Hard to imagine that once this area was a barren, dry unproductive sandy wasteland. Today there are modern highways, traffic lights, round-abouts, bridges, multi storey buildings, residential apartments, officers and shopping malls. The palace covers a huge area and is very palatial. We were allowed to roam inside freely around several floors of the section opened to the public.
The foyer of the palace entrance that we used had beautiful marble floors and walls, huge portraits of the Royal family, chandeliers and gold gilt trimmings on the ceiling and tall marble columns. The central atrium opened up to reveal several floors of suites and this was only a small section of the whole palace.
The rooms were generously decorated in rich tapestry lounges, shiny and colourful marbles with loads of gold leaf trimmings and gold ceilings. Entrance costs to view the palace is $30 but that included a sumptuous afternoon tea which we thoroughly enjoyed.
We were one of several bus loads of tourists and locals who had afternoon tea at the palace. This must be a great revenue raiser for the Abu Dhabi economy - a clever initiative by the king.
We were treated as "princes and princesses". Our group was ushered into a wide open alcove, seated in low plush ornate lounges around groups of glittering glass coffee tables and we were serve Arabian Capuchino coffee in exquisite gold trimmed cups. "To top it off" the coffee even had edible gold dust on top. The coffee was served with a slice of beautifully light sponge cake with yellow-gold icing. The manicured gardens around the palace have been colourfully decorated with all kinds of plants, trees and succulents from all over the world and they are watered through the drip system that irrigates most vegetation on these arid islands. 
The palace and grounds have been built along a beautiful corniche. The views from the palace include the corniche,ithe waters surrounding the island with downtown Abu Dhabi in the background.
Our guide informed us that life in Abu Dhabi has improved for the local people because their king provides free housing, electricity , health and education. Tourism is one of Abu Dhabi's source of income wnd it is increasing as many residents of Dubai find these island relaxing compared to the hustle and business of Dubai. Some Dubai families own homes on the islands and spend weekends relaxing in the peaceful setting and quieter way of life. The discovery of oil in the sea off Abu Dhabi has further boosted the nation's income because this discovery has shown that there are enough oil reserves under the sea, near Abu Dhabi to provide oil for at least the next 150 years. Prospects look prosperous for Abu Dhabi but we hope both is thriving territory doesn't become as commercially crass as Dubai and that this UAI territory will "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God" as Micah 6:8 states for when nations pursue prosperity for the sake of bigger and better "barns" at the expense of others they become inward looking not upward looking.
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