5 MIN READ

Abu Dhabi is an island in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf located off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The city's claim to fame is the oil sector, as well as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is held towards the end of the year. The city is also known for its commerce as reflected by the skyline’s modern towers and shopping mega centers like the Abu Dhabi and Marina malls.

I had no idea what was to come, but I was happy to see this part of the world for the first time. I managed to sandwich ten hours into my three-day trip to Dubai, here’s what happened.

Knowing that I intended to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the first thing I did was go to the souk in Dubai the day before in order to buy the proper attire for entry. If you don’t know, a souk is a marketplace usually found in northern Africa or the Middle East. This part of the world is modest, so I made sure to have head and shoulder coverings for my visits. This was a welcome change to a lot of destinations I’ve been to, where skin is in.

I set off at 10 a.m. for a 1.5-hour trip with my fantastic guide Abdul from India, who was eager to show the city off. As we approached, I was surprised by how serene it was, despite the jaw-dropping skyscrapers. I mean, even as a big city kid from New York like me was blown away. This is where architects come to have fun I thought!

Our first stop was the Louvre Abu Dhabi described as "France’s largest cultural project abroad." Located on Saadiyat Island the museum, inauguration in 2017 (despite some earlier opposition in France and Human Rights violations) is a sister of the famed Louvre Museum in Paris. The structure's super-sized Arabic-inspired canopy, designed by architect Jean Nouvel, is a piece of art in and of itself.

I really enjoyed the curation of the permanent gallery which was smooth and easy to get through. The collection showcased the juxtaposition of different civilizations spanning thousands of years into modern times.

The Emirates Palace, with its majestic entry stairs and flat fountains facing the unusual Etihad Towers, was our next visit. The palace was massive, with a mix of Islamic architectural features and contemporary design.

We then continued on to the presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan. This was a sight to behold, so opulent! The palace was solely used for formal functions, like receiving foreign leaders and sessions of the country's supreme council and federal cabinet. But today lucky for us is open to the public.

Our next destination, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, was one I was really thrilled about and rushed our guide to get there before sundown. One of the world's largest mosques and one of the first I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Getting to the actual entrance of the mosque was quite a trip filled with a series of walking escalators.

It was amazing when we arrived, an architectural wonder that brilliantly mixes Islamic architecture and design. The inner courtyard is enormous, with minarets and elaborate and exquisite flower mosaic decorations on the floor.

I knew from previous images that I had chosen the right green abaya (a loose-fitting robe worn around the body to cover everything except the face, hands, and feet) and hijab (a headscarf that covers the head and shoulders) to contrast with the eggshell white of my surroundings. When inside beneath the white-marble domes, the mosque features an immense Persian carpet with crystal chandeliers as far as the eye can see. It was spectacular. If you're in Abu Dhabi, this is a must-see.

As darkness fell, the ponds along the arcades reflected the mosque's columns, lighting the entire scene. I said a prayer for a friend and goodbye to this magnificent work of art.