Exactly 9 months in Abu Dhabi and 3 more months before my hopeful adieu.

But before I hop onto my next stop, I need to put a pin on all the ”must-see” places in the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi. Amazingly, I’ve been hitting birds with just one ”stone”.

ONE

Standing on the prominent Corniche beach side of Abu Dhabi, you see this half-lit dome-shaped structure from afar.

Since day 1, I had been curious about how it looked like up close.

One night, in yet another impetuous ride, I found myself right in front of the dome.

Heritage Village. Check.

TWO

There’s this dim-lit mysterious gate I pass by during my jogging nights at Corniche. Everytime I dash by, I see people coming out with smiles on their faces.

One night again, I found myself walking right into that gate and having a gratifying dinner inside the garden-like  venue. I found out it is Hilton’s extension beach restaurant.

I don’t have a photo of the exact place we dined in but know that I walked out that gate with a big smile on my face.

Mysterious Gate. CHECK.

THREE

A question that remained a question for months was: what was in the end of Corniche road?

I discovered the answer that same Hilton night. It was a dockage.

A part of the harbor was a semi-high wall of rocks which separated land from see. Climbing up this wall to face the ocean was a nice way to end the night.

While I gazed into the dark nothingness of the sea and the cold wind slapped me on the face, I realized that I had grown tougher indeed. These past months, Abu Dhabi has taught me one thing: FORTITUDE.

Mina Port. CHECK.

_____________________________________________________

3 additional pins on my board.  Now meet my friend, Samir – the person who made all these possible.

No he is not a ghost. We didn’t have a real photo together and I just had a crappy photoshop day.

But to you who has been giving so much and has asked nothing in return, I give you my snappiest salute!

¡Gracias, el capitan!