Some Other Sides of Abu Dhabi- Part3

After beaching the kayak, we began exploring the area. The sand was a brilliant white with a clay-like consistency, slippery in some places. Some of the exposed sand looked like a sponge which was unusual as the origin of the holes was not obvious.

Porous Surface

Nearby, there was a shallow pond that was not affected by tide and it had seagrass growing on the bottom. In this grass there were numerous small crabs swimming about. and when I tried to catch one, it stopped swimming from me and in a surprisingly defiant manner it surfaced and snapped it's claws at my outstretched hand. It was too small to cause damage but the crab's unexpected aggressive action caused me to recoil my fingers. The crustacean, having foiled it's would-be captor, then disappeared under the sand. That little guy had "cojones"! 

The crab chase left me in the middle of the seagrass and after I lost the crab. I noticed a sinking feeling. I noticed that my feet were completely under the sand and getting deeper. I had visions of the old Tarzan movies where the bad guys got swallowed up in quicksand and feared I would be neck deep in muck before long. With great effort I trudged out of the mire and vowed to watch where i stepped from now on!

Seagrass, Crabs and Quicksand

I saw another marine creature near here. It was a a jellyfish like I have never seen before caught in a pocket of water a few inches deep. The tide was still going out and I wasn't sure if the slight depression it was in would end up empty, dooming the creature. It was pulsating like jellyfish do and was quite alive. I considered picking it up and placing it in deeper water to assure it's survival, but I decided against it. Ironically, the same painful sting that protects it also prevented me from rescuing it from a possible death. I hope it ended up OK.

Stranded Jellyfish

After reboarding the kayak, we ventured farther upstream and veered into a small slough. The water was but a few inches deep and the slough was but a few meters wide but it gave us a good look at the mangroves.

The Road Narrows

When we could go no farther, this small rapid of outgoing tide was seen.

Fast Tide

The narrow channel was surrounded by mangroves.They actually have roots that grow up.

Mangroves at Low Tide

Mangrove plants are essential to the health of tidal areas and are unique in that they are the only plants that grow in a high salinity area. The plants take up saltwater and exude salt crystals from the underside of their leaves. no other plant does this. Mangrove roots anchor the soil so it is not washed away by erosion and provides safe havens for smaller marine animals, which attract larger marine predators. The mangroves provide a fertile ecosystem. I saw a lot of fish.

The spikes you see are razor sharp and would spell instant severe injuries for anyone that would contact them.  Just joking!....the spikes are actually rubbery extensions from the mangrove root system. They are a way for the plant to get extra atmospheric gases and they eventually turn into baby mangroves. A way of propagation.

The Sun was getting low at this time and it was time to return. Luckily, we had the wind and current at our backs.

Underway Back to Port, Aldar HQ as Navigational Aid

Enhanced View of Aldar HQ Building. One of My Favorites

Approaching the 5 Star Resort beach, I saw another Black Jacketed walkie-talkie dude taking an extreme interest in our arrival. Sure enough, he met us right at landfall. He started asking us all kinds of questions as if we just paddled in from Iran and was getting increasingly aggressive. When he asked us what room we were staying in I knew there was going to be a problem. I did not answer the last question and tried to ignore him. For some strange reason, he shifted gears and asked who we worked for. That surprised me as that played into my court.

You see, I work for a well known quasi-governmental company in Abu Dhabi that is tightly connected to the tourist industry. I told the guy my employer's name and his tune suddenly changed! We became welcome guests, he became all smiles and even offered to help pull the kayak out of the water. I just then realized the power of "wasta" in this country and the reputation my employer has. I will bring my ID card everywhere I go from now on!

Many thanks to Al Raha Beach Hotel and Resort , our hosts for this voyage. They didn't have to let us launch the boat from their property but they did and I appreciate that. It is a beautiful property and I owe them this plug. The security guys were just doing their job. No hard feelings!

Al Raha Beach Resort

Al Raha Beach Resort

Al Raha Beach Resort

Al Raha Beach Resort

Don't forget to slow down and smell the roses and get out to the many undiscovered and under promoted natural areas of Abu Dhabi. This place is a natural wonderland if you know where to look.