(^18) Al Rama – Abu Dhabi - 40 km
The ride into Abu Dhabi, the bustling capital of the UAE’s biggest
emirate, was shorter than anticipated. Shortly before the city centre,
my route unexpectedly spat me out in the fast lane of a busy
highway, leaving no means of getting to the opposite side. Eventually,
police helped me across, and two kind Samaritans stopped and gave
me a ride into town. It was a good thing too, as the police didn’t want
to let me go, and only once they saw all of us in the car did they
drive off.
The GPS on my phone didn’t work without a SIM card, and being my
only form of navigation, I searched for a local SIM. Returning to my
abode, I grabbed a bag of falafel and a few samosas for only a few
dirhams.
Abu Dhabi – Ramah rest area - 125 km
My first stop was at the imposing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to
snatch a few photos. Afterwards, I pointed the bike in the direction of
Oman. Initially, my plan was to cycle halfway to the border, but I
couldn’t find a suitable camping spot.
Again, nothing significant happened, and again, service stations
broke the monotony. These stations made filling my water bottles and
buying snacks convenient, as chewing while riding kept me occupied.
As a result, I slinked into the Ramah rest area long past sunset and in
darkness.
The thoughtful gift from Andre, a solar-powered flashing light, proved
incredibly useful. Its automatic activation in low-light conditions made
it the perfect companion for cycle touring, providing just the right
illumination when needed.
leana
(Leana)
#1