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 Sir Bani Yas, UAE, November 23


Well, today was a bit of a surprise!  We probably didn’t do our homework when choosing tours over a year ago and overlooked the fact that Sir Bani Yas is such an interesting place!  We chose to go to a resort and spend a few hours there with lunch thrown in but George was able to get a late tour of one hour after getting back to the pier.  Sir Bani Yas is a natural island just over a hundred miles south west of Abu Dhabi and belongs to that Emirate.  The island is 11 miles north to south and just over five miles east to west making it the largest natural island in the UAE.  Sir Bani was originally home to Arabia’s largest wildlife reserve, spanning over 34 sq miles and it was established in 1977 by Sheikh Zahedan Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Due to decades of conservation work and ecological investment it is now home to thousands of large free roaming animals and several million trees and plants.  Driving past the fenced area however, I can’t imagine what they eat as I couldn’t see any grass at all. There is also a bird sanctuary as well as the wildlife reserve and the island showcases nature adventures such as safaris, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking and snorkelling.  

The island has a number of significant historical sites including remnants of Late Stone Age and early Islamic structures.  This is also the location of the only pre-Islamic Christian site to be found I; the UAE.  

This place is home to many species, from Arabian oryx, Somali ostrich, gazelle and deer to reticulated giraffes, dolphins and sea turtles.  And many of the more than one hundred species of wild birds are indigenous to the region! 

So there were many tours on offer, such as 4x4 wildlife drives, in jeeps, nature and archeological tours, mangrove kayaking, open truck viewers, cycling etc.  

I’m happy having seen giraffes, sea turtles, and deer on our drive to the hotel, and at the hotel there were peacocks roaming freely along with large quail, sparrows and other small birds.  

We were told lunch would be provided but didn’t expect a five course lunch! Too much food offered, as always.  I’m quite looking forward to a regular ham and tomato sandwich at this stage!!! 

The three of us had dinner at the Italian restaurant again.  Always good!!

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