Monday, December 13, 2010

Abu Dhabi "Be Still" Commercial

Our friend Martin Lever, Creative Executive Director at TBWA/RAAD here in Abu Dhabi wrote the poem and directed this commercial for his client, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. At the 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Awards he received the Bronze Film Craft Award for Copywriting. All of Abu Dhabi is proud of the award and we're especially proud to be friends with Martin and his wife Max.  

ShuiQi Spa at the Atlantis

Is it possible to be too relaxed or have too perfect a weekend? Not in Abu Dhabi and not when you have access to the worlds best resorts and spas. Last weekend we travelled north to Dubai and spent a full day at the Atlantis on Palm Jumeiriah. We purchased a spa package that included full access to the pool and beach, a Shiseido Qi full body massage, a Japanese foot bath ritual, a facial, and a sushi dinner. The spa treatment portion of the day lasted 3 hours, which is honestly a really long time to lie around being pampered. Mix in some time by the pool and a few over the top cocktails, and we were a mere heartbeat away from a comatose state. But alas, we persevered and stayed vertical long enough to do a little shopping in preparation of our upcoming vacation to Paris for Christmas.








ShuiQi Spa at the Atlantis

Sunday, December 5, 2010

UAE National Day

On Thursday, December 2, 2010, the United Arab Emirates celebrated the founding of the country 39 years ago. Buildings were decorated and lit up in UAE colors, cars were adorned with pictures of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and thousands of individual light displays were placed in the roadway medians. It was a National Holiday, so everyone had the day off of work and it seemed like everyone was down along the beach. In the evening, all the cars gathered at the Corniche and participated in an ad hoc parade with hundreds of thousands of people walking alongside reveling in all the sights and sounds. Drivers were honking, revved up engines were backfiring, and everyone was spraying Silly String. It was pretty chaotic by UAE standards. Around 10 PM, fireworks were shot off over Emirates Palace. The UAE has come a long way in just 39 years and all the locals have immense pride for their country’s achievements. We were happy to be part of the celebration.







Construction Site Visits


Brian and his colleague, Abdulla Al Romaithi, in front of the next phase of the Al Raha Beach development.


Brian and his colleague, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, touring the Motor World development.