It's the picture-perfect destination nestled away in the desert of Abu Dhabi that has taken social media by storm.
Visitors have been flocking to Al Wathba in their droves in recent months, smartphones in hand, to catch a glimpse of what has come to be known as Long Salt Lake.
Instagram feeds have been filled with stunning images of what are actually two lakes, with crystal-clear waters containing floating formations of salt likened to giant lily pads.
Seeing is believing and even those who take the latest internet trends with a healthy pinch of salt are sure to be suitably impressed.
The beauty spot is a little off the beaten track, about an hour's drive away from the city.
It is close to the popular fossil dunes, with the closest roads to it being the E65 and E30. There is some off-road driving required, so get behind the wheel of an SUV if possible.
Christine Eunice Santos decided to visit with her sister and two cousins.
Despite a little trouble finding the right spot, they were rewarded with an unforgettable experience that made up for the fact overseas travel was off the agenda this year.
And, of course, some treasured snaps to light up her Instagram account.
“We were looking for somewhere to go within Abu Dhabi only, as the [Covid-19] restrictions have become stricter,” said the 40-year-old quantity surveyor from the Philippines.
“We checked on Instagram and were enticed by the salt lake. We appreciated the view, especially the nice photos we have taken.
“It was amazing to see the salt formation white as ice and crystal-like water. It is something out of the ordinary, especially in the middle of the desert.”
Kebee Itong went along with his wife Toni, and son Whelan.
The 35-year-old dental assistant has been living in Abu Dhabi for three years, but said he had not heard of the lakes until a few weeks ago.
“My wife found it while searching online for places to visit in Abu Dhabi and I heard about it from a colleague,” said the Filipino resident.
After losing their way, they asked around a bit and were told the lakes area was near the fossil dunes.
“We went to the dunes and asked people there, who said 'follow the power lines'. We did and found it,” he said.
“It is nice to be here in the late afternoon. The breeze is a bit cooler than inside the city.
“We will definitely come back with friends who haven’t visited yet.
His son, a Year 8 pupil, said he was intrigued by the saline formations that looked like giant lily pads.
Ayaz Khan, 40, decided to visit with friends during the Eid break.
“We had seen stories posted by friends on social media of it and decided to go there," said the Pakistani logistics supervisor, who lives in Dubai.
"We were already staying in Abu Dhabi in Bab Al Nojoum, and headed the next morning to discover the famous Wathba lakes.
“The weather was good, not very hot. We took photos there because [the salt] looks like snow."
What is the secret of the salt lake?
John Burt, an associate professor of biology at New York University Abu Dhabi, said the lakes were formed using water released into the desert.
"The sharp crystals of salt started to form because of water evaporation. All the salts are slowly built up over time," he said.
Even if the answer to how this online phenomenon came to be may not wow many influencers, this striking tourist attraction is set to be a sure-fire hit for a long time to come.
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
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Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
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4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.