Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

On our last day in Abu Dhabi we decided to join the public tour of one of the mosques - it was well worth it and if you are ever in Abu Dhabi it is a must do!!!!

(click on the images to see them larger)


Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's largest capable of accommodating 40,000 worshippers. It is absolutely incredible inside - u must go to see it if you are ever in Abu Dhabi. It is the only mosque in Abu Dhabi that non muslims are allowed inside.


One of the many chandeliers in the mosque


This is the main prayer hall which holds up to 5,000 worshippers. It contains the worlds largest hand woven carpet measuring 5,700 square metres and was created in Mashhad, Iran by 1300 weavers


There are one thousand gilt topped, marble columns, designed to represent the cherished date palm. They bear intricate floral patterns meticulously hand crafted from semi-precious stone and mother of pearl.


Close up of the columns


At the centre of the main prayer hall is the world's largest crystal chandelier - one of seven. It measures 10 metres in diameter, stands 15 metres in height and weighs around nine tonnes. It contains over 1 million crystals.


Design of the marble tiles


This is also an area where they pray. The marble is non heat absorbent and reflects the heat - so the marble always stays cold. As when they pray they place their foreheads on the ground.





Mother of pearl on the wooden doors

The mosque has 82 domes, gold-topped with 24 carat gold- one of which at 32.7 metres in diameter and 85 metres high is the world's largest of its kind according to the Turkish Research Centre for Islamic Heritage and Culture.



The main entrance to the mosque contains no less than 87,000 stunning glass mosaic pieces - all were hand-blown in Murano, Italy and precision cut before being shipped to the UAE.


I joked that I should take my own abaya to the mosque. But info just said that you had to be covered - which I was. But all ladies had to wear an abaya regardless and cover their heads.


The mosque has minarets at each of its four corners. Standing 107 metres high, the minarets are topped with 24 carat gold.


Inside one of the many domes.


The design on the ceiling mirrors the design on the floor.


The women's prayer room holds 1000 people



The "White Room" in the Koran it talks about a white room with flowers in it. Sheikh Zayed designed a room which represents the white room in the Koran (holy book)

Yas Marina Hotel

These are pictures of the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi - the hotel sits right in the middle of the race track.


This is where the track runs under the hotel


There is also a marina here

The walk up to the front entrance


This is where we stayed - right across the road from the track

The swimming pool - overlooking an incomplete golf course - this whole area is brand new - so a bit of a construction site really.

The view from the balcony of our hotel

V8 Supercars Day Two

The race was held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi - amazing is one word to describe it.


An aerial view of the Yas Hotel and the Race track.


This is the Yas Hotel - the racetrack actually runs under the hotel

The Yas Hotel at night time


Todd Kelly


Craig Lowndes

V8 Supercars Day One

Nick and I went to Abu Dhabi to watch the V8 Supercars opening race of the season. It was fabulous - the first night time race in history and the circuit was just amazing. These are just a few of the pictures that Nick took - if you are on facebook there are many more on there.




All the drivers gathered for a group photo


Volunteers for the day

This was some strange building that we could see out of the window of our hotel - not quite sure what it is.

Jamie Whincup - Triple 8 Racing - won the race on both days.

Craig Lowndes

There were some ladies doing henna designs on hands- it stays on the hands for about two weeks. I had always wanted to have it done.


We got to go on a Pit Lane Walk and I had my photo taken with Craig Lowndes (awesome)


Nicholas and Mark Winterbottom


Me with my tshirt that I had signed by a majority of the drivers


My favourite Craig Lowndes

Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup

Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom