National Day Celebrations - Abu Dhabi 2010.

National Day Celebrations in Abu Dhabi centre around the Corniche. After dark the action hots up as huge crowds head down to the waterfront to see the procession of cars. Judging by the density of the crowd and the fact that the Corniche is around 8 km long a crowd of 250,000 to 500,000 was set to enjoy the night. A fireworks display later in evening kept the crowds there until 10 pm.

The following photos give some idea of the nights events.

The Corniche, Abu Dhabi

Firstly, dress up your car.

A brightly lit car adding to the spectacle.

All photos here were taken with my trusty Canon 450D and EF-S 17-85mm lens. Using an exposure compensation of -⅓/f stop, ISO-800 and between ⅓ and ⅙ second, the IS function worked overtime to give these hand held shots some respectability.

Secondly, add participants to hang out during the procession.

Hanging out the windows and the moon roof.

Just as well speed is slow!

Real fun for everyone!

The first time I saw celebrations in this country was the night the UAE had won a Gulf soccer competition just after we arrived here in 2007. Cars hooning along at 80 to 100 km per hour with passengers hanging out the windows and moon roof, left me speechless and wondering if Newton’s Laws applied here. However the police here did a great job of controlling the traffic and restricting speeds. I am not sure how many came to grief though.

I saw one car with four young lads squeezed out the moon roof and the fifth standing on the roof!!!

A good idea to wear a mask so you can't be found out!

Thirdly. Make some noise!

Back firing 4WD behind the red car.

The high point for many of the local lads is to modify your car, rev to the maximum then to get it to backfire to deafening effect. If you can blow the engine up doing this, then even better. You know when this has been achieved by the huge palls of smoke! The noise echoing off the glass tower blocks behind the Corniche adds to the entertainment! A few illegal tyre burnouts in the middle off the proceedings is evident by a different smell!

On the last day of the four day holiday we had been down to the beach and were heading home through the park when we drawn to the sounds of drums and singing.

I hope you now have a little insight into what happens here in the UAE during National Day celebrations.

Next blog could well have something to do with Oman as we have another holiday, for 2 weeks, starting on 17 December. This is the end of semester break which we used to get in January / February. Coinciding with Christmas this year is a real bonus.

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year.