Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Today the topic will be on Abu Dhabi Mosque - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Located in Abu Dhabi (approx. 1h 20m. from Dubai by car), the beautiful Grand Mosque is one of the grandest Mosques in the world: it extends for 22,412 sqm.; it was initiated by HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan, the father of the UAE. 


The Design started as 'Moroccan' and evolved including features from all the world, in the construction have be used high quality materials and professionals/artisans from UAE, Italy, Morocco, Malaysia, India, China, Turkey, UK, New Zealand, Iran, Germany, Greece.

Have been utilized finest and precious marbles (28 different types of high standard marble), stones, semi-precious stones, gold, crystals (including Swarovsky cristals), ceramics.


The Mosque features 82 Moroccan Design domes, elaborated Design walls and floors, beautiful decorated outside and inside marble columns, 4 minarets, reflective ponds surrounding the Mosque.


The great architecture piece allow visitors (see timing) and I suggest it since it is an amazing experience!...see images.

Dress and Behaviour Code 
(http://www.visitabudhabi.ae)

In respect of religion and place of prayer these simple requests need to be followed: Visitors must be dressed appropriately on arrival; if not, entry will be denied.

• - Modest, conservative, loose fitting clothing; long sleeves, long skirts and trousers.
• - No transparent (see-through) clothing.
• - No shorts for men.
• - No shorts and  skirts must be ankle length.
• - No tight clothing, no swimwear and no beachwear.
• - Shoes will be removed before entering the mosque, so we recommend slip off shoes.
• - Headscarf for ladies is essential (these can be provided when you arrive)
• - Intimate behaviour; i.e. holding hands or kissing is not acceptable in a Muslim place of worship.
• - For safety and respect to worshippers, visitors should stay within the areas of the mosque that  are permitted and not roam freely around. Smoking and food are not allowed in the mosque area.

- Visitors are requested not to touch the Holy Quran (Holy Book) and other architectural elements  inside the main prayer hall.

Timing:
(http://www.visitabudhabi.ae)

DAY	MORNING TOUR	AFTERNOON TOUR
Sunday	10am ,11am	5pm
Monday	10am ,11am	5pm
Tuesday	10am ,11am	5pm
Wednesday	10am ,11am	5pm
Thursday	10am ,11am	5pm
Friday	Please note that Friday mornings are strictly for worshippers only.	2pm,5pm,8pm
Saturday	10am ,11am	2pm,5pm,8pm

Links:
http://www.visitabudhabi.ae
http://www.adnec.ae

EID MUBARAK

     Wishing you all a blessed & prosperous


                           EID MUBARAK!


Dubai B&W

Dubai By Night

...and we are back!!!
I know, I know....we left for few days (summer is summer!) but now we are back on track!

Topic of the day: Dubai By Night...here some images, enjoy!

Have a good week-end!

In UAE the week-end is Thursday and Friday, therefore:


                 HAPPY WEEK-END everyone!!!!!

"Am I driving safely? If not, please call: xxxxx"

"Am I driving safely? If not, please call: xxxxx"

This is one of the most diffuse stickers in UAE - almost all the trucks, vans, pick-ups, service cars have this tag!

It supposes to be a number available for any comment regarding the driving way of the driver himself.

Well....I honestly never tried to call (I suppose I have always been worried to find one of those never ending automatic call-center with options which will keep you on line forever...!) and then... I should call too many vehicles to complain of their driving!

Link: http://www.panoramio.com
http://www.danderma.co

Great!

  WWWOOOWWW

MORE THAN 100 VISITORS IN THE FIRST WEEK!!!

Thanks everyone...Let's rock!!!

Traffic Traffic Traffic

Have you ever tried to drive in Dubai? 
      

Well, the impression is that it is CRAZY!

First of all the roads: Dubai has an impressive road network, the highways for instance has 8 lane!
The Road network is constantly increasing, means that a Dubai map cannot be considered updated for long!


The streets are not only congested (especially during pick times), they literary ''change''!
Since the city is in continuous construction, it's not unusual to find your normal way with variations or direction changes (from one day to another)...happens all the times!


Another topic is the driving way...well...consider that  indication of the direction to take is an optional for most of the drivers, same for the use of the car rear view mirrors (!).


Even the concept of Roundabout is subjected to many different interpretations by the drivers, the unwritten rule is that the most ''aggressive'' driver is the winner!


The car horns will became your best friend, it is the favorite toy of all the drivers (in order to communicate).


The speed radars: on most of the more frequented streets are installed the speed cameras/radars to verify the vehicles speed and report to the Authorities for the eventual fines - be careful.


The use of highway lane: speed is a ''strange'' concept for many drivers, or, better, with different ''interpretations" by the drivers - slower speed vehicles often stay on the left lane most and vice-versa (fully loaded trucks speed is usually 120 km/h!).


The indication signs are very useful and diffuse, the only problem is that... suddenly...they disappear and you find yourself lost when you where starting to feel so confident to be able to reach your destination (this is the reason of the large use of Navigator system).


......well, what I can say is that IT IS POSSIBLE to manage to drive in Dubai, you need only to get used of it, pay A LOT of attention and things will work out!


The nice thing is that when you drive in UAE you can see amazing cars around you (if you don't own one yourself), a paradise for cars lovers - Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, Hummer are easy to spot!

SZR

SZR

SZR

SZR

SZR

Street

Street

Link: http://www.dubai-livethedream.com

Skyline

Has been a very sunny and clear day, therefore......enjoy today's skyline!!!!

Riding on Al Wasl Road - Dubai

Curiosities

...window (?!) in Al Quoz area - Dubai...

Just around the corner

At around 120 km from Dubai is located another Emirate - Al Ain, known as the ''Garden City''.


It is an Oasis full of green thanks to an efficient irrigation system; it is the perfect get away from the city, suitable to spend one day visiting the Forts, the Archeological park with the gardens and to have a breath from the city life.


Very impressive is Jebel Hafeet mountain (elevation 1240 m.), the top offers a fascinating view and an Hotel.


Its road is considered  one of the greatest driving road in the world: with an extension of 11.7 km up the mountain, 8% average ascent and three lanes (two climbing and one descending), Jebel Hafeet  mountain boasts 60 corners and a surface so smooth that it would flatter a racetrack.



It is used for training by cyclists and there is an annual road cycling competition.


Well, only one thing can be said....what a ride!

Link: http://www.uaeinteract.com/