Wadi Al Helo
Nestling in the Hajar mountains, just off the E102 between Kalba and Sharjah, Wadi Al Helo is rich in natural beauty. The mountains resemble rubble piles that have been dumped long ago by giant trucks, while the boulders and rocks strewn over the dry river bed speak of flash floods that once rushed through here with a violent urgency.
Close to the road, the dead remains of a once flourishing date palm grove, is an unsettling reminder of what happens in the absence of life-giving water. While some of the tree trunks still stand proud against the dry landscape, others have succumbed to the inevitable and have toppled over – defeated.
The tinted earth and rocks conjure up images of cinnamon, hazelnuts, café au lait and bitter, dark chocolate, despite an atmosphere of hardship that blankets a landscape that, on this day, are etched against a cloudless blue sky. Watchtowers patiently wait, not for intruders, but wandering explorers, to fill the space with their voices.
Human habitation in this area reaches as far back as the Bronze Age, and the archaeological site just behind the circular watchtower that is managed by the Sharjah Directorate of Antiquities, is like a giant puzzle with its pieces scattered and buried over a large area. Neat excavations are interspersed with the remains of an old cemetery and rocks stacked to indicate where buildings once stood.
On the other side of the archaeological site a dusty footpath leads deeper into the wadi, curling around the edge of a mountain, stirring my imagination and desire to keep walking. Wadi Al Helo is a place where one can find peace, quiet and solitude.
I love how you described the landscape with this: “The tinted earth and rocks conjure up images of cinnamon, hazelnuts, café au lait and bitter, dark chocolate, despite an atmosphere of hardship that blankets a landscape that, on this day, are etched against a cloudless blue sky. ” Brilliant!
Thank you. 🙂
I love the secrets that lie in such places—oh the history of such—wonderful images which evoke my imagination.. who once was there so very long ago—in an ancient time…magical and mysterious—thank you for sharing something so different from my own world.
I think that is exactly why I am so enthralled by this country Julie – it is just so different from everything I have ever known. I often wish when I stand in places like this that I could draw the curtain of time back for a moment or two to catch a quick glimpse of what life used to be like.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your travels are fascinating. I’m so curious how one ends up living in UAE. I’m very inspired by people who live far outside my comfort zone.
Hi Gwen. We ended up here as a result of a job offer my husband received. We are both very open for new and unexpected adventures, and find this country fascinating and lovely to live in. Experiencing life in another culture is an amazing growth experience, as it forces one to re-evaluate outdated beliefs and habits. It may not always be easy, but it is certainly liberating.
I love this perspective. I’ll look forward to reading your blog.
Yes, the photos are beautiful and the stories enchanting.. but my favorite is the name of the place: Wadi Al Helo. Hello?!
It sounds very welcoming doesn’t it? I unfortunately have no idea what ‘Al Helo’ means in Arabic.
Amazing place; the dryness and the ruins are really intriguing. As for the name, I know Wadi means valley in Arabic but have no idea about the rest.
The photo of the dead date palm grove is very beautiful and I agree, definitely a reminder that nothing can survive without water.
helo means sweet in arabic
Mystery solved! Thank you for that snippet of information. 🙂
It’s been three years since I’ve read your post. Finally I managed to visit the place with my better half Yeeeee 🙂
True to your word the place is quite serene and peaceful.
We spent quite a long time in the shade of the watch tower located in the hill.
This place has become quite popular with mountain hikers. We ran into a group of 30-40 hikers.
I wish there’s more information about such placed available to us and these ruins will be at least partially restored.
I am so glad you managed to visit this lovely place, and am completely with you on the availability of information, or lack thereof. On a later visit to the site, I ran into Dr. Johannes Kutterer, which was very insightful. You can read more about that, and all the information I gained then by reading the follow-up post I did: https://dreaminginarabic.wordpress.com/2015/12/28/re-visiting-wadi-al-helo/ I hope it clarifies some of the questions you have regarding the site.
Thanks Jolandi,
Your coordinates really do help travelers like us in the region.
I wonder whether you managed to cover some of the places in the map I shared sometime back ?
Further would you mind if I put a link to your article in my blog ?
I wouldn’t mind at all, Kanda. And yes, the map you shared is wonderful, and I did manage to tick off quite a couple of places you listed. It is worth sharing this, as, like you say, it is not always readily available.
Thanks Jolandi,
I do not have any problem if you share the map in your blog. Since you write in English it has better chance of reaching more travellers.
Thanks, Kanda. That is very generous of you.