Here we go. We four of us are here to see that for ourselves. After many cuts and pastes, addition and deletion of many crisscrossed ideas, we managed to straighten up a 9-day itinerary for UAE. While happily exploring the UAE, we proudly and offensively argued with each other for many silly matters. I, the mentor and the guide, was well prepared to take not only the ravishing experiences coming from this land but also all the instant blames and compliments (if there were any) that were freely bombarded onto me.

All our 10 days were spared starting in Dubai then moved on to Abu Dhabi, then to Al Ain slightly touching into the borders of Oman to Fujairah. Covering a total of 2000km on 60% of the highways of the UAE.

UAE’s seven independent monarchs, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm Al-Quwain, and Fujairah are governed by an independent absolute monarch and a jointly formed Federal Supreme Council rules the entire UAE as one country where Abu Dhabi serves the Capital. And it is the second largest city, next to Dubai

As it is in Europe, this allows a free-to-move in any part of the UAE for any citizen, expatriates, and tourists without going through any border control formalities. Geographically, some kingdoms are scattered amongst many other kingdoms. Also, there is an area that belongs to Oman is located in the middle of Fujairah. Mainly all cities of the Kingdoms concentrating on the north-west of the land facing Persian gulf while Fujairah is the only kingdom is enjoying the west coast of the land and facing the Gulf of Oman.

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Dubai

Arriving in Dubai, UAE

I, whenever flew through the skies of the Arabian deserts, looking at the vast open brown landscapes through the window, lured into visiting there...to play in the sand. Today it became a reality.

We arrived at Dubai International Airport around 8pm. Dubai welcomed us on the month of Ramadan and the warmest climate of the year. The minute we walked out of the Airport terminal we felt the 40-degree Celsius heat. The neatly lined up many white coloured seven seaters were there to take us to the hotel. The Indian driver was I felt not very friendly and open handling me, for some reason. We had to set out straight away for our dinner at the hotel's Indian restaurant and had an excessively priced meal. This is due to few numbers of opened restaurants in the fasting period. Our arrival day in the UAE ended there.

It was a Sunday, our second day in Dubai. After having our prearranged breakfast, we took our day out towards markets(souk). It was a must for any to grasp the knowledge of a local life from these markets.

Abra

From our hotel we made our way down to Dubai Creek(the river) and caught an Abra(water taxi) to cross to other side of the river, Deira. Many markets are in Deira and they are closer to each other. Reaching Deira could be by Abra from Bur Dubai, otherwise coming to Al Ras Metro Station will be closer. This is a popular way to cross Dubai Creek and also the cheapest and the fastest. For just 1AED per head it took us to the other end. They are motorised and driven by a driver who is also the fare collector. Site

Gold Souk [Map]

Gold Souk is a home for many independent retailers selling pure gold, silver, diamonds and many other valuable stones on a sheltered environment. The market is in a un-planned situation where complicated irregular paths took us to many corners in which it was difficult to find our way out. But it is a place for experience. I would say that though it was big, our aim was just to browse through all outlets and we managed to cover the entire souk in 30 minutes. For a person who is for gold could spend a day here like a child lost in the carnival. We visited during day time. I was told visiting in the evening after all the lights on, this place would be more shining with a shimmering gold reflections good for photographers. We didn't have any intention of buying any from here, where I was advised not to due to some outlets were notorious for selling fakes.

Perfume Souk [Map]

Perfume Souk is specialised place for Arabic perfumes arranged neatly in small bottles. The air was filled with fragrance too, made me bid dizzy.

Spice Souk

Fancy Items


Sweet Souk

Dinning in Dubai

Earlier, we were worried for our brunch and lunch during Ramadan period, but now astonished to experience the availability of food. The food was in abundance even during Ramadan if you are curious enough to look for it as if a mouse sniffs. We all ate well, day and night, despite Ramadan, without hurting any Muslims who were fasting. I tasted camel milk for the very first time in my life. I liked it. Camel milk is bit thicker, but taste the same as cow milk. Many pre-bottled, chilled camel milk sold in many outlets in the UAE were imported from the US. I took many trips to local shops and supermarkets to find good quality camel milk from camels raised in the UAE. Also enjoyed eating dates in its plum form before being dried, squeezed and being added sugar. What we get in the UK is that it has been squeezed out its wine and added many layers of sweet (Maybe brown sugar) so it could be tastier like its origin.

I was looking for food made on the street in Dubai. Unfortunately, none could be found.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo [Map]

Dubai Fountain [Map]

Burj Khalifa


Safari Trip

Dune Bashing [ Video ]

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Abu Dhabi
[Map]

Today was our first week day in Dubai. After breakfast walked to the hire outlet which was just located next to our hotel and got my 4X4. The location of the hire outlet made all easy for the pickup and the return. The spacious 4X4 was readily available washed and cleaned. The hirer tried to charge 2nd time for the fully comprehensive insurance which I already bought when I booked the car online.

Then around 10ish road tripped towards Abu Dhabi. Driving from Dubai to the Capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi was a beautiful experience.

When reached Abu Dhabi, didn't bother too much about visiting places but just roamed around to fetch the feel of Abu Dhabi. Ate well, despite Ramadan, and visited huge shopping malls too.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Emirates Palace and Ethiad Towers

Fish Market

Sadiyat Beach

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Al Ain and Jebel Hafeet

Al Ain [Map] is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Its location is perfectly placed, where a day trip from Dubai or Abu Dhabi would take the same amount of driving time.

We left Abu Dhabi towards Al Ain, immediately after our breakfast. It took only 1:45 minutes to cover 156km/88miles. Due to ramada holidays, the roads were empty and after driving out of the financial city, our car was the only one being driven on the highway.

When we reached it was boiling hot noon. Shops were closed and only few restaurants were in action. Al Ain is very much smaller in size when compared with Dubai or Abu Dhabi. We roamed around for few hours in the city. Al Ain is a city of international standards. Not a remote town.

Due to its location, Al Ain's heat waves were higher than other places. The nearby mountain Jebel Hafeet may have brought enough of it. The town was small but looked it was greenier than many other towns in the UAE. We were there for few hours, just roaming around, and continued our journey towards Jebel Hafeet.

Jebel Hafeet
[Map]]

Jebel Hafeet is located in the outskirts of Al Ain, towards south, about 30km from the town. Its summit is the highest point in the UAE, 1249m/4098ft. It was the finest panoramic view from the top to the city of Al Ain in the North and to the far desert of Oman in the south. Its mountain crosses the border with Oman and extends few more miles into Oman. Another few miles towards the south would have made our trip reaching into the border of Oman. Maybe there were electrified fences, never know.

Along the way up, there were many spots with parking facilities where we stopped and snapped. It was mid noon when we reached Jebel Hafeet mountains. It was not the ideal time to be in that openness especially during the hottest periods. To reach to the top, we exited the highway E7 and drove for 12km more on a well laid single curvy lane, along with many other modern automobiles. The heat at the top was 47 Celcius, and we were surrounded by nothing but dunes and limestones.

There was a huge car park at the top. Even in that heat, all parking spaces were filled, and many Afghanistanis rounded up and laughing, chatting, and few were dancing folk dance. To avoid congestion, we left before others left. When we left, having experienced the beauty of the desert, saw many cars snaking their way up to the mountain, to have their go. It would have been more beautiful if that was during sunset. It was such a wonderful place to visit. Due to the rising heat, we had to leave within half an hour of arriving there. Otherwise, we would have stayed there indefinitely. Driving towards the mountain itself was an enjoyable and astounding experience. Never to be missed.

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Fujairah

150km East of Dubai lies the town Fujairah. Fujairah is another kingdom in the Emirates. A day trip to this not very developed zone too was amazing due to its location. Had to travel through many dunes and open spaces. That itself was sufficient for amusement. Me, as a lover of driving, enjoyed the most.

Towards Fujaira

Fujairah Town

Wadi Wurrayah, Fujairah
[Map]

Return from Fujairah

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Departing UAE - The Final thought

Arriving and departing from Dubai by air is cheaper than arriving and departing from Abu Dhabi, the capital.

We very much felt that we maximised our stay in the UAE by doing many things every single day. Couldn’t believe that this extravagantly modernised land 60-70 years ago was a desert with many groups of nomads fighting with each other to take up lands, wealth, and women.

I was initially anxious that my boys' idea of staying awake to watch UEFA Euro 2016, would clash with my 24-hour outdoor itinerary. Even after they kept themselves awake to watch the entire football games, without fail, they appeared on the breakfast launch at 7:00Hours.

UAE is alive with dunes, and open deserts. Snaking through many man-made stretching curvy roads and cutting through many nature made dunes were enough for the amusement. It was like someone had drawn a curved line on a crumpled brown paper. Those roads definitely told us stories. We initially were worried about just driving alone on the empty roads surrounded by nothing but dunes of dusty sands, until we met with some tiny towns amid emptiness.

When I rounded up my travels over the past ten days, what went well and what didn’t, I found none negative. We departed, again on Emirates, A770, sadly and happily to explore the Maldives, our next destination. I am, still hanging onto the corner window seat looking through my viewfinder for any abnormality on the outer sky.
Dubai International Airport
[ Video Playlist ]

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Self Drive, UAE

Hiring a car is easier and cheaper in the UAE and in my opinion, it is a must if you are planning for an exploration.

To qualify for car hire, you should have an International Permit obtained from any main post offices in the UK (for UK passport holders). Also, there is an age limit. You can easily obtain it by filling up a form and need to take your driving license, your passport and a photo of you with £5.5 cash or a debit card. You will be given one-year permit from the day you wanted that to start from. Simple enough?

My new adventure, driving in the UAE, didn’t come easy for several hours. I had to meddle with it for some time. Automobiles are driven here on the right side of the road and driving seat is on the left of the vehicle. Though I had driven many miles in Europe on the right side of the road, never driven a car with the driving seat on the left. I struggled for a couple of miles to grasp the reality and to cope up with the road rules.

My car insurance was done by the hire company and came with unlimited mileage and full-to-full fuel policy. Road tariffs are reasonable. That depended on how far and how often I had been on the road. My total mileage of 2000km of driving throughout many cosmopolitan zones and highways cost me £0.00 on tariffs. Due to Ramadan holiday, parking was free throughout the UAE.

Sat nav is a must in this part of the world. Your money, time and tears may be spent heavily when you are lost here. People are from many nations live here. So with your limited English, you could ask for directions. Even though, the directions of the places cannot be easily be followed. Because there are not many landmarks to follow. Though the name boards have English in it, you should plan your journey with Google maps before you step out your hotel room. Many times accidentally taking wrong exits may take you to a new world, but with many astounding views, though.

Don’t get road rage in the UAE. It may hinder your progress. Mind you, in the UAE, expatriates, and tourists added together outnumber the total number of Emiratis. Majority of them you meet on the road could be either employed or exploring UAE. So the drivers and their driving skills on the road are also of many international flavours. So you could see an Indian way of driving along with American and also Zimbabwean for sure.

I just followed the lane and obeyed the speed limits. What I found on the road is notable. On a few occasions, though the roads were neatly laid and road signs were properly placed, few drivers still failed to follow lane driving.

For your kind info, fuel sold in litres.

We didn’t have any plans to cross the border to Oman or Saudi Arabia, the two countries that surround UAE. Crossing borders are strictly restricted for the hired vehicles, We were expected to notify and get the necessary paper-work obtained beforehand, which will have a price tag on it. I was told Oman has bit lenient driving restrictions and requirements over Saudi Arabia. Driving to Saudi Arabia is a matter that should be given full attention before even packing your clothes. Driving to Oman, on the other hand, can be decided while in the UAE.

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