Sheikh Zayed Mosque at night

UAE culture must be respected - Letters to the editor - The National

UAE culture must be respected

Visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque the other day, I witnessed something embarrassing. It is good that the authorities show leniency towards visitors, so as to make their stay as comfortable as possible. That includes relaxation of the dress code.

However, such gestures should never be taken for granted, especially while visiting a religious place.

Unfortunately, that’s what happened when a bus full of scantily dressed tourists arrived at the mosque. Of course, they had to cover once they were in the queue to get in. But they definitely raised a few eyebrows.

I believe it’s the duty of everyone to show respect towards the culture of this country. How to convey this message to tourists is a matter of discussion. Should it start from the point of immigration, or is it the responsibility of the host, such as hotels where they stay, and tour operators?

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online.

Remembering the volcano fountain

Remembering Abu Dhabi's Volcano Fountain: If you are a long timer of UAE and if you cherish fond memories of the Volcano fountain, which was there in Abu Dhabi till 2004, please express your nostalgic memories as comments here. Your comments are valuable for a project on Volcano Fountain. Thanks in advance for sharing with your friends and family.

Comments received at FB: 

Rupa Wahi lot of memories attached to this fountain during 90's wish this landmark of Abu Dhabi should have stayed....

27 April at 22:58 • Like • 1

Manvi Gupta When I first came to Abu Dhabi, newly married, young girl........a little nervous, a lot excited.......my first night here.....my husband walked me down to this wonderful place called volcano fountain next to sea! With a light breeze blowing....and him next to me.......i felt the world belonged to me now! That place, that night, that moment and that feeling is forever etched in my heart! And so Volcano Fountain holds a very special place for me!

16 hours ago • Like

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes It is genius, true we miss the famous Volcano Fountain of Abu Dhabi demolished in 2004, I really regret since 35 year ago nothing is left to remember symbolic monument

I am really touched by your idea

Bravo Ramesh

Céline ABDO

about an hour ago • Like

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes you made me close eyes and see the place

u made me travel with my brain to remember a place that i didnt see before ... TRUE I SWEAR. AmaZZZzing place and video as well,, BRAVO ! I wish I could take my baby as well from corniche hospital directly to this place : ) , your Speech was like a nice story I can tell it to my daughter about our lovely Abu Dhabi ‘The City of Peace and Affection’’ . I always say that Abu Dhabi is a never-ending love story for each one.

Houda BOUSLIMI

about an hour ago • Like

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes The Volcano was definitely the landmark of Abu Dhabi, it was a throbbing heart with all the fire-like lighting coming from it.

I remember during the first week of my arrival in Abu Dhabi, my relatives took me to the Corniche and precisely to the volcano fountain. This simple visit made me feel more at home and confident about coming all the way to live in an unknown place.

I was truly touched and impressed by the huge monument and its changing of colours. It was very similar to a true volcano, only that this one was harmless and soothing to the nerves.

Year after year, I got used to my new life in Abu Dhabi, it became my turn to take my guests and visitors to the volcano fountain so that they can rejoice their heart and senses.

Walking up the stairs on the volcano fountain, was an excellent exercise to old and young people, it was a family’s place, good for walking as well as sitting, while you can inhale the sea-breeze.

There was a good distance from the road, so noise and air pollution was reduced in the volcano area.

Najet MOSBAH

about an hour ago • Like

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes I can say that this land mark represented for new the vision of HH. Late Shaikh zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to see our nation as high as the mountain , flourishing it's water( generosity ) the nearby and far people. More importantly it resembles the strength and unity of our house and it's deep roots from the desert where the castle resemblance came from.

Sultan Al Hajji

about an hour ago • Like

Narendra Kulkarni I also remember this icon. I used to stay very close-by on Khalifa street and it is used to be routine for me to visit Volcano fountain from time time.

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes
Dear Friends, Please taken 3-5 minutes, watch the video and write to me a short comment which expresses your nostalgic feelings about the once famous Volcano Fountain of Abu Dhabi, and which was demolished in 2004. I am sure, you have many.

Your comments are important, because, I have a talk on 7th May and a workshop on 10th May on this subject, and will be useful to include it in my presentation.

Thanks a million in advance,

Ramesh Menon

Remembering Abu Dhabi's Volcano Fountain

Please visit and view the video

http://www.thenational.ae/video-remembering-abu-dhabis-volcano-fountain

Bring back the Volcano Fountain - Letters - The National - campaign and cause to keep history of a great nation alive

Relax

An old man relaxing at one of the benches at Abu Dhabi Corniche

Old boats rested at Mina, Abu Dhabi.

WYSIWYC - What You See Is What You Click - Daily Passionate Clicks of Abu Dhabi - Old boats rested at Mina, Abu Dhabi

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A reminder to the days when my mother in law recovered after her chemo treatment and we used to go for evening walks at this beautiful side of Abu Dhabi from where we could see a major part of the Abu Dhabi Cornichse. Memories - please Rest in Peace…

Abu Dhabi Mall on a foggy morning

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Old and still around

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Old and still around

Sony DSC-WX170

ExposureTime - 1/160 seconds

ISOSpeedRatings - 100

BrightnessValue - 7.95

MaxApertureValue - F 4.99

MeteringMode - Multi-segment

LightSource - Auto

Flash - Flash not fired, auto mode

FocalLength - 14.23 mm

DigitalZoomRatio - 1.00 x

SceneCaptureType - Landscape

This is a small piece of beauty, surprisingly still around in front of the Abu Dhab Bus Terminal. With the city growing in tremendous pace, most of the old monuments and creative landmarks are gone and replaced with modern versions. This little beauty is still around and hope it will be there for a long time too.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Saturday, 15-12-2012

WysiWyc is What you See is What you Click.

As a mark of special importance to this project, on behalf of Passionate Photographers group, we offer a free photography  session for Cancer patients. If you, or any of your friends or family are affected with cancer and wish to capture precious and happy moments with them, do contact us on team1dubai@gmail.com. A member from Passionate Phtographers group will volunteer to assist you and present it.
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Total's presence @ Abu Dhabi

SONY DSC-WX170
ISOSpeedRatings - 125
MaxApertureValue - F 3.30
LightSource - Auto
FocalLength - 4.45 mm

It was drizzling and I was impressed with Abu Dhabi Buses lined up on a Friday morning to take the passengers to various destinations. They were neat, clean and modern. I understand that now all the inter-city buses have wifi connections as well as catering. What more one need to travel in style and safe. Enjoy using Abu Dhabi Bus.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Friday, 14-12-2012

WysiWyc is What you See is What you Click.

As a mark of special importance to this project, on behalf of Passionate Photographers group, we offer a free photography  session for Cancer patients. If you, or any of your friends or family are affected with cancer and wish to capture precious and happy moments with them, do contact us on team1dubai@gmail.com. A member from Passionate Phtographers group will volunteer to assist you and present it.
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Reflections

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Reflections

(NIKON D90)
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 105 mm
ExposureTime - 1/60 seconds
FNumber - 5.30
ISOSpeedRatings - 1600
Flash - Flash not fired, auto mode
FocalLength - 70.00 mm

(SONY DSC-T900)

ExposureTime - 1/60 seconds

FNumber - 3.50

ISOSpeedRatings - 100

FocalLength - 9.33 mm

I love to capture reflections. Especially when it rains. Here in Abu Dhabi, raining is rare and an event to celebrate. Since the time I started taking photography to a serious level, I have tried to capture all the rainy moments I witnessed here in Abu Dhabi. The second photo is one taken when it rained today.

The first one is reflection of a crane at a construction work. 

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Thursday, 13.12.2012

WysiWyc is What you See is What you Click.

As a mark of special importance to this project, on behalf of Passionate Photographers group, we offer a free photography  session for Cancer patients. If you, or any of your friends or family are affected with cancer and wish to capture precious and happy moments with them, do contact us on team1dubai@gmail.com. A member from Passionate Phtographers group will volunteer to assist you and present it.
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.

WysiWyc - Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts - Etisalat Tower Building

WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Etisalat Tower Building Abu Dhabi

Every photo clicked is a history. You will never be able to re-create that precious moment. I consider photography as the best tool to promote positive thinking values because you never click an object with a negative output in mind.

Interacting with a professional photographer recently I realized how important it is to explore the possibilities of photography opportunity available around us, when we can. At the same time, exhibit them and explain them without inhibition are two important factors associated with it, which many tend not to do, either out of hesitation, or lack of time, or writing skills. In order to encourage my fellow Passionate Photographers, I am starting a new series of Photography exhibition, through my blog – WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts.

As most of you know, I click several photos each day. Topics or objects vary infinitely. However, in this series, what I plan to do is to click  one object using different cameras, within a short time difference and present them to you to observe, and discuss, if interest persists. These clicks are taken appropriately within few minutes difference between each other to harvest same environment conditions for each of them. I will also try and provide you maximum information about the object involved in each of them.

The first of the series is Etisalat Tower Building, Abu Dhabi.

Location : Rigga Al Buteen This green glass detailed office tower feature a spherical golf ball like form on the top, which is the same for most of the Etisalat buildings in the UAE. 

Date of Capture : Tuesday, 11-12-2012  Time : 16:18 Location : Abu Dhabi, Airport Road

iPhone 4S (all options - automatic)

ExposureTime - 1/2632 seconds ISOSpeedRatings - 50

Flash - Flash not fired, auto mode 

FocalLength - 4.28 mm

Sony DSC T900 (all options - automatic)

ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds ISOSpeedRatings - 80

Flash - Flash fired, compulsory flash mode, return light not detected

FocalLength - 6.18 mm

Nikon D90 (all options - automatic)

ExposureTime - 1/200 seconds ISOSpeedRatings - 200

Flash - Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected

FocalLength - 18.00 mm

Being the first day of this thought conversion to reality process, I decided or rather acted purely with a passionate photographers mind, keeping all setting on normal mode. However, as we progress, as I gather enough confidence, I will try and play around with all possible options and features of different cameras I get to explore with and share you for your observation and comments. 

Hope you all enjoy joining me in the photography exploration. Share with your friends who are interested in photography.

You are welcome to join Passionate Photographers group on Facebook.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Wednesday, 12-12-2012

p.s.: As a mark of special importance to this project and to this special day, 12-12-12, which we all will never get to see such a sequential date in our life, I wish to present another silent project.

A free photography  session for Cancer patients. If you, or any of your friends or family are affected with cancer and wish to capture precious and happy moments with them, do contact us on team1dubai@gmail.com. A member from Passionate Phtographers group will volunteer to assist you and present it.

WysiWyc = What you see is What you click

Abu Dhabi at night - WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks

WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks by Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Corniche at night.

Posted date: 04-01-2012



A quite Friday morning - WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks

WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks by Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi city view from Abu Dhabi Mall. It is extremely beautiful to view the city from the height of Abu Dhab Mall Business Towers. One gets to watch the busy life as it happens. However, in this picture, you will see the silence of the city on a Friday morning. It is more, especially being holiday season and most of the expats are on leave abroad or out of Abu Dhabi with friends and family.

Have a great evening,

Ramesh Menon
30.12.2011

WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks - It's time to warm up

WysiWyc - What you see is What you click - daily passionate clicks by Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

It's time to warm up. Being an enthusiast of percussion instruments and playing them whenever I get an opportunity, I have a few different types of taditional Indian Ghanjira's. As they are made of animal skin, they have to be made warm before playing to get the right notes and sound modulations. It was for the first time, I am seeing an electric heater being used to tune a similar set of percussion instruments (Tambourines)  by a local arabic performers before their performance at Abu Dhabi mall.

Have a great day,

Ramesh Menon
29.12.2011

Bu Tinah - Visit the Bu Tinah Experience Today

Get to know Bu Tinah Island - Gulf News Community Report Dt 25.10.2011

Get to know Bu Tinah Island - Gulf News Community Report Dt 25.10.2011

You can vote it one of the new seven wonders of nature

• By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader
• Published: 00:00 October 25, 2011

Off the coastline of Abu Dhabi lies a unique wonder of Nature, wild and undisturbed by human activity, Bu Tinah Island. Not many people in the UAE are familiar with this natural treasure. It is now one of the 28 official finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature, a worldwide campaign where people can nominate and vote for the seven most remarkable, awe-inspiring natural locations and features on our planet.

Bu Tinah is host to critical marine habitats. Seabirds, such as the flamingo and osprey, diverse species of dolphins and critically endangered turtles like the hawksbill, can all be found in and around the island.

The island's waters are also home to the planet's second largest population of dugongs, a large marine mammal which is globally threatened.

It is rich in biodiversity and lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, the region's first and largest Unesco-designated marine biosphere reserve. Fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited on the island, which is closed to visitors, to ensure its continued survival and protection.

A special campaign to make Bu Tinah one of the new seven wonders of nature has been initiated by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD). People may visit www.vote7.com and use the "vote now" option to choose their seven wonders.

They have also organised an exhibition, which is held daily at the Abu Dhabi Corniche to create awareness about the campaign.

It is extremely interesting and informative for children and adults alike. Visitors can also vote in designated kiosks set up inside a dome-shaped replica of this natural wonder.

— The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit Gulf News online.

You may also visit my blog link Vote for Bu Tinah to read more about it in different languages and see interesting videos.

Vote for Bu Tinah campaign at Malayala Manorama online

To read it in original, please visit Malayala Manorama online

Vote for Bu Tinah as one of the new 7 wonders of nature of the world

Ali Al Saloom EAD's Environmental Awareness Ambassador with Ayesh Al-Blooshi, Aquaculture scientist and Marine Biologist of EAD and Dr Salim Javed, Biodeversity Assessment and Monitoring Expert of EAD.

Bu Tinah Island coverage on DubaiONE

Emirati Island -Bu Tinah in Abu Dhabi.wmv

Ali Al Saloom EAD's Environmental Awareness Ambassador

speaking on the importance of preserving our environment.

Organisations and individuas in UAE are coming out with full support to make this dream come true in various. Here is an example of TOTAL UAE, naming one of their brand new meeting room as "Bu Tinah" after this prestigious and historic site now in contention for becoming the new 7 wonders of the world.

Vote for Bu Tinah as one of the new 7 wonders of nature of the world

Support Bu Tinah Text Bu Tinah to 3888 Vote online at http://www.n7w.com/ 

Visit The Bu Tinah Experience : http://www.butinah.ae/en/

Read how you can support us: http://www.butinah.ae/en/support.php

To see more pictures, please visit my album in Face Book

Vote for Bu Tinah as one of the 7 new wonders of the nature of the world

or bookmark a link of my blog section named Vote for Bu Tinah

http://clicksandwrites.blogspot.com/search/label/Vote%20for%20Bu%20Tinah

Please do take a few minutes and Vote for Bu Tinah at www.n7w.com

Beauty of Bu Tinah - Short Take - Gulf Today Dt. 15.10.2011

 

Beauty of Beauty of Bu Tinah - Short Take - Gulf Today Dt. 15.10.2011

Off the western coastline of Abu Dhabi lies a unique wonder of nature, wild and undisturbed by human activity. The Bu Tinah Island.

It is now one of the 28 official finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature, a campaign where people worldwide can vote and nominate the seven most remarkable, beautiful or otherwise awe-inspiring natural locations and features on our planet.

Bu Tinah is host to critical marine habitats containing internationally important species. Seabirds such as the flamingo and the osprey, diverse species of dolphins and endangered turtles, including hawksbills and greens, are all found in and around Bu Tinah.

The island’s waters are also  home to the planet’s second largest population of dugongs, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened.

Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. The biosphere reserve is the region’s first and largest Unesco designated marine biosphere reserve. Closed to visitors, fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited on Bu Tinah Island. Its continued survival and protection must be ensured.

A special campaign to vote Bu Tinah as one of the new seven wonders of nature has been initiated by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. You may visit online www.vote7.com and use the “vote now” option to choose your seven wonders.

An exhibition with a daily presentation has also been organised by EAD at Abu Dhabi Corniche to intensify the campaign to vote for Bu Tinah. It is informative for children and adults alike. Visitors can vote in the designated kiosks set specially inside a dome-shaped replica of this nature’s treasure. Act fast, only 27 more days to end this campaign. Let us make Bu Tinah one of the seven new wonders.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online

Let us make Bu Tinah one of the seven new wonders.

You may visit online www.vote7.com and use the “vote now” option to choose your seven wonders.

"Do not forget to include Bu Tinah".