Jebel Jais

I set off from Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the seven Emirates at 7am, I hopped into a taxi and made my way to the bus station. Despite the early hour, the city was bustling with people getting ready for work. I couldn't help but admire the beautiful sunrise, even though my yawns. After a hour-long bus ride, I arrived at a station specifically designed for intercity travel and found a bus heading to Ras Al-Khaimah.

Dubai's incredible transformation from a barren land to a global city has always fascinated me. As I journeyed from Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah, it felt like stepping back in time. The miles of road and desert, with only a few scattered huts, created a tranquil atmosphere that was a stark contrast to the bustling city. Once I arrived in Ras Al-Khaimah, I hailed a taxi and spent a good five minutes explaining my destination to the driver. This is where I regret not learning Farsi from my parents. Luckily his Urdu was good enough for me to understand me. Unlike Dubai, the taxis here didn't have running meters, adding to the nostalgic feel of being in a place that resembled the Dubai of the 90s.

The journey to the Jebel Jais Mountains was relatively short, taking about half an hour. However, the drive up the mountain was the highlight, offering breath-taking views that were truly addictive. I couldn't help but notice the concrete huts that I assumed were homes, and the sight of mountain goats casually strolling down the roads. It was heart-warming to see locals, men, women, and children, carrying supplies and groceries in the heat on their back across large wooden sticks neatly tucked in their collar bones just below their necks.

Arriving at the Jebel Jais Zipline entrance at 9:30, I eagerly anticipated the adventure ahead. However, the zipline didn't open until 10am, so I decided to head up to the café and wait. Little did I know, the café would exceed my expectations with its breath-taking views of the rugged Hajar mountain range. The towering peaks and deep valleys left me in awe, and the warmth of the sun added to the relaxing ambiance. As I sipped on my iced caramel coffee and savoured a fresh warm croissant, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this underwhelming wait.

When the clock struck 10:30am, it was finally time for the zipline adventure to begin. Surrounded by fellow thrill-seekers from different countries, we all shared a sense of ambition, bravery, and perhaps a touch of madness. The moment of truth came when I had to sign the waiver, contemplating the choices that led me to this exhilarating experience. "Emergency contact" always brings a mix of fear and humour, and I couldn't put down my parents' numbers, they had no idea I was about to fly from mountain peak to mountain peak on a piece of thick string, technically. So, I put down my friend who loves to sleep in till midday and won't pick up any call he does not recognise.

As we made our way to the hut, excitement filled the air. We eagerly lined up, ready to watch the safety video that would guide us through this thrilling adventure. The video emphasized the importance of keeping our legs straight and not pretending to be Superman by sticking our arms out. Adrenaline coursed through our veins as we waited in line to get our harnesses and safety gear on. The instructors, with their friendly banter and distraction techniques, helped ease our nerves. In groups of about eight, we hopped into vans that would take us to the starting point of the zipline. I found myself in a van with people from the UK. On the way up, we couldn't help but discuss how nerve-wracking and exhilarating this experience was. We questioned our life choices that led us to this moment, but deep down, we were all thrilled to be there.

Arriving at the zipline structure, we marvelled at its grandeur. Since we were among the first few to embark on this journey, the instructors were still preparing the ziplines for us. Side by side, two ziplines awaited us, and we were instructed to lay horizontally with our arms strictly to the side. We had to wait for confirmation from the endpoint before letting go, ensuring the safety of the next pair. As the first pair of women took the plunge, their screams echoed through the mountains, adding to the thrill of the moment. Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, I found myself without a partner, raising my hand alongside an adventurous Argentine man.
Before I knew it, it was our turn. The transition from admiring the mountain view to being told "you're next" happened in the blink of an eye. We eagerly awaited our turn, hooked onto the zipline, and tried to calm our racing hearts.

The minutes waiting for the others to reach the end felt like an eternity, as we found ourselves in rather uncomfortable positions. I couldn't help but blurt out, "This is the longest 'couple' of minutes ever!" followed by laughter from the waiting zip-liners. With a sudden countdown of "3, 2, 1," I screamed "Oh wait, What!?". We were released into the air, soaring through the sky with a rush of adrenaline. For a good few metres from the release point I could still hear the other zip-liners giggling at my reaction.

Soaring through the air, hanging from a steel wire over 5,000 feet high, I felt an exhilarating mix of excitement and freedom. It was an adrenaline rush that gave me a thrilling sense of adventure and a breath-taking bird's-eye view of the world below. The view I had spent so long admiring from the café and during the drive up suddenly became even more awe-inspiring as I flew over it. Those first few seconds of pure joy were unforgettable, and I wished the experience could last forever. It was a moment of pure bliss, flying above the phenomenal beauty of the Jebel Jais mountains. This incredible adventure had inspired me to seek out more daring escapades.