Al Ain Mosques # 2

It's weekend once again and it's time for Al Ain Mosques series.This mosque is just a stone thrown away from my place. Located in 3rd Street Al Mutaredh District, Hazza Mosque Com. It has 2 domes and 1 minaret. There are 2 mosques in Hazza Mosque Com. This is the small mosque. Click HERE to see and compare the big mosque in 11th street.

These shots looks slightly blurred because of the fog, taken this morning at 08:35 AM with gloomy sky and the temperature was fine at 14 degree celsius.

(please click the other images to enlarge)

back

side

front door and the domes

the minaret

Word of the day: ith-nain is the arabic term for two. Salaam to all!

A blessed weekend to everyone.

(I will visit your blogs tomorrow. I need to get some decent sleep in preparation  for my second night shift.)

Monochrome Weekend- A cat in Jebel Hafeet

I saw this cat resting  in the mountain cliff of Jebel Hafeet while I was clicking for the rock formations ( see previous post). As if he's/she's enjoying the view. He/she saw me coming and looked at me.

(please click the other images to enlarge)

All of the sudden, his/her gaze turned to the sound created by another critter.....

positioned himself /herself and stared with........

his/her mouth watering food........

this bird seem uneasy ( as if he/she sensed me taking a picture of him/her)

As I turned back my gaze to the cat, the bird flew and I missed to take some snaps. Sigh*. Poor cat. He/she will await for the next prey. Sorry kitty, better luck next time.

Entry post for The Monochrome Weekend  hosted by Aileni. Thank you Aileni.

Word of the Day: biss or bis'sa is the arabic word for cat. Quttah in old arabic. 

Salaam to all!

Skywatch Friday- Jebel Hafeet Part 1

Jebel Hafeet is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1240 meters and offers an impressive view over the city. Jebel Hafeet was a well-known landmark throughout the area's history and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jebel Hafeet.

At the foothills of Jebel Hafeet lies the Green Mubazzarah, a well developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah. Jebel Hafeet is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, snakes, etc.

~~ excerpts from Wikipedia

These shots were taken this morning, with 12 degree celsius at the top of the mountain

clear blue sky over the rock formations-view from the emergency parking area

park at the top of the mountain

and

some parts of Al Ain City can be viewed from the top

Fog covering some of the Hajar mountain. It was actually a mixture of thin gray clouds and fog.

I thought Jebel Hafeet is the highest mountain here in UAE because it is well-known and most of the Emaratis claimed that it is the highest. I've learned from a friend of mine that Jabal Yibir is the UAE's highest named peak. I still need to know some information about it and I am looking forward to taking photos of the said mountain.

Entry post for Skywatch Friday hosted by Klaus with team members Sandy, Slyvia, Wren, Louise and Fishing Guy. Thank you Skywatch team.

Word of the day: jabal is the arabic word for mountain or hill. Salaam to all. Happy Skywatching!

Watery Wednesday- a fountain in Al Sulaimi Park

Here's the colored version of the photo that I posted last Sunday and  some of my imperfect shots taken last Saturday in Al Salmi Park at Al Mutaredh District.

an attempt for a macro shot- I played with the camera settings and this one was the result.

desaturated and tried to make it as monochrome in black and white

love the water mist

Cyberwet? I hope so. Have a nice day to all of you. It's time for me to rest and sleep. Just knocked off from my 3rd and last night shift. Will visit your blogs later or tomorrow.

Am linking this post to Watery Wednesday  meme hosted by 2sweetnsaxy. Thanks to you.

Word of the day:  bukra is the arabic word for tomorrow.  Baad bukra is the arabic term for day after tomorrow.

Salaam to all!

Shawarma.....anyone?

Found this restaurant in Khalifa Street, few steps away from Al Falah Plaza. They are selling one of my favourites.......shawarma. Yummy! (am salivating hehehe). It is quite different from the Turkish shawarma that I used to buy in one of the food stalls in MRT Ayala station in the Philippines ( don't know if it is still there).

Middle eastern shawarma is a sandwich-like wrap of  shaved  meat (usually chicken, beef or lamb) dressed with garlic sauce or hummus; with potatoes, pickles, and tomatoes. Best eaten with  khuboz (arabic bread) that wraps the shaved meat. Here in Al Arish Restaurant, it is usually served with freshly squeezed fruit juices.

For more information about shawarma, click here.

Word of the day: mat'am is the arabic word for restaurant.

Will visit your blogs tomorrow. Need to get ready for my 3rd night shift later. Salaam to all!

Good morning!

Good morning my friends and visitors!!

Just knocked off from night duty. These shots were taken while the taxi was moving and I was skywatching.

Abu Dhabi road, construction area of UAE University

Abu Dhabi Road just before the roundabout ( can't recall the name though )

Al Mutaredh District, Hazza Mosque Comm. ( my neighbourhood)

Word of the day: sabaah is the arabic word for morning. Salaam to all!

Fountain of Hope and a Wishing fountain(?)

Have you ever made a wish while watching a fountain? Well, I haven't until I saw this lady while taking some pictures of this fountain in Al Sulaimi Park.

Aside from my fascination with the mosques, I also love watching fountains; that's why I tend to visit parks whenever I am off duty. I find it so relaxing and of course, it is a cost effective way of recreation (lol).

I was about to take this shot when I saw this lady with  a kid walking towards the fountain. I stopped and told her "Lawsamah'ti, sabar daqiqa, ana sawi sura" ( excuse me, hold on a minute coz I am taking some pictures). Here in UAE, it is prohibited to take pictures of  a woman in abaya unless the person gave her permission. I was waiting for them to step back but to my surprise she answered "Sige lang" (it's okay). Whew! a compatriot. I wanted to approach and talk to her but she appeared like busy thinking while holding the child.

After few snaps, I sat on the grass and I found myself thinking while looking at the fountain (while my hubby was busy looking at the other areas of the park)....wishing and hoping....and at the same time thanking the One from up above for the freedom that I have here even if I am living a Muslim country.

(I think, next time I will bring some coin, it's difficult to find something to throw at the fountain LOL)

Am linking this post to The Monochrome Weekend hosted by Aileni. Thank you Aileni.

Word of the day: lawsamah'ti  or afwan is the arabic term for excuse me. Please note that afwan is  NOT commonly used to say "excuse me" because afwan can also mean you're welcome. Salaam to all!

A blessed weekend to everyone.

Al Ain Mosques # 1

Mosque architecture fascinates me...the dome, the minarets and its color, usually pastel shades with touch of pan arab colors. Since UAE is a Muslim country, it is very common to see mosques all over the country. Here in Al Ain City alone, you'll see these mosques from one block to another block though it has minor differences in color, number of domes and number of minarets. I've decided to feature one mosque each weekend  and  I'll be using the arabic numbers for the word of the day.

I saw this mosque in Al Majlood Com., 12th Street corner 4th Street of Al Muwaiji District, around 10 to fifteen minute drive from Al Ain Town Center. It has one big dome and 2 minarets.

Instead of showing the usual moon crescent typical of mosque's dome, I took this photo with the real moon aligned at the top of the dome.

Word of the day: waahid is the arabic word for one. Salaam to all!

Fences #6

I saw these fences in one of the parks of Green Mubazzarah. Compared to down town fences, these are taller and the ornate object is smaller. Looking at the object, you'll see a date palm tree planted in the dunes or hajar mountain. That's exactly what I've noticed when I was there. From Naima District all the way to Jebel Hafeet District, I saw date palm trees planted in the sand dunes and in between stone or rock formations.

against the light shot

gate of the park,  few steps away from the huge artificial lake

Word of the day: sagheer is the arabic word for small. Salaam to all!

Roundabout Series: Al Diwan Roundabout

Al Diwan Roundabout  is located in Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Road, a combination of roundabout and an overpass next to the Diwan, the Ruler's representative office. This roundabout is one of the busiest  roads by daytime especially during weekdays ( Sunday to Thursday is the weekdays here in UAE).

The upper level has two fountains

and a step fountain down to the road level

There are date palm trees in both levels

Entry post for Watery Wednesday hosted by 2sweetnsaxy and Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan.

Word of the day: shara' is the arabic word for road. Salaam to all!

Funny Friday and the Annular Eclipse

 "Standing by my window ...listening for your call, seems I really miss you after all".....oh wait...why am I singing here? &%#@*?@....Hey! Misalyn you should start looking at the sky...in just few hours , you will witness the first Annular Eclipse of the year.

Okay, okay I must stay awake..08:00 a.m.....09:00 a.m. ...( eyes almost closed*)

Let me just take another shot before the eclipse happens....okie docs...wait! where's my sun glasses? okay ..there you go... let me open the door .....click!

can you see the small moon?

Perfect!...okay, relax....wait...( Misalyn slowly lie down on her bed, few minutes later she's snoring ) ZzzzzzzzzZzzzzz.

02:00 P.M.Blag! brag! #%@*& Where's my camera? Oh my! it's gone. Khalas!

Photos shown above were taken last Friday while waiting for the first Annular eclipse. I was so sleepy, just knocked off from my night duty. I missed the moment huhuhu.

Word of the day:  tamam is the arabic word for good or perfect. Salaam to all!