Abu Dhabi, UAE Trip
My visit to Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates and the largest and thus the capital of the United Arab Emirates, I’m left with mixed feelings. I did not experience everything the city can offer, thus my testimonial is short and simple. I hope that another traveler would find this entry helpful upon visiting Abu Dhabi.
Immigration & Customs
For the citizens of UAE’s privileged countries, a visit visa which is valid for 60 days from the day of arrival can be obtained at the point of entry; in my case, at Abu Dhabi International Airport. From the time you reach the booth to have your passport checked, you could have your visit visa within 3 minutes. Your visa information will be stamped on to a page in your passport.
Since I did not have any checked baggage, I was out of the customs area right after I left the immigration booth.
Transportation
Firstly, taxis in Abu Dhabi are all over.To and fro the airport, drivers don’t usually run the meters. If they do, so far I have seen two kinds of taxis: (1)Regular - Gold and white cab with a flagfall of 2 Dirhams, and (2)Al Ghazal - Non uniform decent looking cabs with a flagfall of 3 Dirhams. Al Ghazal cabs are radio operated.
Taxi drivers of very old taxis are usually out and about the arrival area waiting to pickup passengers and are brought to the parking area. In my experience, it’s safe, but you have to walk far. If there’s no taxi waiting outside and you’re in a hurry, then go with him. Otherwise, upon exit of the AUH’s Terminal 1, there’s a taxi queue. These drivers will not run their meters, instead they will give you a fixed price according to destination. My destination was Abu Dhabi city center and to be precise: Tourist Club Area where my hotel is located. The fare runs between 60-70 Dirhams which is fair enough. The travel time is about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic and driver’s knowledge of the destination. I had someone pick me up so I felt safer.
In Abu Dhabi, people take taxis even though the destination is 2 blocks away. I have three opinions why: (1) The streets are very dangerous because the drivers are reckless and traffic signals are inadequate. They are followed, but inadequate in a sense that they only place traffic lights in main roads and not even “Yield” or “Stop” sign boards are placed on small intersections. This is fatal because drivers don’t slow down in these intersections. They have pedestrian crossing, but that won’t help. (2) It’s very hot walking outside, and (3) It’s cheap.
A word of wisdom if I may: Always sit in the back seat, especially if you’re alone. I’m oddly surprised why passengers (men mostly) take the front seat. I will not elaborate why men should not take the front seat especially if they’re alone…at night.
Accomodation
I stayed in two different hotels during my trip. Both are located at the Tourist Club Area.
Le Meridien - Decent, quiet and nice. Close to everything including the Abu Dhabi Mall. It has a village behind which gives you access to the beach and many more bars and restaurants. Each room has wired internet access which you will have to pay. Wireless access is free, but the signal in the room is frail. You have to go to the lobby lounge to enjoy free internet. The staff are friendly and helpful. The service is good overall.
Vision Hotel Apartments - Not as quiet as Le Meridien because the building stands next to the highway, but the building is tall enough not to hear the honks and car engines. The room is cheaper than LM and bigger. It came with a kitchen, washing machine, microwave, refrigerator and kitchen utensils. The only drawback is that the receptionist assumed I wanted a smoking room, so it reeked with a smell of cigarettes - bearable for one night. Service is good, but not as good as LM. Still, I prefer this hotel over LM because of its apartment environment.
If you forget to bring a universal power adapter, you can always ask housekeeping to provide one. Any other necessities are always available.
Restaurants
I’m not the best person to critique a restaurant because of my very picky nature. I’m sure anyone into exotic food would enjoy Abu Dhabi. There are plenty of ‘western’ fastfood restaurants in the city, so I won’t spend time on them.
Bavaria Pastries (02)679-4459 - If ever I was to live in this city, I will make sure I live close to this cafe. It is located at Kalifha Bin Zayed Street (3rd Street) across the Hamdan Post Office, Ninar Cafe, and Transylvania Cafe. It is a two-storey cafe with a patio for anyone who enjoys their meal under the sun in front of the city street. Inside is an ideal atmosphere to spend late lunch or early dinner. A feeling of coziness is present because the tables are setup like a dining for a countryside vacation house. If you want discreet, more private and access to power outlets, the second floor is a haven. The tables are arranged in booths.
The atmosphere is not what I like about Bavaria. It is the food. I have not tasted everything on the menu, but I can only say about a couple. I’m a burger person, so let’s start with that.
“BAVARIA” FAMOUS BURGER - The best burger I have ever tasted. It’s not heavy, yet very tasty and can fill a hungry appetite. It probably is halal, but I did not sense that taste. Maybe because of the fried onions that took care of the odd halal taste. The bun is not soft, yet not too hard. I can finish two of this in one serving. A serving includes french fries.
GRILLED CHICKEN - It’s the sauce that’s making this meal very tasty. Since the people I came with are known in the restaurant, we were able to acquire massive amount of sauce on the side. Partnered with a delicious fried rice, this is another meal that I won’t get tired of.
Fuddruckers - Anytime I find a Fuddruckers station, I have to go in and get a bite. It’s one of those rare food chain that it took me more than three years to go in again. I’m very surprised that there is a Fuddruckers station in Abu Dhabi. It’s located at the second floor of the Marina Mall.
Trader Vic’s - I had a heads up that burger here is excellent. The restaurant is located inside the Beach Rotana Hotel’s main entrance next to Abu Dhabi mall. I did not get to eat their burger because when I came, the restaurant was closed and that was my last day in Abu Dhabi. There’s always a next time.
Shopping
Abu Dhabi Mall - Located at the Tourist Club Area, the mall has three floors. It has many stores to choose from.
Marina Shopping Mall - Located at the Marina Village, northwest of Corniche. It’s about 20-30 minutes walk from the Emirates Palace Hotel. The mall is decent with plenty of stores to choose from. The mall has two floors only.
Madeenath Zayed Shopping Mall - Located near the corner of New Airport Road and 13th Street. I visited the Gold Souk area and not the shopping mall. The shopping mall and the gold souk are separated into different buildings. The gold souk has two floors, where the first floor unanimously sells jewelry of different kinds. The second floor sells household accessories. The restroom (for male) is awfully smelly. I had to hold my breath until I was ten meters away from the entrance.
I will recommend a jewelry store. It’s called the Million Jewellers. If you take the right-side of the entrance, it’s about 4-5 stalls on your right. The salesmen are friendly and speaks Filipino quite well. Haggle properly and you’ll get a good deal.
1 comment April 5th, 2008
