The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Completed in 2007, the Grand Mosque has 82 domes and a capacity of 41,000 people. It’s a fantasy shape on the skyline, as we circled in Rob’s car trying to find the entrance to the car park.

Most mosques don’t allow non-Muslims to enter, but this one does, as long as you observe the dress and behaviour protocols. Females' heads and shoulders need to be covered, and this is Jane’s make-shift hijab fashioned by the entrance staff from her cardigan. Rob’s clearly jealous.

The entrance is through the arched portal along an inlaid marble floor. Its design is Moroccan based, which is why it looks familiar. 

Passing through the entrance, the inner courtyard is flanked by columns through which we must walk to get into the mosque itself.

Look to the right from the column walkway and you see the courtyard: the largest marble mosaic area anywhere.

We now enter the mosque; the decoration is exquisite. Look at the colours in the chandelier, which is about two metres across. The floral design on the wall behind is inlaid marble. The largest chandelier is 10 metres across but not so pleasingly designed as this one.

The main area can accommodate 41,000 people and is covered by the biggest hand-knotted carpet in the world (it’s beginning to sound the Guinness Book of Records). Bet the lads from Carpet Rite got a sweat on fitting this one.

And, finally, having exited, the old folks are taking a rest. Jane’s hijab has stood up very well. The mosque was overwhelming in its scale and magnificence.

We leave the mosque, but we’re not finished yet. We are returning to Dubai via the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit. This is it, although it needs F1 cars and spectators to make capture the atmosphere.

Right in the centre of the racing circuit is the Yas Island Viceroy hotel, the building below wearing a hair-net, which is used by the majority of F1 teams. It’s also convenient for quick refreshment stops for drivers on the way round; it’s well known you can’t race your best without consuming a pie and a pint.

Rob says the 60 miles between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is prone to sandstorms. It is indeed all sand desert, but we make it ok this time without needing to call out the Camel Corps to guide us in.