Abu Dhabi Film Festival

The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (formerly the Middle East International Film Festival)
began in 2007 and has continued each October.  The Abu Dhabi Authority for
Culture and Heritage (ADACH) under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Sultan Bin
Tahnoon Al Nahyan, who is the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and
Heritage, these events provide exceptional programs to engage and educate the
local community.  

The movie we watched was The Source, a story about the women from a remote village
in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, fetching water means a dangerous daily trek high into the hills and back.  That is until Leila (an educated young wife, organizes a drastic "love strike" - no affection toward the men until they build a pipeline to channel water down the mountain.  It is a fable of female empowerment facing many issues in the Arab world.  A great message to women everywhere and especially to young women, that there is power in knowledge.  Also, that standing for what you believe in is not easy and takes courage.  Fascinating MOVIE!

The Abu Dhabi Movie Theatre

US Cost $6.25

You get to vote by tearing the box that best fits your
opinion of the movie.

Three Words:  Knowledge is POWER!

The Aquarium and Under Water Zoo at The Dubai Mall

A must see if you go to Dubai is the mall, not just for the shopping and food, but even if you spent two days there you could not see all the attractions. So, I guess I will have to go back!

While there I did go to the Aquarium and Under Water Zoo - displaying marvels of the ocean and a diverse collection of marine life from all over the world. The Aquarium has more than 33,000 living animals, more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays.  Surrounded by  10 million liters of water or a little over 2.6 million gallons of water - you will walk through the 270 degree acrylic tunnel for incredible close-encounter experiences with the most fascinating underwater animals I have ever seen, at least this close up.  A special lighting system they call "lunar-cyclic"  changes the ambience of the tanks depending on the time of day. I just walked around taking in everything and mesmerized and  in awe of it's beauty and serenity.

This is the "lunar-cyclic" lighting  mentioned - really incredible.  

You can go in a cage among the sharks and other sea life
if you choose.  Not this trip, staying dry for the time being. 

I like this picture because it's a
school of fish.   :-)

A sting ray up close.

Kristen in the 270* acrylic tunnel!

Tourist that got too close to the tank of piranha's.  OUCH!

Great signs of information everywhere to know
what you're looking at, but learn about it also. 

I got my eye on you lady!

The warning above this acrylic target is
"watch out" as it's a spitting fish.
FYI: When he misses target, he gets YOU!
Very GROSS!

Hammer Head Shark....

In this section the Aquarium is below you and you walk over it.
Yes, they are cute sandals too! 

Kristen in the bubble!

Isn't this amazing?  So vibrant and engaging. 

Me in the bubble playing with the fish!

Jelly fish....

Jelly fish.....looks like an alien. 

Kristen playing with the penguins....she got them to dance. 

Part of the Rain Forest section....DO NOT LIKE!

Kristen and Karen in the bubble!

Looks like a great Halloween decoration!

Three Words:  Kid at Heart!