Travel

[Alter Ego]

My last full day in Abu Dhabi.  I didn’t find that there were many choices for breakfast.  I certainly didn’t want another buffet breakfast (which was not included with my hotel package.). I later saw that in the attached mall there was a small grocery that I missed going to.  Just not enough time.

Yes, cake for breakfast!. I’m on vacation! 😊

[Alter Ego]

I started my day going to the Falcon Hospital.  Falcons are the national bird/symbol of the United Arab Emirates, with its history going back to its Bedouin roots.  Living in a harsh desert environment, the falcons were vital in hunting for survival.  They were trainable and able to bring back their prey alive.

Every cash denomination includes a falcon.

Hunting is no longer allowed in the UAE, but falconry is still a very popular sport. 

First, our guide talked about the falcons.  There are three kinds in the UAE - Peregrine (fastest), saker (national bird), and gyr (most expensive and beautiful, used in cross-breeding.) They eat fresh meat, no seeds. Most you will see here are female as they are larger and stronger. They have their own passports and are allowed to fly on most gulf airlines - usually without a cage and in first or business class!

We then went into the treatment room and was able to see a falcon being worked on.

The patient was was safely put under 

So the doctor could give her a manicure 

To be honest, she needed it!

The doctor also showed us how she hears...

Wingspan...

And tracker...

Another necessary procedure is replacing broken or missing feathers.  This is particularly important as it effects their “hunting”. They keep drawers of feathers for this purpose.

Everyone on the tour was able to hold a falcon (they are not lightweight!) and then one gentleman held it while it was fed.  Yes, I have photos of that and, no, I will not be posting them!

The hospital also has separate buildings for when the birds are moulting or when it’s time to breed them.  It was a very nice tour.

When we were being walked around, we got to see some of the other birds on the grounds.  Will just post this funny looking owl!

Before I leave, want to post a photo of the parking lot.  Many of the lots in Abu Dhabi are covered like this.

[Alter Ego]

I went back to my hotel between tours.  I decided to go up to the observation deck on the 74th floor of my hotel - free to me for staying there.  They actually serve food up there; wish I had remembered that!

[Alter Ego]

My final tour was a desert safari.  In other words, DUNE BASHING!

First, my driver needs to take some air out of the tires.

And we meet up with other cars.  Hoods are up to cool the engines in the desert heat.

Soon the dune bashing began!  I was in the last car and my driver would go higher and ride the ridges longer than the others! He was AWESOME!!

Can you see the angle of my car in the next photo?!?!

[Alter Ego]

We stopped for a little while at a camel farm.

We continued dune bashing until...

whoomp whoomp

One of our back tires blew and we needed to get out and push.

ok - that didn’t happen LOL!  We had to wait for someone to turn around and pick us up.  Which meant - time for desert photos!

[Alter Ego]

We finally made it to camp for entertainment and dinner.

They had camel rides, sand surfing,shisha smoking, henna painting, etc.

Me, being a hypocrite. 🙁

Not very good henna.  Maybe I should have given the tip first because others looks really good? Just happy it was gone by the time I had to go back to work!

Dinner - which was very good!

The night ended with entertainment 

And, of course, a belly dancer!

It was all very touristy, but I enjoyed the dune bashing and entertainment.  Honestly, as a solo person, I probably would have had more fun with someone. I’m a little antisocial and actually spent some of the downtime reading my kindle.  Is still something everyone who visits the UAE should do!

[PINKdogWOOD]

Absolutely Fabulous All

[World Traveler]

@Alter Ego Covering your face with a dot in that one photo with the camels was hilarious! Maybe one of the camels would have given up its knitted face guard for you LOL!!!!

Your posts are such a joy to read; and your photos are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

Keep them coming!

[Witchy Woman]

@Alter Ego

I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your photos and information.  Especially the "dune bashing."  My husband would love that, but would not be willing to go that far to do so 

What a brilliant thing to offer!

I also noted your driver was a handsome young man.  Do most of the people you encountered speak English?

The view from the observation deck was stunning.

Also, wanted to mention I saw a very ineresting show long ago that talked about the way they were dredging the ocean to add land mass and build homes out in the water. 

Fascinating!

[Alter Ego]

A few more random photos before we leave Abu Dhabi

A copy of a certain famous hotel in Singapore...

The Corniche 

Entrance to the Palace