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Many people know Dubai. However, away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai is the UAE capital city Abu Dhabi. The wealthiest state and home to the amazing Ferrari World.
Do you love luxury cars? Are you an adrenaline junkie? Then Ferrari World is the place for you. Ferrari World is about one hour and 17 minutes drive from Dubai. The best way to get there is to hire a car, and for that, you will need an international driving license.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi pays tribute to the passion, heritage, excellence, innovation, and performance of the Ferrari car. The park lies on an expansive man-made island and spreads across 200,000m square feet. An aerial view of the park reveals the beautiful Ferrari logo.
There are several attractions within the park and the most famous is the world's fastest rollercoaster: Formula Rossa. A ride like no other. The ride's speed is a whooping 240km per hour. Imagine being in a car that fast. My friend Mary was so excited about this ride she could hardly wait to get on it.
I, on the other hand, was oscillating between thrills and fears waiting for my turn in the queue. We watched as people on the ride finished their ride, their faces flustered - some with smiles, others looking like they had escaped death on a flying saucer.
I got onto my seat gingerly; the seats were secured automatically and the ride attendant checked that everyone was well secured.
I said a quick prayer that should anything happen while on the ride my preferred home was heaven. Off we went, at a record-breaking speed. The ride was so fast that I could hardly breathe, but at the same time slow enough to experience every loop and turn.
At some point in the middle of the ride, I wanted to get out. We were at the top of a loop and all I could think of was to jump out. At another point, I believe I temporarily blacked out only to come to and find myself still on the ride.
Mary was having the time of her life and I could hear her screaming quite happily at the periphery of my side.
The best advice I can give to anyone interested in taking this ride is: do not eat before the ride, position your neck well against the seat to avoid whiplash and for the love of life, do not wear a wig, no matter how securely you have fastened it.
Unless that is, you would like to see your wig piece fly away in the photos the park takes. I retired from roller coaster rides that very day.
The G-force ride was a better fit for me. It was not as adrenaline-packed as Formula Rossa, but very entertaining. It is a pole-like structure that is about 64 meters high. When on top of the ride, one can easily see the Yas Water Park clearly, it is so beautiful, especially at night time.
Viaggio in Italia is a simulated film ride that transports you to the Italian countryside on a Ferrari. The experience is exhilarating and relaxing. It feels like being teleported to the scenic countryside of Italy.
Lastly, there was the Galleria Ferrari, an exhibit of classic and modern Ferraris. It is interesting to read the write-ups they have of each beautiful car. The car models range from 1947 with a limited edition of F355.
Do you know to achieve the beautiful indelible red colour that is the trademark of the Ferrari, it takes 22 coats of paint?
However, if you cannot make it to Ferrari World, you will not miss this beautiful car on the streets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In fact, the Dubai Police Department boasts of having the Ferrari FF among other supercars like the Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin and Bentley.
