The streets of the UAE are littered with so many eye-wateringly expensive motors that it's difficult not to become somewhat blasé at times. Having been here a while, I barely even raise an eyebrow no matter how jewel-encrusted the Bentley or neon-coloured the Lamborghini.
But that changed a few days ago, when a vehicle casually parked on the side street in Abu Dhabi didn't just make me raise an eyebrow but stop my car, get out and do the unthinkable - start taking pictures.
And you should be able to see why.
Isn't it incredible? Where do you start??
The giant ceramic lion on the back. The Roman legionnaires. The horns sticking out randomly. The painting. The tiger ready to pounce from the bonnet. It's part chariot, part safari adventure and a whole lot of incredible.
Despite it being a pick-up, you'll notice there really isn't that much room to carry stuff (the back seat also had some sort of giant metal animal taking up most of the space.
I can just imagine the conversation.
"Oh, you're moving house, I'd give you a hand with my car but, you know, lions and Roman soldiers and stuff."
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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