Abu Dhabi Take Three

My third trip to Abu Dhabi took me across the stirrings in Bahrain to an island of apparent social and economic stability - a movie set, it seemed to me. The future cultural island next to the city centre, which will host Guggenheim and Louvre outposts and a Zaha Hadid concert hall amongst others, is the topic of a fancy permanent exhibition in a new museum venue on an otherwise still deserted island. On Yas Island, a yacht harbour anchors next to a Formula 1 race track, which the guests of a brand new hotel, covered in a blanket of changing lights, can overlook - and overhear. The dinner guests at the brand new Cipriani's terrace can do the same. The Masdar ecocity (home to the only organic store in town - most produce is flown in ....) rises amidst a desert sea of construction; a luxurious resort hotel, amid the Liwan desert dunes. Fabulous facades! Modern opulence? Enjoy the movie.