Luxe Beat Magazine JULY 2014 | Page 26

assure you, they are there- I heard it from, let’s say, “someone official”. Exhausted, I decided to take a bath and afterward slipped into the softest, smoothest sheets ever. The decadent chocolate truffle at my bedside grabbed my attention and, should I need a midnight snack, a fruit basket was waiting. Down at the breakfast buffet, I was agog at the largest international smorgasbord I’d ever seen. No matter what your country of origin, this showcase had it and more: Asian, Indian, Arabic, Oriental, European, British, American and Scandinavian specialties. Of course, you could request eggs and other options to order. City Tour I chose to take a morning city tour, returning to the Sheik Zayed Mosque, which I had photographed the previous afternoon and evening. This time, a tour guide would explain what I was looking at. One could visit this immense sanctuary ten times and never take in all its incredible details. (For photos and my complete article, please read: luxebeatmag.com/ abu-dhabis-beauty-sheik-zayedgrand-mosque-uae/. Bashing the Dunes After the Mosque tour, we headed to a handicrafts shop; the kind with very expensive, quality crafts. Alas, these were kinds that I cannot afford to buy, but the wall hangings, jewelry and scarves were lovely. We made a brief stop at a food market for dates and nuts, sampling as we went along. Dates are one of the few foods grown in this desert region. This dried fruit comes in many varieties and can be purchased plain, stuffed with nuts, apricots, seeds or dipped in chocolate. All fruit were naturally sweet and tasted delicious. Then we were off again, down five miles on the Corniche Road. We passed the manicured waterfront, including children’s play areas, cycle and pedestrian pathways, cafés and restaurants, and the popular Corniche Beach. I did not, however, see anyone swimming. We arrived at Heritage Village, built so tourists can discover examples of Bedouin dwellings or what life was like on the desert before the city arose. You’ll also find photos covering the amazing growth of the Emirate. Afternoon Desert Safari Around 3:30, a four-wheeled Land Cruiser picked me up and we 26