On the way to our dream vacation in the Maldives, we decided to break up the long haul with a two-night stopover in Abu Dhabi. We imagined a gentle transition from airport to hotel, but travel has a way of serving up a little chaos before the magic begins.
After a brief standoff with the airport’s facial recognition software (the twins apparently baffled the machine so much that Madison had to be confirmed as “a real person” by another actual human), we emerged into the warm night air ready to find our shuttle.
Our “airport hotel” turned out to be a brisk 15-minute drive from the terminal, despite earlier claims it was practically within walking distance. We waited patiently, distracting the girls from petting the mangy airport cats, each of us armed with a wheelie bag and a backpack. This is one of Mandy’s cardinal travel rules: carry-on only, forged after being stranded bagless in both China and Morocco.
We could measure our jet lag by the number of times the teens dropped their phones, bags, or themselves. Eventually, the shuttle arrived, and we were whisked away to the hotel for showers, a quick dinner, and the start of our whirlwind Abu Dhabi itinerary.
1. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
If you see one thing in Abu Dhabi, make it the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. We were lucky enough to arrive during Ramadan, when the mosque stays open until 1am, perfect for a post-dinner adventure.
Book your tickets online to save time (and avoid being turned away when it’s at capacity). We were ready with long, loose-fitting clothes but had forgotten headscarves for the ladies, which we were able to buy in the underground mall you walk through before entering.
Security is strict, particularly for the dress code, but the 10-minute walk to the mosque along moving walkways lined with art sets the stage for the jaw-dropping beauty to come. One of the six largest mosques in the world, it somehow manages to feel both grand and peaceful despite the crowds.
Highlights? The vast marble courtyards, shimmering reflecting pools, towering minarets, Swarovski-crystal chandeliers, the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, and pearl-inlaid floral clocks. Every turn revealed another marvel. We left awestruck.
2. Go on a Desert Safari
This was, hands down, our highlight. We booked a half-day safari, leaving at 3pm and returning around 9pm.
The city gave way to desert, and soon we were dune bashing, a rollercoaster in a 4×4. There was laughter, screaming, and a fair amount of “are we upside down right now?” vibes. Wobbly-legged, we arrived at a camel farm for a close-up encounter with these majestic (and slightly intimidating) animals.
The evening ended at a traditional Arabian camp with camel rides, henna tattoos, live entertainment, and dinner on plush cushions. The twins were horrified when pulled on stage for a birthday serenade, a story they’ll be embarrassed about for decades.
Our favourite part? A dune buggy add-on. With the older teens driving the two person buggies and Mandy riding shotgun with the guide, we tore through the dunes in a high-adrenaline race to keep up. Terrifying? Absolutely. Worth it? Without question.
3. Visit the Burj Khalifa
Yes, it’s in Dubai, but when you’re an hour away from the tallest building in the world, you go. We arranged a round-trip taxi, which cost about twice what we agreed, but we’ll call that a “lesson in regional pricing.”
After killing time in the Dubai Mall (home to a giant indoor waterfall with diving statues, an ice rink, and restrooms so nice they deserve their own Instagram account), we made our way up to the At The Top observation deck on floors 124 and 125.
The one-minute elevator ride shoots you up at 35 km/h. The views from the top are surreal, so high that even our fear of heights took a back seat. We spotted man-made islands, glittering pools, and the sprawling city below. A bucket-list moment.
4. Eat Camel (in one form or another)
Not everyone was game, but we approached this as a three-tiered challenge:
- Level 1: Camel burgers (bravo, Patrick and Daniel)
- Level 2: Camel milk — plain, in coffee, or even a milkshake (time constraints spared us from this one)
- Level 3: Camel milk chocolate — the easiest win, and yes, delicious.
The chocolate is widely available (including at the airport) so even the least adventurous eater can check this one off.
5. Explore the Mangroves
Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove National Park is a lush, green surprise along the desert coast. We explored by speedboat, skimming the open channels before slowing to glide quietly through narrow waterways teeming with life.
The teens complained they couldn’t drive the boats and declared they’d rather be on the “fastest rollercoaster in the world,” but we loved the calm, and the view of the city from a secluded island was worth it.
We skipped the city’s famous theme parks this time, a parenting “win” in our book (though the teens might disagree). We’ve promised that next time, the rollercoasters, water slides, and fast cars will have their turn. But for this trip, it was all about culture, nature, and a little bit of camel.
Go Together Life 
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