Desert Islands

As we had a few extra days after returning from home in the States before school started, we decided to take a "practice safari" on an island off the coast of Abu Dhabi called Sir Bani Yas Island.  The Desert Islands are 8 islands that are dedicated nature and environmental reserves.  Sir Bani Yas is the former Royal Wildlife Reserve, and is therefore poulated with all kids of native desert animals.  They have built a resort on the island, and you can take a boat over and do game drives, hikes, mountain biking, kayaking and snorkeling.  Given that we're going to South Africa on a real live safari at the end of the month, we thought this would be a good way to get the kids all warmed up!

In order to get to the island, you drive in to Abu Dhabi about two hours past the city of Abu Dhabi.  Let me pause, and attempt to explain the naming of the geography.  Abu Dhabi (like Dubai) is one of the seven Emirates that make up the Country of the United Arab Emirates.  Abu Dhabi is the largest Emirate, and has over 700k of coastline.  However, the largest city in Abu Dhabi is also called Abu Dhabi.  It would be like if the largest city in California was called California.  Hmmmm.  Forgive the digression - it's a 3 hour drive and after a while pointing out camels gets old and you have to think of something.

So we arrive in Jebel Dhanna, the city in Abu Dhabi where you catch the boat to the island.  It's only about 100k away from the border of Saudi Arabia.  Here's G and Augusto getting onto the boat:

The island is about a 20 minute boat ride off the coast, and is surrounded by inlets of mangroves and the open gulf:

The resort is beautiful Arabian architecture, with some native touches:

On our first day, we embarked on our 4X4 Wildlife drive early in the day:

But of course, on these journeys in life, it is always the other travellers that make it interesting, isn't it?  The jeeps each had 6 seats, so we would be travelling with two other people on our drive.  Now, let's keep some perspective.  This is a resort.  It is a game conservatory.  We are on an island.  On the "danger and adventure" scale, this is about one step ahead of riding the tram at the San Diego Wildlife Park.  So imagine our surprise when our fellow game drivers were two German tourists who perhaps misread the guide book and thought they were going on a Big Game Rhino Hunting Expedition with Extreme Danger.  They were dressed in full desert camoflauge - hiking boots, all weather pants and ski parkas.  They had skull caps.  They had serious camping backpacks filled with water, dried foods, and other supplies.  They were ready.  Imagine their disappointment when the guide pointed out the water and soft drinks in the luxury 4X4's refrigerator.  Imagine their surprise when these were their fellow adventurers on this dangerous, not to be taken lightly mission:

 

Our fellow travellers were as entertaining as the game ride itself, as they would whisper to each other in German, and then the man would lean forward and ask the guide his questions. Interestingly, his questions all were along the lines of: "Is there ever an opportunity to hunt the animals?" and "So, if there are too many of one kind of animal, how do you get rid of them? Do you hunt them?"  and "Was that just an eagle I saw? Do you use those to help hunt?"  I think the guide was getting a little concerned that he was going to whip a shotgun out of his handy backpack, so she stopped the car, turned around, and said "Sir, let me be clear.  This is a wildlife conservatory.  We try to keep the animals ALIVE."

And we knew we had done the right thing going on a "practice" safari, when Georgia spotted her first animal and screamed at the top of her lungs "AAAHHHH GAZELLE!!!!!!!!" Causing the gazelle in question to head for the hills.  Luckily, we saw many more Gazelles:

And lots of Arabian Oryx:

An Ostrich just cruising along:

And Giraffes, Caroline's favorite:



After the wildlife drive, we all got to try out Archery.  The kids were great at it!  I am sadly not a natural, but I think I can live with that.  Check out my little explorers:

 

We spent the rest of the time relaxing, eating and enjoying the resort!  It was a great success - real safari, here we come! 

Missing everyone tons!  Hope the start of school went well!