Hamad, the Rainbow Sheikh
Billionaire sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi carves his name in desert so big that if he goes to space then he can see it from there !
His name is etched on to an island he owns called Al Futaisi. The name is two miles across — with letters a kilometre high. It is so huge that the “H”, the first “A” and part of the “M” have been made into waterways. Now he better go to space and see his name otherwise whats the use!
And rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching tide.The ruler’s name is even visible on Google’s map service.
Hamad, also known as the ‘Rainbow Sheikh’, is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.
Dodge Power Wagon
The Arab sheikh has a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world’s largest truck – eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin.
Hamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth.
Alongside his lavish displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist in medicine and supplied a complete kidney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its staff.
His fleet of more than 200 cars — including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colours of the rainbow — is housed in a custom-built pyramid. Have a look at his car collection.
Have fun “Ya Sheikh!” but you can make millions smile with a little of your wealth by helping them….do not give them food instead invest in such a way that they become productive and generate their own income!
Emirates National Auto Museum
The Emirates National Auto Museum
The museum is free and, while often appearing closed, is actually open seven days a week (9am-6pm; closed 1pm-2pm). If the pyramid building is shut, just find an attendant to open it. The complex is home to three shops and cafés (including one inside a two-storey, Land Rover-shaped building). Ask in any of these to find an attendant. The drive to the museum is about 45 minutes from the centre of Abu Dhabi. Take the road toward the airport, and turn off on to the Tarif road (a massive strait that runs right through to Saudi Arabia). Turn off at Junction 306 and head towards Hameem. Pass the giant rainbow gate on the left and the museum will be sign-posted.
