John Cornhill

John Cornhill
Wed 24 Jan
Went to Sharjah Desert Park with Fran, friend of Jillian. Fran teaches at an Arab school that, unlike Jillian’s British school, has a two-week holiday at this time of year. On the way to the Desert Park, we stopped to look at the Sharjah Cultural Capital 1998 Monument which was a very tall sennataph standing on its own in the desert. Sharjah, I should explain, is one of the 7 emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates each of which is an independent sheikdom. As well as Dubai, the other emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain. Abu Dhabi covers by far the largest area. Dubai is the second largest. The UAE is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the S and W, and by Oman to the N and E. It has a long beachy coastline on the Arabian/Persian Gulf to the NW and the Gulf of Oman to the E. On the other side of the two gulfs lies Iran (formerly known as Persia).
The Sharjah Desert Park comprises 3 main attractions, all of which Fran and I visited. The Wildlife Centre focuses on Arabian fauna, contains over 100 species and emphasises the responsibility of us humans for past losses through extinction and future preservation of wildlife and their habitats. (An interesting parallel with Australia was their concern for the disappearing mangroves) The reptile house contained lots of different snakes including the puff adder, vipers and cobras, as well as lizards, monitors, frogs and toads and deadly spiders. Then there is a huge walk-through aviary with waterfall, river, lake and rocky areas (and birds of course). The nocturnal house enabled us to see honeybadgers, jackals, porcupines, several species of foxes and mongooses (mongeese?), all moving about and many of which I had never seen before. Also on view in large ample areas were wildcats, sand cats (very pretty), caracals, cheetahs, a leopard, wolves, baboons, oryx, ibex, gazelles and flamingoes. Lots of information in english and arabic, a brilliant place to visit. Sadly no photographing allowed though.
Next the museum, again a brilliant set of displays with much emphasis on the geological history and development of the Arabian Peninsula. Excellent.
Lastly the childrens’ farm area with the usual stuff very nicely laid out including two rather over-familiar camels.
Ended a perfect day with a takeaway chinese (meal). Best Wishes to all, John