High tide was around 5.30pm. This meant a late start. Luckily the HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship was on with free entry for HSBC customers. Many big names in golf were there and so it was with the eye of the tiger that we set off to the mangroves.

Off the Sheikh Khalifa highway towards Sadiyat Island from Yas Island there is a convient gap in the safety barrier right where we planned to push off. We had to take a bit of care not to miss this gap otherwise a 20km round trip would have been in order. Popping through and turning right we approached the shore. Oddly there was a rather in-active roll on roll off car ferry who’s sole purpose seems to be to ferry cars across to the ten villas just across the channel; a bit of over-kill but if you have the money...

We pulled up and set off onto the water. Now from previous posts you may have read about an irritable little pack horse (ILPH) who is vocal in her displeasure about being pushed up mountains. Well, this time the ILPH appeared in a kayak! About 20 mins into our 3hr route kayaking against the rising tide the ILPH had to be coaxed a little and then a little more; forearms were the main concern which was understandable, however we managed to work through the issues. So soon after the incident with the long suffering ILPH we came across a up side down motor boat. From its position and the gaping hole in the bow I have the upmost of respect for its crew!

Further up the coast we plunged into the mangroves just adjacent to an attractive island.  This was what we came for, not too many birds yet be there where plenty of fast zippy fish darting around underneath our kayaks. The route narrowed and for 50m it was bit of struggle but it widen again and we were drifting along a world away from Dubai and Doha (where I am Sun to Fri at the moment). A few more wriggles through the mangroves and as the day was getting older we became more aware of the wifelife through their movement in great contrast to the still mangroves and viscous water. We rounded a bend and as we drifted there he was Mr Heron. All the other birds were very skittish but this chap just went about his business, as we drifted closer he was just strolling around. Finally, he looked up at the two very large yellow/orange objects coming towards him and took off, leaving us felling very grateful for his nonchalance.

Further through the mangrove we came out into the open. As we surveyed the scene the ILPH spotted some large whitish dots towards the horizon. For a good 5 mins we could work out what they were. Due to the apparent scale of them I thought they were sail boats in a race. The optics of the whole scene were bizarre but then the ILPH cracked it they were flamingos! Against all advice we drifted closer. At about 200m away the flamingo on point decided that was enough and peeled off. As he flew past each flamingo in turn took to flight; within 20 seconds the entire flock was in the air. They proceeded to fly round us, at a distance, in an impressive arc as if checking us out then they continue landed about 1500m to the west of us.

The sun was setting so if was time to head back to base-camp. Halfway back the sun was down and as we were coming back onto the large channel the there was a plop plop... plop plop plop...? jump plop...? jump plop jump...? What is going on? There where thin fish jumping out of the water! Crazy! In the misted of this craziness we ambled back.

This was an excellent trip. If you try it, inshallah you have same luck with the wild life!