A WINTER WONDERLAND IN AL AIN ZOO

Not the perfect angle but a perfect picture

I’ve been to places where my eyes were entertained by exciting views, but I’ve never felt as amazed as when I visited Al Ain Zoo. It was during the winter season, which was the perfect time to visit because, although the sun was shining bright, we couldn’t feel the heat-- just the cool breeze. That made walking around the massive zoo much more enjoyable, as we didn’t have to worry about the scorching temperatures typical of the region.

The moment we arrived, I knew it was going to be a different experience. The zoo was so massive that it would take an entire day just to explore-- it’s like an entire village in terms of size! There were well-paved walkways, shaded resting areas, and beautifully maintained landscapes that made the entire place feel more like a wildlife park than a traditional zoo.

There, I got to see lions for the first time-- both the regular orange-colored ones and the rare white ones-- as well as animals I had only seen on the National Geographic Channel. It was surreal to witness these creatures up close, observing their strength, grace, and sheer presence. Out of excitement, I lost my way back to my group because the more I walked through its alleys, the more I saw animals I had never encountered before. Every turn led to a new discovery, from towering giraffes to fierce-looking but oddly calm hyenas.

When it was time for a break, we found a spot in front of the giraffe and rhinoceros enclosure. The giraffe was just as I expected, tall and elegant, but the rhinoceros completely took me by surprise. I never imagined it to be that huge! And it could run fast! I think it’s even bigger than an ordinary multicab back in the Philippines, and that’s definitely not something I’d want to encounter if I ever got lost in the jungle. It was fascinating to see how these animals behaved in a habitat that closely resembled their natural environment.

There were also different kinds of monkeys. I know "monkey" refers to a specific type, but to me, any animal that looks like one is a monkey-- whether it’s a gorilla, which is like a larger version of a monkey, or a chimpanzee, which seems like an artistic version. I also saw a hyena, gazelle, vulture, flamingo, and many more that I can no longer recall. Unfortunately, part of the zoo was under maintenance, so I didn’t get to see all the animals they had.

Our last stop was the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. The moment I saw it, I was already in awe of its architecture! Its sleek, futuristic design stood out against the natural surroundings, making it look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. What made it even more interesting was that aside from the three floors above ground, there were three more floors underground-- it must have taken a lot of digging!

The exhibits weren’t just things you look at, you could actually touch them, and they were interactive. Everything inside told the story of Al Ain’s history, traditions, culture, and arts. There was even a cinema where visitors could watch a cinematic recreation of Al Ain’s past. The way they presented history was engaging, making it easy to absorb information while still feeling entertained.

If I were to describe how it felt inside that structure, it was like being inside a mothership in Star Trek-- so futuristic and fascinating! Every corner had something new to explore, and I couldn’t help but admire how they blended technology with education in such an immersive way.

I never thought I’d experience such an interesting and curiosity-engaging tour in my life. Visiting Al Ain Zoo wasn’t just about seeing animals, it was about understanding nature, history, and culture in a way I never had before. If given the chance, I’d love to visit again and explore the parts I missed the first time around.