This weekend the UAE turned 40. Amazing that the country is only 40 years old! I cannot put into words the patriotism the Emiratis have… they are extremely proud of their country and the celebrations here are incredible! They spare no expense!
This building was huge in person.. not really sure how they even print something on this scale… HUGE.
Since National Day brings thick crowds – thicker than Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street, we wanted to avoid it with the kids since it would have just been chaos. We tried staying at home, but that brought on a big case of cabin fever for me and the kids – so we just went for a drive… Love this picture of Audrey’s hair blowing in the wind.. it looks like fire.
We drove and drove and finally ended up at the Shangri-La Souk.
We went to Starbucks, moseyed around several of the shops, sat out by the water and eventually stumbled on a free boat ride which was very popular with the kids!
Charles grabbed the camera and got a pic of me – my kids will have a hard time finding pictures of me for my funeral one day... glad he got one they may be able to use. ha.
Such a silly girl!!
When we left we saw these fancy shmancy cars waiting outside the hotel:
this Mercedes had a matte gray paint – really different! check out the door that is opened on the driver’s side
Maserati’s are a rare find in the states – but a dime a dozen here.
And off to the side a Bentley. Oh excuse me. We were in awe as we piled in our Ford Explorer.
After leaving all the luxury cars, we went home and played outside for a bit then it was time to get ready for our weekly date night! We enjoyed our 3 hour Italian dinner and could hear the celebrations for National Day going on in full force. Air horns, shouting, loud music, revving of car engines and honking made us super curious to see what what it was all about.. There was no chance of getting a taxi at the location we were, so we started walking towards the Corniche to see what was going on. Man! We had just missed it! When we arrived, the streets were clearing out and people were packing up – it was still very entertaining to see the decorated cars and all the locals hyped up as they were clearing out… see some of the pictures below:
This car ^^ has a huge screen and projector on top of it.. LOL
We walked and laughed the whole way home..The kids and teens hung out of the car windows and sun roofs.. as they were driving down the road! nuts, I tell ya!
It was total mahem.. but really safe at the same time. Charles and I got attacked with silly string and aerosol spray snow.. so funny. I videoed someone else getting sprayed so you could get an idea…
The next morning (today) we brought the kids to Saadiyat Family Fun Day Brunch… they had a ball. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is absolutely stunning. I am lucky enough to have just started golf lessons there every Sunday and I will try to start Audrey in January. Here are some of our pics from the day. {For my fellow Abu Dhabians: They have it every Saturday from 10:30-2:00 Adults pay 90 AED ($25) and kids 6 and under are free – call in advance for reservations}.
Nice view from the driving range, huh?
The Arabian gulf… (formerly known as Persian Gulf) is SO BEAUTIFUL.
Kids buffet- popcorn, cotton candy, candy buffet, chicken nuggets and baked beans.. LOL. thankfully, my kids did eat some regular food off of the Adult buffet area ..
It amazes me how he will sit still for this. not only once, but TWICE! (*see his second face painting below:)
He was one tired little tiger.
Abu Dhabi Time
0 comments:
Post a Comment