Cultural Crossroads: Discover the Heart of Abu Dhabi's Yas Island & Saadiyat Island

“His name is Louie. There he comes. Just look at him!”

We craned our necks into the depths of the 360 degree observation deck at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, guided by Mike Price, Director of Zoological Operations. One might have thought he was going to introduce his kid or a close friend, but when we followed his eyes, we were directed to a pair of fins moving towards us.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has hundreds of species. But, like most parents, Mike has a clear favourite.

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“You know, Oceanic Manta is a special species because they have the largest brain among all fish. So, Louie here is extremely smart and curious. He gets angry, frustrated and happy just like us,” said Mike with a chuckle while his eyes stayed glued to Louie’s graceful movements like a proud dad.

This wasn't the first or last occasion during my time at Yas Island that my jaw was left hanging.

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It was clear from the moment I arrived at Yas Island that this was more than just a family-friendly entertainment hub. There was a quiet magic in the air, a feeling that this place was meant to leave a lasting imprint on your soul, not just fill your days with activities. It was almost as if the island was inviting me to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly savour the beauty and spirit of this place.

Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is constantly reshaping itself, physically and culturally. Massive projects are being planned as a part of this transformation and tourism is driving most of them.

As our chatty driver, Zafar, told us, “10 years ago, there was nothing here. Now look at all these big hotels like The Hilton and amusement parks.” Named after the Bani Yas Tribe, Yas Island may only span across 25 km sq., but boy does it make every inch count.

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However, the amusement parks and joy rides are only a vehicle to experience something deeper and more meaningful here.

You see, I, like many from my generation, grew up with tales of people finding success and wealth in the UAE after moving here. While stereotypes are never a good way to explore a new place, these stories suggested that Abu Dhabi would have a confluence of cultures and some of the best and most knowledgeable professionals.

I am happy to report that this was 100% true.

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As our driver halted the car outside Yas Mall, our group started to split up. Some wanted to feel the adrenaline first-hand at CLYMB and SUMMYT, indoor recreation recreation centres for skydiving and rock-climbing, respectively. Others wanted to take their wallets and curiosity for a spin around the mall. But everyone, collectively, wanted to immerse themselves into the F1 frenzy at Ferrari World.

We were welcomed by an enthusiastic group of dancers, nay, human versions of adrenaline doing headspins, somersaults, cartwheels and every imaginable twist of the body to simulate the thrill and excitement one feels on the F1 racetrack.

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In the background, I could hear death screams from people who had decided to hop on rides like the Turbo Track and Flying Aces. Ironically, I took the slowest ride in a theme park that's an ode to the speed of race cars. I made a mental note that I'm here to immerse myself in the place and experience it with all my senses.

Or maybe I was just too scared by the death screams from above. Some of them came from the more daring members of our group whose faces were glowing with the rush of blood and adrenaline as we caught up with them later. A leisurely dinner at Asia Asia along the Yas Bay waterfront restored our energy, bringing us back to ground zero.

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Our driver Zafar was back the next morning to take us to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi where we met Louie and his proud foster dad (of sorts), Mike. I watched sea otters living their best lives, doing somersaults in the water, and had a heart-to-heart conversation with tall and elegant flamingos, though they didn’t seem very impressed by what I was saying.

I no longer just want to ‘visit’ a place. I want to experience it in 360 vivid degrees. I want to live it, breathe it, and fully immerse myself in it. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi allowed me to do exactly that. Not only was I having fun, but also learning a lot about the marine life I was surrounded with.

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Another place that was just as immersive was the Warner Bros World. As a millennial who grew up watching Tom and Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Scooby Doo and Batman, this was like getting off my living room couch and setting foot inside the TV screen into a world where I could play with the characters in real time. Here, you can enjoy rides that range from 'scream-like-your-life-depends-on-it' to 'pleasant-enough-for-your-inner-scaredy-cat'.

You feel very disoriented when you come out of Warner Bros World. It felt like I had stepped out of a dream and back to a land of clocks, leaving behind a place that felt timeless. The fake world is one you want to stay in. It's got your childhood under one roof. The moment you step outside, you know it's over. Back to reality.

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But reality has its own magic too, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Island — another place where time seems to stand still as you wade through centuries of art, history, and human connection. Saadiyat Island is dubbed as Abu Dhabi’s cultural district and I could see why.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first international outpost of the iconic Louvre in Paris, but here, art is presented as a part of a greater discourse on humanity. Our tour guide, Ameena Imran, took us through the 12 art galleries where paintings and artefacts are not necessarily presented in chronological order, as one might expect. Instead, they’re arranged according to the common themes that bring together different countries and faiths.

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For instance, a Christian stained glass window, an Islamic lamp and a Buddhist statue are placed side by side to show how light and enlightenment are expressed in different faiths through art.

Saadiyat Island has another such gem that offers a moment of reflection — the Abrahamic Family House that's home to a synagogue, mosque and church in the same complex. I couldn’t help but gawk at the architectural marvel that sows the seeds of peace, harmony and grace in your heart with its minimalistic design

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Travel tends to challenge us and move us — often in more ways than one. For me, the tour of Louvre and Abrahamic Family House did exactly that. I left the place richer, wiser and bursting with fascinating stories to tell.

Back in my room at The Hilton, Yas Island, I tried to pack this whirlwind of an experience in my suitcase through souvenirs, in my phone through photos, and in my heart through the countless stories and memories gifted by the wonderful people I met on this trip like Zafar, Mike and Ameena.

© Instagram/Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

As I sat on my hotel balcony with a view of the Yas Bay waterfront and shimmering skyscrapers, along with a hot cup of hot instant noodles picked from a nearby supermarket, I thought of all the ways in which Yas Island was a melting pot of cultures.

The ramen I was having was picked up from an aisle that had instant noodles from across the world. My dessert was a Filipino sponge cake called Mammon, picked from an aisle that also had Arabian and continental desserts. Our driver Zafar was from Riyadh while Mike and Ameena were from the US and Pakistan, respectively. Thanks to them, I was able to witness spectacular new sights and experience unique cultures.

In a week’s span, I’d tasted the world, shared stories across borders, and found pieces of home in places I’d never been. And as the day came to an end, I realised that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that remind us how beautifully connected we all are.