Hey, there, how have you been?

I was in a roll last April and May, sharing stories of my March-April adventure in the UAE. There's me catching the tallest building in the world --- the Burj Khalifa --- in most corners of Dubai. I felt like the absolute royalty along with hundreds others when I got to witness the majestic architecture and ✨ charm ✨ that the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace has. And, well, what's a little trip without getting lost and almost missing your booked water taxi to learn more about history and cultures of the world in Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Also, the UAE has some of the prettiest sunsets I'd ever witnessed, and I wish you'd see them, too, if you haven't yet!

This post will be the last of what is now a tetralogy of my adventure in the UAE this year. I feel that there is more to tell, and I wish I have more photos in my disposal to give you a more visual story. The next time I go on a trip, I will definitely put more effort into the pictures and videos I take. In the meantime, here's a little story.

📍 Al Bateen Beach

Since my first day in Dubai, it had been my goal to indulge myself in a swim in one of the beaches in UAE. So when we finally had the opportunity to visit one of the closest beaches to my sister's residence, we grabbed it.

Now, I am by no means a swimmer, so just getting to soak myself in the waters would be fun for me. But the saltwater was so dense, I actually floated without having to try!

It was amazing: for the first time in my life, I actually swam. Like legitimately swam and treaded the waters.

The Al Bateen Beach is a public place, by the way, and there are no entrance fees whatsoever! But that also meant the shower and change rooms are filled so many people.

other visits in between

The rest of my days in Abu Dhabi had been pretty chill. They have been more about visiting libraries, shopping, trying out foods, meeting friendly Babas, and admiring skyscrapers.

My sister and I visited 📍 The Galleria Al Maryah Island for some Din Tai Fung and book shopping spree (although, really, I only ever bought 1 book). I accompanied the kids to the neighborhood 📍 Abu Dhabi Children's Library where I was so sleepy, we only lasted maybe under an hour of stay. Then another local sweets shop, where a friendly Baba told us of his story --- where as a migrant Palestinian, he was in the first 100 government employees of UAE. He mentioned of good sweets and delicacies to share with family and friends back in the Philippines, and boy did I buy a lot.

sacred spaces in abu dhabi

Before coming to Abu Dhabi, I had the (very) false impression that the country is strict, being a predominantly Muslim nation. It was anything but. It was a melting pot of cultures, including religion.

As Roman Catholics, my sister and I allotted a Sunday to visit a neighborhood Catholic Church. We weren't able to make it to mass, but there was mass being held in Hindi. That was wild to me --- I'd only ever heard mass in Filipino and English!

📍 Abrahamic Family House

Then my sister kept insisting we visit the 📍 Abrahamic Family House. I went all, "What is that?" but we went anyway, because a trip is still a trip.

As it turns out, inaugurated in 2023, the Abrahamic Family House is designed to promote interreligious dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among the three major Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

The initiative was inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb of Al-Azhar.

It was my first time to enter a synagogue and be that close to a mosque! Inside the House was a mini museum with videos of the interrelation of the three religions. We spent a short time watching the videos.

📍 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Then the Grand Mosque.

I wish I could tell you how annoying I was muttering "Wow!" so many times the moment my eyes caught the Grand Mosque through the highway. It was so pretty and majestic even from far away!

It was already getting late, but we thought it would be even prettier up close to witness the Grand Mosque at sundown. Spoiler alert: it was!

From here on, I will not narrate anything in text and let the photos speak for themselves. I hoped I did its beauty justice, but you would definitely appreciate it more in person!

Each floral design on the pillars on the way to the Mosque was a mosaic of various tiles --- it was the first time I'd seen something this intricate!

i shall be back!

You bet I'd want to go back to the UAE. Maybe soon? If my financial state and time allow. 😆 Maybe with the parents, too, but they really don't want to (allegedly, just imagining the amount of walking tires them already --- can't really fault them. I don't think I'd walk that much in a long, long time!)

I wish I'd get to travel again soon~ This UAE trip definitely drained my wallet (I think I spent around Php 50,000 (~ USD 900) for this two weeks' worth of vacation. That's still a lot, considering I barely spent anything for accommodation or food (experience is charged to me; food and everything else charged to my sister 😆).

Next time, I want to try Al Ain and Ras Al-Khaimah! But until then, I'll maybe share other stories from my other travels.