Abu Dhabi heights

The capital city of the United Arab Emirates is dripping with skyscrapers. Abu Dhabi feels less showy than nearby Dubai, which boasts the tallest building on the planet. Nonetheless, it’s easy to do two things here. Firstly, crane your neck upwards into the blazing sun and deep blue sky to marvel at those lofty hunks of metal and glass. Maybe it’s by design that the predominant colour palette is blue.

Secondly, you can head up to look down, and the chief spot for this is the Observation Deck at 300, some 74 storeys high. Abu Dhabi is laid out before you, including its shimmering Arabian Gulf seaboard, flecked with desert islands. It’s a high platform for people-watching, while they serve a sumptuous afternoon tea. But like all enclosed tall buildings, the photographer has the headache of reflection to deal with when he comes back down to Earth…

Click first image to view the gallery

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Arabian Gulf, blue sky, desert islands, Fuji, Observation Deck at 300, photography, skyscrapers, travel, United Arab Emirates, viewpoint

18 thoughts on “Abu Dhabi heights”

jdtphotography.co.uk on February 14, 2016 at 11:37 said:

Wow! These are terrific Mike and I love the “waves of steel”.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on February 17, 2016 at 19:26 said:
  
  Thanks so much, James. Abu Dhabi has plenty of high points to feast on. I’d recommend it.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
leecleland on February 8, 2016 at 02:22 said:

All the important things in life – view and cake!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on February 8, 2016 at 13:04 said:
  
  Not necessarily in that order ☺I hope you’re keeping well, Lee.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - leecleland on February 8, 2016 at 23:02 said:
    
    Yes, very well thanks Mike – too much cheese and lobster and beef on a week spent on King Island :D
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on February 9, 2016 at 08:39 said:
      
      Sounds like a scrummy overload to me! And no doubt your visit was avec camera ☺
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
      - leecleland on February 12, 2016 at 08:10 said:
        
        OOOOh! French to fool the antipodians now is it????!!!!! Tisk, tisk, Mike haven’t you been following the past 2 weeks :) as it appears not there will be a special Slate feature on Tuesday. Better pop it in your diary right now LOL
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        mikeosbornphoto on February 12, 2016 at 08:43 said:
        
        I admit to being remiss of late. So much so I now have this notion that you came to Europe and kept it quiet!
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        leecleland on February 12, 2016 at 09:10 said:
        
        Oh! did I, I forget :) Could I really keep something like that quiet???? No sadly no Europe for a few years yet :(
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        mikeosbornphoto on February 12, 2016 at 10:34 said:
        
        I’d have expected at least a London photo walk! I’ll come visit your blog for an overdue catch-up soon.
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
        
        leecleland on February 13, 2016 at 01:30 said:
        
        Be kind :D
        
        LikeLike
        
        Reply ↓
ckponderings on February 7, 2016 at 12:13 said:

Amazing images, Mike! It sure looks inviting! :D

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on February 7, 2016 at 14:05 said:
  
  Thank you Richard :) I must say it was a much nicer observation platform than The Shard. It had cake!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply ↓
  - ckponderings on February 7, 2016 at 16:03 said:
    
    …and Abu Dhabi. Cake and Abu Dhabi! :)
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    
    Reply ↓
Cos on February 7, 2016 at 10:19 said:

Observing the observer. Beautiful set of photos, Mike!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on February 7, 2016 at 10:32 said:
  
  Thank you Koos. It’s oh so blue there… interesting for a desert city. Visit the observation deck if you get to Abu Dhabi!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Cos on February 7, 2016 at 10:40 said:
    
    I love to watch your photos, but I don’t think I’ll be visiting Abu Dhabi in the near future.
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on February 7, 2016 at 11:03 said:
      
      Well it’s a good job I went for you ☺
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
      
      Reply ↓