Less Decadence, More Sight-Seeing...

You're probably curious about what else I've been up to besides massages, dining and other hedonistic pursuits. Well, plenty - see for yourself:

We went dune-climbing...


...the setting sun made the sand glow...

...although other parts weren't so pretty.

This is Jebel Hafeet: a winding drive through mountain cliffs to one of the highest peaks in Al Ain. On a clear day you can see the Oman border.



This is the Palace Museum, the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed (the first president of the UAE).






Now that's a stock-pot...


Wadi-Bashing (i.e. driving down a dry river bed) with Dad...

The National Archaeological Park...




The Al Ain Oasis is the largest of seven oases that the city is built on.
In Arabic, Al Ain means The Spring. These pictures can't convey how gorgeous this place is.


There are gates in the walls leading down to the aqueducts...




And even a little restaurant.

A little trivia: most of the signs are in English as well as Arabic but, understandably, the grammar is sometimes a little...off.

Contenders in the funniest-english-sign-in-Al-Ain include:

Automatic Laundry (as in with machines, not by hand)
Technical Scissors (a tailor)
Mr. Taste (restaurant)
Modern Bakery (what does that even mean?)
Every salon is called Saloon.

But, in my opinion, the funniest-english-sign-in-Al-Ain award goes to Alladin restaurant:


That's right people, Magical Chicken.