Al Zorah Mangroves Ajman

It was another lazy afternoon at our Dubai home. Flipping through the various Insta posts, I remarked that our friends seem to be having the time of their lives going by social media inputs.  

My husband is not prominently active on social media platforms except occasionally posting a holiday album. With an exasperated sigh, he looked up from his newspaper and twiddled on his phone, and said that he had a surprise for me. He warned me to be ready at 130 pm Dubai time quizzically.

He did mention it was an outdoor activity but did not elaborate further. Quickly getting through my chores, I was ready with my backpack stuffed with a few snacks and water. I also wore a chic linen shirt and cotton leggings. I noticed that he was attired in his dry-fit T-shirt and track bottom. When asked, he remarked quizzically that it might be a bit hot for outdoor activity and better to wear something that might ward off the water if splashed. Typically, both tend to ignore much of what is said with many years of marriage. 

We got in the car and drove towards Ajman. The city of Ajman is an hour's drive from our home in Dubai. We had heard of the Mangroves at Al Zorah but never explored the same. The month of Feb in UAE is possibly the best month for such outdoor pleasures, and we do tend to pass over the places that lie in our midst.

We reached well on time to fill the forms and waited for the adventure to begin. We were to kayak through the mangroves growing in saltwater and spot the migrating pink flamingoes. It sounded pretty promising, although we hadn't any previous kayaking experience. After the usual set of instructions on EHS, we wore a life jacket and were led to the kayaks via a gated entry to the mangrove trees. Our lead guide led us through a path with overhanging trees on both sides, over a footbridge was made of bamboo, and within a couple of minutes, we were at the Kayaking station. I knew it would be quite a trip one look at the delicate Kayak.

Kayaking station

We saw the other set of folks getting into their respective kayaks and whisking off quickly. The water was quite dark and grey, bordering on black, due to the shadows cast by the trees. Gingerly stepping into the Kayak, we were gently pushed into the water. Using the oars for the first time, we paddled with my husband, preferring to back seat drive with a spurious excuse of navigating the vessel. Splashing the water here and there, we headed straight into the trees for the first of many bramble bush adventures. At this point in time, we did not know the depth of the water and didn't want to shake the Kayak much. Somehow, paddling back, we tried to keep pace with the rest of the party. The perfect unison that we thought we had in marriage was not reflected in how we used our paddles. When I scooped water from the left, he did it on the opposite side and so on and so forth that we maintained a zig lag line instead of a straight path, often bumping into the other vessels and laughing it off as deliberate instead of accidental. 

The others race ahead 

Kayaking our way to the mangroves 

There was also a slight breeze and a tide against which we paddled, making the journey a challenging exercise. I chanced to see my husband briefly while he furiously paddled, making a complete puddle for me in my front seat and an image of a puffed-up Popeye briefly came into my mind. Despite the wet pool which enveloped me, I smiled. Came across a natural tunnel with thorny trees on either side forming the roof while barnacles gleamed from the edges. It was pretty narrow, and the guide informed us to paddle straight. We thought we did and promptly went straight for the trees, and I bent over backward. Thankfully, after a series of regular Yoga with spine strengthening and back bending exercises, I was able to swiftly assume this posture at frequent intervals. My husband's navigation skills, or lack of it, prompted me to adopt this pose at a pulsating interval. Finally, the lead guide tugged our Kayak and led us out towards the large Flamingo flock. 

Tugged out by the guide 

The guide asked us to assemble at a distance from the flock of birds while he explained the history of bird migration, their habits, and the grove itself. As usual, we were the last to negotiate the Kayak to the assembly point. Somehow, by clinging on to other vessels, we dragged ourselves closer. While my husband caught his breath, I listened to what the guide had to say. 

Flamingoes at a distance 

Al Zorah Mangroves is an ecosystem that spans an area of over 1 million square meters. The thick, natural mangroves of Al Zorah are home to over 102 species of native and migratory birds, including the famed pink flamingoes that can be spotted throughout the year and more so during the nesting season. The area is abundant with a variety of corals, fish, mollusks, and indigenous flora, and scientists and researchers conduct field studies. 

Selfie time 

Once the sermon was over, it was time to leave. The first act, therefore, was to turn around. While the vessel turning seemed almost a natural act, quite possibly, due to the supreme negotiating skills of my husband, the Kayak seemed hell-bent on not turning this time. However, we managed to get ourselves on track and turned around with another heave. The rest of the pack were quite ahead, and, in our hurry to catch up, more water was splashed. But, this time, we flowed with the tide, and the effort required while on the way in wasn't needed on the return leg.  Considering this as a cool-down effort, we drifted along. 

The return to catch the sunset 

As the tide was flowing back to the sea, pieces of land appeared out of nowhere, and flamingos came in search of fresh food. It was then we realized that the water was only knee-deep. This gave such a comfort to my husband that in the event of any further calamity, he could simply walk across; there was renewed vigor in his paddling. Finally, arriving at the kayak station, we had to paddle our way in a solitary line. Courteously waving everyone in front, we went in last. The 2 hours of effort somehow seemed to have lent us a little expertise in navigating. Practice makes perfect! 

Receding water 

After pulling the vessel in, I staggered as I lifted myself. Overcoming the stiffness of the body, rigid in one position for the last couple of hours, the dampness of the water clinging to wet clothes, and the slight breeze towards sunset, we managed another picture, taken by a friendly adventurer. We returned to the car. Each of us is occupied in our own thoughts. Possibly, my life partner felt that he had provided me with such a superb adventure! I did not have the heart to correct this impression. 

Wet and happy