ABU DHABI // Qasr Al Hosn is expected to open next year after a renovation project is finished at the historic site.
The fort is regarded as Abu Dhabi’s symbolic birthplace and plans for conservation work have been under way for years.
The announcement was made at a majlis held at the fort on Monday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The latest phases of construction work will start this month and continue for a year, said Mohammed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
Those phases include reconstruction work on the chambers of what used to be the National Consultative Council – the predecessor to the Federal National Council, and the Cultural Foundation building.
“Qasr Al Hosn will be completely renovated and conserved to preserve it rich historic value and transform it into a tourism and cultural destination at the heart of the capital Abu Dhabi,” Mr Al Mubarak said.
The work is aimed at maintaining the historic value of the site, which later became a home to the Royal Family, while turning the area into a tourist and cultural attraction.
During the majlis, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed guests with whom he talked about the lives of their forefathers and their values, sharing stories and old photographs, the state news agency Wam reported.
They recalled the efforts of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, to preserve components of Emirati heritage and national identity, including Qasr Al Hosn.
The event also included poetry recitations.
Sheikh Mohammed said that the UAE, led by President Sheikh Khalifa, would continue its development while continuing to hold on to its heritage and identity.
The Crown Prince also watched a video showing the phases of reconstruction and, with his guests, viewed the architectural model of the final plans for Qasr Al Hosn.
Mr Al Mubarak said that the tourism authority was honoured to start a year-long programme of activities aimed at preserving and restoring Qasr Al Hosn before it was opened to visitors next year.
“The Qasr Al Hosn site is emblematic of the pride and cultural heritage of the UAE and sheds light on the rich fabric of our history, people and traditions,” he said.
Qasr Al Hosn has existed since the 1760s as a coral and sea stone watchtower.
It was the first permanent structure built in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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76 nations
26 UAE teams
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The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
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If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
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New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
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Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
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Source: American Paediatric Association
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
