Tag - Abu Dhabi

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Purple Tips: 6 Terrifying Roller Coasters
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Off the beaten track: Ferrari World
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Purple Tips: Abu Dhabi Holidays

Purple Tips: 6 Terrifying Roller Coasters

Purple Tips: 6 Terrifying Roller Coasters

What does it say about the human race that we are prepared to pay good money to scare the wits out of ourselves? We have our bodies thrown around the sharp corners, tunnels and twists at high velocity, while strapped in with little more than a glorified seat-belt. The adrenalin rush that each trip provides is surely addictive, and with coaster designers becoming ever more innovative in their sadistic desire to scare us half to death, the roller coaster stakes are higher than ever. Here are the world’s top six scariest roller coasters.

Shambhala

Shambhala image via @ Jodi Playa

Wind Shear at Divo Ostrov Amusement Park, Russia

This Russian roller coaster was supposedly designed to make its passengers throw up on themselves. Located at a theme park set deep into woodland, it spins, flips and rocks passengers in all directions for the ultimate stomach-churning effect (just make sure you don’t eat too much before boarding). The ride is one of Vekoma’s Waikiki Wave Super Flip rides (of which there is another in Mexico and one in Australia). The roller coaster can bend in all directions, allowing for diagonal twists and turns rather than just horizontal. One side of the ride moves in a clockwise direction, while the other moves in an anti-clockwise direction, meaning passengers are swung back and forth, hung upside down and tossed around in a vomit-inducing random fashion.

Batman The Ride at Six Flags, Georgia, USA

Batman The Ride has a particularly dark history. A teenager on a church trip was decapitated after entering a restricted area below. The 11-story-high ride was closed after the incident, but re-opened a few days later, only to take the life of a 58-year-old park worker in 2002, when he was in a restricted area while the coaster was operating. The man was kicked in the head by a passenger, who herself was hospitalised, though she ultimately survived the accident.

Shambhala at PortAventura, Spain

As well as being the tallest ride in Europe, Shambala is also the ride with the tallest drop (78m) and longest hyper coaster track (more than 1,650m). Its drop is enough to turn your stomach inside out and choose some of the other roller coasters around the world.

Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

Formula Rossa is currently the fastest roller coaster in the world, reaching a staggering 240km per hour in less than five seconds. The velocity is such that passengers in the front seats are required to wear goggles to protect their eyes from the potential damage caused by a high speed impact with a flying insect.

Expedition Everest at Disney World, USA

This relatively new and relatively tame roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom still managed to kill a passenger, at least indirectly. A 44-year-old Florida man was unconscious when his cart pulled into the unloading station, and an employee and a park guest immediately tried to revive him. He was later pronounced dead, the victim of a heart attack, at a local hospital. Disney officials determined that the ride was operating normally when the man died. Maybe the surprise near the end of the coaster’s run startled him to death?

Cobra at Tivoli Friheden, Denmark

This amusement park in Aarhus, Denmark opened its new Cobra coaster in June of this year, only to shut it down eight days later after a section of track fell apart, sending a car off the rails and injuring four passengers. The ride’s now closed, as the park decides what to do: scrap it entirely or rebuild it. If it does re-open, we don’t think we’ll be signing up to ride it.

You Should Read… Top 10 Haunted Hotels

Off the beaten track: Ferrari World

Fast, furious, thrills and spills, if there is one park that is the epitome of thrill seeking then it has to be Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. The first of its kind in the world, it tells the story of Ferrari on a series of exhilaration rides and educational journeys.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 3

Image via @ Ferrari World

The iconic red roofed park houses over 30 vintage and modern Ferraris, the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, which hits speeds of 240 kmph and its own G-Force experience that blasts you to a height of 62 metres. Not for the faint hearted that one.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 2

Image via @ Ferrari World

For kids there is the chance to get behind the wheel of a scaled down 430 GT Spider as well as Speed of Magic, a 4-D adventure through jungles and volcanoes. Definitely a must see on any holiday in Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 4

Image via @ Aziz J.Hayat

Purple Tips: Abu Dhabi Holidays

Purple Tips: Abu Dhabi Holidays

As a result of the Arab Spring, the UAE has become more popular than ever, and its capital, Abu Dhabi, has gained a reputation for being a hub of culture, sport and entertainment. We asked Jennifer Fjeringen, a British expat who worked and lived in Abu Dhabi for her insider’s insight, “Abu Dhabi is not very large, but if you love fabulous hotels, brunches, shopping and sun, it will suit you. The only advise I could give is not to sunbathe on the public beaches – it’s worth paying 100-150AED a day per person to use different hotel’s beaches and facilities. The service is wonderful!”Here, she offers 5 great reasons why you should consider Abu Dhabi Holidays

Abu Dhabi

Why holiday in Abu Dhabi?

For a slice of Arabic culture
If you want a bit of Arabic culture, the Bateen Shipyard is a pleasant viewing. Here craftsmen carve their trademark wooden dhows from huge planks of teak. The shipyard is one of the oldest part of Abu Dhabi and just like in the old days, boat builders continue their ancient crafts in a traditional atmosphere, without the use of new age materials or fussy modern technique. Catch them in action at Dhow Harbour.

Also of course, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the ideal spot to soak up some true Arabic culture. This architectural work of art is one of the world’s largest mosques, housing a capacity of 41,000 worshippers. It features and astonishing 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers (the one in the main prayer hall is one of the world’s largest) and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. Surrounded by  reflective waters which mirror the striking white and gold of the building, the mosque transforms at night with a unique lightning system that reflects the phases of the moon. Try the 5pm ‘Sunset Tour’ for the perfect time to take photos.

For some amazing brunches
The Emirates Palace Hotel is amazing and does the most scrumptious brunch on Fridays. Le Vendôme in the EPH is an all-inclusive champagne brunch with a superb selection of culinary delights. You will need to book in advance and the cost is around 550AED per person. Or for something a little alternative, why not try brunch on a yacht? Shuja Yacht offers a genuinely memorable dining experience. It is possibly the laziest and most indulgent way to sightsee in Abu Dhabi; just take a seat on board, nod to the waiter when you want more bubbly and simply relax. The yacht sets off from the dock near Marina Mall, taking you up and down the Corniche on a two-hour trip, while you soak up the sun, views and all you can eat spread. Although small, the buffet, laid on by the Royal Meridien, is extremely high quality, including fishy delicacies, a line-up of Arabic mezze and hearty international mains, as well as some extraordinary desserts, which definitely take centre stage.

For an adrenaline rush
Ferrari World in Yas Island is an adrenaline rush to say the least. This exceptional experience for every family member offers a mix ofrides, attractions, themed stores and restaurants, inspired by the Ferrari brand and its Italian heritage. The F1™ cockpit is the fastest roller coaster on the planet, with accelerations of up to 240km/h. Also in Yas Island is the Yas Marina Circuit, which has the longest straight of any current Formula 1TM circuit, plus 21 twists and turns passing around the Yas Marina and under the Yas Viceroy Hotel.Then from Yas island carry on straight on the Sheikh Zayed Road into Dubai to party!

To be enlightened at the Saadiyat Cultural District
Saadiyat Island, billed as the destination for art and culture in the Middle East, is home to  several prestigious museums and galleries, which in the next couple of years, will also include the world’s second Louvre and its third Guggenheim. Another project currently underway is a partially submerged Maritime Museum and the Zayed National Museum.Abu Dhabi is also home to the art exhibition centre, Manarat Al Saadiyat (‘The Place of Enlightenment’), which hosts temporary shows in its three galleries.

For shopping heaven at The Corniche
The Corniche is a beautiful sea-front walk that leads to the Marina mall, a fabulous building filled with shops and restaurants. Surrounding the mall are gardens, fountains and the Heritage village – a very small marketplace. Backing The Corniche are the tall, glitzy buildings of the new commercial district, which runs the length of Abu Dhabi beach. In the evenings, this is also a popular place to stroll or cycle, particularly as it contains some of the city’s best places to stay, eat and shop.

Image used under creative commons by @ AlexMWang

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