Yesterday we decided to venture into Abu Dhabi and visit a couple of Hotels to enjoy a drink or two, plus do a spot of shopping. We headed to Marina Mall initially, and then went to Abu Dhabi Mall (bit bigger than Marina Mall). The thing about Abu Dhabi Mall is that it is squished between two hotels, (read in between the lines here readers. Hotels are the only public places in this country that serve alcohol. No bars lining the streets here. You have to enter the Hotels to enjoy bars/pubs etc.,), The Beach Rotana and the Le Meridien Hotel.
At The Beach Rotana, we enjoyed the Brauhaus section of the Hotel. Ahh, a nice German Pub serving icy cold, genuine German beers...
...and German nosh. Of course.
After a feed we made our way 200 meters down the road to the Le Meridien. Here we had a good look around (amazing little place this one) then continued on to enjoy (another) cool beer, sitting in the sunshine, whilst Monet watched the tourists swimming in the pool...
It was then time to have a little shop in the Mall (lucky me bought some new Birkenstocks, my Christmas present).
Now, catching the taxi home was an adventure in itself, let me tell you! (It is not at all recommended to have a drink and drive in the UAE, even if you are under the limit. They have zero tolerance here. If you get caught with any alcohol in your system when driving, you spend the evening in jail. Best to catch taxis - they are very cheap!) It was nice to drive along the city streets in the dark, the buildings lit up like? like Christmas trees! Lol!!
On the way home (I am NOT joking here) the taxi driver was going 140Km's an hour. Oh my goodness. They may have a zero tolerance against alcohol in this country but you can drive any bloody speed you like! Go figure. (There are signs all up over town and on highways saying about Speed cameras but everyone knows there really isn't any. Police don't seem to be able to 'police' drivers here.)
Hope you had a relaxing Boxing Day too....
10 comments:
It sounds like an expensive way to go drinking. Hotels always charge the earth for alcohol.
It was lovely, thanks. When we were in Germany I was unaware how fast we were going because all the crs were traveling in excess of 100 kph. I could only tell by the trees wizing by.
Oh sound slike fun Melody.
The taxi sounds scary and so does breaking the rules in UAE.
Best not to even look at the speedo.
Glad you've had a good few days together.
Oh my - I have once been at 140 deliberately and it wasn't as exhilirating as I thought it would have - with a stranger driving even less so!
Kimbofo - you got that right! However our 'local', The Shangri-La charge much (much) less than those hotels in the city. (Much less ie. half! 22Dh for a pint rather than 44Dh for a pint!)
My favourite pub in Abu Dhabs is The Captains Arms in the Meridien! I think pints are around 20dhs, and in happy hour when they flip a coin they are frequently free!
I used to live behind the buildings lit up like Christmas trees!
This surely is a different world than I've ever known. Hotels everywhere and no Bars or Pubs, and Cheap Taxicabs! This sounds GREAT! (lol)
Happy Boxing Day--A day later...!
I am in holiday mode when looking at your photos ( mmm - foodie pics ! hotel pools ! ) and drooling in jealousy.
If the beer costs more - then so be it - i'd be happy ! :p
Isn't Singstar fun? You guys look like you're celebrating in high style! I know you must be excited about your sister coming. Hope it is all a blast for you...and that your furniture arrives!
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