When I lived in the sunny Caribbean, my house had a revolving door as friends, relatives (and some times, people I barely even knew) came for festive visits. They would come for a few days or maybe a week. One or two of my drifter buddies -- I won't name any names -- even tried to move in and play that infamous role of the guy on the couch.
I took it as a sign of my amazing hosting ability.
But after three years of countless visitors in the Virgin Islands, the steady flow of couch surfers came to a screeching halt as soon as I moved to Abu Dhabi. For shame.
In the 13 months we have lived in the UAE, only one man has actually stepped up to the plate and made good on a Middle East adventure visit. That man, who is highly-recognized across the globe, is none other that Sir Hensley of St. Croix.
On his way back to the States following a two-week bender in India, the 'Crucian Swimming Sensation' as he is also known, made a three-day stop in the desert and I think his life was changed forever.
I was so excited for his visit, I took two days off of work and pretended to be a bright-eyed tourist for the weekend so we could see all the sights together.
This wasn't your typical international bromance excursion. We drank the finest spirits, indulged in the best cuisine and even made the 123-story trek up the tallest building in the world. It was all the cool stuff I have been wanting to do since I moved here. But I guess I just never really had the motivation.
The photo below documents when Hensley got yelled at for wearing too many clothes at the Corniche. No joke. In a Muslim country, Hensley was reprimanded because he put his foot in the water while wearing jeans. That is the security guard in the background. Hensley was very perplexed.
But he quickly got over one of the many blatant contradictions in this country and settled in for a delightful lunch on Saadiyat Island. At Fanr Restaurant, next to where they are building Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum, we enjoyed afternoon beers under the sun and munched on camel burgers.
Yes, you heard me right: we ate camel burgers.
It was delicious. Tasted like lamb -- which is usually what is in the burgers here -- but it had some undertones of meatloaf in it. All of the camel burgers, our faithful waiter said, are served well done.
From there, we moved on to visit Miranda at her work, the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, for a few more poolside cocktails. Look at Hensley here. So happy to explore.
A quick visit to the Souk Qaryat Al Beri for some sushi was followed by some live music at the Jazz Bar and then a sophisticated trip to Heroes, a self-described 'scruffy sports bar' popular with Expats. Only the finest people in this fair city regularly visit Heroes. As we left later that night, I shook hands with each of the doormen and the front register girl and exclaimed 'Best bar in Abu Dhabi!' Fortunately, they did not sense a whiff on my sarcasm.
We didn't stop there. The next day was dominated by a boozy brunch in Dubai followed by a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa.
Shortly after, Hensley was on a plane and back in America before he even knew what hit him. Cheers, old mate! It was an honor hosting our first stateside visitor. Your certificate will be arriving in the mail in 7-10 business days.
And if you or anyone you know would like to follow in Hensley's footsteps and make a visit to the fine country we call the United Arab Emirates, please send a self-addressed envelope to:
AARON GRAY
Finest Expat Host in the UAE, Inc.
PO Box 111434
Abu Dhabi
Ask Hensley for yourself: Middle East adventures of the highest caliber await.
I took it as a sign of my amazing hosting ability.
But after three years of countless visitors in the Virgin Islands, the steady flow of couch surfers came to a screeching halt as soon as I moved to Abu Dhabi. For shame.
In the 13 months we have lived in the UAE, only one man has actually stepped up to the plate and made good on a Middle East adventure visit. That man, who is highly-recognized across the globe, is none other that Sir Hensley of St. Croix.
On his way back to the States following a two-week bender in India, the 'Crucian Swimming Sensation' as he is also known, made a three-day stop in the desert and I think his life was changed forever.
I was so excited for his visit, I took two days off of work and pretended to be a bright-eyed tourist for the weekend so we could see all the sights together.
This wasn't your typical international bromance excursion. We drank the finest spirits, indulged in the best cuisine and even made the 123-story trek up the tallest building in the world. It was all the cool stuff I have been wanting to do since I moved here. But I guess I just never really had the motivation.
The photo below documents when Hensley got yelled at for wearing too many clothes at the Corniche. No joke. In a Muslim country, Hensley was reprimanded because he put his foot in the water while wearing jeans. That is the security guard in the background. Hensley was very perplexed.
But he quickly got over one of the many blatant contradictions in this country and settled in for a delightful lunch on Saadiyat Island. At Fanr Restaurant, next to where they are building Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum, we enjoyed afternoon beers under the sun and munched on camel burgers.
Yes, you heard me right: we ate camel burgers.
From there, we moved on to visit Miranda at her work, the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, for a few more poolside cocktails. Look at Hensley here. So happy to explore.
A quick visit to the Souk Qaryat Al Beri for some sushi was followed by some live music at the Jazz Bar and then a sophisticated trip to Heroes, a self-described 'scruffy sports bar' popular with Expats. Only the finest people in this fair city regularly visit Heroes. As we left later that night, I shook hands with each of the doormen and the front register girl and exclaimed 'Best bar in Abu Dhabi!' Fortunately, they did not sense a whiff on my sarcasm.
We didn't stop there. The next day was dominated by a boozy brunch in Dubai followed by a trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa.
And if you or anyone you know would like to follow in Hensley's footsteps and make a visit to the fine country we call the United Arab Emirates, please send a self-addressed envelope to:
AARON GRAY
Finest Expat Host in the UAE, Inc.
PO Box 111434
Abu Dhabi
Ask Hensley for yourself: Middle East adventures of the highest caliber await.
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