Day 1.

Cruising east on the Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road as we make our way out of Dubai.


I had a few days of leave to use (or lose) by the end of 2019. With our new daughter still too young to fly I had booked a three night stay at the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah on the east coast of the UAE.

Our drive today would first be the 118 kilometres from Dubai to the city of Fujairah. We would then take a brief diversion to Nahwa, a counter-enclave within the Omani territory of Madha, before ending the day's travel at the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah in Dibba.


Stopping for a break at a service station in Maleha, Sharjah. It was Hannelie's first time leaving the Emirate of Dubai since she was born 3 months prior.


And making good time on the six-lane E84 highway through the mountains of Fujairah. Rianda's Mum was still visiting us with the new grandkid and was also coming along with us to Fujairah.


Just after midday we arrived at Fujairah Mall and where the mall Christmas tree was still under wraps.


Some coffee at Paul Café after we took a seat for lunch.


Fresh bread with butter and olive spread.


My chicken avocado sandwich with a side of fries.


And a bit of holiday indulgence with the ginger baked cheese cake for dessert.


Stopping to pick up a few snacks and supplies at the mall supermarket before getting back on the road again.


We then headed north for ~20 kilometres before making the turn off for Madha.


Madha is an exclave of Oman and from the map looks like a misshapen donut. In the center is Nahwa which is part of the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.


The interesting borders originated 70 years ago when the British surveyed the alllegiance of the different tribes to allow drafting of the divisions between the different emirates and also the UAE's external borders. The people of Madha pledged allegiance to Oman whereas Nahwa opted to be part of Sharjah.

A portrait of Qaboos bin Said al Said, the Sultan of Oman as we crossed into Madha. There were no border controls and we were free to drive directly into the Omani exclave.


The very grand Mahda Mosque.


Continuing our drive for the turn off to Nahwa.


A portrait of Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the Emir of Sharjah as we cross into Nahwa.


When drove up to a viewpoint overlooking the main village. This small 5.26 km2 piece of the UAE seemed also like a man-made island, totally surrounded by Omani territory.


And a quick selfie before beginning the drive back to the Fujairah. Our brief excursion to Madha and Nahwa was a fun and interesting escapade crossing unique and peculiar international borders in this part of the world.


After 45 more minutes of driving we arrived at the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah.


In the lobby to check-in and where they were assembling the Christmas tree.


We were then taken to our room. We had opted for a two-bedroom family unit and it had a large and spacious dining and living room.


Bedroom #1.


Bedroom #2.


And the bathroom. As it was December and peak season and as our stay fell over a weekend our room rate was not an inexpensive but still reasonable $299 per night including breakfast.


Hannelie enjoying the fresh sea air after being stuck in her car seat for most of the day.


We then went for stroll in the fading light of dusk.


Looking along the long stretch of sand of the hotel beach.


Hannelie fast asleep in the baby carrier.


Looking back at the rows of balconies and sun longers.


A hotel sign warning to stay clear of the local Arabian foxes!


And a red moon on the horizon as dusk comes to an end.


Back in our room where Hannelie was now wide awake and shaking all four limbs about on her play mat.


After the long day we opted to be lazy and just order room service for dinner.


And enjoyed a tasty burger and some surpisingly good chicken biryani at the end of day 1.



Day 2.

I got up early in the morning morning to explore and go for a walk.


The moon shining above the mountains of Musandam in Oman in the distance.


The resort at dawn with the city of Dibba just behind. The city of Dibba is also another interesting geographic anomaly. Not only is the city separated between Oman and UAE, but the UAE side is also separated into sections belonging to the emirates of Fujairah and Sharjah.


The sky beginning to light up from the sun to the east.


An under-construction hotel to the right and the Royal Beach Hotel & Resort to the left.


A panorama looking back at the resort and the mountains of Fujairah.


Dibba Rock just offshore.


And where I would go scuba diving tomorrow morning.


Oyster farms situated in Dibba Bay.


The UAE's first oyster farm, it was opened in 2017 by celebrity chef Sean Connolly.


The sun beginning to rise above the horizon as I went for a run along the beach.


And a few more kilometers to work off last night's biryani.


At 9am we headed to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.


I also couldn't resist some of the fresh waffles and flapjakes with chocolate sauce.


In the hotel lobby again with the Christmas tree now fully lit and decorated.


And Hannelie after finishing her mid-morning bottle on our patio outside our room.


After relaxing in our room for the rest of the morning we headed out in the afternoon to get some sun.


And chilled out on the hotel sun loungers on the beach.


The water temperature was 24°C and great for a dip in the Gulf of Oman.


Rianda and Hannelie in the shade of a umbrella.


And wearing her pink baby sunglasses and matching top.


In the evening we decided to make the short drive into the city for dinner at Othmani Turkish Restaurant.


Some sweet Turkish tea to start.


Followed by mixed Turkish flatbread to share.


Rianda's kofta and cheese with spicy bulgur.


My sizzling hot lamb plate.


Some sweet künefe and ice cream to share for dessert.


And back at the hotel with Hannelie fast asleep in her crib at the end of day 2.