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What to do, Where to go
- wroteunquoteblogs
- Sep 6, 2020
- 6 min read
I’ve been living in the UAE since 2009 and sometimes it feels like I’ve been everywhere. As a family, we love to try out new things and go new places (at minimum cost 😉). We roadtrip everywhere, from Shuweihat in the west to Hatta in the north-east. We’ve been quite literally all over the place. Subsequently, the 'been there, done that' bug hits us often. However, this past month has been a period of… shall I call it rediscovery? We’ve been hunting down places with not many people but still offers a varied experience. And so, here’s my list of places you’ve probably never heard of but should definitely visit.
1. Razeen desert, Al Qua’a
Time of trip: August
What it is:
Otherwise known as the Al Qua’a Milky Way spot, Razeen desert is known for its beautiful starry skies. One of the darkest spots in Abu Dhabi, this place is popular with photographers for alluring scenes of the Milky Way stars.
Where:
It took us approximately 1.5 hours to get here, from Abu Dhabi city, reaching at 6:00 pm. The drive to Al Qua’a was half the experience. Our journey was filled with golden, undulating sand dunes and flocks of camels. We even spotted an Arabian Oryx farm and two wild gazelles. There isn’t one specific spot for viewing the sky at Al Qua’a. Once we found a spot to park our car, we went out to explore the desert.
What to do:
I can vouch for the sand dunes you’ll see here. We hiked our way up and down 2 to 3 dunes before the sun set. Blame our bad luck: we didn’t see any Milky Way-esque sky. The day was windy, and we had to take refuge in the car when a sandstorm greeted us unexpectedly. Despite the rough ending, our short visit to the middle of nowhere was worth it. I would highly recommend you visit this place and try your luck at viewing a star-speckled sky.
Pro tips:
- Wear shoes: We are no camels and hiking up sand dunes will result in sinking feet, which is a situation we want to avoid. I made the mistake of wearing slip-ons and lost one shoe in the sand.
- Be prepared: Al Qua’a is a little bit far away from civilization. Make sure you have enough water and food to keep you going. I would also like to take a moment to emphasize the importance of relieving yourself before starting your trip. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself peeing in the middle of the desert under the cover of, erm… non-existent trees.
- Go with an open mind: You might or might not see the Milky Way (there’s a higher chance to see it if you go in the cooler months). So, it’s important to enjoy the little things. Make sure to have face masks or scarves to cover your mouth and nose with, in case of a sandstorm.
Safety concerns:
- There were no people around when we went. I would say it’s a safe place to go during the lockdown.
- There might be desert reptiles. We saw a lizard. Who knows what will turn up?
This guy managed to see the Milk Way. Check out his photos here: https://www.locationscout.net/united-arab-emirates/21380-razeen-al-quae28099a-abu-dhabi
2. Fossil Dunes, Al Wathba
Time of trip: August
What it is:
This one is hard to explain. The fossil dunes are irregular formations made of sedimented sand. The sand has literally hardened and been shaped by the wind. I highly suggest you search it up to get a better picture of what I’m talking about.
Where:
If I remember right, the Google Maps didn’t take us directly to where we wanted to go. But once you get here, you will start seeing the rock formations. In the beginning, they were miniscule protrusions from the sand. But as you drive, you’ll see larger rock formations. Make sure to explore a bit. The drive was around 40 minutes long (from Abu Dhabi city).
What to do:
It is a lot of fun to look at the gnarly, irregular structures. The larger ones are stable enough for you to climb on top of them. Some of the formations reminded me of the Pride Rock from Lion King. I felt quite like Simba (minus Rafiki). Since these beauties are made of sand, you can very easily break off pieces from the smaller structures. And they are also very light. Ooh, also, we noticed a pigeon nest with an egg in one of the crevices. In the cooler months, I think this would be a splendid picnic spot.
Pro tips: all pro tips for Qua’a apply here as well.
Safety concerns:
- Although not crowded, there were around 50 people in the vicinity.
- Once you divert from the road onto the sandy paths, it gets a little rugged. Make sure your car can handle it. If not, park nearby and walk.
3. Kayaking, Reem Island
Time of trip: August (again, hehe)
What it is:
I’m sure most people who live in the city know Reem Central Park. But what we didn’t know is that you can go kayaking there. Your little rowing adventure will be through the mangroves.
Where:
It’s a quick 10 minute drive from where I live. The company that offers the service is called Sea Hawk. The Google Map should take you exactly where you need to go.
What to do:
Pretty self-explanatory: kayaking. This was our first time kayaking, but it was a lot of fun. I promise you that you will enjoy this. Except for my dad, none of us knew how to paddle. With a little help from the instructors, we were good to go. It’s simple and you’ll get the hang of it quickly, really quickly. Except for crashing into the mangroves a few countless times, our kayaking trip went pretty smoothly.
Prices and details: https://sea-hawk.ae/rcp/
Pro tips:
- Water, water, water: I don’t see how you or your belongings can stay dry on a kayak. Take minimal belongings with you. They did provide us with a waterproof bag to take on the kayak. I would recommend that you only take one phone with you to take pictures, especially if it’s your first time. Also, come dressed to get wet. No fancy clothes, please.
- Have fun: Don’t stress out. You don’t have to be an expert to know how to operate a kayak. Book a two-seater or three-seater for extra fun if you’re going with friends or family.
- Sore arms alert! I woke up the next day to aching arms. If you’re not used to arm workouts, you will end up like me. However, the experience is still worth the sore muscles.
Safety concerns:
- There were very few people around when we went (in the morning). I would again say it’s pretty safe to go. The only concern might be the hygiene of the paddles and the kayak itself. Doesn’t salt water kill the coronavirus?
- You will be provided with lifejackets. Fun fact: kayaks can easily flip over in case you lean too much to one side. But your lifejackets will be there to rescue you.
PS.: You can go kayaking at Eastern mangroves near Anantara. The prices here are cheaper. So make sure to check this place out as well!
4. Hatta, UAE-Oman border
This is a bonus destination. Please note that this area might be inaccessible right now due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Time of trip: November
What it is:
Hatta is a town located at the foot of the Hajar mountains. It’s part of the emirate of Dubai but on the eastern side of the country. It is right next to the border UAE shares with Oman. It’s a hidden gem with lush greenery and cold mountain winds. Hatta is perfect for a two-day getaway.
Where:
We drove for 3 to 4 hours before reaching our rented villa.
What to do:
We travelled with around 30 family friends and there were so many things to do here. We rented a spacious farmhouse for our overnight stay. The house had a mini football field and a large, clean, shaded swimming pool. It was a comfortable stay. I’ll put the link to where we stayed below.
The next morning, we set out to explore Hatta. In short, it was beautiful. We were surrounded by rocky mountains on both sides. The sun painted the sky a beautiful crimson and the weather was fine. We made a couple of stops. I’ll list them below:
- Hatta Water Dam: This lake will blow you away with its stunning green waters enclosed by jagged mountains. It’s certainly a contrast to the Emirati deserts. It was breathtaking. You cannot miss this if you go to Hatta. AND you can kayak here too!
- Hatta Hill Park: This park is like any other park but with a viewing tower. After climbing many steps (phew!), we got to the top. From the viewing tower you can see a panoramic view of the Hatta town.
There are so many other things to do in Hatta as well. A quick Google search will come in handy.
Pro Tips: It’s almost my bedtime and I can’t think of anything anymore. Just remember to do everything. That’s all.
Safety concerns: Due to the stringent measures placed, you might not make it back after leaving Abu Dhabi. So, this trip is one for post-corona adventures.
In case you were wondering: I found my lost shoe after frantically digging at the sand. My feet weren't scorched. All is well.
( All photos here were taken on my phone camera. No filters. At all. You can trust them.)
-Maryam
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