Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi tourism brought us to the desert city for 3 days of exploring.
We flew in with Etihad directly Via Nairobi, Kenya.
The first day we took a 2 hour drive to the island of Sir Bani Yas and stayed at Anatara Beach Villas, this island has 3 resorts by Anatara & is renowned for its animals brought to the island.
We did a sunset Safari & learnt about the work they were doing with animals here on the island, what I found the most fascinating was that they had reintroduced an extinct species back to the wild due to their breeding programs on the island.
Heres a link that explains more
It was a beautiful sunset and we got so up close with the two brother cheetahs.
The following morning we watched the sunrise from the ocean right in front of our villa before an early breakfast and transfer back to the mainland to head back to the city before lunch.
We checked into the Ritz Carlton with a beautiful suite overlooking the Grand Mosque. For sunset we headed to Shangri La, where we had tea, shisha and the most unreal spot to watch the sunset behind the Mosque.
Dinner that night was back at the Ritz Carlton at their middle eastern restaurant- Mijana.
Day 3 was a busy one- we started the day off with a visit to the Grand Mosque, this is obviously a must do when visiting Abu Dhabi.
All girls have to be completely covered up, and thats why I wore the full covered dress, not even your hair is allowed to be out in your face, which I struggled with when taking photos!
After lunch we took a 2 hour drive out to the desert, to Qasr Al Arab resort, this resort is SO incredible, if I go back I will certainly be spending a night or two out there, surrounded by the most beautiful sand dunes, it looks like an old desert village nestled in the dunes.
We stayed out at the desert and resort until after sunset, we were had our driver just take us around to spots that we pointed out, we’ve done the camel rides for sunset in other parts of the world, and found most the time we’ve missed the best of the sunset on an uncomfortable camel back rather than out on the dunes to enjoy it.
And finally our last day here, we headed to the Jalboot office where we met all the team before heading of on our private boat ride to Zaya Nurai Island, which is a 5 star resort island around 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi.
On arrival to the island we checked out some of the villas before spending the day at Smokey Pineapple beach bar, this place was so much fun, so much to do, and so many photo opportunities, only thing that could have made it better would be staying a few days at this resort so we could relax and take beautiful photos in the dreamy afternoon light that Abu Dhabi has.
We had fresh wood fired pizzas, some mocktails and spent the day on the jet skis, over water swings, wave rider & by the pool.
When we got back to The Ritz Carlton they had us booked in for a spa treatment, this was one of the best massages I’ve had!
We quickly rushed to the Grand Mosque for one last sunset visit before it was time to head to the airport.
highlights for me; Zaya Nurai Island resort, Qsar Al Arab Resort (desert) & the Grand Mosque.
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78 thoughts on “Abu Dhabi

  1. You guys are amazing, I love and respet your job, it’s just magical. I hope one day I could travel the world and take perfect pictures like you do, it’s such a dream life. ā™„ļøāœØšŸ‘šŸ»

  2. Well done guys. We live in Abu Dhabi presently and you have done a wonderful job of show caseing it here! Fantastic!
    Ali & Rob

  3. Awesome post as always !! I’m in love with the long dress you wore to the Grand Mosque , it suits you very well and sets a brilliant colour scheme in contrast to the white mosque!! I’d love to visit again, you got me super excited for it šŸ˜€

  4. I am just so in love with your photography and love to see more on your blog and more behind the scenes on snapchat. You guys give me so much inspiration and it makes my everyday school life here in Germany so much easier! One day I want to travel the world and right now I am planning my Gap year after graduating next year. I want to go to Australia and I am just so so so exited for all the experiences that I will make, and the people I will meet. Travelling is just such a magical thing and you and Jack always capture it perfectly in your shoots!
    Thank you so much for sharing them with us and making my life a bit brighter every day!
    Love from Germany
    Xx Paulie <3
    http://www.mind-wanderer.com

  5. You never disappoint! I love them all ā¤ļøļø I also love your shoes šŸ˜ Where are they from?

  6. My parents lived in Abu Dhabi for a few years before I was born and always told me how beautiful it was but only now do I realize what they meant! Great post and words, you are a very talented storyteller and adventurer!! Love to meet you guys one day!

  7. I am very much Inspired by both you. Another readon to go back to Abu Dhabi and see other parts of the world like both of you. The new pups are soooo cute btw

  8. So so beautiful Lauren! I love the way you and Jack photograph. Xx Can’t wait to see your next adventure!!

  9. Stunning photos. The light there is amazing. I live in Tasmania and we get wonderful light down here but of course much different. Do you have a favourite lens you pull out regularly when travelling? Just curious.

  10. Love your and Jack’s IG and now excited to have discovered your blog. Your travels are inspirational, but I didn’t realize how much work it must be for you guys.. Reading this post puts things in perspective. Amazing that you managed to squeeze in Abu Dhabi in 3 days and cover so much ground! What about Saadiyat Island?! And I agree, I would cry if I had to leave Qasr Al Sarab without staying overnight. The sand dunes completely change colors in the morning and it’s mesmerizing. You must go back! Ps. Seeing your picture at the Shangri La literally inspired me to book our flights back. Magical place!!

    1. Oh thanks so much! I’m so happy to hear this feedback! Thanks for taking the time, it’s really appreciated!
      Can’t wait to go back, enjoy your trip back there šŸ˜˜

  11. Omg abu dhabi looks gorgeous. I started like I want to drink some tea in that same spot while watching the sunset, but i felt with all the pictures. The place looks beautiful. Paradise.
    Mafer Writes

  12. Absolutely love, LOVE all the pics…just curious though….I notice you and Jack always take pics of yourselves either from behind or from a distance, never anything up close or where we can see your faces clearly….or if they are up close/face shot, you’re either hidden by an artful angle, by your hair or with cool shades….is the reason for this to add an air of mystery, to ensure some anonymity or purely aesthetic/artistic? Would love to know. Thanks!

  13. Absolutely love, LOVE all the pics…just curious though….I notice you and Jack always take pics of yourselves either from behind or from a distance, never anything up close or where we can see your faces clearly….or if they are up close/face shot, you’re either hidden by an artful angle, by your hair or with cool shades….is the reason for this to add an air of mystery, to ensure some anonymity or purely aesthetic/artistic? Would love to know. Thanks!

    1. Hey! its just to do with our style of imagery, candid natural images. don’t like them to be cheesy smiling at the camera, just doesn’t suit our style šŸ™‚

  14. Beautiful pictures! I was wondering when you went to the Mosque where you got the dress needed to enter? Did you already have it or did you buy it locally?

  15. I love your photos so much!! I found you randomly and I can’t stop looking at what you post! I love the creativity behind the photos and perspectives! Ahhhhh!

    1. i know you said the 35mm,24mm,85mm sigma are the best, are those the ones you used on this trip? what lens would you say is your favorite for nature photos and portrait photos?

  16. Love your striped down but beautiful aesthetic – causes some serious wanderlust. I know you don’t often answer these type of questions but where do you get a lot of your bikinis? I love the block colour simple designs and can’t find them anywhere…

  17. I’m going there in august. how covered were you when walking around town? are bikinis ok to wear? did you get funny looks from locals if you wore something above the knees

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