First Day in Abu Dhabi - National Holiday Surprise

We arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday, and what a welcome we received! It turns out December 2nd is the UAE National Holiday, so the entire city was celebrating. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for our first taste of Emirati culture.

The airport was bustling with families dressed in traditional clothing, and you could feel the festive energy everywhere. Leo and Matyas were immediately fascinated by the Arabic music playing throughout the terminals, while Arthur and Simeon were pointing at all the UAE flags decorating every corner.

First Impressions

The contrast from Slovakia couldn’t be more striking. The warm weather hit us as soon as we stepped outside - quite a change from the cold November we left behind in Bratislava. Simona was already planning our first family photo in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Cultural Discovery

What struck us most was how welcoming everyone was to our family. Despite the language barrier, locals were patient with our attempts at basic Arabic greetings that Leo had been practicing on the plane. The boys are already picking up “Marhaba” (hello) and using it with everyone they meet.

We decided to join the National Day celebrations at the Corniche, where families were gathering to watch the fireworks. It was the perfect introduction to UAE family culture - something we definitely didn’t expect on our first day.

Tomorrow’s Plan

We’re planning to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Simona has been reading about the architecture, and she’s excited to share the history with the boys.

Then we’ll explore the traditional souks before our flight to Dubai tomorrow evening. Two days here feels too short, but Bangkok is calling!

More photos and videos coming soon - the sunset over the Arabian Gulf was absolutely stunning.