Imagine driving through a mountain. Oh, rather do not waste time exercising your mind. Do the real thing. If you live in the Emirates, it is but easily done and if you do not, well, this particular pleasurable activity is worth a try, while on a visit here. Driving through a mountain comes with attractive offers_ like the sight of the blue seas on one side, vast expanses of dry, rocky, jagged mountains on the other, Friday markets springing out of the mountain’s belly, cool breeze, and fresh fruits for your picking…
At the end of this very eye-satisfying scenery, you have reached Fujairah, perhaps the most beautiful of all the seven emirates.
For someone who has grown up on sky scrapers and swanky malls, Fujairah would come as a surprise. Well, for someone who grew up on sights and sounds such as this emirate offers, it is like being at home. Here life moves along at the same unhurried pace of the waves crashing against the miles of shoreline.
Now you have reached the main city. It is more of a one-horse town (pardon the expression, but the Hajar Mountains bring back the memories of the Wild West complete with horses and cowboys). The beauty of the place is in the ‘decorated roundabouts’ at strategic locations all over. Concrete sheep, urns, cups and pots of gigantic proportions stare down from lofty heights making this town appear like a cross between the mythical Arabian Desert town and fledgling marking the course of its first flight. Unlike its neighbor Dubai, residents of Fujairah dress down to suit their culture and it is amazing to see Arabia in its true form. Well, that is what you have come to see in the first place.
Town of Fujeirah
Decorative roundabouts
A walk down the Corniche is enough to restore one’s faith in the Almighty. Far out in the Gulf of Oman huge ships sail as though in a straight line and close at hand, the vivid blue sea washes up to the sandy shores as though snuggling up on a cold night. Swimming here is a delight. If you find your way away from the main town and head in the direction of Khor Fakkan, the sea is friendlier. In places the jagged mountains reach down curtsying to the shimmering expanse of brine at the same time trying to enfold it in a passionate embrace. The roads snake around the hills offering many vantage points to witness nature unfold itself before an appreciative eye.
On the Corniche...enjoying a kebab
Its clean beaches, the numerous water sports like swimming, yachting, water surfing and deep sea fishing attract tourists all round the year. It attracts a lot of tourists looking for a quick getaway from the bustling cities nearby.
Some facts:
Fujairah is the only emirate that borders the east coast of UAE, overlooking the Gulf of Oman. Within its territory there are some coastal enclaves belonging to Sharjah (Khor Fakkan, Kalba and part of Dibba) and some landlocked enclaves belonging to Oman (Madhab and part of Dibba). Fujairah’s dramatic mountain scenery has been a major factor in its fast developing tourism.
The pleasant beaches, good diving and snorkeling sites, easy access to stunning mountain spots, such as Wadi Wurriyah’s waterfall as well as the unspoiled local ambience (bloodless bullfights!) combine to make it a vacationer’s paradise.
Fujairah’s port, built in 1982 is now the world’s third largest tanker refueling and bunkering station. Over 40 giant tankers pass through the port daily!
The Fujairah port is an important port for container liners and for the world’s largest livestock shipping companies that have set up their main holding station for sheep and cattle for the entire Arabian Peninsula here.
In Fujairah
Fujairah Fort
This reputedly 360-year-old fort lies on a hill at the edge of the date gardens, surrounded by the remains of the old town houses.
Fujairah Heritage Village
Near Fujairah Fort, this has a good selection of traditional arish (houses) and shasha (fishing boats) made from palm fronds, providing an interesting backdrop to its living reconstruction of traditional life on the East Coast.
Fujairah Museum
Situated just south of the fort and opposite the Ruler’s Palace, Fujairah Museum is a small modern building, where many of the artifacts found in archaeological digs at Qidfa, Bithnah and other places are on display.
Bullfighting
On weekends in winter, watch out for the famous Fujairah bullfights – a bloodless sport in which two bulls test their strength against one another.
Around Fujairah
Dibba, Sharm, Bidya, Wadi Wurrayah, Husn Madhab, Wadi Maidaq, Kalba, Khor Kalba, Awhala, Hayl, Wadi Farfar, Bithna, although not all belonging to the Emirate of Fujairah are all scenic and historic sites in the region of Fujairah city which are well worth a visit