Many many pictures (around 2500), they don't all fit on this page, so here are a bunch of sub pages (in order):

UAE is the union of 7 different Emirates, each with their own ruler and local laws, and different license plates:

This page has the summary of the trip and what didn't fit in the pages above. The packed itinerary started as soon as I landed:

Day 1: Landing in Dubai, Dubai Desert Conservation Preserve, and drive to Abu Dhabi

I got another covid test as soon as I landed because Abu Dhabi needlessly required a UAE covid test

the airport was pretty

Then, I got picked up for the Heritage Desert Conservation Preserve Tour (click me):

It was a great tour, they got me back around 22:00, a bit late given jetlag and when I woke up, and then I had to do the 1h30 drive to Abu Dhabi to my hotel for the next 2 nights (yes, very long day, but that made the most sense for the activities planned):

Day 2: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, Ferrari World, Warner Bross World

Abu Dhabi was much more stringent on covid safety, the buffet was protected and you had to ask someone what you wanted

After the tour of the hospital, I went directly to Ferrari World, a bucket list item for sure:

After finishing the park without any lines (woot!), I had enough time to also visit and finish Warner Bross World next door, and that was fun too:

That was definitely fun, I got back to the hotel not too late for an enjoyable evening and some much needed rest :)

Day 3: Going Through Abu Dhabi

After a fun morning with breakfast, I went straight to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where I ended up spending a lot more time than originally planned.

After spending much longer at the louvre than planned, I drove to Abu Dhabi proper to see the local attractions;

I went to visit a small fort on the way, fun but not essential if low on time:

former assembly house

Back on the road:

I did a quick stop at Emirates Palace, now a fancy hotel, probably spent more time there than I should have:

I actually stopped for a meal, so unusual for me to do that, it was yummy kobe beef :)

By then, I finally started going towards the Abu Dhabi Royal Palace, which was not trivial as the google maps entrance direciions, were all wrong. I barely got in in time (with just 10mn to spare), which is good because, OMG it was magnificient:

By then, it was dark (sunset at the royal palace), I hadn't had the time to go to the observatory 300, which would have been nice for sunset, but either way it was not possible to do sunset both at the palace and observatory. The night shots were still worth going up, even if driving there was a bit madening due to really silly driving directions (had to take a 10mn detour due to a pointless lack of road connection):

Then was the right time to go back to the founder's memorial, Shaik Zahed, which is only worth seeing at night. I did spend the time to watch the movie and learn about it. Overall, UAE has been lucky to have caring and wise rulers that apparently did not abuse of their power and really did their best to serve their people:

the memorial does not look like much during the day

But wait, the day was not over yet, that would be too easy :) Now, I still had to see the Grand Mosque, which was absolutely beautiful:

Cornice Road was very nice, day and night

The mosque closed at 22:00, which was finally the end of the day, well except that I had to drive back to Dubai for my hotel there. I was definitely tired when I got there :)

Day 4: Dubai flight, aquariums, dive, night view, and snowboarding

Next, I went to the Palm Hotel and Lost Chambers Aquarium

The aquarium was nice, but not a must go location, I've been to better ones, but it's a fun visit if you're taking the tram to palm fountain anyway. I also had the option to dive there, but I elected to dive at the Dubai Mall aquarium instead. There was a very nice water park that looked like it was worth a good half day, but I didn't have that time. Got some pictures from the tram that I took back and forth for fun (I actually drove there since I had a car):

After exploring that area, it was time to go to Dubai Mall, which would have taken a while by public transport, but was an easy enough drive:

the mall is the biggest in the world, didn't have time to go through all of it, but fun things there

I then went Diving in Dubai Mall's Aquarium, they were nice enough to accomodate me when I arrived early, and it was a fun dive for sure:

After the dive, I of course went to see the Dubai Mall Aquarium, which was another "not the best I've ever seen, but fun to visit if you're there":

One thing in the mall I went to check out, was the Virtual Reality Theme Park, it had a few fun motion rides you did while watching VR, that was pretty cool:

By then, my plan was to purchase Burj Khalifa "go to the very top" VIP tickets for sunset, but I didn't plan well enough, and they were sold out until after sunset, so I changed plans and hurried to the Dubai Frame to see sunset there. A bit of a detour, not super efficient, but the best remaining plan for the day:

Of course, the day was not quite over yet, now it was time to go Snowboarding at Ski Dubai :)

That sure was a lot of fun, I still had one last thing on the agenda, and went to get some sleep, it was a long and fun day :)

Day 5: More Dubai, Downtown, Souk, Museum of Illusions, Dubai Glow Park, and Burj Khalifa

But as I said in the post on the Grand Mosque, I have to give to UAE for being super respectful of other cultures and non muslims. You can even buy items forbidden to muslims:

After that, I went to Burj Khalifa for a day view from the very top (VIP tour at 12:00):

From there, I went to old town and the souks across the river, although a few things were closed on saturday:

found this poor hungry kitten, I fed it a bit

Dubai museum had been closed for a while during covid

took a cheap shuttle boat across the river to the souk

After the Souk, I checked out the India temple, hard to get in, no pictures allowed, and boring. Then did the Dubai Old Town Museum of Illusions:

From there, it was time for Dubai Glow Park, which was a *lot* of fun. Super pretty:

On the way back and forth, got some pictures from this wonderful sculpture for an upcoming museum:

Then back to Burj Khalifa at night

The day was not quite over yet, then went to Internet City for a nice meeting, although I was tired by then and needed sleep :)

Day 6: Google, Butterfly Garden, Miracle Garden, Dubai Expo 2020

Next was the Dubai Butterfly Garden:

and next door was the impressive Dubai Miracle Garden:

From there, my trip was almost over, I went to fill up the car, parked it by the hotel and took the subway to Dubai Expo 2020. I got there a bit late (close to noon, and it was closing early on sunday, 22:00 instead of 00:00), but still got to see a fair amount with good line management:

gas is about 10c/liter, 37c/gallon, nice

Of course, it takes a lot longer than a non full day to visit the expo, but that's all I had. It was not even on my itineary as I didn't know it was going on. That day was also the start of Dubai Airshow that I had no idea was going on either. It would have been fun, but I truly didn't have the time, and coudln't really reasonably extend my trip since I had to get home for EDC Vegas a few days later.

UAE Trip Wrapup

Thoughts about the trip: