CAMEL RACING IN ABU DHABI

CAMEL RACING IN ABU DHABI

For many travellers to Abu Dhabi the trip will begin in the shopping malls and end at Ferrari World and the high octane of the Formula 1 races as, because of the marketing done by Travel agents world wide, that is Abu Dhabi and much of the UAE.

However, there is a great deal more to Abu Dhabi than this. For a start Abu Dhabi is more than the city. It is the largest Emirate in the UAE with three major nodes - the capital -Abu Dhabi, the Oasis city of Al Ain on the Oman border and Al Gharbia, the industrial city in the Western Desert. Between these cities there is plenty for a traveller to explore.

One of our favourite experiences while living in the Emirate was the camel racing and the camel souk at Al Ain.

Camels at the Camel Souq

The Camel Souk is behind the Al Bawadi Mall on the outskirts of Al Ain. Here the locals bring their camels for sale either as breeding stock for camel racing or beauty contests or for slaughter as camel meat is a delicacy particularly at big celebrations.

The Camel Souk is best visited in the morning when trade is at its busiest and the exchanges are at their most interesting and vocal. You can, if you’re worried about finding the Mall and the Souk, simply follow the stream of small trucks heading to the Souk with two or three camels strapped onto the tray, their heads swiveling in idle curiousity as the trucks speeds along the highway.

If you are heading to the Souk it is advisable to observe the dress code and, particularly if you are a woman, ensure that you are wearing a reasonably long skirt and a long sleeved blouse as the Souk is a predominately male preserve and local custom is that women are “modestly” dressed.

Once you begin walking around the Souk you can be assured of many offers of help and advice on the qualities of the camel you should look for for breeding or beauty along with offers to pose for photographs with you alongside their camels... all for a small fee, of course! However, this is all part of the fun and experience of the Souk so relax and enjoy it.

However, to us, the most entertaining and best experience of Abu Dhabi are the Camel Races that are held at any number of the local race tracks scattered across the Emirate.

At full stretch Camels racing

There are weekly races held at the Al Wathba, Al Magon and Al Ain tracks throughout the year, although more often in the Winter months as it is cooler and more comfortable  for both spectator and camel. The races are sometimes advertised in the local newspapers, particularly if they are part of a festival or sponsored by the Royal Family, otherwise it pays to contact the Camel Racing Federation ( +971 2 5839200 ) and check the timing and location of the races as, while they are said to run on Thursday and Friday mornings between 7.00 am and 2.30pm, the timings can vary. Several times we discovered that the races had finished by the time we got to the track around 11.00am - 12.00pm. However, training goes on every day so you can watch the camels being put through their paces even if you miss out on the excitement of racing.

Camels heading for the track - Al Ain. Abu Dhabi

 

 
We always knew when we were nearing a race track as, along the horizon we would see strings of camels heading towards the venue. Then, as we got closer, the road would be blocked by the constant parade of camels all blanketed in the colours of the different stables that were based around the track.

Once through the parade of camels and safely parked we were able to wander at will around the holding pens and grooming areas where the camels squatted on the sand idly chewing their cud as their trainers and owners groomed and prepared them for their races.  The preparation often included the checking and cleaning of the robo-jockeys.

Robo-jockeys being readied for racing.

The “robo-jockeys” are boxes, dressed in the stable “silks”, with a revolving whip, controlled by the owner, that are strapped onto the camel, just behind its hump and substitute for human jockeys. Although there are, apparently, occasions when races are held with human jockeys, who must be over 15 years old, riding we never saw one.

Camels waiting for their race

The races, which can take any where between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the length of the race, are organised by the age of the camels with the young camels racing around a 4-6 kilometre track and the older ones covering up to 10 kilometres at speeds of over 40 kph with what appears to be any number of camels in the race. We saw races with 10 camels as well as races with 20 or more camels jostling for position along the track.

The race starts with the camels being lead onto the track and marshalled into line behind the starting gate. While this is going on the owners and their drivers, in their 4x4s, line up on a parallel track with the robo-jockey radio control at the ready. Spectators gather either at the starting gate or  climb aboard a mini bus to follow the camels as they race around the long oval track that is the race course. One of our friends even secured a ride on the roof of the TV broadcast camera van as it, too, tracked the race on its specially designated parallel track!

 In the starting cage each camel is held steady by a trainer clutching a halter rope until the order to start is given. At that point the trainers drop the ropes and dash for the fence line, leaving their sandals in huddled clumps on the track, as the starting gate lifts and the camels begin their mad dash around the track, enthusiastically accompanied by the stream of 4x4s  each with a camel owner leaning out of the passenger window, robo-jockey control box at the ready, ready to urge his particular camel on.

And they're off!!! Trainers let the camels go as the gate goes up for the big race.

Unlike horse racing which echoes to the sound of hooves pounding along the track, camel racing is silent as the camels stretch, speed and pad their way along the sand. However, as the race spreads out the excitement of the owners, trainers and spectators builds and horns start tooting, owners yell encouragement to their animals and the hiss of the robo-jockeys’ whips flailing the air urging the camels to faster speeds can be heard. At this point the camels, with foam flicking from their flapping lips, increase their stride in an effort to pass the straining animal in front and thus win kudos for their owners, especially if the race is one held under the sponsorship and auspices of the His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by the UAE Camel Racing Association,as there is every opportunity to win their owners huge cash prizes, luxury vehicles, and even golden swords and cups.

Incidentally, at the 2013 Camel Races the third and fourth round winners each received Dh1million    ( $US272,000)  in addition to a golden sword, with the Organizing Committee allocating a total sum of Dh3,380,000 ($US920,000) to the lucky owners in second to fifth place.

Rebecca's visit to Abu Dhabi

My bonding session in Abu Dhabi

By Rebecca Papprill

I visited my parents in Abu Dhabi over Christmas. They’re both in their 60s, well actually I lie, because Mum’s in her early 70s, but you’d never know because she looks and acts younger.

I think it’s because they’re living in another country. Gives them a sense of adventure, fills them with new experiences or maybe it’s because they’re secretly enjoying being away from their kids. (might have to have a word with them about that…)

This is their fourth year in the Gulf, so I thought I better scrape together all my savings and head off to see them before they headed home for good.

“Bonding session” was what I called the trip. A good old bonding session with the parents and I tell ya what, for their age, they tired me out! With Mum enjoying trekking me around the numerous shopping malls and Dad proudly showing us the cities major attractions, my feet were starting to look like a true ballerina, blistered, achy and in serious need of rest.

Now there are two things you need to know about Abu Dhabi before you leave, pack lightly, because believe me you’ll want to shop – actually, just take an empty suitcase.
And secondly, invest in a good pair of walking shoes.

I thought about writing on one particular outing in Abu Dhabi, but there is so much more of the city than that. For instance, it’s hard to believe that 40 years ago, Abu Dhabi was just a desert, home to a few nomadic tribes and villages where the economy was based around pearl diving, fishing and date palm cultivation.

With Helen Clark at the Emirates Palace Hotel

Now when you step into the warmth of Abu Dhabi you’ll find a buzzing modern cosmopolitan city encompassing an eclectic population of 1.6 million where Emirate citizens make up nearly 20 percent of the total population; the other 80 percent are expatriates from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.

With the leadership of the late UAE President and ruler, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, oil and gas was wisely invested transforming the place.

It has been this transformation that has made Abu Dhabi, the richest country and one of the most fascinating places to visit.

Abu Dhabi’s culture is firmly rooted in Arabia’s Islamic traditions, but there’s a twist of modern influence dictated in the Emirati’s clothes.
You’ll notice peeking out the bottom of the women’s black abayas sparkling three-inch heels, on their arms high fashion handbags, such as Gucci and in their hand an IPhone, when it comes to the men, in their white thobes, sandals and chic sunglasses, you’ll probably find they drive a large, very large, jeep with extremely dark tinted windows.(Even though the law says that over 30% tint is too dark).
Dad told me his friend had hired a car to drive to Dubai and had only driven a few metres before he had to turn back and replace it with a car he could actually see out of.

Along with wearing an abaya and tinted windows I’m not surprised that the local newspaper ran an article about many Emirati woman lacking Vitamin D due to little exposure to the sun. Considering that in summer temperatures can exceed 45 degrees, (Dad calls it being ‘fan baked’) it could be hard to believe, but it’s true. Winter is friendlier to the locals with temperatures falling between 20 – 30 degrees.

Abu Dhabi has numerous malls scattered around the city. Mum and I unashameably visited most of them. It’s so easy to grab a taxi and the cost is more than reasonable.

Oh, expect to think you’re about to have an accident, it’s just they way they drive there, it’s called honk the horn and get out the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Mandinat Zayed Mall. It’s one of the less commercialised places where you’ll see most of the locals and bargaining for your purchases, such as Arabic perfume oil, lamps, rug and jewellery, meets with great fun.

You’ll find that Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken.

Abu Dhabi has invested lot into tourism, such as:

Talking to the Camel Owners at Al Ain

· Desert Safari. The package includes dune bashing, camel riding, Falcons, henna design, an Arabic meal finished with an Arabic tea around a bon fire – Mum refused to go because she didn’t like the sound of the word “Bashing”, but I told her during on of our crazy taxi drives that she didn’t miss out on much.

Falcons on the Desert Safari

· The opportunity to indulge in the decadence of the Emirates Palace Hotel. It’s free to visit and there is an exhibition on Abu Dhabi to explore – yeah, I’m not rich enough to stay there.
· The Corniche is a great place to soak up the sun and go for a swim.

Sheik Zayed Mosque

· Admiring the wonder and architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was amazing – be prepared to wear an abaya, Women have to wear them before entering the mosque, it’s ok they supply them there and you actually look quite good in them!!

· Camel racing and yes camel beauty competitions.
· And if you want to venture to other cities, Dubai and Al Ain are two hours drive away.

But, do you know what? Going to the local supermarket, called Lulu’s will kept you filled with great sights to see. The selection of olives, fete cheeses, dates and the melting pot of people that shop there.

See, can you see why the end of my three-week trip tired me out? But the exhaustion was worth it because I got to bond more with my mum and dad in the wonders of Abu Dhabi.