14 things we have learnt from living in the UAE

The National's reporters and editors on what they have discovered about life in the emirates

Willy Lowry (one Year, six months living in the UAE): I didn't realise just how accessible the desert would be. You can drive a short distance (I typically go to Al Khatim, which about 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi) and be totally alone in the desert. It's a beautiful escape from the city and a great way to spend a night in nature if you have the right equipment. Antonie Robertson / The National

Balquees Basalom (7 years): I’ve learnt that Karak and Brata (with white cheese, hot sauce and chips Oman) are the best breakfast, snack and late night food. Proudly addicted to this combo. Picture: Karak Chai being poured. Ravindranath K / The National

Joe Jenkins (one year): I didn’t realise that Abu Dhabi was surrounded by beautiful mangrove swamps. They are a reminder that nature surrounds this city, as well as desert, and are a beautiful outlying sight whenever you cross in or out of Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Simon Wilgress-Pipe (10 months): One thing I certainly didn’t realise before I came out here was that a brunch was not a lightweight and relatively genteel mid-morning snack as the name suggests, but a full-on gastronomic onslaught lasting several hours on a Friday afternoon. The concept is clearly a UAE tradition, but it’s not for the fainthearted, and I suspect I wasn’t prepared for what I was presented with. Picture: Brunch by Asia de Cuba at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Asia de Cuba

Katy Gillett (three years, six months): This place dares to dream. From the planet’s tallest tower to islands in the shape of a palm – or indeed the world – and a giant canal running through Dubai, even the wackiest and wildest sounding projects do eventually come to fruition, no matter how sceptical you may initially be. Pictured: Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, is lit up with a record-breaking laser show on January 1.

Nick Webster (five years): Discovering the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah and elsewhere along the Oman border is a real treat. Not only is the scenery spectacular offering a taste of the great outdoors, the peaks of the Hajjar Mountains offer a welcome break from city life, and are a touch cooler in the hot summer months. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ian Oxborrow (six years, six months): I've paddled in various seas around the world, but there's been nothing quite the like Arabian Gulf in summer when it turns into a warm bath. Despite the high air temperature, you're left wondering how it is possible for the sea to be so hot? Courtesy Jumeirah

Chris Maxwell (two years, seven months): The diversity of the UAE population proved a pleasant surprise for me. Having the chance to live and work alongside people from all over the globe, from Canada and Palestine to India and the Philippines, has been a valuable experience. Picture: Pope Francis greets crowds at Zayed Sports City Stadium during his visit to Abu Dhabi. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Alan Griffin (five months): I never expected a sea fog to shroud Abu Dhabi - the view from the 30th floor is incredible. Alan Griffin

Faisal Salah (28 years) Being in such a multicultural city means you can get cuisines and goods from just about anywhere in the world. Picture: Gourmet at The Greens, Dubai, is a specialty Asian supermarket, with a café and Korean cosmetics store. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Philip Allen (two weeks): I’ve learnt that Abu Dhabi is in a sense more than one city, rather it comprises several different ones, both geographically and in terms of atmosphere / appearance. Looking at it on a map you don’t have that impression. Victor Besa / The National

Sophie Prideaux (five months): I had no idea that if you are feeling particularly flush, or are in a real hurry, you can order a helicopter via Uber in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Donna Horvath (six years): How green it is in Abu Dhabi with all the palm trees lining the parks and boulevards. And they're all so lush and perfectly shaped. None like those tall scrawny California palms. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Louise Burke (four months): I have learnt that turtles come every year to nest on the beaches. I have joined a volunteer patrol in Abu Dhabi to help find and protect turtle nests. It's a great way to get back in touch with nature and motivates me to get up early for the sunrise. Reem Mohammed / The National

More from The National: 

Why we should all stop asking ourselves ‘when are we going home?’

Hitting the heights with the Stairway to Heaven in Ras Al Khaimah

Wake up and smell the karak: the UAE's obsession with the beautiful cup

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Things to do in Dubai