In Awe of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (ABDB Travelogue)

This is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Every year, over 3 million visitors grace the spectacular white marbled flooring of exquisite workmanship. The entire mosque is a magnum opus, and even this is an understatement. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has even won the world's second most prominent architectural pioneer in 2016. It's not difficult to see why at all with its grandeur.

When travelling around Abu Dhabi, you will certainly not miss it along the main highways, reflecting in the brilliant sunlight or glittering in the dark night. Its walls are the purest shade of white, it is almost blinding.

The dress code in the mosque premises is very strict to respect the Muslim customs, not just for women who have to cover themselves from head to ankle. Shorts are not allowed for men. For visitors who did not prepare beforehand for the appropriate dress, a traditional robe abaya and headscarf shayla are provided. After donning on the abayas, we can now explore the mosque freely!

The best timing to visit the mosque is around 4 in the afternoon, because the lighting is the best for you to admire at the amazing architecture. I visited the mosque twice, and yet both times I feel so much in awe of the entire place, especially on the intricate details of how it is built, the materials that were used and the people that came together to make this possible. There were Arab, Persian, Mughal and Moorish inspirations in the mosque architecture, with materials from India, Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Macedonia and of course, the UAE. For more details, catch the free guided tour of the day at 5.

For more guided tour timings, see here.

If you thought that the outside architecture is amazing, the main prayer room has even more to offer. The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by an Iran company. Let that sink in - and you could sink your feet in the soft hand-woven carpet that took two years to complete. It honestly feels too precious to be stepped on. Of course, when you look up, you have to see a spectacular chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

It is simply opulence whichever direction you turn.

Even the prayer timings are clearly reflected on the fancy wall clock.

And, lo and behold, millions of Swarovski crystals suspended in mid-air above your head - this is the third largest chandelier in the world that is 10 metres in diameter.

Selfies are not encouraged but it is so hard to resist a few here!

Just as the informative and fun guided tour winds down, the sun is also about to set in the most glorious way, casting shades of pink across the pools.