ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates --- Today we ventured to the oil-rich, conservative capital of the Emirates two hours from Dubai. The seat of the federal government, Abu Dhabi plays DC to Dubai’s New York, “older brother” to the young, free-spending city.


We had been told opportunities abound in Abu Dhabi even as Dubai slows to a more reasonable pace of growth. The superlative-studded view from the highway appeared to confirm this: Amid the construction we could see the world's largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World, also home to what will be the world’s fastest rollercoaster. Residential and tourist developments take shape on man-made islands and cranes put the finishing touches on downtown skyscrapers.

Since Abu Dhabi already has a very important superlative – some of the world’s largest oil reserves -- the mad growth here continues.

Abu Dhabi also hosts the world’s third-largest mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. In the spirit of education and tolerance, the mosque allows non-Muslim visitors. But women must don abayas – black floor-length robes – in order to enter. In the service of this blog, GlobeGators put on one despite the white-hot desert heat and took some photos for you. Thanks to our sacrifice, you can now enjoy, from the comfort of your air-conditioned home or office, the mother-of-pearl designs decorating the walls, crystal chandeliers all the colors of the rainbow, and a digital clock flashes prayer times in three languages.