Our list of Abu Dhabi's less obvious spots you probably won't find on a tourist map.
Kayaking the mangroves
Abu Dhabi's mangroves are located just off Salaam Street. Exploring them by kayak with companies such as Noukhada is easy and reasonably priced.
Qaryat Al Beri balconies
There's no better place to relax than on the terrace of Pearls & Caviar (or any balcony in the Qaryat Al Beri complex) as the sunset highlights the Grand Mosque.
The fish market at Al Mina Port
A taste of old Abu Dhabi can be found in the chaotic fish market, where you pick a freshly landed fish and have a neighbouring restaurant cook it for you on the spot.
Worldly, low-cost restaurants
People of almost every country represented in the UAE have brought their unique cuisines with them to serve their compatriots and adventurous foreigners for just a few dirhams.
The beach on Lulu Island
If you have a boat (or, better, a friend with a boat) the sheltered Gulf coast of the island is a little piece of paradise still close to the capital. Just stick to the beach.
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
