Located on the Emirates' eastern border of Oman, Al Ain is
considered the UAE's 'garden city'. Forming a geographic triangle with Dubai
and Abu Dhabi, each approximately 150 km apart, Al Ain is certainly the most
tranquil of the three. Al Ain has embraced a concept its counterpart cities
have yet to - that of zoning regulations. Therefore, Al Ain has fortunately
been spared the occasionally inspiring yet sometimes overwhelimg construction
boom that has engulfed Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Al Ain proposes itself as a
relaxing getaway for those living in the more metropolitan parts of the UAE. A
city built on a desert oasis, Al Ain prides itself as the birthplace of the
UAE's founding president, Sheikh Zayed. The country's highest mountaintop,
Jebel Hafeet (1,300m) is located at the southeast of the city and at its foor,
the oasis fuelled park, the Green Mubazarrah offers hot spring pools for
visitors to enjoy. Al Ain possesses a much higher local population percentage
than either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This demographic demonstates itself in some of
the traditional architecture to be found in Al Ain, such as the Al Ain Fort.
The camel market is also an excellent opportunity to get a taste of local
culture. Then there's always the ambitious Al Ain zoo project, soon to be
turned into one vast open-air safari park.
Right: The Al Ain camel
market
Below: Me & my Kia Sorrento
Below right: Uzbek wives
can also be found at the camel market |
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