There is a very special oasis with thermal springs in the desert near the city of Al Ain. Swimming pools here are ordinary, do not compare them with baths in Europe. The main and most important difference is separate swimming pools for men and women. Moreover, women must swim in clothes and caps; tour guides told us that local women were horrified by bare bodies. But in the pool I saw a couple of women who were almost without clothes, and no one complained.
Hot springs of Al Ain ©Yuriy Buriak
After bathing we went to the Jebel Hafeet mountain (1163 meters). Many sources say that it is the highest mountain in the UAE, but in fact the highest mountain is located on Jabal Yibir (1910 meters). At the top of Jebel Hafeet is a luxurious Mercure hotel, where we had a lunch in the restaurant. Ther hotel also has an observation deck with great views.
Hot springs of Al Ain ©Yuriy Buriak
Hot springs of Al Ain ©Yuriy Buriak
Mercure hotel on Jebel Hafeet ©Yuriy Buriak
Mercure hotel on Jebel Hafeet ©Yuriy Buriak
View from observation deck at Mercure Hotel on Jebel Hafeet ©Yuriy Buriak
View from observation deck at Mercure Hotel on Jebel Hafeet ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: We took a tour. For details on reaching Al Ain without a tour, please refer to this article.
