Wadi Bashing in Wadi Assama 1970s

A "WADI" is a Dry Stream or River Bed that usually fills with water during the rainy season.
"WADI BASHING" describes driving along a dry (or nearly dry) Wadi. Why "Wadi Bashing" ?
Because the vehicle could suffer expensive damage from driving over rocks etc.
Lack of roads meant Dubaians had been "Wadi Bashing" for years to travel between villages.
Expatriates started "Wadi Bashing" as a way to explore the countryside outside Dubai.
WADI ASSAMA near Masafi was a favourite for the few Expats with 4WDs. The entrance was (then) difficult to find. Involved the driver threading the vehicle through a Palm Grove along a narrow Wadi. Family and friends had to walk behind!
Wadi was very narrow in parts with almost no clearance between the vehicle and rocks.
Driver misjudgement could result in a large dent in the bodywork!

WADI ASSAMA opened up into a wide steep sided Wadi.
Other Wadis joined Wadi Assama but most were too steep and rocky to be driveable.
Water flowed in some parts of Wadi Assama. Water flow would disappear below the rocky Wadi only to reappear further down the Wadi. Frogs, small fish and the occasional water snake lived in the water.

WADI ASSAMA had many places to enjoy dramatic views.
An easy clamber up the Wadi sides provided a wonderful panoramic view. Occasionally an eagle could be spotted flyin to its nest in the mountains surrounding the Wadi.
Wadi Assama had several small oasis where Palms grew sustained by natural water flow or dams build by local Residents.

Local Residents had built stone retaining walls against the Wadi sides. Over time these filled with sediment and enabled trees to be grown. The trees were mainly Lemon Trees and Trees bearing a fruit resembling a large Grapefuit. Opening a "Grapefruit" revealed a very, very thick skin and a small orange like fruit with a bitter taste.
Climbing the Wadi sides was easy and safe in some parts. At these higher levels goat tracks crisscrossed the Wada sides. Occasionally there was a meeting with a Bedu starting out on a hunting trip, his .22 hunting rifle slung over his shoulder. Greetings would be exchanged before the Bedu continued on his way.

There was evidence of more vehicle traffic as the Wadi began to open out onto the plains.
Here a stone ramp has been built against a small dam to enable a vehicle to drive over. Pick Up Trucks and Taxis would regularly drive through this part of Wadi Assama to deliver goods and passengers to their barasti homes in the Wadi.
What was an "adventure" for an Expat was an everyday experience for the local people.

Sometimes the way forward was not clear. Flowing water covered the tracks and growing bushes hid the view forward. Progress was not difficult in a LandRover but was challenging to the 2WD Taxis!
The number of vehicle tracks show this part of Wadi Assama was a busy roadway.

One section of Wadi Assama was extensively irrigated. A man made FALAJ (water channel) fed either from the natural water flow or a SHADOUF (traditional hand operated water bucket)
Palm Trees were grown to provide shade. Vegetables were cultivated using the water from the falaj and protected from the sun by the Palm Trees.
Small dams accumulated water to assist the irrigation. These could be waist deep. Children could safely swim and play with only frogs and small fish for company!
Wadi Assama eventually opened out onto the plains. Then it was a matter of locating a well defined track back to the highway. Several years after these 1970s photos, AVIS began tours through Wadi Assama. The Masafi entrance was widened using a bulldozer and the palm trees removed. By the 1980s Wadi Assama was a busy route for several tour operators.
Wadis can be dangerous places. FLASH FLOODS can develop in minutes. A watchful eye is needed for the weather. It is important to leave a Wadi as soon as there is possibility of rain. It rained heavily for 20 minutes shortly after this photo was taken. Water level had risen to half way up the LandRover's rear door by the time the rain stopped.
TAKE CARE IN WADIS!

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Old Bastakia

Wadi Bashing in Wadi Assama 1970s

Sheikh Rashid