Every Tom, Dick and Harry has an opinion, so what's the fuss about blogs? Intrigued, we sampled a few of Abu Dhabi’s finest to save you the trouble
Blogging has definitely come a long way from its humble beginnings. With blogs popping up on just about everything, we wanted to check out what the blogosphere was saying about Abu Dhabi. Read on to find out who they are and why they've chosen to blog on the UAE’s capital …
Everything you need to know
If you fancy a much more informative approach to Abu Dhabi and the surrounding area, Grapeshisha fits the bill. The blog says it “provides anything and everything to help you navigate through the United Arab Emirates and in particular Abu Dhabi”.
And indeed it does. The website features sections dedicated to tourists exploring the UAE, where to stay, what to do, living and working and of course the blog. The blog features articles on a variety of topics and interesting stories about Abu Dhabi and the surrounding emirates.
A great introductory blog to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, Grapeshisha provides newcomers with much needed information on the ins and outs of the city. And for all of our well-established readers, you won't be disappointed. It provides a host of articles on daily news stories, uploaded video stories and lighthearted fluff that makes you scratch your head. If you didn't know, yes, I'm talking about the world's most expensive sofa for sale in the UAE!
Grapeshisha aims to please residents, tourists and the plain curious. They say, “the story of modern day Arabia is being written; join us on the adventure as we give it to you real about everything from tourism to jobs and abayas to oil and the lowdown on some of the best hotels in the world”.
The site has just recently been redesigned and we couldn't be more happy. Not only is it extremely easy to use for technologically challenged fellows like ourselves but it also provides some great features for non-English speaking readers. With a list of languages the site can be translated in, it's no wonder Grapeshisha is described as the blog to read. http://blog.grapeshisha.com/
Finding Abu Dhabi
For American couple Shannon and Sam, blogging was initially a way to keep in touch with family after moving to Abu Dhabi.
However, they say it “definitely morphed over the past two years into a more prominent fixture in our lives than we had anticipated”.
Abu Dhabi has been such an interesting place to blog about due to its diversity and sudden modernisation. Shannon and Sam say, “It is a rare opportunity to glimpse, if even for a moment, the evolution of a nation.”
Blogging has been something of a “form of therapy” for this couple who have found writing about their experiences not only helped them put things into perspective, but also sometimes shed light on a different point of view they hadn't seen before.
“One of the aims of Finding Abu Dhabi is to help provide information on the ins and outs of living in the capital. The longer we've lived as expats, the more we've discovered how much information is not readily accessible online.
“We decided early on that whatever topic we’re writing about, whether it is travel or running an errand, we’d try to post enough detail to assist readers in either replicating or avoiding our same experience.”
Making sense of the challenging and often times humorous expat experience is why we love this blog. It's funny, thoughtful and informative without being disrespectful. Shannon and Sam are keen on avoiding the whining 'ugly expat' stereotype while still expressing the amusement and frustration that comes with moving to another country.
The husband and wife duo say, “We want to provoke thoughts, not people”. http://findingabudhabi.blogspot.com
Nuts for the capital
Witsandnuts blogger began writing online in 2007 to help her relax after a long day. Born and raised in the Phillippines, she moved to Abu Dhabi in January 2008 and has been writing about the move in her semi-anonymous blog since.
She is quick to admit that her initial impressions about Abu Dhabi only amounted to camels, sandstorms and the heat.
“I was totally wrong. The capital has a very colourful mix of different nationalities. I always delight myself when I write about Abu Dhabi because I am not only educating myself but also getting to correct false impressions for my readers.”
The blog has also helped her adjust and reflect on life here in Abu Dhabi. “When I look back at some of my earlier posts about Abu Dhabi it makes me happy that I have documented my learning points about the Emirate.”
In fact, each year she dedicates a post to her “Abu-versary” or Abu Dhabi anniversary in which she reflects on her growth from a confused newcomer to a thriving expat.
Witsandnuts see's blogging as an expression of one's self. She says that the most rewarding aspect of blogging is when “the readership gets to learn from what you share”.
The reason we love this blog is because of the breath of subjects it covers. Not only that, but Witsandnuts also started a secondary blog, Pandesal ni Jo, earlier this year. Titled after a popular Filipino bread, this blog is more of a gratitude journal where she “can count her cheers, big and small”. It's an upbeat and happy blog that's nice to get lost in. Filled with Filipino sayings and comments, it's one that also let's us appreciate her own culture as well. http://witsandnuts.com
Sawaiba Khan
Disclaimer: While Abu Dhabi Week does try to monitor our recommendations some material may not suit our readers sensibilities. Please do be advised when reading these blogs.
Now that you've read about some of Abu Dhabi's best blogs, do you want to get in on the action? Here's a few websites to help you start making your mark in the blogosphere-and best of all, these are all free!
www.blogger.com
http://wordpress.com/
www.weebly.com/
