Road Trips

Road Trip - Falaj Moalla -> Masafi -> Fujairah

November 16, 2010

Getting lost in a road trip could sometimes turn out good, even if it means reaching the destination seven hours rather than 1.5 hours on the shortest route. We found ourselves on the outskirts driving just at 60-80kph rather than the 100-120kph highway speed. There's so much to see and wonder on so we would slow down or stop on awesome views.

We started in Dubai from left towards Fujairah at the lower right. We took the red route going and returned home on the blue road.

Dubai - Falaj Al Moalla - Al Dhaid - Masafi - Dadna - Zubara - Al Bidiya - Khorfakkan - Fujairah

Here's some takes along the way:

This house must feel so secured sitting on rocks in Masafi, Ras Al Khaimah

This was our sight for hours, but we loved it along with the curvy two way roads
Looking at these creations caught my interest in geography



There's no fancy food courts on the road.
Either stock food in the car, buy corn and fruits from this vendor, 
or eat at local restaurants which could be in the next 50 kms

Hungry after four hours drive, at last by 3:30 pm we found a perfect spot for our packed lunch

After a filling lunch, we let our tummy do good work while we wonder on the blue horizon

...while the Gremlin and his Dad worked on the sand.
Then here's Bidiya Mosque, believed to have been built in 1446 AD.
It's the smallest mosque I've seen so far.

As the sun was about to set, we reached our destination after seven real good hours. Small water swamps are a sight on the roads after the rain of ice earlier.

I asked the husband to drive in this house
that cradled my first sleep in the UAE -- in Fujairah.
And there's our Fujairah drive. Now I'm looking forward to the next road trip.

Road Trips

Ras Al Khaimah --Up Hajar Mountains

November 14, 2010

Just when our tires are wearing off, I slightly got over my fear of driving offroad un-accompanied.The husband was so glad to test the 4x4 gear stick first time.

Without a proper map and just some readings from http://www.rakpedia.com/, we headed out to another UAE emirate - Ras Al Khaimah. There's currently the hype on Iceland Waterpark in the place but we're reserving the trip until we get buy-one-free-one vouchers next year (wishful, please The Entertainer?)

This is in Khatt by the foot of Hajar Mountains, 
surrounded by resorts because of its springs

Wondering how it is up there, we scaled Hajar mountains from Khatt. 
Of, what a sense/ feeling of peace up there!
The Gremlin exclaimed "Canyons" overlooking these seemingly waterless gorges

I thought if dogs are in the Philippines, it's goats for Ras Al Khaimah
The Gremlin was screaming in excitement as the car swayed on the rough terrain 
but he shrieked scared that we turn back when we first drove past here

At the foot of Khatt is lush vegetation, you would think you're in Tarlac

Then we got curious on the brown mountains. 
We followed the sign to Wadi Koob. 
We found these girls outside their gates at the opening to the wadi.

(Wadi (Arabic: وادي‎ wādī; also: Vadi) is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream. ~wikipedia)
We thought we were driving alone when this 4X4 convoy were at our back. 
We signaled  them to go ahead for us to follow.
The tailing BMW was the least powerful, or maybe us? =)
Once in a while, there are plants. 
I kept wondering how they grow in these rocky places
We were too excited to climb that we left our Gremlin behind, and then he emerges, =)

And the Gremlin was more excited, he got me scared as he climbed the steep rock/s

From this distance, the rock mountains flashes brown color, 
but at an arms length, they are maroon.

So, afterall, the desert is not all sand, because in this part, it's all rocks =)

Forgive my photos though, I really wish to learn how to capture natural colors in the next trip (excuses, excuse the amateur =) )


Thanks for the visit :)

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