Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Abu Dhabi to Sila
Linking Abu Dhabi with Sila on the border with Saudi Arabia is Hwy E11, a mind-numb-
ing, 350km-long, dual-carriage highway. The road is flanked by palm trees and fences
beyond which lie the emirate's rich oil and gas fields. The main reason to travel along
here is to get to Sir Bani Yas Island.
A good spot to break the journey after a couple of hours is in
Mirfa
, a low-key, sleepy
fishing village with a nice sandy beach. The town comes to life in April during the 10-day
Al Gharbia Watersports Festival
(
www.algharbiafestivals.com
)
, which sees kite-surfing, sailing and
swimming competitions along with dhow and dragon boat racing. If you want to stay,
steer towards the falcon-shaped
Mirfa Hotel
( 02-883 3030;
www.mirfahotel.com
; r from Dh500;
)
, which has big, if dated, rooms and a nice pool.
If you had any doubt as to the oil wealth of the UAE, it'll evaporate when you see
Ruwais
, an industrial town about an hour past Mirfa that exists only to service the massive
refineries set up along there. Needless to say, there's little reason to stop.
Not far from Ruwais is
Jebel Dhanna
, the jumping off point for Sir Bani Yas Island. It has
absolutely gorgeous white sandy beaches and shallow azure water perfect for the kiddies
to splash around. An unexpected high-end treat is the five-star
Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna
(
02-801 2222;
www.danathotels.com
; r from Dh800; )
, where you can hang in hammocks,
relax by the pool, hit the tennis courts or rent a kayak. There's a cafe, a buffet restaurant,
fine Italian fare at
Zaitoun
(pizza & pasta Dh60-100, mains Dh90-200)
, a bar and a club that's popular
with expat workers from Ruwais.
Workers are also the main clientele of the adjacent
Dhafra Beach Hotel
( 02-801 2000;
www.danathotels.com
;
Jebel Dhanna; r from Dh450; )
, which does little to hide its three-dec-
ade pedigree. Staying here gives you full access to the Danat, though.
As remote as it is, there are buses going out here from Abu Dhabi's central bus station.
Bus X87 makes the trip all the way to the ferry terminal in Jebel Dhanna in 4½ hours
(Dh35, daily). Bus X70 heads straight to Mirfa (Dh25, daily) and also meets the X87 in
Tarif.
