Trevor finally got to go on a boat even if it was a gondola
ride through the canals of the Shangri-La resort!  Not bad for
a free ride.

Victor could not resist Trevor's charm and figured it would be
harmless to let a 2 year old drive a boat in a narrow canal...

That's o.k.  When Victor got too scared, he just closed his eyes!

The canal weaves it's way through the very high
end Souq and the rest of the Shagri-La Hotel.

Trevor was invited to play the drum as we waited for our table
at The Meat Company.  Best hamburger I have had in the U.A.E.

View from the terrace where we ate lunch, overlooking the new
Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi that appears to be about 3 months
away from opening.

The Ritz Carlton sits at the extreme southern end of Abu Dhabi (the island).  There are many of these channels winding through the coastline and developments that make for excellent areas to boat without being exposed to the open gulf...  makes me want my boat!!!

Last week we headed to the border of  U.A.E and Oman (see our previous blog about this adventure) to get Matt's and Trevor's residence visa stamped.  As we were riding the bus back toward Al Ain we spotted a huge mall in the middle of the sand and palm trees.  The Bawadi Mall is part mall, part Souk and is a wonderful air conditioned sanctuary in the desert.  On the third level is a wonderful "snow" park.  By snow they mean white plastic runs to tube or ski down or a shiny white surface to roller blade on.  Trevor was extremely excited about the tubes so we paid our 35 dirhams (about $10 U.S.) and enjoyed our 10 runs down the "snow".  It was hard to capture his expression on the runs but he laughed, squealed and grinned down each run and scampered out of the tube to ride the conveyor belt again for another run.  I have to admit, it was pretty fun.

Riding the conveyor belt up to the top.
This was the only time that T actually stood with me.
This part of the "ride" was just as fun to him. 

View from the top of the hill

The "Snow" hill.  It has 3 tube runs and an area for skiing.

He is ready to go!

Our view as we head down the hill

I think he liked it! 

Even though the sign said 5 years and above Trevor managed
to sweet talk his way in and at HALF price none the less!
Well worth the 5 Dirham price of admission!
Al Mina Shopping Center

For anybody getting married or planning a wedding this year, say around May, and are still looking for a dress--give us a call and send us your credit card number; we will put a rush on it!!!!

Just arrived at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Our view walking up from the visitors parking area

The view from the front main entrance of the Mosque

Erin and Trevor escaping the crowds and running down the main stairs

Easily entertained... before the tour started!

Large domes and landscaping that hide the enormous lights
used to light the Mosque at night.

Shallow pools line each side of the Mosque

Massive courtyard after you entered the front entrance

Marble flowers on the courtyard floor

Entrance into the foyer which leads to the main prayer hall

Photo op just outside the main courtyard as we exited the prayer hall

Glass-work between the foyer and main prayer hall

Chandelier that hangs in the foyer leading into the main prayer hall

Dome above the chandelier in the foyer

15 different marbles make up these flowers chosen from around
the world in order to bring unity among the nations under 1 roof

Flowers start on the floor and grow up the walls, representing the
belief that Heaven is a garden 

The largest chandelier in the Mosque weighing
in at a staggering 9.5 Tons
 (I hear they need them
replaced DAD!)

Three of these giant chandeliers throughout
the main prayer room all of which can be
lowered by cable in order to clean

Largest dome in the center of the Grand Mosque

The scroll-work throughout was magnificent

The front wall was adorned with 99 flowers all representing
the attributes of Allah (The Holy, The Pure, The Perfect, etc.)

All women were required to wear an Abaya and
Shayla(head scarf) to enter the Mosque and all
shoes had to be removed before entering the main
prayer room.
The carpet under foot is the largest continuous
carpet in the world to date.  It took 1200 women
over two years to complete

All of the flowers in the Mosque have five petals
representing the five pillars of Islam.  These
were inlaid mother of pearl 

This is the corridor on the side of the Mosque where we exited
the main prayer hall

Gold palms at the top of each pillar outside

Drinking fountain in the hall

Cute kid... enough said.

This time smiling...

Hercules, Hercules...(solid marble)

Our tour of the Grand Mosque was truly stunning.  The intricate details and craftsmanship exhibited was amazing.  Our tour guide had a wonderful sense of humor and left us with a much better understanding of Islam than when we arrived.  The 1 hour tour (much shorter than Gilligan's) was one which I would recommend to anybody visiting the Middle East.  There are many other details that will need to be filled in when we go back again, hopefully with a much quieter Trevor! 

Home Sweet Home... For now.

Blessed...  Even though we are one of three families left in our hotel we have become quite attached to our surroundings.  The bread man smiles and waves as one of us runs past his window to chase down a bolting Trevor.  The grocery clerk who is steps away from our hotel smiles and appreciates Trevor's attempt to say, "shukran" while devouring his popscicle.  The Evangelical Community Church of Abu Dhabi, that is a pleasant walk down the street.  We were truly fortunate to attend the same week a new class was starting about how to live as a Christian in the Arab world.  Trevor has truly enjoyed being welcomed into the 3-4 year old class of Awana's.  He looks forward to playing with kids close to his age--and the frosting covered graham crackers aren't too shabby either! The doorman of our hotel never knows whether to open the door or just wave as we walk on past...  He did comment the other day that we sure do like to walk.  We do enjoy the walking even though so many people just hop into a cab because it does get warm and the rides are cheap.  Cab fare is anywhere from 7.5 Dirhams up to 20 Dirhams to get anywhere on the Island (For those of you who have not figured out the conversion yet it is about 2-5 U.S. dollars).  We take our share of cabs when we cut our time short but if we have our choice a pleasant walk or a fun bus ride is our preference. (By fun, I mean by Trevor's standard!  He is always welcomed to sit on a strangers lap even when the bus is so full that dad gets to stand in the "squishy" part of the bus as Trevor puts it.)  Every time we ride one of these crowded buses I feel and smell as though I am in the center of New Delhi rather than the U.A.E. but Trevor is fond of the "city buses."  Our permanent housing should be assigned soon but until it is we will continue to appreciate the amenities we have. 

The first picture of Trevor on his bike was his first choice this evening, however, he had to settle for a four seater with mom and dad since his feet didn't reach the pedals yet...  Another beautiful evening to pedal down the Corniche--a little work-out, a little mocha, and a little Cinnabon.  Ain't life grand!  Trevor has asked to ride these bikes since day one.  After a ride and a cinnamon roll he was one happy kid that slept well.