PICNIC AT JEBEL HAFEET, Al Ain,UAE
Prior to our arrival in Dubai, Vishal and Vandana had already planned a picnic trip to 'The Summit' of Jebel Hafeet Mountain in the backdrop of Al Ain, a beautiful green city of Abu Dhabi Emirate, at a distance of an hour and a half drive from Dubai. Evening of 16 December 2016 remained little hectic for both the hosts readying every thing that was needed to be taken along, along with eatables cold drinks, plain water, apart from paper plates, glasses, assorted spoons, camp chairs and spread mats.
At least five heavy large size paper bags were kept aside ready, duly filled, to be carried to picnic spot before sleeping. It was also finally decided that the journey will start at 8 O'clock sharp in the morning.
On 17 December 2016, exactly at the time of moving, one such bag was to be carried by me up to the basement car parking. Vishal holding two such bags and taking Saisha along, myself holding one bag came out and had stepped further for the lift opposite the main entrance of the apartment.
On 17 December 2016, exactly at the time of moving, one such bag was to be carried by me up to the basement car parking. Vishal holding two such bags and taking Saisha along, myself holding one bag came out and had stepped further for the lift opposite the main entrance of the apartment.
I abruptly stopped and told Vishal that I had forgotten my mobile inside; and also said that while I collect the mobile, you may carry on. Rama, Vandana and the maid were still inside the apartment. I came back, picked up the bag, which I had left outside the lift, and entered in to the lift all alone. There was no one else in the lift. And that was my second mistake, first being leaving my mobile behind!
It was then, that the problem began. Since I had no spectacles with me, I started looking from all the angles searching for letter 'G" for ground floor but I was unable to find it'. You know what? When I was trying searching letter 'G', I was- sitting on my knees! Sometimes the letter looked like 'G', sometimes like '0'. So, wasting no more time, I pressed the' look- alike' digit, and ultimately landed at a wrong level that looked quite similar to the level I had accompanied with others number of times while coming or going out. I stopped there a while, looked around and, then moved to the left side glass door being unsure of the correct way, which was easily opened and then came the next glass door opening in the parking.
It was then, that the problem began. Since I had no spectacles with me, I started looking from all the angles searching for letter 'G" for ground floor but I was unable to find it'. You know what? When I was trying searching letter 'G', I was- sitting on my knees! Sometimes the letter looked like 'G', sometimes like '0'. So, wasting no more time, I pressed the' look- alike' digit, and ultimately landed at a wrong level that looked quite similar to the level I had accompanied with others number of times while coming or going out. I stopped there a while, looked around and, then moved to the left side glass door being unsure of the correct way, which was easily opened and then came the next glass door opening in the parking.
I was not sure here either, but I touched the side button on the electronic panel on the right side of the door, and it opened when I slightly pushed it. In the car parking, every thing was similar but Vishal and Saisha were no where to be seen nor our car. Something was wrong I guessed! Immediately, I returned back, almost running, perplexed, to the door from which I had just came out, in order to go upstairs again and then come back with someone who might be there in the apartment.
But to my utter surprise, the door would not 'open', perhaps, unless and until an electronic card is shown to it. Now the big question.... what to do? I was really stuck up outside the door helplessly, perspiring, feeling numb and cursing myself, on the act of my foolishness. While circling there around like a lost cow, all frustrated, I saw a panel on the left side of the door and pressed the black button hesitatingly. The panel gave a flash of red light with a beep. I thought, may be I have done another mistake!
But to my utter surprise, the door would not 'open', perhaps, unless and until an electronic card is shown to it. Now the big question.... what to do? I was really stuck up outside the door helplessly, perspiring, feeling numb and cursing myself, on the act of my foolishness. While circling there around like a lost cow, all frustrated, I saw a panel on the left side of the door and pressed the black button hesitatingly. The panel gave a flash of red light with a beep. I thought, may be I have done another mistake!
But I heard a voice which was not clear to me but that meant to me that voice is inquiring about the problem. I did not lose time and said, nearing my mouth towards the panel, that "Please listen, I am a new person here and I am lost. I am unable to open the door. Can you help me?" The voice said, " Do not worry Sir, I shall see to it". While doing all this, a young couple appeared there from no where. They even did not care to look at me, as to why I was standing there with the baggage. They showed the plastic card to the panel and just opened the door, and entered. I too ,losing no more time, rushed behind them, and also followed them into the lift.
They pressed their button. I started searching digit '12' looking downwards while voicing 12..12..The gentleman came a step forward and pressed '12' for me with a smile. When I came out from the lift, I found the apartment locked. Again....now what? I had already wasted enough time and put everybody else in the dilemma. Then I thought that I must stay here only as one would definitely come here trying searching for me.
While I was wasting time at the wrong level downstairs, Vandana had come back looking for me every where in the house and had gone back worried and tensed. What a fuss that I had created for all, venturing all alone in the lift and taking wrong step.
At the same time Vishal came out of the lift looking worried and annoyed and perhaps he was right. He said something to me which was not important for me at that moment. What was important, that I was found! At the end of chaos, we headed for the picnic spot, late by half an hour though! What was later discussed in the car, for quite sometime, that indeed with the laughter, is anybody's guess
I came to know later from our little Saisha who told me, while throwing a lovely laugh at me, "Nanu, to go down to Base Parking lot, 'B' is pressed, not 'G'.
After having out from the huge underground parking of super posh residential area, soon we were into the beautifully laid out, seemingly complex and intimidating but very smooth road network of downtown Dubai, and by being the side of the base of Burj Khalifa, and through the big cluster of overlooking glassy shining super structures of high rise sky scrappers! After having a little zig-zag, taking turns here and there with Vandana trying to play as Navigator, we were on the straight main six lane super highway leading to beautiful city of Al Ain of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
While I was wasting time at the wrong level downstairs, Vandana had come back looking for me every where in the house and had gone back worried and tensed. What a fuss that I had created for all, venturing all alone in the lift and taking wrong step.
At the same time Vishal came out of the lift looking worried and annoyed and perhaps he was right. He said something to me which was not important for me at that moment. What was important, that I was found! At the end of chaos, we headed for the picnic spot, late by half an hour though! What was later discussed in the car, for quite sometime, that indeed with the laughter, is anybody's guess
I came to know later from our little Saisha who told me, while throwing a lovely laugh at me, "Nanu, to go down to Base Parking lot, 'B' is pressed, not 'G'.
After having out from the huge underground parking of super posh residential area, soon we were into the beautifully laid out, seemingly complex and intimidating but very smooth road network of downtown Dubai, and by being the side of the base of Burj Khalifa, and through the big cluster of overlooking glassy shining super structures of high rise sky scrappers! After having a little zig-zag, taking turns here and there with Vandana trying to play as Navigator, we were on the straight main six lane super highway leading to beautiful city of Al Ain of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
After having taken a short drive for few minutes, Vishal took a right turn for the Petrol Pump in order to draw petrol. As the car was stopped firstly at the wrong side of the pump and the fuel tank being on the passenger's side, a little maneuvering had to be done to park the car at the right place. While the oil was being filled, a helper had the windscreen of the car washed and cleaned it for an eye soothing vision. I was little amazed to hear from Vishal that the petrol is so cheap in the UAE. To be precise Dhs. 1.60 per liter i.e. Rs. 28 per liter. as compared to India's petrol price as on date @ Rs. 68 per liter. in New Delhi!
Gossiping, laughing and talking we were on the road again with the car speeding at 120kmph on the beautiful, very well maintained, marked, electrified highway with dense green bushes on the either side of the road. Apart from the beautification of the highway, these bushes also protect from flying sand easily coming over to the road from the desert and also pose a barricade for the wild animals coming running on to the highway.
Gossiping, laughing and talking we were on the road again with the car speeding at 120kmph on the beautiful, very well maintained, marked, electrified highway with dense green bushes on the either side of the road. Apart from the beautification of the highway, these bushes also protect from flying sand easily coming over to the road from the desert and also pose a barricade for the wild animals coming running on to the highway.
The poles erected on the middle of bush and flower pavement, with top two overhead arms fitted with LED lights, illuminate either side of the highway during night. These poles are erected all through the road from Dubai to Al Ain. I was very much impressed with the road sign postings that are painted green, blue and brown. Blue or green sign indicate the roads, exists or location out of the city, and brown signs show heritage sites, places of interest and hospitals. Dubai's new signage system relies more heavily on street names.
The indication names written on them, both in Arabic and English, with white paint and placed so prominently which leave no confusion of any sort, whatsoever. The markings on the road are even more better. If by chance, you do not have the GPS support, you can easily reach the destination.
The highway goes straight through the desert to the infinity, joining with the skyline far beyond. Sand dunes, big and small, on either side of the highway forcefully attracts one towards them. No sand dune is similar to another. These dunes take size and shape depending on the speed and force of the desert winds. At the short intervals, there were small cluster or hamlets of local Emirati people were seen, who rear goat and camel apart from managing Dates Palm Groves. I had seen many such Dates Palm Groves, some small, some large and some being the largest of them all having, tall, sturdy and healthy palm trees on either side of the Dubai-Al Ain highway. It was our life time experience!
At around 10.30 AM, we approached Al Ain city, a city so beautiful that one cannot resist admiring the beautifully maintained roundabouts, complex but smooth well marked road network with prominent sign posting all along the roads. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain, standing tall, is visible even before the entry in to the city of Al Ain. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi Emirate's second city of historic significance in the UAE. Since the city has tree-lined streets and lovely patches of greenery and beautifully maintained urban parks, it is also called as 'The Garden City'.
Just outside the city, one of the largest mountains in the UAE, Jebel Hafeet is known as the first tourist attraction. Due to Al Ain's archaeological and historical background, the city has recently been placed on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Jebel Hafeet Mountain, is the only mountainous terrain in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The mountain range is approximately 17 KM long and 4 KM wide at places, and made of sedimentary rock - limestone. It offers an impressive view over Al Ain City from the mountain top called The Summit. The Jebel Hafeet mountain road extends for 11.7 KM up to the mountain top and is voted one among the ten great mountain roads of the World. This winding road to the top is considered to be one of the best driving roads. This road is also a challenging cycle route. Few scenes of Hindi Movie RACE's were also shot at this beautiful winding road. Bollywood's superstar, Saif Ali Khan, being played the leading role in this movie.
A little stop over at the Hotel Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet, for a cup of coffee, was more enjoying. The Hotel's impressive location affords spectacular view of Al Ain. The hotel is just at stone's throw downwards from The Summit.
By 11 AM, we were on The Summit and enjoyed sightseeing of city of Al Ain down below. Had a picnic over there, enjoyed the lunch, drinks and assorted ice cremes. All the mobiles were busy taking photographs and group selfies. After having some rest, we descended down and reached at the Al Ain Zoo.
At the Zoo, we enjoyed watching rare wild animals. The zoo is much more like a safari park with spacious enclosures spread over an area of 365 hectares. watching Hippos, Giraffes, white lions, reptiles and other many endangered ones, was a great fun and knowledge worthy moments, specially to our little sparrow Saisha, who kept running around trying calling all of us to gather at a particular enclosure to see, what she wanted us to show!
After having felt tired in the evening, we headed for Dubai and reached home at around six. Both myself and Rama are must be lucky enough to be enjoying smooth drives all these days, sometimes longer ones, in Vandana-Vishal's brand new car, a big one. Bole toh.......Audi Q7!!
The highway goes straight through the desert to the infinity, joining with the skyline far beyond. Sand dunes, big and small, on either side of the highway forcefully attracts one towards them. No sand dune is similar to another. These dunes take size and shape depending on the speed and force of the desert winds. At the short intervals, there were small cluster or hamlets of local Emirati people were seen, who rear goat and camel apart from managing Dates Palm Groves. I had seen many such Dates Palm Groves, some small, some large and some being the largest of them all having, tall, sturdy and healthy palm trees on either side of the Dubai-Al Ain highway. It was our life time experience!
At around 10.30 AM, we approached Al Ain city, a city so beautiful that one cannot resist admiring the beautifully maintained roundabouts, complex but smooth well marked road network with prominent sign posting all along the roads. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain, standing tall, is visible even before the entry in to the city of Al Ain. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi Emirate's second city of historic significance in the UAE. Since the city has tree-lined streets and lovely patches of greenery and beautifully maintained urban parks, it is also called as 'The Garden City'.
Just outside the city, one of the largest mountains in the UAE, Jebel Hafeet is known as the first tourist attraction. Due to Al Ain's archaeological and historical background, the city has recently been placed on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
A little stop over at the Hotel Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet, for a cup of coffee, was more enjoying. The Hotel's impressive location affords spectacular view of Al Ain. The hotel is just at stone's throw downwards from The Summit.
By 11 AM, we were on The Summit and enjoyed sightseeing of city of Al Ain down below. Had a picnic over there, enjoyed the lunch, drinks and assorted ice cremes. All the mobiles were busy taking photographs and group selfies. After having some rest, we descended down and reached at the Al Ain Zoo.
At the Zoo, we enjoyed watching rare wild animals. The zoo is much more like a safari park with spacious enclosures spread over an area of 365 hectares. watching Hippos, Giraffes, white lions, reptiles and other many endangered ones, was a great fun and knowledge worthy moments, specially to our little sparrow Saisha, who kept running around trying calling all of us to gather at a particular enclosure to see, what she wanted us to show!
After having felt tired in the evening, we headed for Dubai and reached home at around six. Both myself and Rama are must be lucky enough to be enjoying smooth drives all these days, sometimes longer ones, in Vandana-Vishal's brand new car, a big one. Bole toh.......Audi Q7!!
