My First Weekend in AD

     I just spent my first weekend in Abu Dhabi relaxing and checking it all out.  Friday was my first holy day here in AD and everything is closed until late in the evening ( 8 pm or so).  I spent the day swimming and lounging at the pool in the shade reading.  We had chinese food across the street from the hotel which was the first time we actually left the hotel and the connected Abu Dhabi Mall.
     Saturday was spent with a group of teachers I met.  After filling out paperwork for our new bank accounts we all piled onto a city bus and headed across Ad to another mall.  It was about a 30 minute drive by bus.  A bus ride costs 1 dirham which is roughly 27 cents in the US.  Women sit in the front of the bus and men are in the back.  The buses can get quite crowded but are air conditioned and low cost so you really can't ask for more.  We were able to visit a Carrefour store which is somewhat like a Walmart.  I spent the time pricing things I would need for our new apartment.  This was my first experience out in public during Ramadan and I was able to grab a drink of water whenever we made a bathroom start.  The news said this would be the hottest and longest Ramadan holiday in the past 33 years.  Holidays are usually based on the moon so they fluctuate when they start and end.  I hit the pool again after our shopping trip and then on to Popeye's Chicken in the mall for dinner.  My first official day of work is tomorrow,  Aug. 12.  We will be finding out where we will be living and possibly where our school is located.  I am really excited to find out where we will actually be placed so that I can begin to purchase things for our new home.  Enjoy all the pictures!

Rotana Beach hotel from the courtyard

Beautiful restaurant where we are served a free breakfast each morning.  The food is incredible.

This large table of fresh flowers is changed daily with a new color scheme.  Of course, this yellow was my favorite!

View outside the grand entry.

Infinity pool at the Rotana Beach Hotel.

Small fountains through the grounds provide soothing water sounds.

Kiddie pool with shade.

Private Beach for guests at the Beach Rotana.

Remember when we were small and they said we better learn the metric system since one day everyone would be using it?  I guess I should have listened.  This is the temperature chart posted at the pool area each day.

Bus travel!