witsandnuts

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  • Tag: UAE National Day

    • Qasr Al Hosn in today’s Google doodle

      Posted at 5:39 pm by witsandnuts, on December 2, 2014

      https://www.flickr.com/photos/witsandnuts/15929355852/player/

      Have you seen today’s Google doodle?

      There is a significant element of today’s doodle. Aside from the UAE flag’s colors in it, they have included Qasr Al Hosn to celebrate the UAE National Day. For any viewer, it is safe to assume that the structure in the doodle is a museum or one of the old establishments in the UAE.

      https://www.flickr.com/photos/witsandnuts/15928973371/player/

      I was few days old in the UAE in 2008 (time flies!) when I first passed by the Qasr Al Hosn. I have always been intrigued what is beyond those walls. Few years later, I started to learn some Arabic words and realized that ‘qasr’ means ‘palace/ fort’. Then I started calling it in my mind as the ‘white palace.’ Until we finally had the chance to properly visit it in early 2014 during the festival as the mighty Cavalia show (here is the link one of the videos I took) was showcased then.

      https://www.flickr.com/photos/witsandnuts/15307765684/player/

      History covered by modern symbolisms

      Qasr Al Hosn is the symbolic birthplace of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Hence, it is aptly picked by Google for the UAE’s National day. It is said to have started out as a round watch tower defending the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi in 1761. (Well, freshwater is relatively more expensive than oil in this region.) It also became the permanent residence of the ruling Al Nahyan sheikdom and remained the royal palace and seat of the government until 1966.

      https://www.flickr.com/photos/witsandnuts/15929312932/player/

      (In 1963, the first post office was opened, the number of battery-operated radios increased and the telephone system has been installed.)

      Continue reading →

      Posted in UAE | 2 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, UAE National Day
    • Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

      Posted at 1:18 pm by witsandnuts, on December 2, 2013

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       UAE-themed chocolates.

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       A portion of made up tents in the office.

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       UAE flag-balloon.

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!
      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       Spotted in Al Jazira Club. I only dressed up the dashboard.

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       UAE-themed flowers in Eastern Mangroves Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       UAE flag everywhere;

      Happy 42nd birthday, UAE!

       Time flies. It was just like yesterday when I blogged about the 38th UAE National Day. It gets more colorful every year. Thanks, UAE for all the opportunities, lessons in between and for being motherly to those that consider you as their second home.

      Posted in UAE | 0 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, UAE National Day
    • Breaking the rules

      Posted at 1:08 am by witsandnuts, on February 12, 2010

      We shall not step on the benches. But it seemed like a lot broke this rule as they watched the parade during the UAE’s 38th birthday. Who can resist? Me. However, although it is discouraged to photograph strangers in this part of the globe, the shuttering and zooming were so tempting.

      This is my entry for this week’s photo hunt (theme: broken).

      Share/Save/Bookmark// http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js

      Posted in Photo Hunt | 0 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, UAE National Day
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    • About witsandnuts

      Snapchat-5703935704258315256 Marhaba! That's "hello" in Arabic. I am an expatriate based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I started writing about my adventures and misadventures few months before arriving here at winter of 2008. I have 2 cats and a dog who live harmoniously together. I am also surrounded by kindhearted, crazy, funny and indescribable humans! I was a dormant blogger for almost 3 years because of countless reasonable justifications like watching football, postgraduate studies, sleeping, traveling, caring for the world, and more! :) I am just so happy that I am back! It is never too late to catch up with the people and things we really care about. Feel free to look around.
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    • Recent Posts

      • 2017 Reflections and being back to basics in 2018
      • Obtaining a license for your dog in the UAE
      • 2017 Spring break in the US
      • Citywalk, Dubai
      • Not in This Lifetime Tour: Guns N’ Roses in Dubai
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      Living in United Arab Emirates

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  • Recent Posts

    • 2017 Reflections and being back to basics in 2018
    • Obtaining a license for your dog in the UAE
    • 2017 Spring break in the US
    • Citywalk, Dubai
    • Not in This Lifetime Tour: Guns N’ Roses in Dubai
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    Abu Dhabi Architecture Blogosphere christmas Concerts Desert Safari Dubai Emirates Palace Ferrari World Films Food Friends Life Malaysia Music New Year Philippines Photography Ramadan Singapore Travel UAE UAE National Day Wales Winello

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