Joanna James
When it comes to Abu Dhabi, people think of modern towering buildings, glamorous shopping malls and restaurants. But that doesn’t complete the description of Abu Dhabi until you include the following.
Abu Dhabi might be the destination for most businessmen and tourists, but did you know that it accommodates migratory birds who fly in from far corners of the world? The nature reserve – Al Wathba Wetland Reserve – found in the city is home to more than 200 species. Visitors get to observe the migratory bird population if they were to look from the bird hide. Among the many species that inhabit the place, the population of flamingos steal the show who usually amount to thousands in number – the reserve is thickened by flamingos so much so, it’s called ‘Flamingo City’. Though small in number when compared to flamingos, there are also other feathery inhabitants that crowd Al Wathba Wetland Reserve – to shelter all of them, there are saline lakes, shrubs, trees, dunes and freshwater that cater to different needs of the bird species.
You can find mangrove forests dotting the UAE, but the closest one to Abu Dhabi is the Mangrove National Park which contrasts with the bustle of the city. A huge area of the park has been gobbled up by modern constructions, which acts against biodiversity of the region. But there are conservation efforts in motion and letting locals and tourists into the park is one such effort to spread awareness. People can explore the park in many number of ways including kayaking, boating and paddle boarding. The water is so clear which gives visitors visibility into the world underwater – among the species that thrive between roots are turtles and blue swimmer crabs, and on the off chance, you can also spot dolphins.
One of the most impressive islands of all, Sir Bani Yas Island is located just off Abu Dhabi coast. While on the island, visitors can partake in many engaging activities, which include archery and horseback riding. The island is populated with resorts and hotels – a resort that comes to mind is Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort – you can choose from the luxury type, but if you are on rather a strict budget, you can find accommodation that would suits your budget as well.
When talking about sightseeing in Abu Dhabi, one cannot look over Fossil Rock. Said to be over 80 million years old, Fossil Rock offers its visitors a unique experience. Getting there entails a drive down the Dubai Hatta road which eventually gets you to Al Awir. The blue sky that canopies over the fossils and the hills in the desert make up the perfect sanitorium for the nature lover.
The mind-blowing rock formations found in the north part of Abu Dhabi just around the coastal regions are one of the unperturbed and unaltered attractions in the whole of UAE. There was a time when these rock formations were hidden under an ancient river which eventually dried out leaving many vertebrate fossils bare. Among the most astonishing fossils found there include a jaw of a hippopotamus, the molar tooth of an elephant and the skull of a million years old crocodile.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
