Into Abu Dhabi

Wednesday 20 August

We eventually got off the ground close to 7pm yesterday and with the time zone change were on the tarmac in Abu Dhabi sometime after 3am.  Immigration, a long wait for one case, a 30 minute taxi ride at 100km/hour and check in, saw us hit the sack just on 5am.

Corner room overlooking sea and city on 50th floor of this extravagant hotel- Jumeriah at Etihad Towers.  Everything is push button - drapes, maid service etc, etc and all the toileteries are in the shape of the hotel's towers.  10.30am breakfast in preparation for a relaxing day - and relaxing it has been.

Within the Hotel there is a two level mall entirely made up of all the luxury brands.  They are all here about 50 of them (together with a Waitrose supermarket).  The Cartier store has a frontage of almost 60m.  Have not seen a customer in any of the big name stores - but with their prices, they probably only need a couple of sales per week.

Time around the pools (3, plus private beach) this afternoon.  Not many around as it is a quiet period, so no competition for sunbeds etc - and complimentary coolers.  Temperature around 40C, but main pool is well shaded.

Early evening to Marina Mall about 1.8km away but after Pat's experience of walking the Corniche in Doha last year, walking was so not an option!!!  Very big Mall with hundreds of shops over a very big and pristine complex.  Toilets everywhere and even seats for male shoppers.  Very strong customer service culture.  Ate in a "Parisian" cafe overlooking an ice skating rink and back by taxi for a "catch up night".

Like Doha,  Abu Dhabi is an ongoing development, but on a much bigger scale.  The airport had massive road plant (new runway?) working at 4am this morning.  Roadworks too, as well as building construction seems to be a 24/7 activity- and of course, all of this (and hotel services) is undertaken by expatriate workers.  One apparent difference is that Doha was lit like a Christmas tree, whereas Abu Dhabi does not seem so brightly lit - perhaps it just seems that way because it is so much bigger.
It is great to have the feet up for a couple of days.