The weekend is over - that is, Friday, Darrell’s sole day of rest, is over. We took the kids to Lulu Island, which is just off the main island of Abu Dhabi. Just in case our desert island was not desert-y enough (it has buildings, roads, etc), we travelled to an even more desert island. To get there is half the fun according to the kids. 
Firstly we have to catch a boat which takes us on a 10 minute ride to the island. We disembark and then have the choice between catching a bus or a road-train around the island. You will not be surprised to hear that the train wins hands down every time. This rather bumpy form of transport does a tour of the little island, and when you spot a likely space for your picnic you attract the drivers attention by jumping, shouting and whistling and he stops and off loads you. Along the beach, at well spaced intervals are various types of shelters and shades complete with plastic tables and chairs set out. All you need to do is bag one of those and settle down for a long day beside the brilliant turquoise sea. 
In the middle of the island, when you tire of collecting shells and playing on the white beach, there is a swimming pool to move to. It is made out of rock, and appears natural (but I’m sure isn’t!) and the water temperatures are rather low - refreshing on a very hot day. It has a little waterfall cascading over some rocks and the kids love to climb up and have the water shooting over them. There is a rather mo
rose camel wandering around who complains mightily as he gives rides to the tourists, as well as a horse and carriage for the less adventurous. The boys took the camel ride, Steph voted for the horse and carriage, but I felt terribly guilty as when the horse moved off I could see that he was lame. The locals here are NOT kind to animals, but more on that on another day. The journey back to civilisation seems rather more arduous than the outward journey, despite the fact that the cooler boxes are a lot lighter. The train service is rather erratic, so one can end up waiting quite a while to catch a train. Then, if you arrive at the quay between 12 and 1, you will just have to wait as the boats take their lunch break then. It is no fun waiting in the heat of the day for the next boat to pitch up! The fun part is landing on Abu Dhabi again and seeing the long queue of people waiting to go over to Lulu Island, and knowing that by being there early we grabbed the best and coolest part of the island.
Firstly we have to catch a boat which takes us on a 10 minute ride to the island. We disembark and then have the choice between catching a bus or a road-train around the island. You will not be surprised to hear that the train wins hands down every time. This rather bumpy form of transport does a tour of the little island, and when you spot a likely space for your picnic you attract the drivers attention by jumping, shouting and whistling and he stops and off loads you. Along the beach, at well spaced intervals are various types of shelters and shades complete with plastic tables and chairs set out. All you need to do is bag one of those and settle down for a long day beside the brilliant turquoise sea. 
In the middle of the island, when you tire of collecting shells and playing on the white beach, there is a swimming pool to move to. It is made out of rock, and appears natural (but I’m sure isn’t!) and the water temperatures are rather low - refreshing on a very hot day. It has a little waterfall cascading over some rocks and the kids love to climb up and have the water shooting over them. There is a rather mo
rose camel wandering around who complains mightily as he gives rides to the tourists, as well as a horse and carriage for the less adventurous. The boys took the camel ride, Steph voted for the horse and carriage, but I felt terribly guilty as when the horse moved off I could see that he was lame. The locals here are NOT kind to animals, but more on that on another day. The journey back to civilisation seems rather more arduous than the outward journey, despite the fact that the cooler boxes are a lot lighter. The train service is rather erratic, so one can end up waiting quite a while to catch a train. Then, if you arrive at the quay between 12 and 1, you will just have to wait as the boats take their lunch break then. It is no fun waiting in the heat of the day for the next boat to pitch up! The fun part is landing on Abu Dhabi again and seeing the long queue of people waiting to go over to Lulu Island, and knowing that by being there early we grabbed the best and coolest part of the island.
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