My earliest memories of visiting Abu Dhabi clock somewhere around the early 2000s, during a stint in Sharjah. Riding the dot-com boom, making family friends, and welcoming a new member to the family was on the cards, and like many expat families, our social groups began to venture beyond the more familiar haunts of Dubai to explore Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi of those days had promise, sure; skyscrapers, banks, massive mosques, and shopping centres dominated the landscape, and while it offered plenty of job opportunities and attractions, I strictly viewed Dubai as a far superior tourist haven. That is, until I checked into a hotel late in September.   

After boarding a redeye and grabbing some sleep at The Hilton Yas Island, our party of a dozen dove right into a packed day on Abu Dhabi’s now-famous island destination. Ferrari World has been around for fourteen years, and in that time, I’ve become something of a Tifosi myself, cherishing the ups and downs of F1’s most passionate fanbase. Though the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, was shut, we enjoyed plenty of twists and turns on other rides, alongside modern-era Ferraris on display. I particularly enjoyed the Scuderia Ferrari Champions exhibition, a dramatic display of Ferrari’s last back-to-back championship wins.  Blitzed from the rides, we set off for CLYMB. This indoor recreation centre offers both indoor skydiving and one of the largest climbing walls in the world. Though I initially signed up for skydiving, a glance at the monolithic ‘SUMMYT’––the largest indoor climbing wall––stirred something in me. I opted for an hour of all-vertical exertion instead. 

This became a tipping point of the trip. My instructor, Karlo Magpantay, was one of many deeply educational experiences. Karlo’s ten years of experience in extreme sports shone through with each wall-scaling session, helping me learn more than in my previous three sessions combined. By the time I scaled my sixth attempt, I was brimming with confidence and aching all over. It was the good kind of exertion, though; the kind that washes away bad thoughts, and leaves you with just the handhold in front of you... and then the next. 

Midway through the trip, I found myself reflecting on the experience over dinner at Mika, one of Yas Marina’s top Mediterranean restaurants. As I picked through kebabs and mezze, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. While major attractions like Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World dominate the spotlight, Yas and Saadiyat offer much more than just family-friendly theme parks and high-profile events like the Abu Dhabi GP in early December. For me, the real highlights were the learning experiences for adults, led by passionate individuals from around the world, made possible by the unique resources and time that only a place like Abu Dhabi can provide. 

SeaWorld was another such example. Opening with sights of Arabian Sea wildlife in the ‘Abu Dhabi Ocean’ segment, this sprawling combination of research centre, a marine conservation unit, and an 8-segment exhibition featured sea otters, walruses, and flamingos within climate-controlled environments. We walked through transparent tunnels, witnessing hammerhead sharks, vibrant fish, and a staggering variety of rays––the pièce de résistance being a gigantic manta ray named Louie.  

“He’s got a real personality, you know,” said Mike Price, the SeaWorld Director of Husbandry, who we caught in the deepest section of the exhibit. Price’s passion for animals was clear––before moving to the Middle East, he spent two decades at SeaWorld San Diego. “Even the way the pumps are built here are amazing,” he enthused, describing how the facility uses gravity to its advantage and how populations of fish are controlled. Louie, he reckons, might be the smartest resident of SeaWorld Yas Island; “though the neighbouring dolphins may have argued otherwise,” chuckles Price. 

On our penultimate day, we visited the Abrahamic Family House, a stunning architectural marvel symbolising the unity of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The complex houses a mosque, church, and synagogue––all designed in minimalist styles that encourage visitors to reflect not just on faith but on shared humanity. The project represents Abu Dhabi’s commitment to dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. As we moved from the mosque to the church to the synagogue, the transitions felt natural and harmonious. Our guide, Shaama, explained, "The intention here is to create a space for prayer and invite conversations that transcend borders and beliefs." Even in a fast-moving part of the world, the Abrahamic Family House encourages you to slow down and contemplate what connects us all.   

With our minds still awash in these concepts, we spent our final afternoon at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The museum’s perforated dome creates a 'rain of light' effect that feels ethereal. Under this canopy of light and shadow, the museum’s collection spans human civilisation, from ancient Egyptian artefacts to Renaissance paintings and modern sculptures. Unlike its Parisian namesake, the Louvre Abu Dhabi presents art as part of a global conversation.   

For someone like me, with a lifelong fascination for history and art, walking through the Louvre Abu Dhabi felt like a personal journey. I found myself reflecting on how art serves as both a mirror and a bridge––connecting us to the past and to each other. The museum’s thoughtfully curated displays provoke contemplation. For example, placing a medieval prayer lamp from Iraq alongside bronze Mahayana sculptures and stained-glass church windows from France––all crafted within a few decades of each other––invites you to trace the shared threads of conquest, beauty, and humanity that run through each piece. 

Here’s the paradox of these islands: Despite their luxurious appeal, it’s the quiet moments that stay with you. While Abu Dhabi's twin islands offer adrenaline-pumping thrills and architectural marvels, they also invite you to reflect and reconnect with what truly matters. Whether it’s the tranquillity of SeaWorld’s marine vistas, the depth of the Abrahamic Family House, or the stimulation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, these islands offer more than meets the eye. They remind us that even in the heart of luxury, there’s space for reflection, understanding, and connection.