Head for the mountains

There are oh-so-many books that encourage you to take to the outdoors - with your 4X4. Paolo Rossetti takes another road - providing you with exciting destinations that you can go to in a regular sedan.

Although there are many four-wheel-drive vehicles in our cities, and it is easy for them to head out into a weekend adventure confident that whatever terrain they may encounter, slipping into a 4WD will get them through and home, owners of regular sedan cars also itch with the same feel for a little adventure beyond the usual weekend shopping mall - the outdoors beckon at this time of year, as temperatures settle into comfortable levels.

The beauty of nature has universal appeal, and wide open panoramas taste all the sweeter to someone used to living in a block of four walls, surrounded by highrises that block the horizon.

A visit to Mother Nature re-energises, relaxes and de-stresses; and it is a wonderful way to get family and friends together for some quality time.

These are the kinds of trips that remain woven into the fabric of relationships - remember the time we picnicked on top of Jebel Maleiha? When Auntie found a fossil and Uncle was chased by that baby goat?

And the good-natured laughter, and the memories of the excursion, and the souvenir snapshots, will be treasured and recounted for years to come.

Fortunately, owning a 4x4 vehicle is not a requirement for enjoying the outdoors in the UAE!

Here we look at three destinations that can be accessed by regular car - yes, loaded to the brim with camping mats and barbecues, and filled with happy children, father, mother, friends, cousins and even a mother-in-law (not mandatory, of course) - that provide a sense of a fulfilling escape from the daily city grind.

Theoretically, a 2WD car is capable of covering off-road terrain of many kinds, though a limit must be placed on avoiding soft sand, no matter how harmless it may seem, and places where the frame of the car might scrape along: deep ruts, exposed rocks and large bumps.

Indeed, a regular sedan can carry you and your loved ones to many, even far-flung, corners of the UAE.
A little caution on track driving will be important in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the car, and the best advice is to go slow.

An open off-road track is made of compacted sand, earth and stones, crushed into a track by earth-movers and then further smoothened out by the passage of thousands of wheels before yours. It will be bumpy and sometimes traversed by stubborn little ridges.

A sedan car will be able to comfortably negotiate such a track, even with its low ground clearance, if the driver reduces the speed and therefore avoids the possibility of ploughing into an unseen dip in the track, with the front shock absorbers travelling to their maximum compression and the resulting nasty hard knock making all passengers fall silent and exchange worried glances.

So, the first rule is: reduce the speed. Not only does this minimise the chances of damage to your vehicle, but it also makes for a more relaxing and enjoyable ride for all travellers.

Second, if you do come across an obstacle, do not blindly attempt to cross it. An experienced driver will know that it is far better to stop and park safely, get out and inspect the obstacle by foot before.

This also makes it a fun time for friends and children who will happily join the driver in assessing the possibility of crossing the obstacle successfully - How high is that rock? How far off the ground is our car? Can we drive around it? Where will the wheels pass?

These kind of questions will allow for an intelligent decision as to how and where to traverse, or perhaps a decision not to attempt the crossing.

The clear indication of a novice off-road driver, in particular one without an off-road vehicle, is attempting an impossible feat of magic, resulting in either getting stuck right there or permanent scratches, maybe even dents. Always plan the safest way to cross; if not, find another route.

Other than that, a regular sedan will be more than capable of crossing wadis, climbing mountain tracks, and arriving at beautiful natural destinations in comfort and safety.

So, where to?
In compiling this short list of possible destinations accessible by a regular city sedan, I have tried to include activities for the participants which match the kind of place you'll choose to visit.

From my experience, there is nothing worse than driving for hours to arrive at a destination, standing around sheepishly for 10 minutes, deciding that there's not really anything interesting there, and turning around and driving back.

In order to make the most of the trip, I like to plan activities for my family and friends upon arrival - why simply sit on a mat when you could be painting the sunset?

Bring a canvas and paints for your talented daughter and let her create a masterpiece right there on location, then frame it and hang it in the living room.

Your son is learning to play the flute in school? Perfect! Where better to practise than seated atop a large rock overlooking a spectacular valley!

You and your spouse used to play badminton in your school days? Pack a set for a surprise game, and you will be amazed at the amount of campground laughter that a simple shuttlecock can bring.

Your imagination, and sense of advance planning, can make the difference between a mildly enjoyable drive and the trip of a lifetime.

The second important thing I like to focus on is food - what a sad sight it is to see picnickers urgently blowing on tepid coals under half-cooked chicken legs while hungry bystanders urge the chef on!

Food is not just for nourishment when out camping, it is a social event that brings smiles to people's faces and stomachs. Mostly it is best prepared from home, and with a little flair, a first-rate dining experience complements the beautiful location.

Over the years, I have begun to minimise the cooking on site. Many foods can be pre-cooked, packed and served on the spot. The foods that I barbecue are flash-grilled and take minutes; the rest is prepared at home and simply served.

A note I must put forward at this point: the garbage must never be left on site. Who will come and clean up after you?

There are no municipality workers, and to ruin nature is an option not even worth considering - bring your own black garbage bags, and make sure everybody uses them! Carry all trash out with you without exception - you are a guest of nature, and as such should behave.

Destination: Al Ain and Wadi Jazeera
Description: A culinary treat, a visit to an ancient oasis, and a trip to a fresh water swimming spot in nearby Omani mountains.

Itinerary: The central oasis of Al Ain, not far from the birthplace of Shaikh Zayed where his palace is now open to the public as a Heritage Museum, is a wonderful place for a nice family walk through the palm groves.

From there it is possible, through a maze of alleys, to drive down to Wadi Al Ain, the ancient lifeforce of the city, which still to this day brings in floodwaters from the Omani mountains into the gravel plains of Al Ain, and now through the city centre.

A quick drive will take us to the Intercontinental Hotel, where I have a special culinary delight for you; and the next day a trip to a natural watering hole in the Omani mountains, which will require the passports and valid GCC visas of all travellers, but no visa specific to Oman.

Directions: Entering Al Ain from any direction, you will have to negotiate a number of roundabouts in order to reach the town centre, and then ask someone to indicate you the downtown souq.

Right behind it, on its south side, you will find the entrance to the oasis. It is a maze of narrow alleys, and visitors are allowed to enter with their cars. Your challenge will be to find the path to the westernmost side, where the Museum is located.

From there again you will need to negotiate the maze (it's not that hard, but it can be confusing and my directions would be useless) heading to the southernmost side, where there is an entrance to the wadi proper.

Once in the wadi, turn left/east and follow the dry riverbed until you reach the Intercontinental Hotel on your left/north. At the Intercon, you will find Al Ain's best-kept secret.

A young Italian Chef, Rudy Casera, has transformed Al Ain into a gourmet's paradise, with a selection of authentic Italian culinary masterpieces.

He makes phenomenal dishes, hand-making the pasta, obviously putting his heart and soul into every dish.

The restaurant's name is Luce - don't bother with barbecueing or packing dinner in Al Ain, save that for the outdoors: tonight you dine in style!

I cannot sing enough praises of this virtuoso chef from Venice; you'll have to try for yourself. (Psssst, tell him Paolo has sent you and he'll give you that extra attention).

The following morning, at leisure, leave the Intercontinental heading to the southern roundabout, and turn left/east, towards the Omani mountains.

At the border post, present your passports and fill out the required immigration cards, and proceed to the next roundabout, where you will go straight, on the road to Sohar.

At the second possible turn left, sign-posted to Mahda, turn left/north and after a few kilometres, keep an eye out for a road leading right/east, immediately after a cement bus stop.

The signpost should read 'Wadi Jazeera'. Follow the road and at the first opportunity turn left/north crossing down into the wadi, and then progress through the village, keeping to the right of the houses, on to a hard track that snakes up the mountain.

It gets steep so make sure you go slow and keep the car under full control. If there's any sign of rain, abort trip.

After a steep descent (you'll know which one!) you will be faced with a T-junction, where you can go either way, and park at the reservoir of water that is immediately in front of you.

You may bathe in the cool waters, but please respect the traditions of the villagers and remain clothed. There's a beautiful hike along the path of the water down to your left.