Jabel (Arabic for mountain) Hafeet

Long time, no post! I know. I've moved into my wonderful and HUGE flat. I finally got Internet after two weeks and have spent the last week catching up on my "Cyber"  (email, face book, skype) life. Now, I need to get this blog updated. I've had a wonderful and busy month. School has been busy. Those five year olds keep me on my toes! I am always tired at the end of the day. They have learned so much in 6 weeks. I LOVE hearing, "Miss Katie, Miss Katie, Miss Katie." They are sweet and I'm growing attached to them. I love going to work and most of the time I love the people I am working with... :) I have a good life.

One of my adventures in October was going to the top of Jabel Hafeet.

From Wikipedia:

         Jabel Hafeet is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain in the     

Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1,240 meters and offers an impressive view over the city. Jabel Hafeet was a well-known landmark throughout the area's history and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jabel Hafeet. At the foothills of Jabal Hafeet lies the Green Mubazarrah, a well developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah. Jebel Hafeet is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, snakes, etc. It is often incorrectly labelled U.A.E.'s highest mountain (as it is certainly the most well-known); this honor actually belongs to an unnamed ca 1,910 m knoll just across the border from Jebel Bil Ays in Oman. Jabal Yibir is the U.A.E.'s highest named peak.

It is a beautiful mountain with amazing sunsets. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits there. My friend, Rawya and her family stayed there for 2 weeks. I took a couple of trips to visit her, the pool, and the sunsets.

                                                           Sunset on the road up Jabel Hafeet.

                                                                           The road.

If you look really closely, you'll see a gecko on the rock. He blends in!

The road up... 

A member of the royal family's little house on the hill. Is his house really built upon a rock? Not really. This is the sandiest rock I have ever been on.

Going to the pool!

 

Mercure Hotel. 

 

View of my new city, Al Ain. 

My personal swimming pool. 

I am waiting for this slide to open! 

We just got out of the pool... 

        I found a Plumeria tree on the property. So, I picked one for each of us to behind our ears.      
                                                                                ALOHA!

A perfect ending to a beautiful night!



Is that sand?

There is sand EVERYWHERE!!! In my room, car, school, sandals, etc. I wanted to see even more, so I went on a desert safari. It was so much FUN!!!! I rode a camel, almost fell off a camel, went sand boarding, belly danced, had henna done, and ate. Living here reminds me so much of Hawaii. Good food, great people, and a laid back way of life.

Click on pictures to make them bigger. :)

                                      On the road to the desert. Bus stop under bridge on right.

                          Before we began to 4x4 it, Khalid, our tour guide, takes air out of our tires.

                              Our wonderful group. Vicki, me, Nina, Derrick, Michelle, Little Ali.

                                           Riding on top of a sand dune.

                                          This picture should be on a Toyota brochure.

                                           Visiting the camels.

                                     All the ladies with Khalid. He was very nice and informative.

                                            Look at how much this camel liked me. HA!

                                          Very dead camel.

                                      What we did. WONDERFUL! I wanted him to go faster.

                                            Sunset in the desert. Stunning.

                                            Rolling down the sand dune...

                                          Where we ate dinner.

                                          Making myself at home.

                          4x4 all lined up getting air in tires. Hood is up for engine to cool off.

                                          Heading up to sand board.

                                            Getting on.

                                            Falling off.

                                          My first camel ride.

                                          I should be in the circus.

                                          Camel getting down. It was scary! I broke a nail. :)

                                           My short leg got stuck when I was getting off the camel.

                                            Full moon over our camp.

                                            Henna.

                                             Buffet line.

                                            Yummy food!

                                          Great company!

                                     I loved that these guys are sitting on the buffet serving table.

                                              Best hummus ever.

                                          Belly dancer and stage.

                  Learning to belly dance. I have plenty of belly, but found it hard to belly dance.

They are clapping for me because I did such a great job belly dancing! 

                                              Sheesha. Flavored tobacco.

I had a great time! I want to go camping in the desert next.