How a holiday at home in Abu Dhabi made me fall in love with the UAE again

A recent post-pandemic family visit helped our writer discover all sorts of new things to do

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque under hazy skies. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of Abu Dhabi's most famous tourist attractions. Reem Mohammed / The National

Qasr Al Hosn is a cultural landmark in the UAE capital. Reem Mohammed / The National

Take in the Abu Dhabi skyline from the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirates Palace, one of the emirate's most famous hotels. Photo: Artur Aldyrkhanov / Unsplash

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is home to the world's fastest roller coaster. Pawan Singh / The National

Ferrari World and other theme parks like Warner Bros World are located on Yas Island

Louvre Abu Dhabi is a must-visit. Reuters

Louvre Abu Dhabi is located in the beautiful Saadiyat Island with turquoise-coloured waters

The souk area at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Yas Waterworld water park is also in the capital's Yas Island. Pawan Singh / The National

Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Formula One every year. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

It took almost a decade, but a few weeks ago, for the first time, my mum finally came to visit me in the UAE.

Arriving with my two younger sisters, who were last here in 2018, it was a much-welcomed experience after an isolated, visitor-free past two years caused by Covid-19.

While coming up with an itinerary of things to do, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to come up with an exciting enough list. After all, eight years can make you feel as though you’ve seen and done it all.

But it's easy to forget that the UAE is constantly evolving and there is always something new to discover.

Just when you think you’ve done it all, there will be something happening to surprise you. Here are some new things I learnt about the country during my family’s week-long visit.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has undergone changes

The last time I visited the Grand Mosque was in 2018 when a friend had a layover from Jeddah. Naturally, I had to take him, promising it was something that couldn’t be missed while in Abu Dhabi.

This time around, I was pleasantly surprised to see there is now underground parking, but also amazed to find a completely new underground area filled with shops and restaurants, called Souq Al Jimi.

Evelyn Lau's mother at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Photo: Evelyn Lau

The shopping space is nice and modern, but perhaps what’s even better is how it makes the Grand Mosque feel all the more serene and distinguished.

Although it’s always been impressive, you get a new sense of how striking it is once you go upstairs and outside to see the mosque up close and in person.

The opulence of Emirates Palace

Another stop on our trip included Emirates Palace. I’ve been many times over the years, whether it’s been for a brunch or to see a show. Although there have been some changes to the five-star hotel (including being taken over by Mandarin Oriental from Kempinski in 2020), it is as opulent as ever.

Evelyn Lau's sisters and mother at Emirates Palace. Photo: Evelyn Lau

My mum was excited about the famed gold cappuccino, just one of the food items with gold flakes on offer from the lobby cafe. Although it was a similar experience to when I first brought my sister and my old university roommate who visited me in 2015, every trip feels special. You feel that you are in a space for VIPs and yet it is accessible for everyone.

Plus, the intricately designed lobby with gold hues and giant windows that overlook the water make for a great spot for a family photo.

Lebanese Roaster makes for great souvenirs

No family visit is complete without meeting my friends in the UAE — especially ones who have been my support system while I’ve been away from home.

After dinner at Mosaic, a Lebanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi, my friends Naser and Juman took my family to Lebanese Roaster, a store that I’ve driven by many times but have never once set foot in. I loved how many authentic items they have — from dates and spices to cookies and nuts — and how reasonably priced they are.

Naser and Juman handpicked food items for my family to take back with them, such as saffron, mastic, sumac and pomegranate molasses. These are things that would be more difficult to find in the US but now serve as fabulous souvenirs from the UAE.

Why not go for something a bit more authentic than a keychain or magnet?

Desert safaris never get old

Although my sisters have visited me twice before, they've never been out into the desert. I had only been once, in 2015. Since it was a fun experience, I decided to book through the same operator. I can confirm that seven years later, it's still a worthwhile journey.

Of course, the six-hour day trip comes with the usual henna, camel riding, sand activities, etc. But the best thing about the experience is being surrounded by vast, pale cream-coloured dunes of sand, away from skyscrapers and the bustle and noise of the city. Simply put, it really makes you appreciate the natural beauty of the UAE.

There are plenty of new adventures to be had in Dubai

Even though Dubai is less than an hour away from where I live in Abu Dhabi, the pandemic made it tricky to visit. Although we stayed in the emirate for only a few days, it felt difficult to narrow down what to do and where to eat because so much has changed in the past few years.

We took visits to newer attractions such as Aura Skypool (the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool), Museum of the Future and The Green Planet. We also stopped by beach and entertainment destination La Mer and took strolls through Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah.

It’s incredible to think that at a time when it felt as though the world had stopped briefly because of Covid, the country has continued to push forward, adding so much in such a short time. And for the first time in a while, I felt like a tourist again — getting ready to discover a new place and being reminded of why I fell in love with the UAE to begin with.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Dubai's top attractions

The Museum of the Future, with its remarkable architecture, has quickly become a highlight for visitors to Dubai. Photo: DTCM

The Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirah is one of the attractions that make Dubai a family-friendly destination. Photo: Wild Wadi

The shops, cafes, bars and restaurants along Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai are popular among tourists. Photo: Reuters

A jump at Skydive Dubai has become a must-do for daredevil visitors. Photo: Skydive Dubai

Admirers will say that the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world at about 830 metres, is Dubai's most famous tourist attraction. Photo: Dar Al Arkan

Visitors can enjoy an almost immersive experience of water and light at the Dubai Fountain. Photo: Alamy

A visit to Dubai often involves a trip to Al Fahidi Fort, with its dhow installation to celebrate the Gulf's maritime history. Photo: Alamy

The ski lift at Ski Dubai inside the Mall of the Emirates. With its 22,500 square metres of skiiing, the centre is arguably one of the Gulf region's most eye-catching and unexpected attractions. Photo: AP

Bluewaters Island, where the Ain Dubai wheel is located. Photo: Reuters

One of the pods on the Ain Dubai that offer visitors sweeping views of the city and Arabian Gulf waters. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Ain Dubai lights up. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm