Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain

Jebel Hafeet

by chizz

Take a trip up to Jebel Hafeet for a view of Al Ain and beyond. Nice to view the sunset from the observation point at the top if you get a clear evening. There is a Mercure Hotel at the top of the mountain road where nice views can be had whilst eating or drinking in the restaurant.

Green Mubazzarah

by chizz

Visit the Green Mubazzarah on your way to Jebel Hafeet. This green area at the base of the mountain offers picnic areas, thermal inside baths (separate male and female) and outdoor thermal springs. There are also chalets for rent.

A Trip to Al Ain – Jebel Hafeet : Part II

by samitbabu

"A Trip to Al Ain – Jebel Hafeet : Part II"

So after a sound lunch, we went back to the road. By this time Haji Bhai had also finished his lunch and was energized.

A quick 10 mins of drive brought us to the ” Faida Park”. a very picturesque place with gardens and green lawns leading all the way. It looked beautiful. It was green all around with the centre reaching up to a plateau. There was a big fountain at the top of the plateau, the water foaming up into the sky . My daughter scrambled up the rocky steps to the top of the park plateau, and we followed behind.

The top of the plateau gives a nice view all around. It was fantastically serene and scenic. on one side lay the Al Ain city and its provincial area, and the other was the barren sandy mountains of zebel Hafeet. It was slowly getting colder and we didnt want to waste too much time here.

"Moving to Jebel Hafeet"

The drive to Jebel Hafeet is fantastic. I have travelled in many mountain shores but this would stay as a grand experience. A stretch of about 12 kms from the Park to the top of the mountains is exhilarating. The road slowly climbs up with the city dimming far away. and with its twists and turns, the myraid stretch of desert and sand dunes, of houses and little structures in the distance, unfolds at every twist and turns on the way up.

We started to smell gas once we took a breather at one of the designated areas along the road. Haji bhai thus went and checked the engine. It was hottttt.

He also gauged the level of mobile and found that it was way too low and probably the machine has started choking due to that. WIth a very troubled face, he asked if we can wait for half an hour while the engine cools off. We were just about 3 kms from the top and it was already getting late . And that means that we may be mssig the sunset. Or the other option is to go downhill till he gets a gas station and works it out. That too didnt look like a probable solution.

So we looked for a the third option !!!!

Soon we got Ford explorer rolling in with two passengers inside the viewing area. And I went and requested if t hey would kindly give us a ride to the top. The plan was Haji Bhai would wait till we came down back to the same spot and then w can all roll downwards. These people agreed and so me and my family hitched on to their car.In about 5 mins we were at the top.
A very nice ride with the road spiraling upwards towards the summit, giving us an ever increasing view of the mountaneous horizon all around, we really began to enjoy it

"SunSet from Jebel Hafeet"

The place was now increasingly becoming chilly and it was windy too. We had pulled out our pullover and took a trip of the large flat table top that was the viewing arcade. There were already about few dozen cars and thei passengers miling around. the farther size of the area went downwards over a sharp descent onto open barren lands that stretched for a few dozen kilometers. There were sand and sand formations along with rocky strtches down below. It was all mingled with light and shade and the sun had started its descent and the colours started changing.

The setting was fabulous, the weather was chilly, the sky was clear and changing colour by the minute. the sun slowly changed into an orange and then a red ball as it hung over the rocky horizon. We were all there, the shadows now starting to grow deeper and people were enjoying a spectacular sunset. The show was there for about 10 mins and ten the sun moved out of sight and the sky began to losse its colour to darkness. A very satisfying moment and it filed us all with a sense of serenity and calmness. It was now time to go back.

"And the Trip back.."

The same couple also gave us a ride back to Haji Bhai and our handicapped Toyota Previa. The sky has grown dark by then, the road stretching below has come alive with street lights, and the town of Al Ain was visible in an array of lights at the distance. We took a few snaps and then got back to our car. The outside air was then real cold and was biting down on us. The inside of the car looked much more inviting.
He had by thenmade his car ready for the drive back home. It was a day well spent , with nature and animals. my six year old was also happy so were us. It was time for us to begin on our way backwith a satisfied mind, the feel of nature, the skies, the sun, the desert and the mountains all within our hearts .