ABU DHABI

"father of the gazelle"

Abu Dhabi Built first from the riches of pearls, then of oil, the spectacular "father of the gazelle" (Abu Dhabi translated to English) stands like a jewel itself. Strangely disconnected structures sometimes stand in isolation in the desert, only connected by a web of multi-lane motorways. The gleaming facades hide the challenges and sacrifices that went into their construction in this unforgiving and uncompromising environment. Abu Dhabi was originally designed in 1967 for a population of 40,000, but now its Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque could hold more people than that! The speed of growth and development is both upwards and outwards, claiming space from air and sea in an ever shifting panorama. This metropolis is always changing. Abu Dhabi will not be the same city when I visit next.