Hotel JAL Fujairah Resort & Spa

Greeting the locals

by dave.richards

Men always shake hands. Never offer your hand to a woman unless you have previously been introduced by her father/husband/brother. It can be classed as grossly improper for a woman to shake a stranger (male) hand and she may well cover her hand with her dress before proffering it.
Many older male Emiratis touch noses when meeting. This can be welcoming for them as it shows you have tried to follow their customs. Only try this though with friends of friends, not strangers. You may end up head butting them by mistake!
Never ever attempt to kiss a female Emirati unless you are a woman yourself. A man tried this on with a female (British) friend of ours and he was going to be flogged and sent back to his country of birth. She had to forgive him and he had to apologise to her in public to save himself.
In 8 years of visiting I have yet to see more than a few cats and dogs. Maybe they hide when they see me? :)

Scuba in Fujairah

by adelinemmc

Very good dives can be had from Fujairah. Maybe not as great as Oman (never been so can't compare) but I loved it and the water was veru warm (27 to 32 celcius depending on depth in June).
Diving is much better than on the Gulf side (Dubai). The viz is approx 10 to 20 metres. I used my own equipment but you can get the gear from any local centre

Fujairah Tourists Guide

by dave.richards

"1999"

On my first visit in 1999 my wife and I were the only westerners there. Walking down the main street most locals looked at us, and my wife in particular who has fair hair and didnt wear any head covering.
Even then everyone was friendly, polite and above all .. honest. From the local shops, supermarkets and restaurants to the hotel we were staying in (The Ritz Plaza). We fell in love with the place and have returned there every year since.
We have friends (almost relatives) in Masafi which is about 25 miles away and we want to move there in the not too distant future.
Less established than the likes of Dubai and Sharjah, the weather is slightly milder but more humid. Most Emiratis are farmers and sell their wares in the local market and in the Friday Market (a MUST visit) which is on the Musafi/Sharjah road.
You wont find huge supermarkets, shopping malls or theme parks but you will find lots of smaller shops selling the same goods as in Dubai but at sometimes half the price. The beaches are just as fine especially the promenade beach on the Kalba road.
Just sit on one of the many benches under a sun parasol and watch the world go by. In the evening it wont be long before a chap on a bicycle will come up to you selling ice cold soft drinks or mineral water. Name me one place other than here where you can buy a 400ml can of Coke-cola or 1/2 litre of mineral water for 1 dirham (thats about 16p or 12 US cents)?

"Things to see and Do"

Apart from the standard stuff of shopping, eating and sun bathing there are so many places to see and a lot of other contributers have already mentioned a few of these such as the Old Mosque at Badiyh and Khor Fahkan. The old fort and Fujairah museum are both worthy of a visit. In the museum you may even have the curator as a tour guide, as we had.
Visit the bull ring near the open air market and see locals fighting with the bulls. NOT as in Spain though, as these are NOT harmed unless by accident.
Take a drive down to the Wetlands at Kalba. Follow the coast road past Kalba town as if going into Oman. Khor Kalba has a beautiful mangrove nature park which is worthy of a few hours if only for the relaxation it oozes over everyone who visits it. Make sure the tide is 'in' though or else you may end up walking over dry mud banks.
On the Masafi/Dibba road turn off left onto one of the side tracks and head up into the hajjar mountains passing local villages where life and time both stand still.
Many excursions go there but you can do it for free using your own transport, but be warned.... a 4 wheel drive with very high axle clearence is a must as negotiations with larger than average boulders may occur.

"Oasis and Farms"

Driving along these dirt tracks littered with boulders you may well come across an oasis or two and may well go past several farms which are full of almost every vegetable known to man as well as many fruits such as figs, bananas, melons and oranges. Ask the local farmer for a taste of some. Most will let you take a few for free but an offer of payment is always welcome.
If offered water take care as most water supplies here come from the local deep bore wells. It tastes cold and clean but is not sterilised. Much safer to drink bottled water, only buy it if the seal is still intact.
Musafi water is the favourite here and is refreshing, clean and almost void of any taste which is great for those who dont care for the mineral contents that some waters have.