Green Mubazarrah Park and Jebel Hafeet Road is the "greatest driving road in the world!"

We had an opportunity to return to Jebel Hafeet, mountains just 25 minutes south of Al Ain, and visit the the beautiful park, Green Mubazarrah, that lies at it's foothills.




The temperatures are starting to finally cool down a bit during the day and certainly in the evening--and by cool down I mean in the high 90s in the late part of the day. We were out just before dinner and were happy that the heat wasn't an issue and the moutains shaded the area we were exploring, including a playground area for Eleanor. We read this will also be a nice spot to come in the cooler months as the park is infamous for it's hot water springs gushing into streams that form a lake.

Amazingly, green covers much of the base of the moutains. The green was obviously put in and is a combination of groundcover and grass unlike any I've seen or touched before...the grass is very short and almost rubbery feeling, obviously withstands heat well, although the park is well watered.

After we had driven up the mountain last week, Michael commented that he wondered if anyone had raced a car up the moutain.....not a thought that came into my mind, but ok. Anyway, I came across this and had a laugh: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=109278#2 This article describes the road up Jebel Hafeet as the "greatest driving road in the world!" Well, there you go! The road up the mountain is apparently also a challenge for cyclists and the Jebel Hafeet Murcure Challenge takes place here annually each winter. The road up the mountain is also lit beautifully at night and can be seen from all over the city.

This visit was a great highlight of the last several days with Eleanor and I having gotten sick. Apparently, the summer months can be hard for colds we are hearing because of going in and out of the air-conditioning here. That makes sense....The temperature swings can be anywhere from a 30-50 degree difference with 70s inside and 100+ outside. That can be hard on the body. Here's to hoping we feel better soon and get around more!