Abu Dhabi in one day

Never having been to this part of the world Monty & Me were keen to see as much as possible. We had two days so we decided to prioritise and dedicated Day One to Abu Dhabi and Day Two to Dubai. The AD Hop On Hop Off Big Bus got us to our destinations. Starting from Abu Dhabi Mall (conveniently located not far from our hotel Le Meridien) we whipped over to Saadiyat Island, scooted past the Iranian Market (looked a little hotch-potchy - it didn't seem to lure us in...), we glided along the Corniche (waterfront esplanade), finally jumping off the bus to check out the Marina Mall. Having withstood the blustering wind 'top deck' I was feeling like a dervish who had whirled too much. Air con beckoned, so too a thirst quencher at the top of the Marina Mall's SkyTower which afforded us pretty impressive views of Abu Dhabi. Back on the bus - next stop Emirates Palace Hotel. Oh so grand and oh so big in every sense of the word.