Emirates Trip. Day 2: Al Ain

First time experience, both LHD and in the desert

Roughly 130 km from the Dubai city, Al Ain is justly known as the garden city, due to its greenery. Not to mention the city full of circuitous route every ~2 km, I guessed.. :P. Anyway, we started our journey from Dubai early after breakfast, while I was still shaking to familiarize with right-hand traffic. Considering most cars move rather fast, we just keep our self to the most left lane... err right or the slow lane. Mind you, the freeways speed limit is 120 km/h with the minimum speed of 60 km/h, and that speed limit is enforced by camera at almost every 10 km.

Al Ain is known for its oasis and once was the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed from the Al-Nahyan royal family, who was the founder of the United Arab Emirates. Al Ain located to the east of Abu Dhabi, border with Al Buraimi of Oman. Since it was too early to check into the hotel, we stopped at the Hili Archaeology Park, however its only open after 4 pm. We saved this stop for tomorrow and continued to Al Ain Oasis, the largest in that city. An Oasis Miniature was displayed besides the visitor parking area. There was an Eco Center that briefed the history of the Oasis. Then, we walked 5 minutes to visit the Al Ain Palace Museum, and came back to the oasis later.

The construction of the Oasis Miniature was still in progress..

A unique wooden structure housed the Eco Center

Behind the walls was the oasis

Practicing my photography skills

The converted Al Ain Palace Museum was the private residence of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Nahyan. The construction resembles typical building in UAE that characterized by its ventilation system that keep the indoor cool. I didn't snapped one at the palace, but lucky me managed to save one at the Sultan Fort. By the way, most of the attractions in Al Ain were free or at most a minimal fees.

Mathap Qasr Al Ain, guess what it is?

Simple yet a cozy room, you can feel the 'cool' air

You will find this inside the Oasis, a traditional irrigation system

Quite shady right?

Suprisingly, Al Ain fulls of blossom!

Starbuck anyone?

Hot coffee are served in that room

This is how they hosts their guests

After spent around 45 minutes at the Palace Museum, we stepped back to the Oasis. We saw rows of bicycle and thought of renting it, but to avail, only payment cards are allowed for that purpose. I've tried several times looking at the other tourist who manage to get it. Anyhow, we simply walked through the shady and tranquil Oasis. I've installed the Oasis apps, which was beneficial as the audio guide to get to know the details.

The irrigation system plays the vital role in the development of the emirates

Nu'man was so disappointed as we can't get the bicycles rented

Macam-macam gaya nu'man posing

The mother well and the channel

To the east of the Oasis, situated the Al Ain National Museum and the Sultan Fort. There were hundreds of excavated items and artifacts in this rather small museum. It's kind of old-school museum without any audio or interactive features provided. All in all, it tells the history of UAE and Al Ain particularly. It just caught my intentions with the historical of the tomb existed in pre-historic Islamic age. Meanwhile, the Sultan Fort was the first fort that we visited, and Al Ain is the city of the richest in forts and castles in Abu Dhabi emirates.

Wearing a burqa signalled a married woman.. :P


The Hili Archaeological Park signifies the bronze age existence

The Danish that did the excavation works in Al Ain

An epic view of the Jebel Hafeet

It was late afternoon that we neither had our lunch nor check-in to our hotel. Loaded with tidbits, we headed to the Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet. While I was searching for hotel's booking, I actually didn't realized that it was the only unique mountain oasis resort located at the top of historical Jebel Hafeet. Going through windy road yet a short and safe route, we reached the hotel around 15 minutes from the foothill. We spent that evening in the hotel resting, and had pizza for early dinner at one of the hotel's restaurant. Best part was having a splendid night view of Al Ain city from the top of Jebel Hafeet.