The Emirate of Abu Dhabi also has a Second City, Al Ain. Literally “The Spring”, the city is located 160 KM from Abu Dhabi and makes a good destination for a day trip and a change of scenery.
Recently, a friend and I decided to explore Al Ain. The road there is smooth and fast. Roadside vistas went from sand to lush greenery the closer we got to the city. It reminded me of Central Florida.
First stop was the oasis near the City Center. This public park is a maze of elevated alleyways winding through a forest of date palms as far as the eye can see. You can walk or drive through the park, but its more fun on foot. There are surprises along the way and you can get lost if not careful.
Next was Jebel Hafeet, an improbable giant rock rising high over the desert floor. The steep, winding road up provides motoring entertainment before ending at a resort hotel at the top. The views are dramatic at 1200 meters above the flat desert below!
It was a fun day and I recommend it. Thanks to my personal navigator, Anna-Lou. Her eagle-eyes kept us on the beaten path and her voice was much more pleasant than the “Bitching Betty” from my GPS unit!
– Randy Parker
Randy has been a resident of Abu Dhabi since August, 2008 and works in the travel industry. He has a blog at: http://expatuae.blogspot.com/
