{"id":33,"date":"2012-09-12T02:14:37","date_gmt":"2012-09-11T16:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/roger.venning.net\/wp\/?p=33"},"modified":"2012-09-29T00:08:59","modified_gmt":"2012-09-28T14:08:59","slug":"abu-dhabi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/roger.venning.net\/wp\/abu-dhabi\/","title":{"rendered":"Abu Dhabi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Danielle and I arrived in Abu Dhabi this morning. Short stopover just to break up the flights really. We’ve seen a little of the new F1GP track, visited the 7 year old Sheik Zayed Mosque, and spent a little detour in a quite bizarre womens handcraft centre. In terms of workmanship in the displays, I saw better exhibited at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show. But watching the women work, enjoying thenselves (sometimes perhaps at our expense we suspect) and explaining their work in such a friendly way was great.<\/p>\n

Now relaxing in a Centrepoint mall… Photo highlights to later follow.<\/p>\n

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque<\/a><\/strong>. Set some way out of the city, but half way between our hotel at Yas Island and the city proper.<\/p>\n

\"approach\"<\/a>
Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque from the road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The water features are lovely, but somewhat ineffective when it was perhaps 35 degrees and near 100% humidity by 9am opening time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Water feature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inside was immense and air conditioned. The carpet stretched in one continuous pattern over the size of a soccer pitch or larger. The multiple domed roofs brought together the elaborate relief, latticework and engraving techniques used throughout.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Wood seemed to be used sparingly… however where used it was exceedingly beautiful.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mahogany with Mother of Pearl inlay… the door for the fire hose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<edit>post Istanbul we now better understand that wooden doors with masterworked mother of pearl inlay are a big part of Islamic architecture.<\/edit><\/p>\n

The king evidently also has an advertising budget:<\/p>\n

\"www.ourfatherzayed.ae\"<\/a>
Seriously large billboard advocating respect for the king<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally the hotel, was very nice, excellent view of the F1 turn as it goes *under* the hotel between the two wings.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Abu Dhabi F1GP goes underneath this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
Lovely curve on the stylised teaspoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For more pictures:<\/p>\n