<strong>Al Ain Oasis: </strong>Abu Dhabi's second city Al Ain makes for a refreshing day trip away from the hustle and humidity of the UAE's capital. At its heart is a cool, green oasis.
Al Ain Oasis: Abu Dhabi's second city Al Ain makes for a refreshing day trip away from the hustle and humidity of the UAE's capital. At its heart is a cool, green oasis.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Lush landscape: </strong>Palm trees nurtured by the delicate ecosystem of the oasis produce an annual crop of red and yellow dates.
Lush landscape: Palm trees nurtured by the delicate ecosystem of the oasis produce an annual crop of red and yellow dates.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Oasis waterways: </strong>Gently sloping irrigation channels known as <em>falaj</em> are used to bring water from cisterns to thirsty palm trees.
Oasis waterways: Gently sloping irrigation channels known as falaj are used to bring water from cisterns to thirsty palm trees.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Babbling streams:</strong> Depending on whose turn it is to get the H2O, visitors may encounter water rushing through an otherwise quiet corner of the oasis.
Babbling streams: Depending on whose turn it is to get the H2O, visitors may encounter water rushing through an otherwise quiet corner of the oasis.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Visitor center: </strong>A newly opened visitor center tells the remarkable story of Al Ain's oasis, and how it was saved from developers.
Visitor center: A newly opened visitor center tells the remarkable story of Al Ain's oasis, and how it was saved from developers.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Pedal through the palm trees: </strong>Cycles can be hired for a few dollars to get around the oasis.
Pedal through the palm trees: Cycles can be hired for a few dollars to get around the oasis.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Leafy lanes:</strong> But the best way to explore is on foot, through the palm-shaded alleyways that criss-cross the greenery.
Leafy lanes: But the best way to explore is on foot, through the palm-shaded alleyways that criss-cross the greenery.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Ikea for camels: </strong>On the outskirts of Al Ain there's an Ikea. More interesting is what's on sale behind it.
Ikea for camels: On the outskirts of Al Ain there's an Ikea. More interesting is what's on sale behind it.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Camel souk: </strong>Al Ain is home to the last remaining traditional camel market in the United Arab Emirates. Folks come from far and wide to haggle over humped beasts.
Camel souk: Al Ain is home to the last remaining traditional camel market in the United Arab Emirates. Folks come from far and wide to haggle over humped beasts.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Camel trucks: </strong>Once purchased, bigger camels get loaded onto the back of trucks to be driven away. They're bought for meat, usually to be cooked and served at celebrations such as weddings.
Camel trucks: Once purchased, bigger camels get loaded onto the back of trucks to be driven away. They're bought for meat, usually to be cooked and served at celebrations such as weddings.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Shipped out: </strong>Often the animals aren't entirely happy about it.
Shipped out: Often the animals aren't entirely happy about it.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Foreign traders:</strong> Many of the sellers come from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia. Gulsahib Khan, on the right of this photo, hails from Khost in Afghanistan.
Foreign traders: Many of the sellers come from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia. Gulsahib Khan, on the right of this photo, hails from Khost in Afghanistan.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Tasty beasts: </strong>Khan says his one-year-old camels typically sell for about $1,000. "These young boys have a good taste, they'll give some nice meat," he adds.
Tasty beasts: Khan says his one-year-old camels typically sell for about $1,000. "These young boys have a good taste, they'll give some nice meat," he adds.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Older camel: </strong>Khan says this bigger camel is about 15 years old. He says it'll fetch a higher price, but the meat isn't to everyone's taste. "No one's going to eat him... except maybe Omanis."
Older camel: Khan says this bigger camel is about 15 years old. He says it'll fetch a higher price, but the meat isn't to everyone's taste. "No one's going to eat him... except maybe Omanis."
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Sheep for sale: </strong>The camel souk also sells sheep and goats. It's a rare chance to see a more traditional side of a rapidly modernizing country.
Sheep for sale: The camel souk also sells sheep and goats. It's a rare chance to see a more traditional side of a rapidly modernizing country.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Wandering camel: </strong>Entry to the market is free and traders are usually OK with photos being taken as long as they're asked.
Wandering camel: Entry to the market is free and traders are usually OK with photos being taken as long as they're asked.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Jebel Hafeet mountain: </strong>To the south of Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet mountain rises up 1,400 meters above sea level. The twisting road to its summit is often described as one of the world's best drives.
Jebel Hafeet mountain: To the south of Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet mountain rises up 1,400 meters above sea level. The twisting road to its summit is often described as one of the world's best drives.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>See for miles: </strong>The summit of Jebel Hafeet affords incredible views over the flat deserts of Abu Dhabi and into neighboring Oman.
See for miles: The summit of Jebel Hafeet affords incredible views over the flat deserts of Abu Dhabi and into neighboring Oman.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Al Jahili Fort: </strong>As Abu Dhabi's historical heartland, Al Ain has numerous sites of interest, including the photogenic Al Jahili, a traditional Arabian fort built at the end of the 19th century.
Al Jahili Fort: As Abu Dhabi's historical heartland, Al Ain has numerous sites of interest, including the photogenic Al Jahili, a traditional Arabian fort built at the end of the 19th century.
Courtesy TCA Abu Dhabi
<strong>Al Ain Palace Museum: </strong>Next to Al Ain Oasis, the Palace Museum is a former home of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Many rooms in the palace show how the royal family lived during the last century.
Al Ain Palace Museum: Next to Al Ain Oasis, the Palace Museum is a former home of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Many rooms in the palace show how the royal family lived during the last century.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Royal residence: </strong>Built in 1937, the palace was opened as a museum in 2001.
Royal residence: Built in 1937, the palace was opened as a museum in 2001.
Barry Neild/CNN