Today we traveled to Abu Dhabi - another of the 7 Emirates, which was about an hour and a half bus ride away. Our first stop was Abu Dhabi University, were we received a warm welcome and a lecture from a prominent UAE Politician, and learned in more depth about the UAE government. The Federal National Council is their version of parliament - they have an elected president with a 5 year term. They also have an elected legislative body with 40 members (approx. 20% from the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates). 23% of the government is female.
As a rapidly growing country they have the luxury of studying the entire world for best practices in all areas - government, healthcare, schools, etc and have the ability to implement them. It seems they mindset here is on a grand scale - they are building several new cities at the moment, and even though the already have the worlds tallest building and the worlds largest mall there are plans to build even bigger ones. Also, some of the worlds most prestigious universities are represented here in Abu Dhabi, including NYU and the Sorbonne.
After lunch we continued to the grand mosque which was completed in 2007. The inside is adorned with semi precious gems and gold. On the floor is the worlds largest carpet. Some of the floral decorations in the mosque were designed by a British artist, and the giant chandlers were made in Germany. our tour was great, and our tour-guide had spend 7 years living in America, which he loved. Its hard to do this mosque justice in words - but it was breathtaking.
We continued on to the Viceroy Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi for dinner and the remainder of our evening. It also hard to describe this hotel - but think F1 Race Track a meets yachts, meets water all in a single glance. We received a tour of the presidential suite, where Madonna has recently stayed.
What a day.
-DSJ
As a rapidly growing country they have the luxury of studying the entire world for best practices in all areas - government, healthcare, schools, etc and have the ability to implement them. It seems they mindset here is on a grand scale - they are building several new cities at the moment, and even though the already have the worlds tallest building and the worlds largest mall there are plans to build even bigger ones. Also, some of the worlds most prestigious universities are represented here in Abu Dhabi, including NYU and the Sorbonne.
After lunch we continued to the grand mosque which was completed in 2007. The inside is adorned with semi precious gems and gold. On the floor is the worlds largest carpet. Some of the floral decorations in the mosque were designed by a British artist, and the giant chandlers were made in Germany. our tour was great, and our tour-guide had spend 7 years living in America, which he loved. Its hard to do this mosque justice in words - but it was breathtaking.
We continued on to the Viceroy Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi for dinner and the remainder of our evening. It also hard to describe this hotel - but think F1 Race Track a meets yachts, meets water all in a single glance. We received a tour of the presidential suite, where Madonna has recently stayed.
What a day.
-DSJ
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