Inter Emirates Weekend 2007: Events

(Updated 21 March 2007)

Inter Emirates Weekend 2007

22 March - 24 March

Events

• Field Trips
• Other Activities

As we did in 2004, the organizers of IEW2007 hope to offer visitors a full and varied program of events and activities for all attending, with something for everyone!!

There will be relaxing walks in the oases of the city, challenging hiking in the nearby mountains, wadi walks and amazing drives in the nearby mountains and desert. You will see some of the work done by ENHG members. And photographers will have an opportunity to win prizes at the third annual IEW Photography Competition!

The list of tours is intended to provide something of interest for everyone, including families. Each event or destination will be scheduled as often as possible. The event periods are Friday morning (8 am to noon) and Friday afternoon (1 pm to 5 pm) as well as Saturday morning (9 am to ??). Organizers hope that this will allow IEW2007 participants the opportunity to enjoy as many different activities as possible. While most of the program activities will be field trips, we are also planning some activities in the hotel for those who are not able to join us for a field trip for one reason or another.

The policy of the Al Ain ENHG is to be as inclusive as possible and to offer a variety of events and activities that can be enjoyed by as many as possible. However, we recognize the challenges associated with convoy driving, especially in an urban area, as well as the imposition of visitors to some relatively sensitive sites. Regrettably, some sites are only accessible by off-road vehicles; we will attempt to accommodate as many as possible in the vehicles available. If you have room in your vehicle, please make this known when registering.

The proposed timetable for the weekend is as follows:

Thursday 22 March

• Registration: noon to 10 pm at the Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby
• Event: 6:00 pm to ??: insect collecting using a mercury vapor light trap at Wadi Tarabat

Friday 23 March

• Registration: 7 am to noon at Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby
• Natural History display: Board room, Intercontinental Resort Hotel
• Friday trips: beginning 9:00 am to noon and 2pm to 5pm (see list below)
• Lunch: Individuals to make their own arrangements; those touring in Buraimi District to enjoy lunch at the Buraimi Hotel (buffet)
• Photography Competition: Display from noon Friday.  Voting ending at 6:30pm.
• Dinner: 7 pm to . . . (at the Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel)

Photograph Competition
Offered: Friday evening
Organizer: Bob Reimer
Description: Anyone participating in IEW2007 is welcome to submit photographs for the competition to be held Friday evening. Please submit your photos by noon on Friday; there is a limit of two photographs per delegate. See the description here for more details. There will be three prizes awarded, with IEW2007 delegates selecting the winning entries.
Where: The photos will be on display at the Intercontinental Al Ain Resort. Voting will be completed at 6:30 in order to allow time to tabulate the results before dinner

Dinner and Award Presentations
Offered: Friday evening gathering at 6:30, buffet to start at 7pm
Organizer: Evelyn Kaplan
Description: The IEW2007 dinner will be held in the garden of the Intercontinental Resort Al Ain. Admission is included in your IEW2007 registration fee. As part of the program, the Sheikh Mubarark and Bish Brown awards will be presented by representatives of the Abu Dhabi chapter.
Where: Intercontinental Resort Al Ain
Evenings have been cool in Al Ain lately, you may want to have a jacket or sweater available.

Saturday 24 March

• Natural History display: Board room, Intercontinental Resort Hotel
• Saturday trips: 9:00 am to 1 pm (see list below)
• Checkout: 4 pm

Field Trips

The Al Ain organizers are offering a variety of destinations and would like to be able to conduct all of the trips listed below. However, that may not be possible. 

The options are:

UAE

Trip 1: Mercury vapour light trapping of insects and reptile search at Wadi Tarabat
Offered: Thursday evening
Description: This wadi runs down the east side of Jebel Hafit.  Since the domestic goats have been removed from the wadi, the Al Ain Chapter has been from time to time documenting the succession of life in the valley now that grazing pressure has been removed. 
Trip Leaders: Brigitte Howarth (insects) and Drew Gardner (reptiles) 
Where to meet: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby with groups departing at 6pm (Will Moore) and 7pm (Bob Reimer)
What to bring: Camera, torch, camp chairs, appropriate footwear and clothing, water, notebook, reference books.

Trip 2: guided tour of the Al Ain Oasis
Offered: Friday AM
Trip Leader: Brigitte Howarth
Description: Al Ain may be unique in the world as a city of more than 400,000 people with working farms in the heart of the city. The Al Ain Oasis, largest of the seven oases of the city, was renovated several years ago with new walls and paths though the farming activity continues. This tour will include lesser known parts of the oasis and is based on Phil Iddison's booklet on the Al Ain Oasis.
Where to meet: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby and Museum parking lot
What to bring: Camera, binoculars, appropriate clothing, water, notebooks, reference books.

Trip 3: 'Sunset Tour'
Offered: Friday PM 4pm - 7pm (note that if you do an earlier afternoon trip you will likely not be back in time to join this trip)
Trip Leader: Marion Campey
Description: The scenery west of Al Ain and Jebel Hafit is spectacular. This drive and walk includes a visit to some desert plants and offers a spectacular view of Jebel Hafit. The tour will be scheduled for Friday afternoon to offer photographers an opportunity to catch Jebel Hafit in the setting sun.
Where to meet:: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby

Trip 4: trip to Dhub Valley (4X4 required)
Offered: Friday PM
Trip Leaders: Drew Gardner and Jeff Imes
Description: The habitat of the spiny-tail lizards has recovered somewhat following a period of drought and the damage done by camel grazing and quarrying activity. We will drive up the pylon road to the turnoff, following a graded track to the area. Not a difficult drive but there will be sand. This will also be an opportunity to see plant life in the desert.
Where to meet: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby
What to bring: Camera, binoculars, hat, sun screen, water, snack.

Trip 5: Jimi Oasis
Offered: Saturday AM
Trip Leader: Amer Abu Kuhail
Description: The Jimi Oasis walk is one of our most popular walks in the city and is based on a trip organized by Phil Iddison. The photo on the home page of our website is taken in the Jimi oasis along the route we follow.
Where to meet: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby
What to bring: Camera, binoculars, hat, sun screen, water, snack.

Trip 6: Mezyad Fort and Jebel Hafit tombs
Offered: Saturday AM
Trip Leaders: Marion Campey and Geoff Cosson
Description: Visit one of the two forts used by the Oman Scouts. Restoration work at Mezyad is almost complete and final plans for the site are still being debated. Following a tour of the fort, a short drive to the Jebel Hafit tombs.
Where to meet: Intercontinental Al Ain Resort hotel lobby
What to bring: Camera, binoculars, hat, sun screen, water, snack.

Oman

You must have a passport with a valid UAE residence or visitors visa to go on these trips.  If asked, be sure you tell the immigration officer you are just going to Buraimi.  Most do not know the names of the villages and may insist that you check out of UAE which will cause problems on re-entry.

If you are going to any of the villages, please be sensitive to the local standards of dress.  Long pants and sleeves at least to the elbows are recommended. 

Trip 7: Visit to the Hanging Gardens (4X4 recommended)
Offered: Friday AM & PM, Saturday AM (as necessary)
Trip Leader: Bill Jones
Description: The south-facing exposure of Jebel Qatar allows a variety of plants to survive, providing food and shelter for a variety of birds and insects. Archaeological evidence suggests it has also been a community; there are dozens of classic Hajar mountain homes and extensive burial grounds. The group has photographed fox in and around the Hanging Gardens. Some hiking over rough ground.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Good hiking shoes/boots, water, snack, hat, sunscreen, camera, binoculars, notebook, reference books.

Trip 8: Wadi Khutwah to enjoy its geology, aflaj system, copper smelters
Offered: Friday AM, Saturday AM (as necessary)
Trip Leader: Jerry Buzzell
Description: One of the prettiest oases along the base of the Hajar Mountains in this region, Khutwah continues to enjoy a revitalization with some of the older date gardens being converted to more profitable green-crop farms (mint, parsley, lettuce, etc.). Khutwah offers a combination of recently abandoned mountain village community, ancient houses, terraced agriculture, ancient fallaj systems, amazing geology, 'donkey trail' clinging to the face of the mountain, and ancient copper smelting kilns.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Appropriate walking shoes, water, snack, camera, binoculars, sun screen, hat, appropriate clothing.

Trip 9: Village One
Offered: Friday AM, Saturday AM (as necessary)
Trip Leaders: Geoff Cosson (Friday), Brien Holmes (Saturday)
Description:: Beyond the Khutwah Oasis are two mountain villages that were abandoned perhaps 50 or 60 years ago. We offer three different routes to Village One, including a walk along a classic 'donkey trail'. Time permitting, the group may want to continue on to Village Two. An enjoyable and relatively easy and relaxed walk in the mountains.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Appropriate walking shoes, camera, binoculars, GPS device, maps, reference books, note books, snack, water.

Trip 10: Afrathe and Haywan (4X4 recommended)
Offered: Friday AM
Trip Leader: Bob Reimer
Description: Afrathe and Haywan are two small communities at the base of the Hajar mountains that are not in the off-road guides and are often overlooked by visitors. There are some impressive tufa deposits and outstanding walls around these oases irrigated by water collected in unique falaj systems. Nearby an Islamic fort, cemetery and peak-roofed stone buildings.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Appropriate clothing, camera, binoculars, GPS device, maps, reference books, note books, snack, water.

Trip 11: Wadi Khudrah
Offered:: Friday PM
Trip Leader: Brigitte Howarth
Description: At the head of Wadi Sharm, Khudrah is a large and healthy oasis established inside the arc of a meandering wadi bed. The variety of the landscape made this an appropriate destination for a trip by Al Ain English Speaking School students studying habitats. The location of the mysterious 'Khudrah circles' and other archaeology.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Appropriate clothing, camera, binoculars, GPS device, maps, reference books, note books, snack, water.

Trip 12: Desert drive: Kahl to Wadi Sharm (4X4 required)
Offered: Friday PM
Trip Leader: Bob Reimer
Description: A short drive through mountains and desert from the village of Kahl to Wadi Sharm. An opportunity to see the countryside without farms, electricity pylons. Stop at 'Big Red' sand dune in Wadi Sharm, with a lovely view of the Swiss Mountains. Time permitting, a brief stop in Sharm village before heading back to Al Ain. This is one of the most popular trips held each year by the Al Ain chapter.
Where to meet:: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Camera, binoculars, GPS device, maps, reference books, note books, snack, water.

Trip 13: Wadi Subaitah (4X4 recommended)
Offered: Friday PM
Trip Leader: Jerry Buzzell
Description: This picturesque wadi is located off the Sohar road just a few kilometers west of the Omani border post.  It offers an active oasis fed by an elevated falaj system which originates at deep (swimmable) pools.  Depending on the pattern of watering, there may be some nice small waterfalls in the oasis. This plus the flora and fauna present make this a popular outing for the Al Ain chapter.
Where to meet: Buraimi Hotel parking area outside main gate
What to bring: Appropriate clothing, camera, binoculars, GPS device, maps, reference books, note books, snack, water.

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When guests register (Thursday afternoon and evening, or in advance by email), they can indicate which trip they would like to join. The numbers of participants on some trips may be limited.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the chairman in Al Ain, Jerry Buzzell. A full summary of IEW2007 is available here.

We hope to see you all for a weekend in our Oasis.