Al Ain, means Spring. It is an old city which has most fort in United Arab Emirates, located about 125 km south from Dubai, in border area with Oman (at sunny days, i can even see the rock mountains & buildings in Oman teritorry from this old city).
Activities & Attraction
Forts.
One of the fort I visited is Al Muraba. This fort was built in 1940s by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the rulers representative in the eastern provence of United Arab Emirates. The function of this fort was administrative and was also used by the police. The plan consist of 3 levels with number of rooms and majlis on the top level. Four buttresses support the fort from outside. Mud bricks, clay and gypsum are the construction materials. There a lot more other old forts in this city.
Camel Market
About 4 km from Al Ain down town. You can see people selling camels or enjoy a camel riding experience.
Sport
There's Al Ain Sport Centre near Intercontinental, at the border with Oman. You can do auto sports with cars or motorcycles.
Hotels & Accomodations
Al Ain has everything. From mall, to five star hotels. Like Hilton, Intercontinental, Mercure on Jabal Hafeet, etc.
Transportation
There are public busses. It is good to travel to/from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. But for local travel around the city, much easier to take taxy. It is cheap and easy to get. If you like the driver, you can even ask his/her cellphone number to call when you need to pick up.
Money
Don't worry about money. ATMs & money changers are everywhere.
Food & Restaurants
There are a lot of good restaurants with delicious food at Al Ain down town. From Middle East food, fast food, chinese food, sea food, etc. One of my favourite is a chinese restaurant at Al Ain Square. The food is good, the place and the atmosphere around is great too. With tables inside and outdoor under big tents. And you can eat while enjoying colourfull fountain dancing...
Nightlife
- Cafe's, shops, souk (market), mall & restaurants, even bank and money changers open till 11 pm, even mid night at week end.
- Jabal Hafeet, mountain area outside Al Ain. Place for picnic, play ground, have dinner, etc. At the top of the mountain, there's Mercure Hotel with restaurants, cafe and club. Good place to enjoy dinner, coffee and shisha with outstanding view to Al Ain City.
Women Traveller/Annoyances
- Arabic women don't travel alone. So do for women travellers/visitors, better not to travel alone at night. I did it once, take a taxi at night, and i'd been seduced by the driver. They didn't do any further, but still made me feel uncomfortable. Worse happened to my friend, kissed by a camel sales in Camel Market. And it happened in the morning!
- You're a morning person? You better stay at a hotel which provide breakfast, or appartement hotel. Cafe's and restaurants in the city open at 11 am.
