Road Trippin' it to Fujairah

Once again the weekend is fast coming up. Now that temperatures across the UAE are becoming more comfortable it is time to make a road trip and hit the beach. Fujairah can easily be a day trip or a weekender.

My preferred Fujairah trip encompasses most of the Emirate of Fujairah not just the city of Fujairah. Usually we head out in the wee hours of the morning and drive towards Dibba/Al Aqah, which is well known for its snorkeling and diving around both Snoopy Island and Dibba Rock.



The above map may or may not show (I err on the side of may not) my usual "trip to Fujairah" driving pattern. Basically we take the E88 towards Fujairah and once in Masafi take the E89 to Dibba which then magically turns into the E99, towards Al Aqah.

Before you reach Masafi you will find yourself driving past the Friday Market (there will be signs announcing it and it is open everyday, so don't let the name mislead you). Here you can pick up anything from fresh fruits, to plants, pots and carpets. Definitely take a stop here, pick up coconut juice and interact with the sellers.

If you want to dive/snorkel by Dibba Rock there are dive centres at both the Radisson Blu and the Holiday Beach Motel. I learned to dive with Blue Planet Diving (at the Holiday Beach Motel) and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. To people who have not dived before it is like being in a National Geographic documentary.

Further down the road in Al Aqah there is a wider variety of hotels like the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa Al Aqah Beach, Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort. For a lower priced hotel (and also directly across from Snoopy Island) is the Sandy Beach Hotel. There is also a open beach (without facilities) beside the Sandy Beach Hotel where people come on the weekend and set up small camps. The beaches here are sandy and the water is amazingly clear. There is a petrol station with convenience store just before the Rotana so remember to have plenty of liquids with you and snacks.

Looking towards Snoopy Island from the open beach

Once your beach day is done and you want to grab some lunch or and early dinner make your way to Fujairah along the E99, if you feel the need to stretch your legs or grab something to drink Khor Fakkan is a great place to stop as it is very green and has a lovely corniche.

My favourite place to eat in Fujairah is at the Hadramut Mandi Restaurant. Though it is not much to look at from the outside the food is excellent and inexpensive (a chicken mandi cost AED19, a bottle of water AED1 ... mind blown!). There are 2 private rooms and an area of the main seating section can also be curtained off. There is also the possibilities to sit at tables but if you are going to eat Mandi sit on the floor and enjoy a more authentic experience. The Hadramut Mandi Restaurant is located just before the fish market in Fujairah (at the Hilton keep going straight through the round about, do not turn left to follow the E99). Below are some pictures to show you where.



Façade of the restaurant



To the right is the Al Madina Supermarket


Lamb and chicken mandi, ask for one rice

Should you have space for dessert try the Kunafa, it is amazing. My friend and I shared one after our lunch/dinner and promised to come back after a walk for round two.

 

After such a meal it is nice to get out and enjoy a digesting walk. You can keep your car parked and less than 100 meters away is the vegetable and fish market. The fish market sells everything from shrimps to baby sharks, with a lot of flies buzzing around. Located past the fish market you will happen upon the vegetable market which sells various fresh produce in nice displays. There is also a meat market and some shops selling clothing items. In the evening it is rather quiet, if you want the hustle and bustle of market life check it out on Friday mornings.

 

For the way back to Dubai drive towards the vegetable market and head right at the round about onto the E89. If you want some shisha and sweets (or another meal, I won't judge) before you head back to Dubai check out the Al Meshwar Restaurant. It is a Lebanese restaurant that has both indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive shisha collection, grill and desserts. From the outside it looks like ruins (take the exit from E89 that is by the KFC).

 

If you just want to head home follow the E89 until it becomes E84 (direction Dubai). The E84 will eventually become the E102 which you can follow to the E611 (the old Dubai Bypass Road).

A little bit of "The Dubai Fountain" love

The Dubai Fountain is a stunning piece of art. When it is not playing it is an unassuming calm pond. When it plays, it plays. A trip to Dubai is not complete without seeing this stunning work of choreography. Like most popular tourist attractions in Dubai it can become incredibly crowded and finding a good viewing spot becomes an uncomfortable experience. Below are some places, mostly restaurants, were you can enjoy dinner or drinks and have an unobstructed view of The Dubai Fountain. There is also a walkway which goes around the area where the fountains are located. Along this walkway, especially near the mall entrance/Souk Al Bahar area it can become quite busy. Best to go more in the direction of Burj Khalifa where there are generally less people.

The following pictures were taken from Joe's Café in The Dubai Mall.

1. Joe's Café: Joe's Café is located on the second level of Fashion Avenue of the Dubai Mall across from Mulberry. We ended up here as the outside terrace of Madeleine was full. A café latte/cappuccino will cost you AED29 each. A more contemporary feel than Madeleine or Ladurée it still has a cozy, classy vibe to it.

2. Madeleine: is located on the first level of  Fashion Avenue. Wonderful Pariesien style restaurant which serves excellent food and has, like Joe's, amazing and unobstructed views of the fountains, Burj Khalifa and The Address Downtown Dubai. A café latte/cappuccino will cost you AED18 each. I have eaten dinner here a couple times and each time walked away happy and satiated.

3. PAUL Bakery & Restaurant: also located in the Dubai Mall (first level) and a very popular institution in Dubai also offers outside seating with views of the fountains. The view may not be as direct as Joe's and Madeleine but it is still a good option. PAUL is a French style restaurant with wonderful desserts and a very rich hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is definitely a more budget friendly version to what is served at Ladurée.

4. Neos: Neos is the skybar located in The Address Downtown Dubai. From the 63rd floor you have a birds eye view of the fountains as well as a view across downtown Dubai and to the Burj Khalifa. Going there before 21h00 will usually guarantee you the best seating. Neos is more chic and upscale than the previous mentioned locations so take care to follow a smart casual dress code as a minimum. They will turn you away if you are dressed in sneakers. In The Address Downtown Dubai also has Calabar which is a Latin inspired lounge bar which offers various styles of indoor and outdoor seating and is also worth checking out if you prefer a chic night out.

5. Armani Hotel Dubai: one cannot talk about chic and skip past the Armani Hotel Dubai. The design aesthetic of Giorgio Armani is ever present in this name sake hotel. The Armani/Lounge, looking out to The Dubai Fountain, ideal for a light meal and opportunity to experience the vision of Giorgio Armani.

6. At.mosphere: quite possible the crème de la crème of "overlooking the fountains" dining is At.mosphere. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa it takes high tea to new heights (that pun was necessary). The high tea was an experience like no other and truly an indulgence. Whether you go for high tea or evening drinks before dinner take care to dress to impress and bring a camera with full battery.

So there you have it: a small list of different places to view the fountains from. There are so many more restaurants and cafes on the ground floor of The Dubai Mall to view the fountains from but often your view will be obstructed by others who are trying to view the fountains. Souk Al Bahar also as a wide variety of dining options to choose from.