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Bookmark & shareA Top Day in Abu Dhabi
The bartender apologised: as it was a holiday, the entertainment would be beginning early - at . Indeed, it's hard to talk about a 'top day' in a city which specialises in 'top nights'. But then again, Abu Dhabi is also a city of top breakfasts, so it's worth a try. 'Rags to riches' is a phrase that occurs frequently in this wealthy, confident, capital city. My top day, however, would do some unravelling, starting in riches and undressing slowly from there. And it doesn't get much richer than the Emirates Palace, plum at the end of an extravagant line of marigolds and petunias, be-marbled, be-jewelled, be-domed and bedazzling, this is the place for be-reakfast. Slipping off the stilettos, I'll cross the breakwater for coffee in the Heritage Village and a glimpse of tonight's towers rising like organ pipes at the end of the Corniche. Speaking of which, it's on with the trainers for a jog alongside the Gulf, flat-calm and reflective, just like the city after lunch. Umm, lunch? That would be into sandals, and up to Al Fanar, Le Royal Meridien's revolving restaurant, to anchor the city in sand-spits and slices of brilliant Middle Eastern sun. And for a little of each - the sand and the sun - it's a drive down Hamdan Street in time to kick off shoes for sundowners on the Inter-Continental beach. Donning slippers and none too early, I'll taxi along Electra Street, living up to its name in lights, for a demonstration of hat-popping condiments in the Japanese restaurant at the Beach Rotana. Next door to Abu Dhabi Mall for a promenade, local style - preferably cruising the 3rd-floor incense shops. And lastly, better be boots and no nippers for the nightly gold rush at 49'ers, opposite the mall. Well I say lastly, but let's keep a shwarma up the sleeve (if we're still wearing one), for the ritual pre-dawn picnic in one of the city's many parks. In fact, may as well enjoy a final descent from riches to rags and watch sunrise from a park bench.
Author: Jenny Walker
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