Of Jebel Hafeet, Sheep Farm and Zakher Lake in Al Ain
March 27, 2017Our Aunt came to Dubai from the Philippines just recently for a visit. And of course, we were happy to play tour guide to her. We drove to Al Ain for the first tour. Auntie got to :
Weather was gloomy with rains in the past days, and each morning we check of any chance of sun for the day. Sunday looked a little better by around 10am so I rung my cousin and told her we could pack some quick food to bring with us to Al Ain. My cousin fried some hotdogs and I packed rice with meatloaf. It's the quickest we can prepare for a late advise from Mr Sun.
Driving on along Al Ain Road, the sky was sort of hazy and a sandstorm was looming.
If you have a tourist with you, a photo ops with a camel should not be missed. We saw camels across the desert and stopped as soon as we saw an opening that the car could get in (most of the road side is fenced if not barriers that cars cant pass). Sand were flying and uncomfortably getting into our eyes, but then again, it's not always that we can find camels loitering ready for that tourist's photo.
Next Stop: MUBAZZARAH PARK
It was time for lunch and we headed to Mubazzarah Park and found a gazebo where we laid out our food. The kids ran and played. Riane loved the slides and swings, while Kalel and his cousin went ran up the hill. The falajs where the warm springs flow were dry the time we were there so no wet feet this time.
Next stop: JEBEL HAFEET
An Al Ain visit with a tourist is not without going up Jebel Hafeet. The drive up the 1300 meters high rock mountain is a chance to see a vista of nearby Al Ain from atop. For me, among those that gets me in awe is the rock lining at one side of the foot of Jebel Hafeet.
The air is cooler at the top and the sky seen is clearer at this level.
- have a photo with camels,
- experience sandstorm,
- a quick sit at Mubazzarah Park,
- cool air at Jebel Hafeet,
- visit a sheep farm,
- climb up a dune for a good view of Zakher Lake
Weather was gloomy with rains in the past days, and each morning we check of any chance of sun for the day. Sunday looked a little better by around 10am so I rung my cousin and told her we could pack some quick food to bring with us to Al Ain. My cousin fried some hotdogs and I packed rice with meatloaf. It's the quickest we can prepare for a late advise from Mr Sun.
Driving on along Al Ain Road, the sky was sort of hazy and a sandstorm was looming.
If you have a tourist with you, a photo ops with a camel should not be missed. We saw camels across the desert and stopped as soon as we saw an opening that the car could get in (most of the road side is fenced if not barriers that cars cant pass). Sand were flying and uncomfortably getting into our eyes, but then again, it's not always that we can find camels loitering ready for that tourist's photo.
Next Stop: MUBAZZARAH PARK
It was time for lunch and we headed to Mubazzarah Park and found a gazebo where we laid out our food. The kids ran and played. Riane loved the slides and swings, while Kalel and his cousin went ran up the hill. The falajs where the warm springs flow were dry the time we were there so no wet feet this time.
Next stop: JEBEL HAFEET
An Al Ain visit with a tourist is not without going up Jebel Hafeet. The drive up the 1300 meters high rock mountain is a chance to see a vista of nearby Al Ain from atop. For me, among those that gets me in awe is the rock lining at one side of the foot of Jebel Hafeet.
The air is cooler at the top and the sky seen is clearer at this level.
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| At the top! Jebel Hafeet is 1300 meters above sea level. |
Next Stop: ZAKHER LAKE
This is probably our sixth drive to Zakher Lake and we never miss to visit the sheep farm each time. Note though: a four wheel drive is needed to get in past the dunes. The herd of sheep was set out of the fence when we arrived. I asked permission from the caretaker that we were there to take photos. The kids were excited we had to remind them not to get to close the herd. The herd of sheep seem to be afraid of us, running or keeping a distance from us. Seeing them gather together is just amazing. They had such a unity following each other each time one of them starts running away from us.
We drove back to the dunes after visiting the sheep farm. We settled on top of one of the dunes giving us an impressive view of the lake. The kids excitedly rolled over the orange sand apart from running, sliding and shoveling sand in the desert.
The sun has set when we left, and from playing tirelessly, the kids had a good sleep as soon as we reached back home in Dubai.
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