Ras Al Khor Bird Sanctuary

Coordinates:

25° 11' 15.02" N 55° 19' 38.39" E

A bird sanctuary where thousands of flamingos arrive every winters in the marshy area of southern tip of Dubai Creek. It is surprising to note that the creek is surrounded by tall buildings and many commercial complexes on three sides and one side has busiest Auto market of Dubai. From it western side the tallest building of the world "Burj Dubai" can be seen. It is also a Ramsar site.

Green Muzaberrah at Al Ain

Coordinates:

24° 6' 0.55" N 55° 44' 59.73" E

When you see this place for the first time, you hardly believe it. So much greenery in desert? This is place for total relaxation in UAE. Many of my fridays are spent here. First for the green lawns best for picnics and another for hot water springs for a open to air spa experience. A must visit place in UAE.

Route: Dubai - Nad Al Sheeba - Al Hayer - Al Ain.

Margham - Desert

Coordinates:

24° 59' 1.48" N 55° 39' 31.79" E

20th February 2009, we were returning from a picnic at Al Ain, when we hit a small road leading to the desert of Margham. The setting sun provided interesting colour scheme to the scenery. Sand turned into gold and sky showed its silver through the blue background. A perfect place for dune bashing and quad bikes. In case one gets stuck in the desert, help is easy to get, as the place is near to a desert market, frequented by adventure tourists.

Route: Dubai - Al Aweer - Margham on Dubai - Hatta Road.

Mamzaar Lagoons

Coordinates:

25° 18' 48.59" N 55° 20' 59.85" E

What to do on a lazy Friday? Pick up your beach umbrellas, tents, food box and mat. Get your jet ski on the trailer and head for Mamzaar Lagoon. Dubai has created safe waters for the water sports enthusiasts by creating manmade lagoons and beaches. While the landscaping works are under progress, the slipway and the beaches are ready for fun filled evenings. A soft jogging track of 1600m attracts lot of people. Constantly under vigil by police, it is an ideal picnic spot as well. Nearby in Mamzaar Beach Park, one can enjoy world class picnic with fantastic high waves beach just for a payment of AED 5 per person. In heart of Dubai this place is like a little secret tucked away and is not crowded at all.

Valentine's Day at Dubai Festival City

Coordinates:

25° 13' 14.43" N 55° 21' 4.02" E

14th Feb 2009. Gulshan & my families decide to meet at Dubai Festival City for a circus show. When we reach there, the tickets are all sold out and there is a huge queue for next show. We drop the idea of circus and become busy with the kids rides. A great promenade and stalls lining it. The place is a busy one with couples kissing, kids shouting and housewives bargaining at the stalls. We are provided with a super heritage boat ride in the canal by a Arab gentleman - Free.

A quick dinner at Shamiana - Indian restaurant at the centre had us munching chole bhature and pulao. While we had our icecreams, the sky becomes lighted with superb electronically controlled fire works. A must visit if you are in Dubai.

The Marina at Abudhabi

Coordinates:

24° 28' 31.90" N 54° 19' 28.34" E

One thing which strikes the mind in Abudhabi is its splendid beauty as a city. Despite the nature being against the place, Abudhabi has tamed the nature by its persistent efforts. Today Abudhabi stands out as a green, neat and clean city in middle of desert and full of tourists. Once you are in this city it is like that you are on a magic carpet of Arabia.

The Abudhabi corniche and its marina are wonderful example of city's quest for being the front runner of modern architecture and landscape elements. It is truely a cosmopolitan city.

Ras Al Khaima - beach bashing

Coordinates:

26° 3' 13.32" N 56° 5' 13.53" E

Some 130kms from Dubai, we were exploring the Arabian wilderness, when we touched upon this beach just before border of Oman. On one side there are hills with ancient caves dwellings and old castles. The persian gulf stretch here is consisting of rough sea waves and heavy water currents not safe for swimming. However, it is fun to drive on the long beach. We joined some local boys with their pajeros in beach bashing.

Suggested Route : Car ride from Dubai - start early in the morning.

The sleepy city of Hatta

Coordinates:

24° 48' 5.12" N 56° 7' 48.26" E

About 130kms from Dubai, united Arab Emirates lies another part of Dubai across the Oman borders. It is an oasis town in middle of ancient desert hills of Arabia. What makes this town different from rest of UAE is that it has a vast cultural heritage as well as natural springs and lakes fed by fresh water springs.

There is also a fort here and a museum. One can enjoy off roads driving in its many locations and enjoy the arabic food.

Approximately 130kms from Dubai: Route Dubai - Al Awir - Hatta.

Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet hills

Coordinates:

24° 6' 6.87" N 55° 44' 11.62" E

Some 190 kms from Dubai, Jebel Hafeet hills are situated towards the East coast of United Arab Emirates near Al Ain town. This place has sulphur natural springs with hot water which flows into this lake. A 9km wind road takes you to the top of Hafeet montain, from where on a clear day one gets a good view of Oman & UAE. Nearby some of the hills have been converted into a nice picnic spot, by using drip irrigation technology to make a big area into lush green carpeted grass covered Mujjbarah.

Approximately 190kms from Dubai. Suggested route - Dubai - Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet