserve; but stopping at the neighbouring
Jebel Dhanna hotel turns this trip into the perfect weekend
getaway.
What to do
Take a morning trip by boat out to Sir Bani Yas Island where
a guide will take you on a four-hour tour of the reserve. There
you will get to see bizarre sights such as giraffes and emus
roaming through the lush, irrigated vegetation
Where to stay
Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna was opened to cater for Bani Yas
visitors, but in itself makes for a worthwhile destination. The
hotel has all the amenities you would expect from a five-star
property: watersports enthusiasts can enjoy a range of
activities including kayaking, wake boarding, waterskiing,
windsurfing, snorkelling and fishing, while the less actively
inclined can relax on the beach or by the pool bar. There is
also a massage parlour tucked away in the fitness centre
offering Swedish and shiatsu rubdowns. The unexpected
highlight, however, is Zaitoun; a restaurant that is as good,
if not better, than many higher-profile restaurants in the
Emirates. With a self-styled pan-Arabic menu, Zaitoun offers
eclectic international cuisine in a romantic, modern setting.
It?s just a shame that there aren?t more visitors to this
wonderful eatery. Still, it can be your best-kept secret. Eat
here and then up the tempo of the evening by checking out the
enthusiastic house band in the surprisingly sizable hotel
bar.
http://www.firstclasstravel.de/danat_resort_jebel_dhanna.htm
Al Mirfa Resort
A beachfront hotel and golf resort, Al Mirfa The hotel is
located in the town of Mirfa which is 140 km west of Abu Dhabi
city, giving it a pleasant feel of seclusion. It is set in 2
square km of landscaped grounds with shrubs, plants and trees
as well as grassed areas and is situated on the waters edge
though swimming is not allowed by the municipality because of
the deep water. There is a swimming pool with an adjacent
toddlers/children?s pool as well as a children?s playground
with a large variety of apparatus. For sports and recreation
there are two tennis courts and two basketball/volleyball
courts both of which are floodlit as well as a compact gym. The
hotel has dining options in the restaurant and sports bar and
there is the Oriental Café for shisha and drinks al
fresco. For night entertainment there is an Arabic nightclub
which is frequented by locals as well as hotel guests.
http://www.southtravels.com/middleeast/uae/mirfahotelabudhabi/index.html