DESTINATION FOCUS Museum of Islamic Arts across the dhow harbour, Doha.
rugs) and cushions, followed by schools of leaping dolphins and fl ying fi sh. But there is, of course, a very different
Arabia and that is where we headed next. ABU DHABI is currently the world’s richest country if you base it on per capita wealth. The dazzling skyscraper architecture that used to line the waterfront like an Ara- bian Manhattan has been set back behind a wide corniche lined with date palms and hibiscus where families stroll. There are man-made beaches, with some set aside especially for women or families. All of this has been reclaimed from the sea – which also supplies the water, desalinated at immense cost, to keep the desert green, the colour of the Islamic Paradise. In Abu Dhabi’s mosque, the third larg- est in the world, I had to wear an abbaya (a long, black garment that covered me
from neck to feet) and a black headscarf. Our guide informed us the mosque con- tains the largest carpet in the world; the white marble was imported from Italy; and the minarets are topped with 24-carat gold.
N FACT FILE
Built: 1992 Length: 297ft Tonnage: 4,280 Speed: 15 knots
othing prepared me, though, for the sheer beauty once I stepped inside. The cool, white marble is
covered with a fl owing line of fl owers and foliage over walls, fl oor and columns – like an Art Nouveau fantasy. We arrived in QATAR past more fl otillas of oil tankers to another amazing water- front. Qatar is due to overtake even Abu Dhabi in terms of its oil and gas wealth but is focusing more on Arabian culture than tourism or high fi nance. The highlight is the newly opened Museum of Islamic Arts, built on its own
artifi cial island and linked to the Corniche by a 60-metre causeway lined with palm trees. But there are other forms of Arabian culture, and we also visited the 500 horses at the Qatar Race and Equestrian Club, who have their own swimming pool and a daily shower. Then it was on to the falcon shops in the old souk, not hunters any more but the family pets of choice, known for their fi erce bonding to their masters. Our last port of call was DUBAI, the
most fl amboyant and fantastical state in the Middle East and now, it would seem, under huge fi nancial strain. Among the world’s highest towers and hubristic skyscrapers stand many stationary cranes, all signifying the bursting of a major economic bubble. But what else could we expect? It’s all part of the glamour and illu- sions of the Arabian nights.
Island Sky
Passengers: 116 Crew:
Passenger decks: 5 More info: call Noble Caledonia on 020 7752 0000 or visit
www.noble-caledonia.co.uk.
Itineraries: Island Sky is having a major refi t this May and will afterwards resume voyages to the Arabian Gulf. These include ‘Oman and Beyond,’ 12-day cruises from £3,455 in January and February 2011; and ‘Persian Gulf Odyssey,’ 10/11-day cruises from £3,045. Prices include fl ights, full board – including house wine and beers – all shore excursions, transfers and taxes.
Etihad Airways: Etihad fl ies 21 services a week from London Heathrow and seven per week from Manchester to its home base in Abu Dhabi. All services connect to the Etihad network through Abu Dhabi. Return fares from London to Dubai start at £399.60 in Coral Economy and £1,765.60 in Pearl Business.
For tickets and reservations, call 0800 731 9384. For further details, visit
www.etihadairways.com. 72
40 WORLD OF CRUISING I Summer 2010
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