ABU DHABI CITY PROFILE
We look at: Geography & housing, Schools, Medical, In the Home, Banking & Finance, Religion, Clothes Shopping, Mundane Shopping, Expat Groups, Eating Out & Entertainment, Activities and Holidays
Introduction
Abu Dhabi has rapidly transformed itself from a pearl & fishing village into a vibrant cosmopolitian city, and a major business centre in the Arab world.
A few years ago, Abu Dhabi was often seen as a less desirable expat destination than Dubai, its northern neighbour, and although admittedly there is more to do in Dubai, there are also some distinct advantages to living as an expat in AD.
It is the richest and most politically important of the UAE's seven emirates with the advantages and hospitality of a village community within a large city.
Abu Dhabi Emirate had a population of approximately 1 million people in 2000 of which an estimated 80% were expatriate. The major cities in the emirate are Abu Dhabi, also the capital of the U.A.E. and Al Ain. The emirate of Abu Dhabi covers 70% of the whole country.
The source of Abu Dhabi’s wealth is most definitely oil. One side effect of this is that most of the expats work for large oil companies and related service industries that have policies of rotating their staff on “postings” around the globe, typically every 2 to 3 years. As a result of this, there is always a high turnover of people in the expat community and people are always eager to include newcomers into their social circle. It won’t be uncommon for you to see half of your friends re-assigned in a single year, so there’s always a need to meet new people. If you are a family arriving with young kids is always a great icebreaker because of access to other parents through school playgrounds, nurseries and children’s activities. For singles and couples, there are plenty of adult activities, salsa classes, bars, restaurants, gyms, beach and sport clubs, that will introduce you to other expats; most of whom tend to shop and socialize at a limited number of locations in the city and you will soon see familiar faces everywhere you go.
Abu Dhabi has retained more traditional values and you will need to be more careful to dress not to offend when shopping or socializing around the city.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CITY
Corniche
With its grass-rimmed boulevard and the promenade, the corniche is one of the most picturesque sights in the city. A backdrop of commercial buildings and fabulous sea views it is a favourite place for expatriates of all nations and Nationals to enjoy their leisure time. It has wonderful playgrounds, cycle routes and rollerblading boardwalks!
Emirates Palace Hotel
Newly built 7* hotel, this rivals the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Located on 1.3km of white sandy beach and is surrounded by 100 hectares of the most beautiful landscaped gardens and water fountains. The building is a truly spectacular property that magically reflects the different shades of the Arabian Desert.
Cultural Foundation
Incorporating Qasr Al-Hisn, (the oldest fort in Abu Dhabi) the foundation is housed in a delightful modern building of Islamic design with arching white colonnades, cool courtyards and restful gardens. The centre hosts numerous cultural events, including concerts with international and local artists, classic film festivals, art exhibitions and workshops, plus it houses the national library. The Foundation is also host to an annual International Book Fair.
The Delma Corner, tucked away up-stairs, serves lovely coffee and snacks in a pretty environment. Run as a non-profit making coffee shop it hosts many multi-cultural interest groups and activities, from cookery classes to art appreciation. 02 6195313 . Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday - Thursday
Lulu Island
Work began in 1988 on this man-made island resort off the Corniche. It is designed to be a recreational paradise to rival the best in the world, with hotels, restaurants, gardens, bird and animal sanctuaries and fun-parks for the children. Still not operational, it sits and tantalizes us from the Corniche!!!
GEOGRAPHY .jpg)
Abu Dhabi is an island separated from the mainland by a thin stretch of water.
The best way to describe the various districts of Abu Dhabi is to compare it with a T-bone steak!! Along the top of the “T” runs the Corniche (Street 1) the side of the island furthest from the mainland. Streets running parallel to the Corniche all have odd numbers, so the next is street 3 (Khalifa), then 5 (Hamdan) then 7 (Zayed or “Electra”) and so on down into the 30’s at the bottom of the “T”.
Running vertically down the middle of the “T” is Airport road (Street 2). Roads running parallel to Airport Road to the right have even numbers, so the next is street 4 (old airport road) street 6, and so on. To the left of airport road, running parallel is street 24 (Karama), street 26, etc.
Most destinations in the city can therefore be referred to by the intersection of the nearest main odd and even numbered streets – note that this only works for blue street numbers. Within each block are local streets with green numbers that follow their own rules.
The City Centre is basically the area to the right of Airport road between the Corniche (1st) and Electra (7th). The highest concentration of high-rise buildings and apartments are in this area.
At the extreme right of the City Centre is the Tourist Club Area which has a lot more high rise apartments and some of the city’s hotels bordering the Arabian Gulf, including the Beach Rotana Hotel and Le Meridien, as well as Abu Dhabi Mall, one of the newest and largest malls in the City.
To the left of Airport road between the Corniche and 7th is Khalidiya. To the extreme left are more hotels (Hilton, Intercontinental) and Marina Mall, the other major shopping mall in the city .The Emirates Palace Hotel looms majestically over the city from this corner of the island.
Airport road has high-rise apartment buildings running either side a fair way down the spine of the island, but move away from this major traffic artery and as you begin to head away from the Corniche you increasingly encounter lower level apartment blocks and villas, particularly once you get past 11th street.
HOUSING
Property rentals have increased dramatically in the last year in Abu Dhabi., and there is Landlords usually require the full 12 months rent up-front, although some will accept 6 months, and properties rented through the Khalifa committee may accept rents from as little as 4 months at a time. Added to this you will usually need a property agent to help you locate your residence and they typically charge 5% of one year’s rental payable upon signing the lease.
Some of the larger international real estate agents have recently arrived in Abu Dhabi. Colliers International and Asteco, a couple to mention.
Two of the longer standing and independent agents are, Homestlye Property Agents and Hayatt Real Estate. Both run by expats who have lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for as long as I can remember.
Sometimes it is worth checking supermarket ad. boards in Spinneys and Abela for properties and the
classified section of this website and the local newspaper the Gulf News.
Property prices average around AED 60 000 for a 1 bedroom apartment, AED 90 000 for a 2 bedroom, AED 120 000 for a 3 bedroom and AED 150 000 for a 4 bedroom apartment anywhere near the city. You will typically pay an extra AED 5 000 for the upper floors of the building (better view and less street noise) and a similar amount for underground parking. (street parking can be a big problem is some areas) Some apartment blocks, but not many, have gyms and pools at the top of their buildings. It is always sensible to check how well they are maintained, especially if you have children.
For 3 bedroom and/or older villas you may be able to pick one up for AED 90 000. 4 beds typically costs AED 120 000 and a modern villa with a decent size garden will probably set you back at least AED 180 000! As you move further away from the Corniche the prices do come down, and off the island there are more reasonably priced villas, some with beautiful gardens, and some newer residential areas being built in Khalifa “A” and Khalifa “B”, but from there you will be looking at a decent commute to most amenities.
The Tourist Club Area has a few modern buildings and a few not so nice. Location is great for the Club and the Abu Dhabi Mall.
Khalidiya is very popular with expats but a little more expensive. Along the Corniche and Zayed 2nd Street there are a lot of nice high-rise buildings, and as you get further in the island the blocks between 24th Street and
34th Street are a great hunting ground for villas. There are a few nice parks in the area and you have a good selection of shops this end of the island.
Further into the island between Airport Road and 30th Street you will find a thriving expat community living in an assortment of low-rise apartments, compounds and independent villas. Areas such as, Manasir; Karama; and Musallah Eid (The Eid Prayer Yard). These areas are popular as they are close to the schools, parks, embassies and still a short taxi ride to the city centre and Khalidiya.
Al Wahda is located between Airport Road (2nd Street) and 4th Street, running between 11th Street and 13th Street. There are a few nice compounds here as well as some modern high-rise blocks.
We spent our first year in a 3 bedroom apartment in the Tourist Club area but soon discovered that sound travelled through the walls and the neighbours on our floor had 11 children between them who slept all afternoon (siesta is still common in Abu Dhabi) and were then up until all hours of the morning. To make matters worse the neighbour immediately below us siesta’d during the afternoon and constantly complained at the noise my kids were making at 3pm in the afternoon!
If you see an apartment you like I’d advise you to visit the building at a number of different times during the day to get a true sense of its dynamics, including during a prayer call. Mosques are plentiful in Abu Dhabi and one may be closer than you think. I’ve visited some apartments where conversation (indoors behind double glazed windows) was impossible during the prayer call. The first prayer call can be before 5am during the summer!
Assuming you aren’t happy with the first residence you choose in Abu Dhabi, the second is typically found by word of mouth. One of your circle gets a new posting or returns to their home country and after the usual “so sorry to hear you’re going” the next sentence is typically “so has anyone taken over your apartment/villa yet?” or “are you selling any stuff?”
In mid 2005 it was announced that non-nationals would be allowed to buy property in Abu Dhabi (mirroring projects in Dubai started some years ago). At the moment, this applies to only one project (Al Raha Beach, still under construction)
SCHOOLS
There are a variety of schools in Abu Dhabi but we will focus on those that we feel will be of most interest to the expat community.
Nursery Schools
Most children go to nursery. They tend to be mornings only, 8 - 12.30, (some now offer 7.30 til 2pm) taking children from age 2, typically in classes of 10 with a teacher and a full-time helper. My elder son went to Stepping Stones in Khalidiya. Rates vary but expect to pay about AED 1 750 for two mornings, AED 2 200 for three and AED 3 500 for 5 days. It’s also worth looking at Ladybird, Humpty Dumpty, Giggles and Bright Beginnings. There are now a couple of nursery schools newly opened in Abu Dhabi who offer Montessori style education which is becoming a popular alternative to the standard nursery educational approach.
Primary and Secondary Schools
Most expats looking for a British curriculum education choose The British School – Al Khubairat (BSAK), located between Airport rd and Karama (24 th) behind the Immigration department on 19th.
Originally established as a primary school many years ago, the school has been developed over recent years into a modern state-of-the-art double storey complex that has expanded into secondary education, graduating their first GCSE classes in 2003 with good results. The school now goes all the way up to year 13 with the first “A” level students graduated in 2005.
Raha International School (RIS) opened in October 2006. This is a relatively new school, located in Al Raha area, near Khalifa city and the airport. It offers the International Baccalaureate Cambridge High School (TCHS) is another school offering UK curriculum. Children of most North Americans attend the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) – tel. (02) 681 5115. ACS is located in Khalidiya just behind “The One” furniture store on 7 th street and 32nd. Their facilities are excellent with a strong community base and the school covers all ages from KG to Grade 12.
There is also the American International School (AISA) – tel. (02) 444 4333 located further down the island on the corner of 29 th and 4 th Streets. It tends to have a more Islamic feel with separate sections for boys and girls in the secondary years. They do offer the International Baccalaureate certificate with good results.
International School of Choueifat located on 15th between Airport Road and Karama offers a very academic approach to education that originated in Lebanon. It is a popular choice for Arabic expats. The French school, Lycee Louis Massignon (LLM) is located on 29th St. near AISA and the German school (DSAD) in the Al Bateen area around 30/32nd St.
Libraries
All the schools have libraries on the premises; there are no public English language libraries. St Andrews centre (next to the British School) has the Daly Library, open to all with a good selection of books; the national library at the Cultural Foundation has a few books in English; and the Club has a large up-to-date library, but for members only.
MEDICAL
Private medical care is varied. All expats arriving should insist on private medical insurance as part of their package. Some insurers are better than others. Each visit to the doctor/dentist will cost you +/- AED 150, a lab test will be maybe another AED 150, X-ray, cat scan, it soon adds up.
For general practitioner service most expats we know choose Dr McCulloch’s practice located next to Al Noor hospital.
In recent years the Gulf Diagnostic Centre has become very popular, located on 30th street b/n 13th and 15th. They cover all aspects of family medicine, and have many specialists.
For 24-hour emergency treatment the New Medical Centre offers a good if not overly efficient General Practitioner service. The tendency being to give you every drug under the sun to combat all ailments plus the side effects of the drugs prescribed!! You feel like you need a shopping trolley to get the medicines home!! Despite this it still tends to be a very good option in an emergency, particularly at 2 o’clock in the morning when your kids have spiked a major temperature!!
There are emergency services in Abu Dhabi, Ambulance Fire Police (Dial 999 for Police or 998 for ambulance), as you would expect in any city. Since my arrival several years ago these services have improved drastically. Calling an ambulance however may not always be your quickest, safest option in an emergency. It can be difficult to identify your location due to communication breakdown and unclear street and building labeling. Sometimes it is better to drive to the emergency department yourself, if that is an option. Staff training is not always as developed as you might expect, it can be a little random.
Even if you do not anticipate using the local medical facilities, it is worth getting government health cards for each member of your family. In an emergency you will probably be taken to Central Hospital or Khalifa Hospital (02 610200) and although of course you won't be turned away, it's easier to have the ‘ i's’ dotted. Following emergency treatment it is not uncommon to be transferred to a hospital of your choice.
The Al Noor Hospital located on Khalifa St. has an efficient Accident and Emergency department. My daughter broke her elbow in a ‘bouncy Castle’ accident a few years ago and they were really great at caring for us all. There are also a number of highly qualified specialists working in this establishment who have provided good care ranging from orthopedics to oncology and general surgery to several of our friends over the years.
The Corniche Hospital (02 672 4900) is the main government maternity hospital in Abu Dhabi and is located at the end of the Corniche next to the Sheraton Hotel. Most expats are relatively happy with the level of care. Queuing has been known to be a nightmare for the pre-natal check-ups but for deliveries they have the best facilities in town. You need to register with the Corniche Hospital within your 1 st trimester, don’t forget to take your marriage certificate with you!
Another option is to go private through the Al Noor Hospital, if you have decent enough medical insurance. There is also is a popular female obstetrician (French) found in the Gulf Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Sejourne.
Sometimes people have opted to travel to Dubai’s American Hospital to deliver. Post-natal care is not a recognized part of the system here yet, so it may be of benefit to get a helpful Mum, Mum-in-Law or friend lined up to help initially after the birth. The average post-natal stay in hospital is around 48hrs unless there are complications.
Well baby clinics do not exist here it is more common for Mums to locate a pediatrician for monitoring the growth and well being of their baby. They are often recommended by the obstetrician who delivers your child. Some Mums use the Baby Clinic at Central Hospital for inoculations in the Preventative Medicine clinic. Other Mums already established here are generally a good resource for finding out about baby services. Abu Dhabi Mums (www.abudhabimums.ae) has over 300 members who can offer advice and help on childbirth.
Dentists
Again there are several to choose from, and once you have established yourself, it may be better to chat with friends and colleagues to find out who they prefer. Dentists like hairdressers are often a personal preference. Experiences of others can be most helpful.
Orthodontists are also popular here especially with the local community, so once again there are loads to choose from and once again I would recommend speaking with friends and colleagues for recommendations.
In general I would be confident to say my family and I have experienced good efficient medical and dental care here, with quick and highly efficient diagnostic tools put into regular use that you are denied under the National Health system. Here you can walk into a clinic with an ailment, have it diagnosed and treated within a couple of hours, having paid a hefty bill on leaving, but knowing you have been put right.
IN THE HOME
Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to ship electronics, stereo, TV, computer, etc. Voltage and plugs are the same as the UK, 3 square pin and 220/240 volts. If coming from other countries who have a different voltage, a step-down transformer will convert the 220~240 volt electricity in the United Arab Emirates to the 110~120 volts required by your appliance.
We all seem to have the same huge cookers (because you buy one to fit the space left between the units) often powered by gas, I have a huge electric cooker with ceramic hob, and I love it! Purchased one summer by my frantic husband after several disasters with the gas oven we had when we first arrived here, he couldn’t bring himself to cope with another year and the cooker!!! Things are improving very quickly in Abu Dhabi!! (that was 8yrs ago). When you buy electrical goods ask for a contact number for servicing.
Gas is delivered street to street accompanied by bell ringing, stand on the balcony and wave like mad! Most high-rise apartments now have a piped supply.
All villas and apartments are air-conditioned and you'll need it. A maintenance company is usually responsible for the up-keep of your accommodation. A number of companies offer services along the lines of window cleaning, air-conditioner servicing, mattress de-bugging, and carpet/ sofa and curtain cleaning. We used Delight (02 6789216).
Drinking water is delivered (Oasis Water 800 5656) weekly; there are other providers to choose from as well. We use tap water to clean our teeth. We have had no problems with sanitation. Abu Dhabi, in general, is very clean.
Phone and Internet
Etisalat, the national telecomms. company, controls the market. Its relatively easy to get a phone line. The main Etisalat building is on airport road, a tower with a large golf ball ontop. There is also a branch right next to Spinneys (the expat supermarket) and I found that its easier and quicker to get served there.
If you require internet access and email address (there is only one ISP here) you will need to contact www.eim.ae. For broadband, www.alshamil.ae 800 77666 will come and install at your home. Wireless modems are available for wifi at home. Price for 1G broadband is currently AED250 per month, which at the moment includes a free wireless modem.
Television channels
Cable is now available in most parts of the city, and there are a number of satellite TV companies in competition. Many of the newer villas complexes and apartments already have cable services installed.
Evision, a division of Etisalat (call 800 5500) offers a whole host of cable packages, starting from AED58 per month. For this you get about 50 channels, 7/8 being in English. Showtime, the fastest growing digital TV service in the Middle East, has packages starting at AED139 - either available via satellite or cable (evision) . Orbit and Star TV packages start at AED150.
Home furnishings
Even if you bring your own furniture, you will probably find yourself in a bigger house than the one back home. A perfect excuse for indulging yourself in a few tasteful pieces of Asian furniture, which is widely available here!
There are several great furniture shops to be found around the city. One in particular is in the Spinneys building in Khalidiya, who also have an air-conditioned warehouse in the Meena Port area with large items of furniture on display. A more modern version of an Asian furniture store is Marina, in Abu Dhabi Mall. For more contemporary furniture you can’t beat The One a fabulous store located in Khalidiya. IKEA is located in Marina Mall and Home Centre is at the Marina Breakwater, right next to the mall.
Another good store worth checking out is Homes ‘R’ Us located in Madinat Zayed Centre on Muroor St. PAN furniture has a good range of contemporary and antique furniture - shops are located in Abu Dhabi Mall and Airport rd.
For curtains and carpets, have a look around Al Salam Palace on Airport Road and 13th or Shadows behind the Next Building on 6th and 7th. They'll come to your house to measure up and will be back to lay carpets and put up curtains within a few days at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay in your hometown.
Pets
For the animal lovers amongst us there are two good veterinary practices to choose from. The American Veterinary Centre is on the corner of 9th ( Al Falal St) and 28th St. The British Veterinary Clinic is on 30th St. in Khalidiya. Dogs are becoming much less of a novelty to the local population and there is a definite growth in the presence of dogs since I first arrived in Abu Dhabi.
BANKING AND FINANCE
You can expect the usual commercial banking services from the local and international banks that are represented in Abu Dhabi as you would in most places of the world. Transfers can be made without difficulty as there is no exchange control and the dirham is freely convertible, though the rate is fixed to the US$ at AED3.67.
Banking opening hours are from 8.00am to 3.00pm, from Saturday to Thursday, but closing 1pm on Thursdays. Some banks also open from 4.30-7.30pm. Banks are closed on Fridays.
There are many international banks to choose from including HSBC, Standard Chartered and Lloyds TSB (operational in Dubai; only a rep office in Abu Dhabi) and amongst the local banks -ADCB and NBAD.
Some people need to send bank transfers back to their home of origin and choose to use an Exchange House rather than a bank. It is also an easy way to get foreign exchange when travelling. There are several exchange houses dotted around the city. Ansari on Hamdan St. near the souk area is a well-known one. They also have branches in some Co-Operative supermarkets and there is one located in Abela. Exchange houses are open from 8.30am-1.00pm and 4.30-8.30pm.
RELIGION
Although Islam is the official religion of the UAE, there is a great tolerance of all forms of religion. Most of the churches are located nr the British school, off airport rd, and 19th street. The largest, St Andrews, has a community centre, library, and thrift shop.
CLOTHES AND SHOPPING
Shopping in Abu Dhabi can be serious business when you are looking for good bargains and with intense competition and insignificant import duties, you will find some of the lowest prices in the world here.
A few years back, expats would have to goto Dubai to buy many items; now all the major stores are here; Marina Mall and AD Mall are the two main malls in Abu Dhabi; and Khalidiya Mall and a new mall on airport road are scheduled to open at the end of 2006.
There are several small malls that offer a variety of shopping and all are worth exploring at some stage whist you are here in Abu Dhabi. You never know what fabulous bargain you will find! Some of the smaller Malls have a variety of shops you would not expect to find in the larger Malls, and many of them have designer shops tucked away that only the most experienced shoppers know about. The Al Muhairy Centre on Zayed 1st St. has a good selection of designer shops from Turkey and Italy, plus a Hugo Boss for the boys. Marks & Spencer can be found in the M&S building in the centre of the city close to the Culture Foundation. There is a Monsoon here and several good shoe shops. For good handbags and cheap T-shirts check out the Hamdan Centre. There are several good sport shops here too. The UK department store, BHS, has a branch on Hamdan St.
There is no need to bring large quantities of clothing to the UAE. Despite being a country were a large proportion of the ladies are covered from head to foot in black clothing the styles and fashions available are parallel to any large city in the world. You will be surprised at how skimpy clothes can be!! Generally I would say clothing is good value here with many designer outfits being less expensive. I think shoes are a great buy, and handbags.
For men’s clothing the selection has improved over the last few years. With the general part of the male population wearing dish-dash (a sort of cool looking kaftan made from white cotton) it was no surprise for many years that men’s clothing was difficult to buy. That has definitely changed since the advent of the large Malls.
The two most modern and well-known shopping Malls are Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall located at either side of the top of the island.
Abu Dhabi Mall (www.abudhabi-mall.com)
This is located next to the Beach Rotana Hotel and towers on the east side of the city. The Mall has more than 200 stores selling the latest in every type of product. Jewellery and watches, leather goods, cosmetics and perfumes, home accessories and décor, carpets, books, music, gift items. Popular stores are Massimo Dutti and Mango. For the children Mothercare and Early Learning Centre are located here. On the top floor there is a cinema complex, eating hall and bowling alley, plus entertainment for smaller children. Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society has a large, popular supermarket in the basement of the building, with a good selection of fresh meat, fish, fruit and veg. as well as household items, toys and clothes.
Marina Mall (www.marinamall.ae)
This is situated on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater and is surrounded by the azure water of the Arabian Gulf. It is a lovely location for the entire family to visit and enjoy with some of the best views of the city. There are many shops to choose from with jewellery, clothes, household items, and cosmetics (Areej and Paris Gallery) . Many familiar names - Mothercare, Top Shop, Monsoon, Oasis, Next, Warehouse, Early Learning Centre, Zara, Hush Puppies, Clarks, Woolworths, and for the boys, Plug Ins, Radio Shack and Jumbo Electronics. Sun & Sand and Studio R are good sports shop! IKEA can be found here and also the large supermarket Carrefour. There is also a very good multiplex cinema, eating hall and entertainment for young children.
If you can’t find the perfect outfit you dreamed of in any of the shops, there are plenty of fabulous fabric shops selling lovely silks, linens and cottons. The best tend to be located in the Indian Souk behind M&S. Tailors can still be found tucked away in the back streets of Abu Dhabi and they will create your perfect outfit in a matter of days for a very competitive price.
MUNDANE SHOPPING!!!
Carrefour is one of the largest grocery stores in town, with sections such as, fresh fruit and veg, meat and fish. They stock good selections of light and heavy household goods as well as stationary, clothing and hi-fi.
The stores are open from 9am to midnight on Saturday – Thursday and 10am til 10pm on Friday. Stores can be found at Marina Mall and on Airport Road, midway up the island.
Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society has several branches throughout town and are popular shopping venues with many expatriate communities and locals. They stock good varieties of fresh fruit, meat and fish as well as general groceries and household items and are very competitively priced.
Spinneys and Abela are more popular western supermarkets, and the only two stores in town where you can buy non-halal goods , ie pork sausages! They tend to be a little more expensive, but you will be able to get a larger selection of your favourite western brands of food.
For a more local feel when doing the grocery shopping it is worth trying out the Fruit and Veg. market which is located in the Meena Port area. Across the road from the veg. market is the fresh fish market, just next to the harbour where the fishing boats bring in their catch. 200m up the road (towards ToysRus) turn left at the yellow pots roundabout and you get to the Iranian souk, Plastic goods souk and the plant souk. However, there are no traditional style souks left in Abu Dhabi.
LOCAL SPECIALITIES
GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!!
Probably one of the more interesting of the local specialties, it is well priced and in total abundance. There are even whole shopping areas dedicated to the sale of gold where beautiful jewellery from Italy to India is on display. Some of the more traditional pieces tend to be a little more extravagant than the usual western taste stretches too, but non-the- less is lovely to look at and even better to try.
It is fairly common for people to select precious stones and design their own styles and end up with an unique piece of jewellery made for the fraction of the price you would expect to pay in other parts of the world. Most of the jewellers will make jewellery for you. Silver and watches are also well priced here. I think you may find you will get better value for your money in the Gold Souks of Abu Dhabi compared to Dubai.
Good places to shop are the Madinat Zayed Gold Souk, Al Muroor St. and the Indian Souk on Hamdan St. Most of the gold on display around this area is 22 carat and more yellow in appearance than the 18 carat you will be used to.
Some of the bigger jewellers such as Damas are always worth a look. Despite their very smart looking shops they too can have some very competitively priced items.
Carpets and rugs tend to be very well priced here, as are pashmina shawls. Silks and satins and beautifully hand-embroidered items from other Arab countries such as Syria and Jordan are plentiful. There is no end to the unusual gift items you can take away with you after your stay here.
Some of the Arabic perfumes are very interesting, and incense is commonly burnt as an offering of hospitality. You can have special perfumes mixed especially to suit your taste, and the little ornate bottles they give with the perfume inside are delightfully decorative.
Heavy wooden furniture from Asia and Kashmir is a good buy, and there are several places around town you can look without heading into the bowels of Dubai and Sharjah. A chain of shops called Marina is worth checking out, there is one in the Abu Dhabi Mall. For smaller items Red Sea Carpets are excellent value. They have a small shop behind the Al Noor Hospital and another behind the Madinat Zayed shopping area.
Food
Now we take a look at the foods! With such a large mix of nationalities living in Abu Dhabi there are foods available from many parts of the world. The most common local food eaten is Biriyani a hot spicy rice dish usually made with mutton, camel (!!!!) or chicken.
Originating in India and the surrounding regions, but now very commonly eaten here by the locals. There are several Indian restaurants that serve extremely good food at very low prices and will home deliver for no extra charge. Indian Palace on Al Salaam St. is popular choice for many, as is Foodlands on Airport Rd. Not all the best restaurants are found in the Hotels!
The Arabic food eaten here is mainly Lebanese in origin and is delicious. Consisting of mainly barbecued meats and fresh salads. Their bread and pastries are to die for and I would recommend my favourite baker Al Sultan for their cheese breads, zatar bread (thyme in a vinegar and olive oil base) and baklava, (filo pastry dripping in honey encasing finely chopped nuts!) not so good for the waist line perhaps? For good shawama (chicken or lamb wrapped in flat bread with loads of garlic sauce) or falafel sandwich, try Maroush, they do lovely humus and tabouleh too and wonderful fresh fruit juices.
Finally the dates. Lovely fresh dates. At certain times of the year you will see people carefully wrapping the dates in plastic bags to protect them as they ripen on the trees growing down the centre of most of the streets around the city. When ripened you are allowed to pick them for yourself and take them home.
LADIES EXPAT GROUPS
You may worry when you come to Abu Dhabi and leave your “other life” behind that you will not make any friends and end up very lonely. Worry Not!!! On the contrary, you will very quickly find yourself far too busy for that mundane stuff like shopping, (for food that is… except when the troops are really hungry!!!) cleaning and maybe even working!!
Besides ExpatWoman events and activities there are several other options just waiting for you in Abu Dhabi, such as AD ladies, WIAD, international business womens group etc. Details are in the Useful links section, at the top of this page.
Volunteer Groups
A multinational volunteer group meets with handicapped children, and male and female adults on a regular basis. Patients are desperate for visitors. Men and women volunteers are welcome for only one or two hours a week.
Call: Pauline 050- 752 8218 or Pat 02-677 0933 or Brenda 02-443 6008 or Sally 02-66 3952
Medicins Sans Frontieres also has a group located in Abu Dhabi that is always grateful for volunteers. Call 02 631 7645 or msfuae@eim.ae
FOG (Friends of Galle) was set up here after the SE Asian tsunami, and works directly with Sri Lankan orphanages. www.friendsofgalle.com
St. Andrews church runs a thrift shop that always needs manning 02 446 4193
The local charity is the Red Crescent Society. Other than donations of food, money and clothing, you will need knowledge of the Arabic language to be of great help in this organization.
EATING OUT & ENTERTAINMENT 
Evenings can be spent in your favourite place to eat and all the hotels have several international standard restaurants to choose from. They also have bars and nightclubs that are popular at the weekend, (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday!!!). Some bars can be popular during the week, especially when there is a major sport event taking place.
A couple of the nightclubs offer Salsa dancing classes and have Latino nights, which are great fun. Be cautious of the Western feel created in the bars and clubs though, you must always remember that we are living in a Muslim country with Sharia law. There is ZERO TOLERANCE to alcohol and driving. You also need to be careful how you behave in public places whilst under the influence, and consider the way you are dressed between your home and the club, restaurant or bar.
Not all the best restaurants are situated in the Hotels. Most of the Indian, Thai and Arabic restaurants are scattered around the city. For good Indian food try Indian Palace, located on Salaam St. Just along for them is The Royal Orchid a very good Thai restaurant. For Arabic food Al Shamyat next to the Sheraton Hotel is a great place to visit. These restaurants do not usually serve alcohol.
Don’t forget to pack the tuxedo and ball gowns. There are several Balls throughout the year the most well known being the Poppy Ball held at the British Embassy around November. Balls are a popular fund raising event and most of the societies and voluntary groups such as Feline Friends will have one at least once a year.
If you wish to remain patriotic to your cause there are the “Tribal Groups”. St George Society, (The Royal Society of St. George) St. Andrews, St. David’s and St Patrick’s. They usually join together once a year for the Annual Tribal Bash, which is a wild affair!!
There are good air-conditioned cinemas around the city that show all the latest box-office movies for adults and children. In Dubai, there have been artists such as Robbie Williams, Sting, Elton John Destiny’s Child, Craig David, and for those enjoying the classics, Pavarotti and the Tenors have been to perform. There is often an opportunity to enjoy entertainment from other artists from the around the Arab countries and India too, so there is a wide choice.
Whereas previously, you needed to goto Dubai to see all the shows (such as Madam Butterfly opera, Romeo & Juliet ballet, Nutcracker Suite etc), they now show in Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace Hotel Theatre
SPORTS and LEISURE
You can indulge your sports passions with just about anything here. There is plenty of opportunity for water sports, and many expats have their own boats, however, really good windsurfing days are few and far between because there is not often a lot of wind. Lots of people play tennis, squash and badminton. The sun shines every day, always a great incentive for outdoor pursuits. The weather is pretty well perfect for about 9 out of the 12 months of the year, with the best months between October and May/June.
Football is one of the most popular sports in the UAE. Games between local teams can be enjoyed throughout the season at Al Wahda football stadium. You’ll find playing times and dates in the local papers. Abu Dhabi Strollers Football Club (050 6127957) provides Expats the opportunity to play competitive football both for adults and children. Rugby, for adults and children can be played with Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club .One of the highlights of the year is the Rugby Sevens held in Dubai, teams compete from all over the world, a great family day not to be missed.
Most expats choose to join beach clubs, which incorporate swimming, sunbathing and eating opportunities with fitness gyms and sometimes Spa facilities plus play areas for children. They are good safe places for all family members. The most popular beach club being the Hiltonia Club attached to the Hilton Hotel. With lovely pools and facilities, the beach is great and very close to the Marina Mall.
One of Abu Dhabi's great restaurants is Ushna. The Beach Rotana Resort, and Sheraton resort are also worth checking out. All the large hotels have great facilities and most of them have beach clubs and gym facility. Most have web sites. For a family you will probably have to pay around AED8,000 a year for the full use of a club.
A popular choice amongst British Expats and other nationalities is a membership with The Club in the Meena Port Area. Great facilities for a family, with the feel of a community centre with a beach. Good pub grub and a decent restaurant, with quiz nights and themed buffet nights. A nice beach although a little crowded during visitor season and weekends. The kids love it!
For those of you who are more energetic there are endless aerobic type options available. You can try Body Pump, Jam, Combat, Body Balance or Belly Dancing classes at the Abu Dhabi Health & Fitness Centre on 19th Street. They offer great family memberships; it has a bowling alley, a great pool and state-of-the-art gym. Several other clubs around town offer everything from personal trainers to yoga; check the yellow pages and local papers for their details.
Golf is popular and with more than a dozen golf courses in UAE, you are sure to find a course that meets your challenge. The three golf courses in Abu Dhabi are as equipped and beautifully landscaped as you may find any where in the world.
Abu Dhabi Airport Golf Club is an 18-hole, 6450-yard, par 71 sand course. It features an English-style hilltop clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis courts and an advanced training facility. Located close to the Airport it is about a half hour drive from the city.
Next is the Abu Dhabi Golf Club By Sheraton, Umm al-Nar. It features two world-class 18-hole courses. The challenging 7204 yards par 72 fully mature National Course and a 6524 yards par 72 Garden Course. Green fees range from Dh150 to Dh360 at peak times but with special summer packages, can be a very enjoyable experience. Situated just off the island over the Maqta Bridge on the road to Dubai, about a 20-minute drive.
Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club is a nine-hole, 6365-yard par 70 fully floodlit course located in Mushrif in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Green fees for 18 holes are Dh230, 9 holes Dh140. club car Dh40 for 18 holes and Dh25 for 9.
There is a great selection of beauty salons in Abu Dhabi; I will leave it to you to find you’re favourite. Spas are starting to sprout up all around the city the most established being at Le Meridien Hotel in Tourist Club Area. I would also recommend you try the newer Spa facilities in the Hiltonia Beach resort and the Paris Gallery Day Spa in the Khalidyha Centre. Spoil yourself it’s a must!
ACTIVITIES: ADULT & FAMILY
If the sporting and leisure activities are not enough to keep you occupied during your stay in Abu Dhabi there are still plenty of other things to keep you busy.
From bridge to mahjong, book reading groups to conversation courses and art groups, there will be something you will find you enjoy that will help you to meet other expats. Several of the higher colleges offer interesting courses. A friend of mine has recently embarked on a Computer Driving Course. I wished her luck on the roads thinking it was something to do with negotiating the traffic in Abu Dhabi!!!!
For the children there is also a large selection of the usual things that will tickle their fancy and keep them occupied when not at school. Guides, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts, are all available, (check the St. Andrew’s Church. 02 4461631) usually popular the Expat schools will be able to tell you how to locate these groups.
Swimming and golf lessons are offered to juniors through the various sport facilities. There is ice hockey at the Zayed Sports Centre where a large ice-rink will help you to remember what it is like to feel a little cold!! (02 4448458).
Ten-pin bowling is a popular sport in Abu Dhabi and there is a Bowling Alley in the Abu Dhabi Mall and also in the Abu Dhabi Health & fitness club. Horse riding is offered through The Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club.
For football, and rugby for the juniors check with the contact groups mentioned in the sporting section. Some of the schools will offer a range of extra circular activities as well.
For tiny tots, Abu Dhabi Mums (www.abudhabimums.ae) has a large group who meet in several places around town. St Andrews Church 02 4461631 has a smaller group of Mums and Tots who just use the church hall as a meeting place.
In many malls there are indoor and outdoor arcades where children can spend hours playing games and enjoying rides, a real fun fair atmosphere.
For family orientated activities try the Natural History Group. (www.enhg.org) They meet fortnightly on a Tuesday evening in the Cultural Foundation and organise some really goodcamping and exploratory weekends. It is an excellent way to get to know more about the region you are living in and a safe way to explore the desert.
Camel Racing
You’ll have a great opportunity to view a unique sport, which is a proud part of the heritage of the UAE. Camel racing takes place during the winter season from October to March at special tracks around the country. The atmosphere is exciting, especially during public holidays.
Al Wathba Racetrack is about 45km east of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Racetrack is situated approximately 25km from Al Ain on the Abu Dhabi road. Nad al-Sheba camel track, which has an impressive grandstand in the shape of a billowing Bedouin tent, is located on the outskirts of Dubai city behind the Metropolitan Hotel. Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah also host camel racing.
Finding out when the camel racing is taking place can be a bit of a challenge, there is a Camel Racing Council, you could try to find their number by dialing 181, which is the directory enquiry. The Emirates Heritage Club (www.emiratesheritage-club.com) organises some of the races. Sorry to be so vague, it is one of those Abu Dhabi things!!
Horse Racing
Horses have always played a central role in traditional life in Arabia, however contemporary horse racing with local jockeys as well as top jockeys from overseas, has taken off dramatically over the past decade. Race meetings are held weekly during the winter at one of the UAE’s four racecourses. Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is one of the region’s most impressive venues for horse racing and show jumping events. The most famous event in the region is the world famous Gold Cup held annually in Dubai.
Walking, cycling & roller blading
In winter, it is always very pleasant to walk along the waterfronts (Corniches) or parks, especially in the cool of the evening when these areas are a hive of activity.
It is also fun to walk or indeed hike off-road. But this requires more careful planning and for short-term visitors it would be better to take a local guide unless you are experienced in orienteering
Green parks and play areas
There are at least 20 parks in Abu Dhabi. As well as being green and shady places to spend some time, most also have a wide range of facilities, including children’s playgrounds and refreshment areas.
Opening hours vary but most of Abu Dhabi’s parks are open in the afternoon to late evening on weekdays and all day on Friday. Admission to the parks is either free or for a nominal fee for adults and children over ten years.
HOLIDAYS
A great bonus of living abroad is being able to take your holidays from a different base. Besides being able to explore the rest of the seven Emirates there are many destinations easily reached from the aptly named Middle East.
Dubai just up the road from Abu Dhabi offers a great weekend break for all the family. The International Hotels offer some of the most luxurious facilities in the world.
The East Coast of the Emirates offers lovely beaches and great diving and snorkeling opportunities. Trips into the desert and along the Wadi beds in the Haja Mountain Range in the winter months are an experience you will not get in many places of the world and certainly not forget. Sandy Beach in Fujariaha is one of our family favorite places to visit, and more inland the Hatta Pools offer great off road wadi driving.
Further afield Oman is a beautiful country to visit and can be reached by car.
Other places in the Gulf region are easily reached by relatively inexpensive short flights. We recently visited Beirut for 4 days and had an amazing experience visiting the famous ancient ruins of Balbeck. Egypt is very close and Syria and Jordan are all very popular places to visit for short breaks from Abu Dhabi.
Going a little further, India and Kerala are very popular destinations, as is Sri Lanka. For a more relaxing holiday with great Spa and Diving facilities the Maldive Islands are only a hop and a jump away. Seychelles and Mauritius are a little further to travel and tend to be a little more expensive holidays.
Travel agents operate pretty well as much as you would expect from anywhere in the world. We have found Grey McKenzie, located on Najda St (6th st) opposite the Royal Meridien Hotel, to be pretty helpful in the past as well as Omeir Travel end of Khalifa St next to British Airways. Most of the major airlines in the region are well represented here. Etihad Airways is the national airline for Abu Dhabi. It is currently adding a new destination each month, and feedback from friends is that service is very good. Emirates Airlines is the Dubai national airline. Cheaper options to look out for are Gulf Air, Qatar Airlines and Air India.
Having covered as comprehensive a guide as we can, it must be said that things change rapidly in Abu Dhabi. If when reading this guide you find any of the information given to be incorrect we would appreciate your comments to cat@Expatwoman.com
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide to Abu Dhabi, and good luck in your relocation and new life. Don’t forget to look us up for coffee once you arrive in the UAE.
Now refresh your cup and enjoy the rest of the site!!