Kids were back at school, so it was just me and the tourists left to roam Abu Dhabi. We went to Emirates Palace to have a cup of morning tea, after stopping by at the Heritage Village, only to find that Sunday was the only day it was closed. When we got to Emirates Palace, we thought that our luck was out - we were turned away by the guard. We have frequently gone to Emirates Palace for a cup of tea or just a wander around, so I was taken by surprise by the guards demand for a reservation number. I phoned Le CafĂ© in the hotel, and was told that I should have booked in advance, but just this once she would make an exception and give me a booking… Gave the reference to the guard, who let us in. When we had parked and walked up to the hotel entrance, another surprise was in store. Instead of the usual fancily dressed doormen and women, there were airport style security scanners - bags had to go through one, we had to walk through another…almost expected to have to remove belts and shoes! 
Apparently there were some high-up military dignitaries staying there, and that was the reason for the restricted access and excess of security. Anyway, having gained admittance, we consumed a (very expensive) cup of tea/coffee/juice and cake, off silverware nog al. There is an exhibition of Saadiyat Island - an island off Abu Dhabi - and how it’s development is planned, which is quite interesting. Especially as there is a chance that Darrell may be involved in part of it. Then we went to check out an art exhibition by local artists, also in the hotel (the exhibition, not the artists) and were totally under whelmed. Put it this way, if they had been giving the paintings away, they wouldn’t have had any takers from us!
Then shooting back to school, dodging heavy traffic (courtesy of the military display). Fortunately, I had phoned a friend to get Steph for us, as we only just arrived at school in time for the boys’ 2.15 pickup. Steph was a bit put out at seeing us - she had expected a longer play with her friend Daniel. Then off to my friend Claire, who has two girls, Kelsi and Tegan. We spent the afternoon there, only breaking for necessaries like piano lesson (Kelsi) and Musical theatre (Alex and David), had a lovely supper then back home, in time for bed…..
Apparently there were some high-up military dignitaries staying there, and that was the reason for the restricted access and excess of security. Anyway, having gained admittance, we consumed a (very expensive) cup of tea/coffee/juice and cake, off silverware nog al. There is an exhibition of Saadiyat Island - an island off Abu Dhabi - and how it’s development is planned, which is quite interesting. Especially as there is a chance that Darrell may be involved in part of it. Then we went to check out an art exhibition by local artists, also in the hotel (the exhibition, not the artists) and were totally under whelmed. Put it this way, if they had been giving the paintings away, they wouldn’t have had any takers from us!
Then shooting back to school, dodging heavy traffic (courtesy of the military display). Fortunately, I had phoned a friend to get Steph for us, as we only just arrived at school in time for the boys’ 2.15 pickup. Steph was a bit put out at seeing us - she had expected a longer play with her friend Daniel. Then off to my friend Claire, who has two girls, Kelsi and Tegan. We spent the afternoon there, only breaking for necessaries like piano lesson (Kelsi) and Musical theatre (Alex and David), had a lovely supper then back home, in time for bed…..
No comments:
Post a Comment