If you pay attention, Abu Dhabi is a feast for the senses. Here’s what we love most about the sights, sounds, smells and more around the capital

1. The call to prayer: Whether you’ve just arrived or you’re an Emirati born and raised, it’s hard to hear this sound without stopping to reflect on everything that’s good in the world.

2. Spotting camels in the desert: It won’t happen in the middle of town, but we love that moment of delight when we see camels lurching across the open desert in the distance.

3. The dry, still motion of shifting sand dunes on bare feet: Unlike the sticky sand of the beach, the sand in the desert is smooth as silk, almost like water rolling between our toes.

4. The sweet, smoky scent of incense in an oud: Though sceptics will say the odour is too strong, the smell of the oud burner can’t help but transport anyone to the heart of Arabia.

5. The creamy tang of moutabal on fresh flat bread: There’s nothing like the taste of those soft, warm rounds of bread straight from a stone oven and served with that aubergine dip – yum!

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