Birthday Getaway
My youngest kid celebrated his 5th birthday recently. We're not big on birthdays, normally it is just us- family and a few friends. This year all of us celebrated our birthdays quarantine-style, no thanks to COVID19, but I decided that for my youngest, we should at least celebrate differently.
I started looking out for some family-friendly places we can go to, still within Abu Dhabi and perhaps spend a night and a day there. Emirates Park Zoo seemed to be a good choice as it has a 4* resort where we can stay in a zoo-facing chalet (imagine waking up with giraffes just outside your balcony) and we also get a complimentary zoo entrance and of course pool access! However, upon checking, the rates were way above what we're willing to spend considering also that I was arranging everything just a few days before the planned trip.
My kids were heartbroken knowing that we may not go to a zoo anymore (tip! Do not discuss anything with your children until everything is settled). Good thing, I found a series of IG stories from my good friend that looked like a private villa. I messaged her and she hooked me up with the person in charge. We ended up going there instead. That's for another post, but in the meanwhile let me share the day's highlight activity.
Al Rahba
Al Rahba is 55 kilometers off Abu Dhabi City. I have never really been here before, though we pass by here at E11 whenever we travel to Dubai. We took E10 via Sheikh Zayed Bridge then on to E11. There is no public bus route available so if you'd decide to come here, a private car or taxi would be the way to go.
Dhabian Equestrian Club
From Abu Dhabi City on E11, take Exit 366 and take a U-turn at the first roundabout and go straight on Al Sahil Street. Turn right at Lane 709 and drive around 3 km and then turn right at Land 718. Dhabian Equestrian Club is located just as you enter Lane 718.
They offer horseback riding for visitors and lessons, too. It started out as a horse rescue operation until they had one too many horses that they needed to open up a farm.
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Horseback riding costs AED 48 ($13) for 15 minutes. As part of the safety protocols, our temperatures were taken upon checking in their reception.
The kids were each given helmets and we were then ushered to the ranches.
We looked around and admired the place and beautiful horses while the staff prepped our horses. It was almost sundown when we came. The golden colors just made the experience and ambiance more dramatic.
Horseback Riding Experience
Came the most exciting part. The horses graciously strutted out from their stables, escorted by their able horsemen. Honestly, we were expecting a "pony" ride before we came here, so when we saw full-grown horses, I was a bit concerned that my kids would back out.
Oh well, I guess I was wrong. They were too excited, to say the least. They eagerly hopped on to their respective horses and started braced for their ride.
"Hold on tight, okay?" I reminded my children.
"I know, I know!" shouted my Little Man.
So there they were, going around on their horses for 15 minutes. I was thinking if it was already getting boring, but they were gleefully squealing each time they passed by us.
Behind us, at the other ranch, there was a kid doing his lessons. He was already riding independently, with his instructor just watching at the sides. There were also hurdles set up there but nope, the kid and his horse just didn't do that yet.
I asked the kids what they thought about the experience.
"It was high!"
"It was bumpy!"
"I can smell the horse!"
It was a short time spent with horses. They say, the more time spent with them, the connection will eventually be there as you get to know their character. There is also some thrill in riding that isn't boring at all.
We certainly hope this would not be the last time we get to see these beautiful creatures. Being with them even for just a while lifted our spirits and removed the worries and anxieties. Oh, what nature can do!
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Very cool, there is a guy here in Suriname who offers horseback rides around the perimeter of a park here in town, takes about 5 minutes. There is definitely no equestrian scene here, but at least it's an opportunity for kids to get acquainted with horses. Believe it or not I used to western racing as a kid, and my family used to train horses for barrel racing and pole-bending. !tan !BEER
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Wow, racing. I've yet to see that in action, personally.
There are lots of equestrian clubs here but this is the first time that we go to one, thanks to my friend who recently got a job there.
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