Fun, Falcons and Formula 1

I've always enjoyed going to the desert. There’s something in its vastness and serenity that’s very humbling and the quiet is always welcome after the chaos of Bangkok. This time though, I was in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, for an event that promised to be exciting and far from quiet.
Even then and despite all the warnings, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of noise Formula 1’s V8 engines make – especially when 24 cars are on the track racing for glory in the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I’d wanted to hear it for myself and didn’t put on the earplugs but within seconds had automatically covered my ears.
Apart from the piercing sound and vibration, Yas Marina Circuit is an exciting place to catch F1. Hosting its third race this year, the Herman Tilke-designed track is one of the four anticlockwise circuits and boasts one of the longest straights in Formula 1. I enjoyed the pit walk, especially as it was the only time I was close enough to photograph the cars at a standstill.
The whole event was akin to one big party with guests at the Paddock Club mingling, spectators cheering their favourite drivers, booths selling souvenirs of the different teams, and it didn’t end there. There were after-race concerts too featuring global stars like Britney Spears and Sir Paul McCartney. The Yas Hotel, part of which crosses above and over the F1 racetrack, is a beautiful structure, especially when the curvy steel and glass roof lights up after sunset. No wonder Abu Dhabi promotes the F1 race as an annual major spectacle on its calendar, which in turn, places the city on the world map.
Next to the Yas Marina Circuit is the Ferrari World Theme Park. Inspired by the classic double-curve side profile of the Ferrari GT chassis, the gigantic red roof with the brand’s Prancing Horse logo is striking. The park advertises itself as the world’s first Ferrari theme park as well as the world’s largest indoor theme park covering 86,000 square metres.
Among the 20 rides and attractions, there are four aimed especially at thrill-seekers. The ultimate ride is Formula Rossa, which is the fastest roller coaster in the world. The queue was incredibly long, maybe because it was a Formula 1 weekend but I waited, telling myself it was probably worth it. Finally, after hours of lining up, I was on for the 1.31-minute ride. The most exhilarating part was the beginning when the coaster accelerated from standstill to 240 km/hr and shot 52 meters into the sky in just 4.9 seconds. It was difficult to raise both hands above my head as the maximum G-force was at 4.8 Gs. The turns were fun too, with the sharpest at 70 degrees. It ended too fast and I loved it! This place is certainly a clever way of reinforcing Ferrari brand image while Abu Dhabi gains another destination under its wing.
The next day, I took a cultural tour, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an architectural feat with four minarets soaring more than 100 metres into the sky and overlooking the mosque’s 82 white-marble domes. Unusually, non-Muslims are permitted inside to view the Swarovski crystals-decorated chandeliers as well as the world’s largest hand-woven carpet made in Iran covering an area of 6,500 square meters. Materials were imported from all over the world and I was told the carpets in the two smaller prayer halls were made in Thailand.
I was also very impressed by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which allows visitors to see the majestic birds of prey up close. Falconry is a unique tradition of the Bedouins and is still alive today, as falcons receiving various kind of care come from not just the UAE, but also from neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. Weighing at about one kilogram, the falcon didn’t look intimidating when placed on my hand and I was amazed – and slight awed – to learn that it can kill animals five to six times its size and can dive vertically at the speed of 300-350 km/hr. These falcons have passports too, just like you and me, for travelling abroad to undertake some wild hunting, something which the UAE forbids.
With expatriates making up 80 per cent of its 1.6 million population, Abu Dhabi has evolved into an international, modern, and open city. With projects under permanent construction, it skyline also changes very rapidly and equally swift is the growth of its national airline Etihad Airways, which, at just seven years old, is already the fastest growing commercial airline in history.
How Abu Dhabi will transform in the future is yet to be seen, but for now, merely 40 years after the federation’s formation, development of the desert has come a long way.
IF YOU GO…
Etihad Airways flies twice a day from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi. Find out more by calling Etihad Airways at (02) 253-0099 or visit www.Etihad.com/th.