Vivid colors and fragrances flood the senses during a journey through the charming city of Abu Dhabi.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is one of seven emirates and offers up a variety of sensational experiences to its visitors. These experiences are intensified by the area's rich culture, signature temperature and undulating deserts that cradle the city's dazzling urban attractions.

During the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Abu Dhabi city tour on May 14 and 15, Sailors of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) took in the society, art and cuisine of the city.

The tour provided an array of exhilarating activities, such as a trip through one of its grand religious structures and a stroll on one of its picturesque beaches, that make this area a destination spot for many.

A number of Sailors relished the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture.

"The culture was very interesting and I really grew to appreciate it," said Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Kaelyn Hernandez. "Wearing the traditional clothing, like head scarfs in the mosque, was something that I wouldn't do every day, but that helped me to understand more about the culture."

The first stop of the tour was the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. Inside of its brilliant white walls and elegantly landscaped exterior, the mosque contains 82 domes of seven different sizes. The mosque cost $545 million to build and contains the third largest chandelier in the world.

"There were marble floors, colorful columns and pretty gold borders on top of the stanchions," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Moneysha Washington. "Along the length of the walls and floors, there were also colorful pictures and figures. It was really nice."

The tour also included a trip to a local art museum where tour members were able to purchase locally crafted art and jewelry. Some of the finer pieces included large woven tapestries interlaced with gold thread and embedded with precious gems and crystals. A presentation was delivered to give background on the auric properties of the gems and to demonstrate the shimmer of the tapestries in low light.

"The art that was on display was obviously crafted very carefully and skillfully," said Hernandez. "They had designs like the tree of life and gems like amber and jade. It was gorgeous, especially when the lights were turned off and it started sparkling."

Sailors were then taken to Heritage Village where they were able to enjoy a buffet of traditional Arabic food. The waterfront destination provided a view of the classic, urban skyline and a chance to spot dolphins in the water.

"The view of the city behind the restaurant was beautiful. It was probably my favorite part of the whole tour," said Washington. "The buildings of the skyline were awesome and the water was such a rich blue. We were able to get some great pictures there."

On the final leg of the tour, members were taken to a resident date market for native treats and additional refreshments. Afterwards, the group wrapped up at Ferrari World, where merchandise was available for purchase and the sleek, extravagant automobile of the mall's namesake could be seen on display. From marveling at its elegant structures to exploring its exquisite traditions, Sailors made memories of a lifetime in the diverse city of Abu Dhabi.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests.

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