Abu Dhabi doo!

Abu Dhabi City is the UAE's capital, even though in true Sydney-Canberra-style, Dubai is much more prominent in the international media. Abu Dhabi has close to 1 million citizens, and is located on an island 250m off the mainland. I got a quick glimpse of the city last weekend, when I went to see the R. B. Air Race.

It's, by all measures, a rich place. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the largest and wealthiest of the seven UAE members and has nearly 10% of the world's estimated oil reserves - so it's not surprising that an Abu Dhabi investment company recently bought a 9.1 percent share of German carmaker Daimler. With Porsche now struggling, there may even be more opportunities for the investors from the desert state... The GDP per capita is $63,000, ranking third worldwide after Luxembourg and Norway.

Despite its economic strength, Abu Dhabi is much more low key than its sister in the adjacent emirate. When you walk or drive along Abu Dhabi's streets, you notice it has a more down-to-earth feel, seems easier accessible and maybe even friendlier for daily life - not only because of the numerous green areas. I saw many families having a picnic, complete with grill and self-fabricated shisha for Mom and Dad; and there's a bike and skate lane along the long and inviting Corniche - where the Air Race took place last weekend, too.

On the other hand, there is much less apparent excitement, few tourist attractions (though they have the most splendid mosque I have seen so far, which, of course, just closed when I went there), and less showcased ambition than in Dubai. And you find parks in Dubai, too - but you'd be considered a madman going somewhere by bike in Dubai, I guess. Also, Abu Dhabi has its share of problems, among them overcrowding, traffic, and lack of sufficient public transport.

It appeared to me that you can find much more Emirati nationals here than in Dubai, as the percentage of foreigners seems to be lower in what is nonetheless a true multi-cultural society with sizable numbers of Indians, Arabs and Europeans. Links to Europe are especially strong, with many Germans, French and Swiss people mingling with locals in what is a bigger cultural community than maybe in Dubai. I even spotted a National Theater, which made me want to see a play, or better still, to be on stage myself again...

Still, there are some major building projects going on here, too, and there's some serious road works just outside of the city center. Among other things, the city is just building a brand-new F1 Grand Prix circuit - is that a fashion trend around here, see Bahrain?! - with the first race coming up on Nov 1.

Dashing back to Dubai at nightfall on the new broad desert high-way at top speed wasn't too bad, either. Ok, only 120 km/h were allowed, and as a true German, I stuck to that meticulously.