![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gallivantinggrandma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_5286.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThis morning we drove out to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital which provides comprehensive health care services exclusively for falcons. \u00a0This is the largest falcon hospital in the world caring for 11,200 falcons annually.<\/p>\n
Mohammad was our guide at the hospital and he explained the care, upkeep, and training of falcons. \u00a0Falconry is a popular traditional sport in the Arab world. \u00a0It is a highly valued custom and reflects the region’s Bedouin history. \u00a0Below is a waiting room for owners:<\/p>\n Tourists are welcome to visit to see the hospital facilities during regular hours. \u00a0Our group was shown into the ‘operating room’ where several falcons were patiently waiting their turns. \u00a0Hoods covering the birds’ eyes kept them calm.<\/p>\n There were different stations where technicians examined and treated several falcons at the same time. \u00a0Different rooms service a variety of minor and major procedures and operations. \u00a0The birds are highly valued since the cost ranges between $25,000 to over $100,000 dollars for a pure bred falcon.<\/p>\n We gathered around an examining table and the technician applied anesthetic to put the bird to sleep. \u00a0Then he explained and demonstrated how he examined and applied a variety of grooming and health services to the falcon.<\/p>\n I was able to hold a very calm falcon. \u00a0He was incredibly light weight. \u00a0Mohammad told us that he owns two falcons and several times a year takes them on Emirates Airlines to Kazakhstan for hunting. \u00a0He has to buy each falcon its own seat on the airplane.<\/p>\n The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital not only cares for healthy and sick falcons but also breeds them and provides housing during their molting season. \u00a0In recent years, the hospital expanded their facilities to care for pets and stray animals.<\/p>\n After a very interesting and enjoyable time at the Falcon Hospital, we drove back to the center of the city. \u00a0I took the photo below from the bus. \u00a0Despite all the modern developments and super-highways around Abu Dhabi, we were never too far from the stark white sands of the desert.<\/p>\n The bus left us near the fish market at one of the commercial boat docks. \u00a0We boarded a traditional wooden boat for a river cruise luncheon. \u00a0What fun!!<\/p>\n View of the top deck:<\/p>\n View of the interior main deck and dining room: (Like every enclosed space here, it was air conditioned.)<\/p>\n We had a delicious fresh fish & lobster & shrimp lunch as we passed the cityscape outside.<\/p>\n Well fortified, we went to our next new tourist attraction: \u00a0The Louvre Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n The Louvre Museum in Paris recently formed a partnership with the government of Abu Dhabi and they have a 30 year agreement to showcase art from around the world. \u00a0The museum opened in November 2017 at a cost of 600 million Euros.<\/p>\n The architect was Jean Novel who also designed the Institut du Monde Arabe<\/em> in Paris. \u00a0$525 million dollars was paid to the French government to use the Louvre<\/em> name. \u00a0An additional $747 million dollars will be paid by Abu Dhabi for art loans, special exhibits, and management advice.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n