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Seductive Siam via Cathay

22 Jan

Original Post Date: April 2010

Indeed it was a matter of time before I made my jaunt to the Far East. Asia, from what I’d read and seen, has always been fascinating to me. I knew eventually (being the travel enthusiast and one with a healthy serving of curiosity) I’d make my way over to the continent that’s arguably becoming a force to be reckoned with and on the superhighway to shaping our collective futures. Timing of course is everything and 2010 just seemed like the year.

Hong Kong was first up on my journey—sort of my gateway city to Thailand. Cathay Pacific runs a direct route from New York-JFK and takes about 16 straight hours to make it across on their retrofitted stretch 777-300ER (ER for extended range). Transfers into town are pretty easy and convenient – just about 25 mins via the Airport Express train to Central (the terminus in the center of Hong Kong) or via shuttle service offered by most hotel chains (kiosks easily spotted in the main arrivals hall.) From Central, there are easy connections to Hong Kong’s subway system, the MTR.

As with any major metropolis, accommodations are plentiful here and run the gamut from budget to ultra luxury. Most of the usual suspects, in terms of luxury chains (Mandarin Oriental, InterContinetal, The Peninsula, W) all line the harbor on both sides of bay. World famed The Peninsula Hong Kong (the original, built in 1928) on the Kowloon side is a must see—even if you’re not staying there. Drop by for afternoon tea or dinner and/or cocktails at one of the hotel’s trendy spots, Felix (the view of Hong Kong Island is worth it), or check out Sky Lounge at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on close by Nathan Rd—views of Victoria Harbor are also spectacular here as well. For a less pricey, decent alternative, check out Eaton Hotel–part of the Langham group of hotels further afield in Kowloon on Nathan Rd. (see my TripAdvisor Review), or something trendy yet not overly pricey, spanking new (as at the time of this writing) Mira Hong Kong* which is part of the Preferred Hotels Group, also in Kowloon.

When in Hong Kong, in addition to taking in the popular sights—Bank of China, HSBC Headquarters, The Peak, Big Buddha, sampling local Chinese fare and if you’re lucky, catching a street Opera performance, meandering through very exciting street market stalls is recommended. One such place not to miss is Temple St Night Market in Kowloon. The shops go on — and on. And the merchandise pretty varied. Plus for the adventurous foodies, you can find some of the best local cuisine served by the restaurants that dot the market here.

Next up: Thailand—were most of my time would be spent—as planned. The flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Thailand’s current capital and its financial and cultural hub, is just a tad over 2.5 hrs or so, so not a terribly long journey. Having the big tourist draw it does, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (pronounced Si-wa-na-phoom) airport is serviced by most carriers in the region, including very popular low-cost carriers, Air Asia and Bangkok Airways. Thai Airways (for United Mileage Plus or Star Alliance members) or Cathay Pacific (AAdvantage or One World members) also have comparable and wider flight selections to Bangkok from Hong Kong as well. Suvarnabhumi airport is approximately 45 minutes outside the center of Bangkok by taxi and costs approximately 550 Thai Bath (roughly $18)**. At the time of this blog entry, there’s no train service connecting the city and the airport yet though I understand they’ve begun to lay the initial groundwork to extend rail lines out to the airport, so this could very well change in the near future. Taxis are metered but some unscrupulous drivers may want to talk you into a flat rate off the meter. If it’s over the amount listed above, you may be wise to bargain down or opt for another driver. (Update: the Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok Rail Link is now open.)

Anything truly goes in Bangkok – believe everything you’ve heard. It’s no wonder this city, in fact, nation, is such a tourist draw. The city has some of the most energetic neighborhoods of anywhere in the region and having ‘fun’ here (however interpreted), is the name of the game. Plus, Thais are just such mild-mannered and humble people that having an otherwise unsatisfying time is hardly heard of. It may be important to note here that if you’re one who gets easily aggravated by the weather (the summer months are very hot and humid and rainy season, wet, as I understand it), plan your journey carefully avoiding these periods of extremes. Also, out and about, if you’d rather be ‘left alone’; this may not be the city for you. Thais, in addition to their open, welcoming, friendly nature, are also not afraid to approach you, if you can benefit from their services.

Downtown Bangkok pulsates with activity 24/7. Some of the notable neighborhoods here are Silom, Sukhumvit and Siam Square. In Silom for instance, you can find one of the city’s most popular night markets, Patpong. Lining the area are all sorts of eateries, massage parlors, and visually (or otherwise) stimulating bars and clubs – remember, anything goes here. Also down the road, on Surawong, on the opposite side is ‘boys town’. Chicagoans or those perhaps familiar with the neighborhood in the Windy City might be able to surmise what this is all about. Though, you’ll notice that the Chicago version is certainly a lot tamer.

It is true that you can get full body massages in Thailand at a fraction of the cost you’d pay back home—so certainly take advantage of it. Thai massage of (usually deep strokes with no oil) is of course very popular but most massage parlors offer other types that you may be more familiar with. In Bangkok for instance, massage parlors are just as ubiquitous as say Starbucks, for instance, so finding locations and willing masseurs/masseuses wouldn’t be a problem. I do recommend perhaps asking your hotel concierge for suggestions, so that you don’t find yourself in an awkward position with an overly aggressive masseur/masseuse. Some of these parlors can sometimes be fronts for prostitution.

In Bangkok, accommodation is plentiful and very affordable for everyone’s price range. From simple hostel-like B&Bs to high-end luxury establishments, there’s something for all. Le Meridien (see my TripAdvisor Review) is an excellent choice. It’s centrally located (in Silom) and offers first class 5-star service. Other notable ones are Mandarin Oriental and Aspen Suites (for range and variety).

If time permits, it’s a good idea to chart northern Thailand on your itinerary. Chiang Mai has become pretty popular lately and nearby Sukhothai (the kingdom’s first capital) has a lot to see as well. If you’re a little short on time, Ayutthaya in the Central Plains is a must. It’s a short trip from Bangkok and certainly worth it. Ayutthaya was Thailand’s second capital following Sukhothai, of course, before being sacked by the Burmese in the 1700s. Top agenda items while in Ayutthaya should include Wat Mahathat and Bang Pa-In Palace. The former is a temple ruin dating back to the 1300s that’s been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Don’t miss the Buddha head lodged in a tree trunk. The latter used to be summer palace of the King Prasat Thong in the 1600s. Don’t miss the immaculately kept lawns and shrubbery in the shape of elephants. Also check out the Chinese mansion.

Thailand is known the world over for its stunning beaches and Koh Phuket on the Andaman Sea is an extremely popular destination for this reason. The area has come a long way from the Tsunami devastation of 2004 and with best efforts, rebounded from the destruction and unfortunate loss. While you’re in Thailand, you may as well check it out—even if you’re not a beach sorta person. Patong is by far the most popular of the beaches in Phuket but can get pretty crowded and loud. If you want something less boisterous, nearby Surin is good option (just about 10 mins via taxi or Tuk Tuk). As usual there’s a variety of accommodation options here and finding suitable lodging is pretty easy. Twin Palms (luxury), Manathai and Courtyard by Marriot (mid-range) are all good choices in Surin Beach.

Having visited, I can see why this nation is at the top of most people’s lists of places they’d like to see. It’s everything you’ve dreamed of and more—I can attest to this as it was a little sad to leave. The comforting feeling is that it’ll always be there. For those of you on the brink—do it, you’ll be glad you did.

*Now open

** At the time of this writing

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Review: W Doha Hotel and Residences

17 Jan

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Amid glitzy skyscrapers that now form Doha’s impressive skyline, in the West Bay Diplomatic District, is where you’ll find W’s relatively new addition, W Doha Hotel and Residences. Being centrally located, it is within comfortable walking distance of most attractions in the area such as City Centre – Doha, The Gate (a recently opened luxury shopping center), and picturesque Al Corniche (footpath along Doha’s bay). Fittingly so, UK-based Designers of the mixed-use property, United Designers, spared no creative expression in ensuring that W’s vision was brought to life architecturally. It is a delight to behold – ultramodern and cleverly engineered.

Getting to the W is a breeze from Doha International Airport. It is approx. 15 mins by taxi and these can be found right outside Arrivals. There’s a W kiosk at the airport should you need assistance arranging transportation but grabbing a taxi should be fairly easy. It’ll run you around 50 QAR (roughly 15 USD).

From the moment you arrive, you’re made to feel very welcome. As is expected with this caliber of hotel, Bellhops immediately greet you and attend to your belongings while the charming host whisks you off to check-in. This all coordinated effortlessly with big smiles and tons of personality.

Rooms are very spacious; even the standard Spectacular room packs a punch. They’re designed in sort of a luxury boudoir like fashion, are pearl-shaped, have very comfy double beds (very adequate for two), a small sitting area, desk/workstation, electric kettle, Nespresso machine (…a collective sigh for you coffee lovers), iPod docking station, AM/FM radio and Samsung flat panel TVs with a mixture of area channels and your standard news stations: CNN, BBC, etc. Internet (Wi-Fi and wired) is also available at an extra charge but you can log on to the Free network in the W Living Room or most public areas.

Bathrooms are very roomy, too, with both showers (rain as well as self-controlled nozzles), and bathtubs, if you’d rather pamper yourself with a bubble. The standard Bliss toiletries are present as well as plentiful as are bathrobes and slippers.

You can literally spend days here–in the hotel–as it’s sort of a little community on its own. Located on the premises are 5 restaurants/lounges: 2 signature ones by Jean-Georges, Spice Market (New York, London, Atlanta), Market (Boston, Vancouver, Atlanta), W Cafe, Bliss Spa, Sweat (gym), Wet (pool), a ladies salon, CUT by Alexandre Zouari, and a whole host of other amenities.

With all the necessities and extras, plus the great service and prime location, look no further for accommodation while in Doha.

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Hotel Review: Athens Gate Hotel

14 Jan

I simply loved this hotel. For starters you’d be hard pressed to find another, at the same value, in such a perfect location. The Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch sit right opposite; while the magnificent Acropolis is to the rear, a comfortable walking distance away.

On this particular visit, service was pretty fast and friendly, with welcome refreshments served while my details were being taken. I’d booked a standard, economy room, but was instantly upgraded the next level up–a gesture that was certainly very much appreciated. A bar exists in the lobby area as well as a couple computer stations for complimentary use, should you need to Facebook status update or send that all important tweet.

My room was pretty spacious and clean and, I found the in-room amenities adequate — bed comfortable, bathroom neat with all the necessities, and in-room safe handy. It also had a flat panel TV with local area channels and standard international news offerings. The honeymoon suite (which my friends happen to be staying in) had a terrace with clear unobstructed views of the Temple of Zeus and Acropolis to the side.

Breakfast came included with my reservation (which I believe is standard across the board) and was served at the roof-top restaurant with picturesque panaromic views of the city, with the Acropolis as a great backdrop. I like a good breakfast buffet and Athens Gate didn’t disappoint. The spread consisted of your standard continental offerings, with Greek specialties, in addition, and a hot buffet with omelets and the like.

For accommodation in Athens–at a great value–look no further than Athens Gate Hotel.

Note: Please stay tuned for an upcoming post, 72 Hours in Athens, my article on things to do and see in this energetic city.

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72 Hours In Stockholm

19 Nov

As someone’s who’s covered quite a bit of ground traversing a good swath of European terrain, it’s a wonder why up until only recently, I hadn’t veered north on previous jaunts. The reason’s perhaps not entirely shrouded in mystery as I’m certain accounts of how ‘incredibly expensive’ it is (as one observer put it) and/or the images of persistent gray skies that tend to blanket the landscape, was certainly enough of a deterrence for me to have avoided the area for so long (I do rather miserably in suboptimal temps). Well, whatever the reason, that was then and it came to pass a couple months ago that I boarded a plane and headed north.

From the NY area, there are at least a couple direct flights to ARN (Stockholm-Arlanda) airport: SAS out of Newark and Delta’s recently launched service out of JFK. Of course myriad connections are available via most European hubs. Having adopted Kennedy airport as my second home away from home, my choice was Delta–though with much reservation (pardon the pun) as their jet service is on a narrow-body 757-200. It is odd for a roughly 9hr transcontinental flight (albeit with retrofitted engines that can accommodate the extended range for this model aircraft). And indeed it was quite cramped with absolutely no air of glamour whatsoever. On the plus side, however, it was one of the lowest fares around, so I guess a factor that softens the tight fit a little bit.

As previously mentioned, arrival is at Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) airport which is roughly around 45 mins to 1hr to the city center via taxi and a steep cost at roughly 80 USD (450-500 SEK) or roughly half that amount for train service, on Arlanda Express.

This is a city where the prices soar easily, so budget conscious travelers may have a harder time stretching their dollars as it relates to just about everything. Nevertheless, there are certainly ways to have a pleasant trip without having to empty your savings. And, if you’ve come fully loaded, you wouldn’t have any trouble stimulating the Swedish economy.

Being a major metropolitan area, finding a place to stay should be fairly easy. Indeed there are several options to choose from. Finding one that’s in your price range, however, may be more the challenge. Radisson Blu on the Strand is a decent choice and is centrally located–a short leisurely walk to Gamla stan (old town) and many other sites. Rooms are on the smaller side and perhaps need a bit of updating. For a very good and less pricey alternative, check out Parlan Hotell on Skeppargatan St which is also centrally located, right off the Strand. See my review here: Review: Parlan Hotell Stockholm

There are tons to do and see in Stockholm. I’d advice mapping out your sightseeing itinerary before delving in full force, so as to ensure you don’t miss points of interest along the way. One of the most popular and not to be missed sites in Stockholm is the Vasa Museum, which features a painstakingly reassembled centuries old shipwreck discovered at the bottom of the Baltic Sea only a handful of decades ago. It’s quite a sight to see and one could easily spend hours there navigating the many sections of the museum setup to retell the story. Travel back in time and relive the history of the doomed ship. If you particularly enjoy museums, you’re in for a treat as many others abound. Another one to put on the list is the Fotografiska museum which features contemporary works from artists the world over. And, Skansen, the open-air museum which houses a very impressive zoo where you can see some of the best collections of Nordic wild animals and those local to Scandinavia is certainly worth checking out, too, on a leisure afternoon. Give yourself enough time to cover the expansive grounds; it’s well worth it.

Stockholm comes alive at night. Not that it is in any way sleepy during the day; it just seems to take on an energy that pulsates when the sun goes down. Let’s just say that I was pretty impressed (and I’ve experienced the lot). Start out the evening with scrumptious fare at Restaurateur Mathias Dahlgren’s absolutely delightful Matbaren, nestled inside the Grand Hotel Stockholm. To note, a reservation is necessary, so make sure you try to book ahead. Dubbed the ‘natural cuisine’, Executive Chef Martin Berg whips up cleverly crafted fusion of Scandinavian and pan European specialties with hints of Asian delicacies which are nothing short of mouthwatering. To be sure, it’ll cost you (relatively speaking), so have the AMEX handy. It is however an experience that would be relished for a while to come, so treat yourself. Alternatively, check out Pa & Co on Riddargatan St. where the food is just as tasty in a less formal setting. Move on over to the bar after dinner where Stockholm’s trendy set toss back cocktails and bubbly and cap off the night there. Or, If you’re in the mood for a scene change however, head over to the bar at Lydmar Hotel. The drinks are good, the crowd enthusiastic and the ambiance amiable. The adjoining terrace also offers a great vantage point to people watch. If your appetite’s just getting whet and you’re thirsting for more thump, head on over to nightlife staple, Berns Nightclub. There’s a steep cover (but you’re likely not to care–being on holiday). Make no mistake, this crowd is ready to party and it does get rowdy, so be prepared to join in or go home.

So, the next time you’re pondering a short city break getaway, add Stockholm to the list. You’d be happy you did…

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Shalom! You’re In Israel

28 Sep

It’s typically not the first destination that’s uttered—or comes to mind—when you ask many folks where they’d recently been on vacation or where they’d like to go in the near future. Of course the exception here being those of certain religious persuasions seeking a deeper understanding of their roots—and/or needing to identify more closely with their sect.

Israel offers that haven–and so much more. No doubt, there’s arguably no better place to experience the mesh of 3 religions—Christianity, Islam and Judaism–all co-existing and laying claim to a holy land in a relatively small square radius (referring here to old town Jerusalem), just outside Israel’s commercial center, Tel Aviv. This sacred land sandwiched between Egypt to the south, Jordan to the east, and Lebanon and Syria to the north was next up on my world expedition.

To be sure, a little trepidation set over me as we’d set out to make plans for our journey. And perhaps with good reason, since most of what’s displayed in the media concerning the region largely surrounds constant feuding over land grabs/claims and the violence that follows suit. Plus, some of the quizzical reactions I’d gotten when I’d mentioned the t trip were almost enough to make one rethink the decision. Nonetheless, a plan was plotted, necessary guide books purchased, and I headed east.

Tel Aviv was first up-and pretty much the base of our explorations-while in Israel. International flights into the country touch down at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)*, in the greater Tel Aviv-Jaffa area–Israel’s main port of entry. It’s about 10 miles outside the heart of town and easily accessible via train or taxi. It should be noted that security is pretty strict, so be mindful of this and budget a little extra time, especially on departure.

Tel Aviv is literally a city on the cusp. Celebrating its Centennial this year, it’s the second largest city in Israel (about two-thirds the population size of Jerusalem) and is the commercial, cultural and urban center of Israel. Skyscrapers can be seen dotting the city’s landscape with others in construction or about to go up. It’s right on the banks of the Mediterranean, so there’s a bustling beach culture (check out Hilton Beach, just south of Tel Aviv Port) and hotels and trendy cafes can be seen lining the shoreline–and, increasingly, attracting holidaymakers the world over.

This city not only features scrumptious regional fare–hummus, shakshouka, shawarma, falafel are musts (we did not have one bad meal on our entire trip), but also, Mediterranean, Asian, and other mouthwatering international cuisines and fusions. Also, to note, you needn’t be a connoisseur to appreciate the locally produced wines from the region. Not much of it’s exported—so you may want to indulge a little while you’re visiting. Some places to try out are, from the ultra-swanky Messa– www.messa.co.il with adjoining bar ($$$$) and Manta Ray on Alma Beach– www.mantaray.co.il ($$$)  – great for brunch, sea views and old Jaffa in the distance, to family-style eatery, Dr. Shakshouka (www.drshaksuka.rest-e.co.il), a truly interesting experience. Bring your appetite with you here, especially if you opt for the tasting menu (business lunch). It is stated on their website that credit cards are accepted but plastic was declined when we visited, so I would suggest making an ATM run prior to taking your seat.

Tel Aviv has an extremely simmering nightlife. You’ve probably heard it mentioned before—believe every word. Fridays tend be to key going-out nights and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that closing time’s not till daybreak—so bring your stamina with you. Several bars and clubs are clustered around the Port area (check out TLV or -1 off Rothschild Blvd) and sometimes takes a little bit of finagling to wiggle your way in, especially the later it gets.  For something a little less thumping, check out newly open The Full Monty (26 Bograshov St) off Ben Yehuda, featuring performances by local bands.

For a little R&R and a truly unique experience, a trip out to the Dead Sea is a must. Ein Bokek further south along the strip has several hotels/resorts and is relatively easily accessible. There are buses that head out from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem but can be crowded—so plan accordingly and arrive early. Alternatively, and perhaps more dependably, renting a car for the trip works, too; routes are pretty straightforward. Isrotel Dead Sea** is good choice for where to stay while in Ein Bokek – it’s easily one of the best in the area. Most rooms offer sea or partial sea views, breakfast buffet’s included, and the indoor/outdoor heated floating pool (good especially offseason) is irresistible.

As the largest city in the State of Israel, Jerusalem’s probably (and not surprisingly) also the most popular. Allow at least a full day to explore the old town which is nothing short of fascinating. As you meander through the distinct quarters, haggle at the bazaars, and visit the religious sites—the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—or trace the footsteps of Jesus Christ through the fourteen Stations of the Cross via Via Dolorosa, it’s easy to see why so many flock here and also, the unfortunate paradox of religious strife for centuries.
Whatever your interests, Israel’s diversity offers something for everyone. It’s a multifaceted nation that begs to be explored and the people are warm and inviting. Service may not be as snappy or as refined as you may be used to but it only means that you get to enjoy your trip all the more—relaxed.

*Getting there: Direct flights from the New York area – Delta Air Lines: www.delta.com and Continental: www.continental.com. Connections are also possible via most European hubs.

**Isrotel Dead Sea: http://www.isrotel.co.il/English/Content/HotelPage.asp?HID=14

Pricing: $$$$-more expensive, $-less expensive

Article written Dec 2009

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A Venetian Affair – Café Florian

27 Sep

Cafe Florian, Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. Said to be the oldest cafe in Europe.

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5 Minutes and A Cup of Joe with Costa Rica Connection’s Jose Brenes

27 Sep

Yomi grabs 5 minutes and a cup of joe with Costa Rica Connection’s Jose Brenes

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First Look: ANA (All Nippon Airways)

26 Sep

Route: NY-JFK –> Tokyo-NRT

A highly trafficked route (at my last count, 5 different carriers namely, ANA, American, Continental, Delta, and JAL offer nonstop service to Japan from the NY area), and thus competition fierce, driving the need to offer patrons unique experiences. This is always a good thing for consumers as airlines try their utmost to lure the purchasing public, especially business travelers. On this particular journey, I flew coach and therefore the perspective from which the airline’s being reviewed.

ANA’s service to Tokyo is on the stretch version of the 777 series, the 777-300ER. All aforementioned carriers fly variants of this aircraft (either the 777-200 or 777-300 with Delta the one exception opting instead to now fly the newly acquired 747s from the former Northwest Airlines fleet). The 777 is one of my favorite wide body jets. They’re easily identifiable with 3 rear landing gears on either side (as opposed to the standard two, plus addnl inward supporters, for other aircraft in the same class like competitor Airbus’ A340-500/600). The cabin width is also generous enough to comfortably accommodate a  standard 3-3-3 (some airlines like Air France configure their 777-300 series in a 3-4-3 alignment like the 747) in coach vs the slimmer A330/A340 comparisons which have narrower cabins and come configured in a standard 2-4-2 arrangement.

I love ANA’s seating configuration in Economy. They’ve opted to go the 3-4-2 route which I think is clever, accommodating a sort of lovers’ lane with the 2 on the side and the others which remain standard. Seats are pretty comfy with decent legroom (34” seat pitch) and pull down leg rests. In-Flight entertainment is good with large (10.6-inch) LCD touch-panel personal monitors and a variety of on-demand entertainment options-though not the best I’ve seen (think Cathy Pacific or Virgin Atlantic for comparison), and, Universal PC power port and USB connections.

The food is absolutely delicious and portions satisfying, especially the post takeoff meal (served shortly after being airborne). There are typically a couple choices–western or Asian. One criticism here, there’s no mid-journey meal, though ANA has a for purchase menu where you can purchase light meals from. I did find this a tad odd for a 14hr nonstop flight. To be fair my 16hr journey on Cathay Pacific earlier in the year also had no meals midway through, though we were served snacks. Standard pre-arrival light meal service offered.

Overall, a very good experience.

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Review: Parlan Hotell Stockholm

16 Sep

Tucked away on a quiet street, Skeppargatan, Parlan Hotell Stockholm couldn’t be any more conveniently situated. It is an ideal spot for visitors looking for a safe, comfortable haven, smack in the middle of town, without having to necessarily break the bank.

The establishment has an interesting history: Once an all-girl’s school dating back roughly 60 years, today it has been transformed into a pretty smart looking, cozy, bed and breakfast packed with value for the budget conscious traveler.

Being a solo traveler on this particular trip, I booked a single room for my stay (though to my understanding, doubles are available as well). My room was of adequate size (perhaps a tad on the smaller size–which wasn’t terribly surprising as it’s largely to be expected in a city that carries a premium on just about everything). It had a single bed that was comfortable enough, a workstation, small bathroom (with all in one hair+shower gel dispensers), small closet, TV (non-flat screen), and a window that faced a charming courtyard.

Parlan features a standard continental breakfast buffet (included in your reservation) and can be enjoyed in the dining hall adjacent to the kitchen. It is served through 10:00AM, though I would advise verifying with the staff to ascertain.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. Gustav and his team were excellent and ensured I, like other patrons, were well catered for. Parlan is a great alternative (to otherwise pricey hotels) in Stockholm.

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Around Town in Abu Dhabi

9 Aug

With Mideast unrest at a feverish pitch as signaled by recent epic occurrences (uprisings and toppling of several notorious dictatorships in the area), one may not be immediately inclined to consider the region a suitable spot for the next vacation spot. Perhaps fair enough, though as of this writing at least, there are still swaths of states in the area that have largely, in one way or another, been left unscathed by all the volatility in the region. One such amalgam of Emirates in the Arabian Peninsula is the United Arab Emirates and I got to experience firsthand what all the hoopla over Dubai and less popular (but perhaps for not much longer) Emirate and capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, is all about.
I’d been curious about Dubai for some time now but Abu Dhabi, more recently, piqued my interest the most, since I’d been reading a lot about recent high-profiled developments in the area and how it is beginning to come into its own as a destination in its own right. And thus, I decided to choose it as my base of exploration. As I got to find out, this up and comer is gradually emerging from the shadows of its trendier sibling, Dubai, with pretty aggressive plans to become the cultural hub for the UAE and indeed the region. It’s likely Abu Dhabi’s conceited to Dubai as the nation’s primary commercial center—boasting the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, amongst others (though as recently reported plans are underway in Saudi Arabia to build an even taller monstrosity)–but Abu Dhabi now has bragging rights as the first city to host an outpost for the world famed Louvre in Paris (currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in 2012) and, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi joining the global Guggenheim network (New York, Bilbao, Berlin, Venice) slated to be completed and opened by 2013. Both of these museums will be located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
In terms of making ones way over from North America: Emirates and Delta both run direct routes to Dubai from the US; the former from NY-JFK (and depending on your itinerary, on their ultra-lux A380 jumbo jet), and the latter from Atlanta — with seamless connections to Abu Dhabi. Etihad on the other hand runs a direct route from NY-JFK to Abu Dhabi typically on the stretch version of the airbus A340 series, the -500/600 range. The trip’s roughly 14 hrs (from NY), but if being on an aircraft for that long isn’t particularly appealing to you, alternatively, seamless connections are also possible via major European hubs.
Arrival at Abu Dhabi is at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Transfers into town are fairly easy and because of the favorable exchange rate–at the time of this of this article (1 USD roughly translating to 4 Emirati Dirham – AED)–even hailing a taxi is into town is quite reasonable. Easy connections to Dubai via coach buses right outside the terminal are also possible. It’s roughly a 1.5 hr. journey.
Not surprisingly for a city its size and being the capital, there are numerous choices when it comes to accommodations – with many more constructions underway. My choice was W’s popular spinoff, ultramodern and hip aLoft Abu Dhabi located at the trendy ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center). See separate write-up: Quality
Services and Amenities at an Affordable Rate. The amenities, such as the poolside lounge where the regions trend set get to chillax and, of course, showoff a little bit of skin, plus the property’s bar/nightclub on the top floor, Relax @ 12 — with panoramic views of the city below, alone are enough to get even the most finicky traveler intrigued. Other notables for accommodation in Abu Dhabi are the InterContinental, Shangri-La, Hilton, and not to mention, world famed Emirates Palace Hotel. If ponying up the cash isn’t quite in the cards, stop by for a visit, or afternoon tea, it is indeed a sight to see.
Becoming an increasingly multi-cultural hub (just roughly 16% of the overall nation’s populace is Emirati), cuisine choices run the gamut. What tends to dominate, being in the Middle East, are Lebanese specialties. Check out Lebanese Flower at either the Al Khalidiyah or Tourist Club locations. The food is pretty good and draws a crowd of mostly locals and visitors alike. Having a strong Southeast Asian draw, cuisines from that area are also plentiful with lots of options to choose from.
There are lots to see and do in this capital city. Shopping, for those seeking retail therapy, is a favorite pastime among visitors and locals alike. Boasting several complexes from high-end luxury brand outlets to merchants pedaling locally and regionally made goods, this town’s a shopper’s delight. Being that this area is commonly referred to as the ‘new’ Middle East, commercialism and some fear–the excess of–reigns supreme in Abu Dhabi. There’s also perhaps the unstated competition between commercial hub, Dubai, so there’s a building boom–with flashier and more dramatic structures (though thankfully not quite at the level of Dubai’s yet which is a little refreshing). One such mega-complex is the Ferrari World on Yas Island, something to certainly try and see on your visit.
Some other remarkable sights across town and experiences that ought not to be missed: architectural gem and house of worship, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world, noted earlier in the write-up, Emirates Palace Hotel which hosted–amongst others–the controversially extravagant Christmas tree last holiday season, and, dune bashing or what might be referred to as ‘desert safari’ are absolute musts.

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