Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Day 1 in Abu Dhabi

Firstly we are loving the heat here. It was over 40 degrees even in the shade. It feels like you have to push against the heat to get anywhere, but it a good way. Not just like in Britain when it's only warm when the sun hits you.

Although the very start of the holiday didn't go to plan when one of our two bags didn't make the journey with us (don't worry we now have the bag after 24hours and some stern negotiation from my Auntie and Uncle on the phone to the airport to make sure it got here sooner rather than much later. Better for them to do the talking as they know the way to get things done around here - seemed to do the trick though!)

Spend the first part of the day having a wander around the local area before catching a bus from Abu Dhabi Mall to the Abu Dhabi Heritage Museum. Only small but great to get a glimpse into the historical and cultural side of this modern city.

The second part of the day involved a 30 minute taxi ride to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. By the way, the taxi journeys are interesting to say the least. The basic style is to accelerate for as long as possible and then brake with as little room left as possible. It's like living a PlayStation game!

The mosque is immense, the largest in the UAE and one of the largest in the world. I asked my Uncle why they would make one so large, his answer "because they can". It seems that is a theme here. Although it's huge and extravagant it doesn't feel tacky or just as a show off. It can, and does, regularly hold a full house of about 40,000 people so at least it has served its purpose!

Had a great family dinner as well with my cousin and her boyfriend (as well as my auntie and uncle obviously) who have been here for a week and it's great we cross over for a few days.

Looks like we're set for a relaxing day tomorrow at the beach which I?m looking forward to!