Rita Pryke is 32 years old and has lived in Abu Dhabi for four years. She first moved to Dubai from Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband. She moved to Abu Dhabi after three months and works as a property manager for a private investment company. Abu Dhabi Week asked Rita what are the five things she likes most about living in Abu Dhabi.

Hakkasan

The modern Chinese restaurant in Emirates Palace is my favourite restaurant in Abu Dhabi. The food is simply amazing and they have really nice drinks. But it’s the whole place that is lovely. It feels like you’ve stepped into some exclusive club with all the partitions separating the different seating areas and the special private entrance.

The weather

Easy but true. It rains for, what, three days out of the year? OK, the city goes crazy when it does rain, but only a few days of bad weather a year leaves plenty of time and opportunity to hit the beach, get a tan and do lots of outdoor activities – and there is loads to do outdoors as well!

The adhan

For me, the call to prayer makes me feel like I’m immersed in a different culture. It is a daily reminder that I am living in a country that is very far and very different from where I grew up, and I really like that. When the sun is setting and the call to prayer drifts across the city it gives me goosebumps, and if I’m sitting somewhere relaxing it makes me feel like I’m on holiday.

The people

There are people from all over the world here. You get a unique opportunity to really mix with people from different cultures and understand them. I have formed some of the strongest friendships here in Abu Dhabi, and with people that I never would have had the opportunity of meeting had I not been here.

Horse riding

This is my favourite thing to do. I’ve been horse riding for more than two years and I would love to have my own horse – my husband isn’t so keen on that expense though. The Arabian horses here are so graceful and have such distinctive features. Out here I have the opportunity to ride one of the oldest breeds in the world – that is pretty special.