Talking Location With … Rachel Wolf: ABU DHABI

#TalkingLocationWith … Rachel Wolf, author of Sun Trap set in ABU DHABI

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, a number of times and each time has had something different to offer. It stayed with me so much, that when I came to write Sun Trap, it was the obvious choice of location.

The first time we visited, we stayed in Abu Dhabi the city, a place full of stunning architecture and history. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – the Founding Father of the UA – and one of the world’s largest mosques. It is breath-taking. It only features briefly in Sun Trap because the novel is mainly set in the desert, but I do mention it, simply not enough to do it justice. Like many things in Abu Dhabi, it feels set apart from the everyday, even the chandeliers are gold-plated Swarovski.

Yas Island doesn’t get a mention in the novel but is well worth a visit, particularly if you have children. My two are F1 crazy, and this where the Abu Dhabi Formula One track is based. It is possible to cycle round it, which the kids loved. Yas Island also has an incredible harbour and four theme parks: Warner Bros. World; Ferrari World; Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. We managed three out of the four, and after loading my two up with sun cream, to find the Warner Bros. World covered was a real surprise. It was cool, and also nowhere near as busy as any other theme park I’ve been to. Finally, Yas Mall is a shopping paradise!

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Qasr Al Sarab. Photo credit TF

The last location of the novel is Saadiyat Island. The natural island is also famous for its culture – it has a Louvre, which has its own unique architectural beauty in much the same way the original Louvre in Paris does. Next to the ocean, we spent an afternoon exploring, and the children loved it. The hotels there are also out of this world – with day-long brunches that take place every Friday, we feasted like royalty. We ate at The St. Regis, and while this is not exactly cheap, it was something to remember. The children fished for their desserts from streams complete with dry-ice and there is a room dedicated to cheese. The views are spectacular, and it is located next to the sea.

Qasr Al Sarab. Photo credit TF

Sun Trap, however, is mainly set in the desert, the Empty Quarter. We stayed at the Qasr Al Sarab. The journey itself was quite an experience. We drove there with friends, much more used to driving in Abu Dhabi, but even they had a shock when a gazelle ran in front of the car on the desert road. I couldn’t not include this in the novel!

The hotel is absolutely gorgeous. The rich décor is sumptuous and decadent, as is the food. We were offered many kinds of milk at breakfast, including camel milk, and each meal was delicious.

In terms of things to do in the desert, we had great fun on a sunset camel ride. We rode the camels into the desert, where the hotel arranged a picnic once the sun had gone down. We then took cars back to our rooms. There may be a murder in the desert in Sun Trap, after a camel ride, but I guarantee this isn’t usual procedure!

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Other activities we were lucky enough to take advantage of included sandboarding. This is much like snowboarding, but done in the heat on the dunes. Even the sand was burning, so I’d really recommend doing either first thing or later in the day. We were idiots and tried this after a late breakfast. I’m not sure I’ve ever been as warm. It’s a lot of fun, once you get the hang of it. You can also go dune bashing, have a go at archery or just laze in the pool with a cocktail.

In Sun Trap, the characters travel to Abu Dhabi by private jet from New York, but it’s also very easy to fly from Britain on your usual choice of airline. If you’re feeling adventurous, Dubai is just over an hour away from Abu Dhabi, and is worth a day trip to see the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. You can either travel to the top, or book yourself a table at one of the restaurants at the bottom, and watch The Dubai Fountain, a dancing fountain display, every thirty minutes from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The show takes place in Burj Lake, and is the tallest performing fountain in the world.

If you do decide to visit Abu Dhabi, then have fun! I couldn’t recommend it more. You could even take a copy of Sun Trap with you!

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‘Sun Trap’ by Rachel Wolf is published by Head of Zeus on 8^th May as a paperback original at £9.99’

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