Visiting Abu Dhabi for the primary time, I used to be swept away by a sense of camaraderie that went past borders. The Emirate of Peace is a modern-day salad bowl. Beyond the glossy skyscrapers, pristine roads and serene blue sea, it has an intertwined community of tradition.
I skilled it by means of fortuitous acts of kindness — on the Corniche seaside, Pakistani driver Faisal went out to his approach to make sure that I style Kashmiri nun chai, and Yaser Saeed Neyadi, Head of Public Engagement Unit on the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, makes an attempt to make me really feel at dwelling by waxing eloquent on Malayalam cinema, and Jallikattu. Cinema is a common language, however listening to about such a distinct segment a part of the medium from such an surprising supply is no surprise when one turns into accustomed to cultural convergence that’s Abu Dhabi.
While the wealthy heritage inherited from the nomadic Bani Yas types the core life-style of the Emirate, it has opened its arms to the variety introduced in by immigrants from world wide, forming the right cultural confluence.
Eggplant Fatteh from Zali
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
On one aspect of the Emirate is the Louvre, operating in partnership with the French Louvre, which homes a breath-taking assortment of reveals. From works tracing the origin of human societies to masterpieces of latest artwork, the Louvre provides a classy trendy look to the Emirate. I stood just some inches away from canvases painted upon by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh and sculptures carved by the likes of Auguste Rodin.
Bedroom in Arles by Vincent van Gogh displayed on the Louvre
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
The handicraft pageant coincided with my go to to town of Al Ain, which is a three-hour drive from Corniche. I noticed a celebration of the methods of the Emirati life with shows of Ayaala, which is a type of communal dance to have a good time victory in wars with songs of affection, tasted conventional coffees, and skilled falconry too. These two sides of the Emirate spotlight what it represents: embracing modernity, whereas holding custom alive.
Gold espresso from Emirati palace
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
I additionally visited the well-known Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a grand spectacle of spirituality. From canoeing by means of the Jubail Mangrove Park at sundown to tasting the grandeur of the Emirate with a gold espresso on the Emirati Palace, every expertise acquainted me with a unique side of Abu Dhabi.
A view from contained in the Warner Bros. World in Yas island
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
Cultures appear to converge on the eating desk too. I strive beautiful delicacies from the world over. There are Lebanese delicacies, akin to kaftabatata (beef and potatoes) and eggplant fatteh (a sort of salad) at Zali, a restaurant which describes itself as an ode to Beirut, its colors, tradition and flavours. I additionally order genuine French beef bourguignon and poached pears on the Fouquet’s, a French fine-dining restaurant on the coronary heart of the Louvre, which retains in line with the Fouquet’s which opened on the Champs-Elysees in France in 1899. Then there may be conventional Emirati delicacies, like margooga (a sort of hen stew) and luqaimat (a dessert much like gulab jamun) at Erth, an genuine Emirati restaurant which explores the bounty of elements and storied culinary range of the Emirate.
Entrance to the Ferrari World in Yas Island
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
Yas island, an emblem of human perseverance is a jewel in Abu Dhabi’s crown. Its theme parks, which magnetize guests in hordes all 12 months spherical, makes up a fraction of what it represents. The man-made island’s essential attraction is its calm regardless of the gang. I additionally had the possibility to go to the Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World at Yas Island, and the truth that I couldn’t discover any journey with a wait time lower than an hour, on per week day, demonstrates the gang the parks appeal to. While Ferrari World presents an adrenaline rush for journey fanatics with its curler coasters and vertical drops, Warner Bros. Museum has rides and actions with themes impressed by its motion pictures and reveals.
Ferrari World, which is designed to carry 10,000 guests at a time, welcomes a median one-million guests in a 12 months with its distinctive journey rides, Italian-themed eateries and buying alternatives for Ferrari fanatics. Warner Bros. Museum, which is analogous in grandeur and expects practically 1.4 million guests per 12 months, provides a completely completely different expertise, with its uniquely crafted experiences that followers of DC comics and individuals who grew up watching Loony Tunes and Tom And Jerry, may get nostalgic with.
Mangrove path at Jubail Mangrove Park
| Photo Credit:
Vighnesh P. Venkitesh
“Abu Dhabi is proving to be an increasingly popular destination for Indian travellers, both for leisure purposes as well as a thriving place to do business. Currently, India is the largest market for Etihad in terms of inbound passengers to the UAE. Abu Dhabi’s year-round sunshine, rich culture and heritage, and fantastic range of tourism activities make it a must-visit destination”, says Arik De, chief income and industrial officer at Etihad Airways, the nationwide airways of United Arab Emirates.
“In 2024, we expanded our network in India by adding three new destinations, meaning we now connect 11 Indian cities to destinations worldwide via our home in Abu Dhabi,” Arik provides. Etihad airways now operates 181 flights per week to India, and Arik expects to hold practically 3.5 million passengers from India to Abu Dhabi and past this 12 months.
“The Abu Dhabi Stopover product is also fuelling this growth, as we’ve seen a 476% growth in guests choosing to add a complimentary one or two night stay at a premier hotel in Abu Dhabi as they journey with Etihad. This unique stopover programme encourages repeat visits, as guests get a taste for the amazing experience that Abu Dhabi has to offer,” Arik says.
(The author was in Abu Dhabi underneath an invite from its Department of Culture and Tourism.)
Published – April 19, 2025 02:20 pm IST
