Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is quite a contrast with Dubai. It's only 90 minutes south by bus but we could feel the difference even as we entered the city limits. Much greener and rather more elegant than Dubai with a little less of the glitz. But still striving to be the best in its own way.

The first example of this was Sheikh Zayed Mosque. We had already decided that the mosque we'd seen recently in Muscat would be hard to beat. But Abu Dhabi has done better. The mosque is a huge structure, with more domes than we could count and built of marble which is blindingly white in the sun. Exquisite inlaid marble panels on the walls and the floor, massive patterned glass windows, extravagant (but slightly gaudy) chandeliers from Swakorsky and a carpet which is reputed to be the world's largest. No expense has been spared here. Even the ablution areas are finished in a decor which would be the envy of a luxury hotel.

And speaking of luxury hotels, the next stop on our tour of Abu Dhabi was the Emirates Palace - billed as the world's second seven star hotel (the first being Dubai's Burj al Arab). Completed quite recently, it is a beautiful building with large grounds, outdoor fountains and gardens. A little less pretentious than Burj al Arab but no less opulent. We were able to wander freely and soak in the atmosphere of this glamorous place. Even better, the hotel is host to an exhibition of Abu Dhabi's plans for development of an island dedicated to arts and culture. The plans and scale models are architecturally breathtaking - a modern art museum, maritime museum, concert hall and outdoor spaces which draw on the very best of the world's creative designers. If these plans come to fruition (and I have a feeling that they will), we'll definitely be back to see the result.

Next stop, Abu Dhabi's Heritage Village, nicely located near the very glamorous marina. As with Dubai, the heritage center tracked the dramatic changes that oil money has enabled in the last 50 years or so.

After a day of seeing the sights, we had a lazier time on the public beach along Abu Dhabi's corniche. We thought it was very hot indeed and were dismayed to hear that it actually gets a whole lot hotter! We later took refuge in one of the many upmarket malls - apparently the venue favored by locals when Friday prayer is done.

Overall we were very impressed with Abu Dhabi. There are clearly different ways of spending oil money and we liked Abu Dhabi's way over Dubai's.

Simon