The late, great Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayed, father of the U.A.E., hailed from Al Ain. The town was his ancestral home and headquarters for the founding of this country. It was the discovery of the once lucrative pearl collecting business that shifted attention to the coast.
Recently, I took a day trip to Al Ain with a friend from France. It is a short, pleasant 150KM trip from Abu Dhabi on the butter-smooth motorway. Stark desert turned into green trees on the side of the road as we approached Al Ain, reminding me of my home in Florida.
First stop was the oasis in town. This was hard to find and when we did we were vexed as the entrance was unmarked and the pathways seemed too narrow for a car. Undaunted, we drove the alleyways and found a place to park. We spend a relaxing two hours wandering the oasis. Hint: the place is a maze, so don’t lose your way. There are also some surprises to be found among the date palm groves!
Next was Jebel Hafeet, an improbable rocky mountain south of Al Ain jutting 1300 meters above the flat desert floor. The steep multilane road to the top had more twists and turns than a rattlesnake and offered several turnouts to park and admire the view. Make sure you car is in fine tune as it will be tested. I saw many radiator geysers on the way to the summit.
We rewarded ourselves with eggrolls in the Mercure Grand hotel at the top of the mountain. This 4 star venue serves as a good weekend getaway from the city.
I recommend Al Ain as a diversion from the Abu Dhabi summer doldrums. You may not escape the heat, but the change of scenery is mentally refreshing!
