Moonwalk

I bet the title of my blog makes you think I am going to write about the passing of Michael Jackson, huh? Actually, I joined the Emirates National History for a "field trip" last night for a moonwalk near the Jazira Oases to the Hayl al Nawafil area in Oman. The Al Ain branch of Emirates National History Group holds educational programming meetings twice a month about the various species of wildlife including lizards, snakes, bugs, and indigenous animals; the archeology, landscape and the general history of the UAE. Every weekend there are "field trips" that usually involve trips to the bordering country of Oman and hikes among the mountains and wadis (wadi is the Arabic word for valley).

I have been meaning to go on one of the filed trips for awhile, but to be honest I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't sure what I need to bring. After talking with my Italian and Canadian friends at quiz the other night at the Rugby Club about their adventures on the hikes and asking them about what I would need, I decided to join them for the moonwalk. One essential tool they explained for these hikes are your passport, plenty of water and good hiking shoes. Unfortunately I had left my hiking boots in the states since I had no idea that I could actually hiking here so on our way back from Dubai we stopped at the Dubai Outlet Malls and I got myself a pair of Timberlands on sale and was ready for the new adventure. Tyson was reluctant to go and instead wanted to take care of car issues so I begged a ride with my Canadian friend who had four wheel drive.

The border crossing in Al Ain was nothing like the border crossing Tyson and I experienced further north on our adventure to Fujairah, we simply showed them our visa stamps in the passport and we were off to meet the rest of the group. A group of about 10 of us gathered into four wheel drive vehicles and began the trek to the Jazira area. As we drove along the highway, mountains began to jut out of the landscape, much like what I had seen closer to Fujairah. There were the flattop trees dotting the landscape and many different rock formations that I could still make out in the dimming light. All I could think was how I couldn't wait to come back during the day so I could take pictures!

After several turns we finally made our way over one of the mountains and into the valley. As we bumped and slid along the road I looked over and saw a huge ravine and I finally realized why four wheel drive was so essential. We finally came to a stop and they setup a campfire for people to make dinner and wait for the moon come out. After awhile one of the members of the group called who had been made because of work obligations and the group leader and my ride decided to hike to retrieve her. I asked if I could join them and he warned me that it would be a quick hike but I felt up to the challenge and took off with them. We traversed along a trail muddled with rocks and sand and large formations.

The leader has lived here for 20 years and so he was like a goat on a mountain just breezing over all the natural obstacles. I was determined not to be too slow and so I just prayed that I could keep my balance and not slip because that could mean the end of me if I fell into the ravine. We went down a mountain and then back up and began walking along the edge of a falaj. The falaj is an irrigation system that is a water channel with a cement edge about 12 inches on each side with water running through middle. I couldn't take a picture because it was too dark, so I had to steal one from someone else to explain (mickcanning.com):

Since the moon had not come out yet, we were traveling with flashlights and so I could only see where I was shining my light at my feet so I wouldn't trip. At the moment I was walking along the edge of the Falaj the leader happened to mention that it was a good thing it was dark and I moved my flashlight to notice that on either side of me was a steep ravine, perhaps 20-30 feet deep and the only thing I was balancing on was the edge of the falaj. It's not that I am afraid of heights, but I am afraid of falling so my heart began to race and I had no choice bit to continue because there was nothing to hold on to and if I was going to fall it had better be into the water channel instead of the edge. Luckily we were moving so fast that I had little time to react and I made it safely on our journey. We finally reached our destination and then turned around to traverse it all again. Luckily this time we went back in the ravine so I didn't have to face the falaj again, but I did happen to look up where I had crossed and couldn't believe I actually made it across!

I was so hot and out of breath by the time we reached the rest of the group again after climbing back up the rocky mountain trail that I gulped down water and finally decided to pour water over my head. I was proud of myself for keeping up and not passing out or falling and injuring myself. Even without the sun the temperature was still at least 100. After catching my breath, I went to examine critters where one of the group members had set up a light that was mixed with black light and other light to attract bugs. Finally it was time to begin the hike.

The moon was not cooperating at first, and so we had to use flashlights during the first part of the trek. We went back down the same mountain I just traversed, this time MUCH slower and arrived at the "beach" and then hiked one of the wadi's to a swimming hole. There were small pools of water along the way, and we got to see some wildlife some harmless like frogs, and others like a viper snake. Everyone was gathered around the thing when I asked if they were venomous and a when I was informed they were I decided I was fine to admire it from afar. We arrived at a pool of water surrounded by sheer cliffs and several members jumped in to cool off. I climbed to the top of the cliff to look down on the water hole and I was taken aback by the beauty of the landscape. I felt like I was on another planet with the moon rock like terrain and the moonlight shining off each of the barren mountain peaks. I didn't bring my camera because it was too dark, but I wish I could share the image for everyone to see. Standing in the ravine surrounded by the sheer cliffs and stone ripples I felt very small and vulnerable and realized just how majestic this planet is. I can't wait to go on the field trip tomorrow and take pictures during the day on a water wadi adventure!

If you want to see images of how similar terrain looks during the day, check out Jule's blog: http://juleshikoi.blogspot.com/2009/06/exploring-oman-ii.html