What nobody tells you about visiting United Arab Emirates

After a lot of research I thought I knew what to expect from United Arab Emirates. Some things matched: Louvre Abu Dhabi is as spectacular as every review says, and Abu Dhabi has a genuine energy I'd read about. The Camelicious ice cream obsession is completely justified.

What I wasn't prepared for: extraordinary modern architecture. That element genuinely surprised me and added something I hadn't seen in any review. Also: alcohol only in licensed venues. That part the reviews undersell. Overall a wonderful trip — just a more layered experience than I anticipated.