Day 48 Abu Dhabi and more world firsts.

After we took Yvette to work, we drove an hour to Abu Dhabi to see the largest Mosque in the world, with the largest one piece rug. 

World’s largest mosque, took 20 years to design and build:

7000 worshipers can pray on the carpet with another 60,000 in whole complex. 

Largest carpet and 2^nd largest chandelier, mosque in Egypt has #1:

Chris had to dress in the traditional black robe that covered everything but hands and face. 

Dressed to enter the mosque:

We joined a tour that was very informative led by an enthusiastic young woman.
 
The Palace Hotel was next for a light lunch, another wow.  Opulent is an understatement.  

Palace Hotel entrance gate:

It had the first ATM that dispensed gold coins instead of currency.  They had an exhibit of future buildings that are planned, like a Louvre Art Museum and a Guggenheim Cultural Museum.  Hope the pictures capture a glimpse of the projects.

Model of future buildings:

Opera House:

Louvre gallery:

Cultural center:

If that was not enough, we went to Ferrari World and saw the adjoining Formula One race track.  Wow again!

Ferrari World and FY viewing stand:

It has the fastest roller coaster in the world (naturally) with cars the shape of Ferrari autos.  I will try to find a Goggle aerial shot to capture it.

Aerial view of Ferrari World (Google it, really unbelievable!):

 
We got back to Dubai in time for Sunday mass at St. Mary's, a large building that seated 1500 and had video screens for the overflow in the courtyard.  Our first mass in English on the trip!  Isaac thought of everything to make us feel like home.
 
We picked up Yvette and went to the beach to dip our feet in the Arabian Sea.  As we approached the water, the air got hotter because the water is over 90 degrees! 

Proof, our feet in the Sea:

We washed the beach sand off in their apartment pool where they chill the water to the mid 80's.  It seemed so backwards.  We made a lovely dinner at home and went to bed early because the plane to Malta left early next morning.