What to say about Abu Dhabi.. it’s breathtaking, amazing, spectacular, strange, old fashioned, rich- all of this just doesn’t cover how INCREDIBLE this city is. I sincerely left my ♥ in Abu Dhabi. Simply Magic. While Dubai is more man made and very “Americanized” I found Abu Dhabi much more characteristic and a place that I cannot WAIT to come back to.
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Unfortunately though, I love going to different countries and places to try their local cuisines and street foods, but here too, there are no restaurants anywhere around hahaha so no street foods or drinks for me!! Instead, I “settled” for desserts and coffee with gold sprinkles at The Emirates Palace. After, it was straight to the Zayed Grand Mosque (Friday’s by the way, the Mosque opens at 3pm for those who happen to be on a cruise on that day. But, you can take the bus, have them drop you off and take a taxi back to the port. worth it.
**SHOCKING ALERT” I was so amazed at this whole entire day that for once, I didn’t even think of food!! That must have been quite an impressive day. hahaha!!
Click here to stay at the most magical hotel ever.
Once we arrived, we got on the Hop on Hop off bus to take in all the scenery. This city as well is full of the most amazing buildings. If EMAAR or DAMAC owners have any single sons, please let me know!! haha
The bus was great and it was a great way for us to see the actual streets of Abu Dhabi and how they live their day to day lives. It took us, straight to The Emirates Palace and it is exactly how it sounds too; A Palace. Gold and marble everywhere, I actually felt like a Princess. The Mosque didn’t open for a few more hours so we stopped at the little bakery for a Rose Tart and a Golden Cappuccino- because again, why not? Sure, it is a $100 coffee haha but I couldn’t resist. Who wouldn’t want to feel like royalty for a day? And hey! I’m on vacation!!
After taking in all this luxury at Emirates Palace, it was time to go give thanks- or pray, I don’t know haha- but we got back on the bus and headed to the Grand Zayed Mosque. This is where Abu Dhabi seriously stole my heart. This Mosque was like nothing I have ever seen- sure, we have the Vatican and St. Peters church but this Mosque gave me goosebumps.
Before the goosebumps though, came the “blast from the past-ness” that we don’t even have in our churches!! First, I was so excited at the fact that I “dressed” for the occasion when a lady told me my pants were too tight and I had to change. Sooooo here you go- yours truly!! Hahaha I died. 
But THEN- I turn to pops saying “hey I am going to the bathroom really quick, since I saw on the doors “male & female” – oh how I was wrong!! Those are the entrances. Just like the metro, women have their sections and men theirs. To me, it is the most incredible experience ever. Just so odd that it’s 2019 and they still do this. It is amazing though to see how tied they are to their culture and how much respect they have for life and 
traditions. 
Incredible. Once you walk through that entrance, that is officially when your breath gets taken away. A mosque that is made 100% of Italian Marble, chandeliers inside that are $9million each and a 16 TON carpet that took over 2 years to make. STUNNING♥
The photos seriously speak for themselves and check this one out too- hahaha I tried to take a picture with pops until one of the guards ran to us to stop us. He wasnt allowed to touch me!! Pops is all “it’s ok she’s my daughter” (by the way, everyone thinks pops is my husband when we travel hahah!! But nope NO TOUCHING ALLOWED!! shit… It was so worth having him not hug me for a photo- especially since it was alreadt 1,000 degrees outside and I had a scuba suit underneath whatever outfit they gave me. We left as normal Italian/Americans and left as Monks…
Thank you Abu Dhabi for the most amazing experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
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