Monday 5 January 2015

Nature-therapy: Sharjah National Park

The whole of UAE has this perfect weather in winter. Not too cold-that you can't step out without your noses freezing. And not too wet that all you can see is water. Winter here is surreal, for a few months you actually forget how hot it can get over here.

And when so blessed, its a pity to be indoors, though the country just lures you to it with the glitzy glamorous malls and the shopping frenzy deals. Hey! but we are outdoor people. We thrive on fresh air, and green grass and to top it a barbecued meal.

One of the largest parks in Sharjah, the Sharjah national park was our picnic spot the weekend. A massive public park on the Sharjah Airport Road (Al Dhaid Road), with a meager entry fee of 2 Dhs per adult. Its just after Interchange 5, set right after the Sharjah discovery Center (check this http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/2014/08/discovery-centre-sharjah-discovery.html ).


Sharjah National Park




You need to brave the crowds to get in especially on Fridays and the public holidays. Getting there pretty early is better especially if there is a plan to cook your meal for the day. But once in there, its not difficult to find our own spot on the expanse of well manicured grass.

Read the board of rules, so that you know the designated areas for barbecue. There are plenty of pits and barbecue chimneys provided.

Here are snap shots of the some of the attractions of this place. Enough to keep the adults and the kids entertained for the day. And if you need a little shut-eye, shoo of the little children to the jungle gym, or the enclosed duck pond, and go about reading, barbecuing or anything that catches your fancy. There is a mini train ride, a small hill, huge slide (which we unfortunately missed, as we lazed in our camping chairs barbecuing), miniature of Sharjah city, and cycle track and much more.


Sharjah national park
How much cuter can they get!

Sharjah national park
Joy ride

Sharjah national park
Most crowded part of the park!!


So in short, this is a great place to unwind and enjoy this great weather, in Sharjah. Its is one of the only two municipality-approved barbecue spots, the other being Sharjah corniche beach. So, if you are in Sharjah head out to this place and have some nature-time.


Sharjah national park


Some info we managed to collect, here's a compilation of the larger parks in UAE, which are open to the public, where barbecuing is allowed, and is a delight to spend a day at. Do use the contact info for more details on timing, facilities or help with the location. 


colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae


Feel free to enlighten us if we have missed out on any. Have a great time!!

ZAIN & FARZ

THIS POST IS LINKED TO:
Whatever the Weather- Linky 13


Monkey and Mouse

8 comments:

  1. Thats a lovely list.. We haven't gone to the Shj National Park for ages.. Its a lovely place indeed..

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    1. Having moved to Shj from Dubai. I find it a hidden gem. So many wonderful things to do and see. Its a beautiful and real city.

      Do visit the park, better done during week days when the park is nearly empty and you get a great peaceful and quiet day out.

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  2. Wow that is an amazing kids park area! So much to do! I'm guessing it can get quite busy at this time of year when it's a little cooler and you can spend more time outdoors? Fantastic that there are barbecue areas there, there aren't as many parks with that facility here in Scotland, but hey it's Scotland so we don't always have that great weather!
    Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Jenny! Yes its an amazing place, but sadly around 8 months of the year are too hot and sticky to enjoy it:(
      The weather is turning amazing now. Cant wait to spend time outdoors :)

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  3. UAE sounds like Florida, except Florida is more humid. I actually prefer hot summers because you have all spring, winter and fall to enjoy the outdoors. Maybe if I liked to ski I would enjoy the winter more. The parks looks amazing. #whatevertheweather

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    1. Hi Mae,
      Outdoors in summer is about 45 to 50 degrees centigrade, too hot to be doing anything outside. But the park is amazing.
      Thanks for dropping by!

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  4. Oh wow how incredible that they have barbecue spots! I wish we had parks like that where I am.
    Being outside in nature is so therapeutic isn't it. This looks like a beautiful spot where your little ones can run off and play and you can have some much needed time to relax and enjoy the area.Thank you so much for sharing this on #whatevertheweather x

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    1. Thank you for dropping by. Yes its a complete detox from the frenzied city life that we live!

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