October 26, 2024
It was always in my bucket list to see all the emirates in one day, since I arrived in the UAE several decades ago. The occasion finally dawned when I decided to commemorate my 50 years since I first came from India to UAE and my current employer Sundus outsourcing was completing 25 years. I am often asked for advice on weekend plans especially those planning staycations, here is another perspective when the weather is cooler between October to March. This road trip requires 2 nights stay at the starting and ending points, to make the drive safe, relaxing and impactful.
As I spent 25 years in Abu Dhabi and it being the capital city of UAE I started off from there and camped in Abu Dhabi the previous evening. I commenced the drive from Shaikh Zayed grand mosque at 6.30 am, went via the corniche, break water flag post, Al Hosn palace museum, Abrahamic House, Yas Island and reached Dubai around 9.00 am. On the way took a diversion to see the Palm Jumeirah, the places of worship in Jebel Ali, Museum of the future, the Union house and entered Sharjah at 10.30 am. Drove around the Al Khan Lagoon, the iconic Sharjah Souq, by 12.00 pm I was already in Ajman corniche. Visited the museum at the Ajman round about and after spending some time there, I drove towards the fascinating Umm Al Quwain Museum, via the fish roundabout at 1.30 pm. The 6th emirate was Ras Al Khaimah, which is a 45-minute drive from UAQ and reached the RAK Museum around 3.00 pm. The final destination was Fujairah which is a 90-minute drive from RAK through the magnificent Al Hajar mountains. I reached the Fujairah corniche at 5. 30 PM. After watching the bull-fight, which is an event every Friday evening, I drove towards the historic Fujairah fort just before it could close at 6.00 pm and ended my drive at Shaik Zayed Grand Mosque, Fujairah at 6.30 pm. I stayed back in Fujairah that night and drove back to Dubai next morning after briefly visiting the newly built Korfakkan amphitheatre, Al Bidya Mosque which is the oldest in UAE and via Hatta.
It was indeed a great experience as UAE has a variety of terrains and topography to see. As a land mark you can use the National flags in each of the emirate or the museums or the largest mosques or other places of worship or even the iconic buildings. The infrastructure, landscape, traditions across all the Emirates is awe inspiring. Given the good roads, restaurants along the way the drive becomes very safe and comfortable. The drive also aimed to promote tourism, investments and attract global talent from across the world to all the Emirates of the UAE. Safety is important and therefore the 2 nights stay before and after the drive is recommended. The entire days drive will be around 450 km depending on the routes that you will take. You can also pick up a souvenir or even some local fresh produce, as a remembrance and support the local artisans. Once you have done the one-day drive from this perspective, you can always go back and spend more time to relish the unity and diversity of each of the 7 emirates of the UAE.