UAE - Al Ain

Sweihan Drive - Camels, Trees, Gliding by High Dunes!

April 23, 2017


Desert camping and driving has been part of our weekend routine over the past four years. The regular camp where we meet is located in Lahbab. But early this month, the group planned on going a different place, so off we went to the desert dunes of Sweihan in Al AIn.

 Sweihan is regarded by some as the Little Liwa with the type of dunes it has. One amazing thing of Sweihan is seeing a part of it with trees growing in the middle of the wide desert.
We were not able to follow the convoy leaving Dubai, so we kept track of the Google Maps location sent to us. As we reached Sweihan, at the end of the road entering towards the dunes, one of our mates came for us whom we followed to where the group had set camp. We had a happy and hearty late dinner at 12 midnight. The guys continued to share stories until around mid 2a.m. It was an unfamiliar place, and nobody seemed to have brought extra guests, such that nobody really pitched a tent, and instead everyone slept inside their cars. We have long been sleeping inside our car when we camp, and especially this time where the place is unfamiliar to us. I mean, I am still not comfortable in case some animals may think of coming near where we are sleeping.

Then morning came. At around 6:30a.m., somebody honked his car to get everyone up. We had to start early for breakfast before the drive. We got up with a visit by camels, with one coming near us, and Kalel receiving a nose rub. Yes, camels are friendly!

Here is a video of our Sweihan drive:

 - Camels, and more camels
- Cars gliding by the dunes and splashing sand
- the high dunes of Sweihan
- Gaf trees in the middle of the desert
- A line of cars
-  A really long and wide plot of land that seem to have been cultivated with lots of trees 

Location: Where we camped for the night: A camel farm was just nearby. In the morning, the would be out walking. Where I was taking the video at the high dune overlooking the cluster of trees:

UAE - Al Ain

Of Jebel Hafeet, Sheep Farm and Zakher Lake in Al Ain

March 27, 2017

Our 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 :

  • 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

UAE - Al Ain

Green Mubazzarah Park in Al Ain

July 10, 2012

A drive to Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain won't be complete without stopping by Green Mubazzarah Park by the mountain's foot. When coming from a long drive like Dubai, Green Mubazzarah could serve as a 're-energizing' station before or after ascending Jebel Hafeet or a walk around the zoo. This is where we usually eat our packed lunches because going back to the Town Center where the food chains are may take considerable time.

For some, the park's main attraction is its naturally heated spring water where visitors dip their feet. The transformation of the once rocky place into a greenery with visitor facilities is quite admirable.








Philippines - Baguio

Of Flowers - Al Ain and Baguio

March 05, 2012

We played guide to our friends on their first drive from Dubai to Al Ain Zoo and Al Ain Paradise. Below so far are the efficient routes we took to minimise the traffic and missing on the many roundabouts of Al Ain’s town center:
Easiest Route from Dubai to Al Ain Zoo
-  Take the Dubai - Al Ain Road (E66)
-  Reaching Al Ain, steer right towards the Airport
-  On your left, find the way to 130th St, or Zayed Al Awal Street. (There are detours as of this writing, with the road under construction)
-  Drive straight past roundabouts and the end of it is Al Ain Zoo
Easiest Route to Al Ain Paradise from Al Ain Zoo
-  From Al Ain Zoo, exit to the first roundabout, take left
-  At the next roundabout, take left again
-  Enter to the first right, then another quick right to the parking


AL AIN PARADISE
One’s appreciation of Al Ain Paradise is subjective but the common denominator is that one gets to step on a Guinness Book of World Records site (world's largest display of hanging baskets).


We first roamed Al Ain's zoo under the scorching heat last Friday that drained us before heading to the flower park. The heat dampened our energy, that drained us to appreciate the flowers. The park is now wider since our April 2011 visit , but I felt that the compressed ‘architecture’ last year gave a more ‘flowery’ feel. Also, the many staffs manning the area could be distracting with their whistles as they prevent people to step on grasses or touch the flowers. I thought it could have helped if sign-ages were installed for do's and dont's and that the staffs at least smile.


BAGUIO’S FLOWER FESTIVAL
On flowers still, I missed (again!) joining this year’s flower festival back home. Baguio’s (Philippines) Panagbenga Festival this year reportedly gathered 1.5 million spectators during the opening floats and street dancing parade. Baguio’s cool climate encouraged the flower industry, most of which are distributed at Manila’s Dimasalang area. What makes the event spectacular is the mix of ‘flower arts’ and ‘cultural accents’.
Panagbenga 2012. Photo Credit: Ompong Tan
Panagbenga 2012. Photo Credit: Ompong Tan
Panagbenga 2012. Photo Credit: Ompong Tan
Panagbenga 2012. Photo Credit: Ompong Tan

Panagbenga 2012 Street Dancing. Photo Credit: Rhodyl Ambloza. More of his photos HERE

UAE - Al Ain

In Al Ain, UAE -- the world's largest hanging flower baskets

July 25, 2011

After my posts on (1) worlds largest indoor ski (2) the world's tallest building, (3) the world's largest truck and (4) the world's heaviest ring comes the world's largest display of hanging baskets, this time in Al Ain, UAE.

We visited this garden set in Al Ain Paradise in April 2011 when there were 2968 hanging baskets landscaped in a 21,000 sqm park, an increase from year 2010 from 2426 baskets over a 7,000 sqm area.




Road Trips

Road Trip : Jebel Hafeet and Al Ain Wildlife Zoo

October 26, 2010

Our road trip last Friday took us to Al Ain. It's first roundabout is an hour drive from Dubai (at 100-120kph). But being the "city of roundabouts", it takes another hour for newbies to find the way through the roads. A map or yet a GPS would greatly help.

Lower part was my sketch asking for directions, that's all roundabouts. The upper is the Gremlin's sketch.
Our destinations: Jebel Hafeet and Al Ain Wildlife Zoo.
  The thrill of driving through Jebel Hafeet's ascending 1240 meters' zigzag road makes it an attraction.
Unlike our first nightfalldrive up Jebel Hafeet, we did it on daylight this time, giving a better view of the rock formations which are amazing. 
 

I was told those ranges forms part of the Oman border
See the duo in red and orange. They're sitting on the tip!
 Weather is still warm hence the horizon is still hazy, we could have taken better photos. 
At the foot of the mountain is Green Mubazzarah, a park with hot water springs gushing little streams

By 4pm , we were at  the wildlife zoo. Already tired (exacerbated by the heat), we tried to cover as much so we could leave by 6pm. Two hours wasn't enough though. I think that a visit on winter is better (it seems they put out more animals and that the cool temperature is less energy-draining).


By the way, tiring a li'l boy around animals could make him grouchy, you might end up scolding him and he acts up as:
  But overall, a road trip pleases him like this:

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