30 Dec, 2025 to 9 Jan, 2026 - Dubai, Al Ain, Maleha, Al Nahwa, Madha, Fujarah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah - (UAE)
Sure, Dubai looks like an amazing place to visit. Everything to the max and on steroids. Amazingly, we have only flown via Dubai once, and did not leave the airport, so the city has lurked on our travel radar. However, our travel tastes have matured to look for the depths beyond the obvious, the oddities and unusual. OK, so our 10 days is still a short time to scratch much beneath the surface for seven Emirates, but we did our best.
Knowing that we were going to be in Dubai, we jigged the flights and plans a bit to ensure that we could be there for the New Years Eve celebrations. We rightly summised that there might be some celebrations put on.
Waiting for Fireworks
Jo looks up at the worlds tallest building.
We camped out for a good portion of the day, staking out a little patch for watching the NYE show. Being a public thoroughfare, the police came along and asked everyone to stand, and we dutifully obeyed. Equally, as people sat on the ground again, we joined them. We were endeavouring to add weight to the protest against the meaningless requests. Eventually, authorities gave up, when the crowd was large, the majority with their behinds on the ground.
We had certainly secured an excellent free vantage point, but perhaps we did not need to be quite so early. It was a long wait.
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Worth the Wait
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Assumption: nobody was disappointed. We were blown away, having never experienced fireworks like this. Somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, augmented with lasers and drones.
One Moment of "Burj Khalifa" fireworks.
Paid vantage points were pricey, We may have had a long wait, but it was free.
Old Dubai
There appears to be a bit of a revival in interest in "Old Dubai", and now there are some areas that feel a bit manufactured and lack authenticity. However, some pockets feel nicely restored and genuine, paying legitimate homage to what Dubai may once have been.
We spent a few nights in a gorgeous little boutique accommodation in Al Fahidi, allowing us to wend and wind through the old streets and markets after the majority of tourists had made their way back to their new town hotels.
Dubai Frame
Ascending to the top of the frame was not in the agenda. Although at 150 metres it did promise grand views, we found the concept and construction more interesting in its own right.
Museum of the Future
A striking asymmetrical elliptical torus building, decorated with Arabic calligraphy with quotes about innovation and progress. The calligraphy also serves as windows. Inside, one does not really get a sense of how the building is shaped around you. The museum is certainly ranked amongst Dubai's iconic structures.
Camels Form a Caravan up the Burj
One of our favourite moments during the light show spectacular.
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Enjoy a Small Excerpt from Burj Khalifa Fountain and Light Show
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The story of how we ended up at a prime viewing spot for an unexpected Burj fountain and light spectacular is for another time. Perhaps in person.
The long and the short is that we had no idea at all there were special performances were scheduled. A fountain show, even a highly rated one, would be some water squirting in time to music, accompanied by some lasers on the actual Burj Khalifa.
Suddenly, in spite of, or almost because of, our lack of knowledge of the evening's program, we were in a prime spot. From here we witnessed a 25 minute plus performance. Live dancers and musicians, fire, drones, lights and projections, lasers, and of course, fountains. Perfectly choreographed to a score we got a Dubai story.
Light Projections on the Fountains
Al Ain won when we chose somewhere in Abu Dhabi. The actual city of Abu Dhabi will just have to wait until we return another time. Al Ain was a perfect size for our timing, the beautiful oasis and smattering of interesting sights were the ideal counter-balance to everything we had done and seen in Dubail. A place that was important when water was more valuable than oil.
Beehive Tombs near Al Ain
Bronze Age structures nestled in the foothills just out of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi.
Oasis
Tens of thousands of date palms form the basis of the Al Ain oasis. Underground irrigation feeds the palms, and hundreds of other plant varieties, in what is considered the oldest oasis in the Emirates. Parts of the irrigation system are 3,000 years old.
Shaded paths meander through and it was a pleasant place to pass a few hours of the day.
Al Jahili Fort
A nineteenth century mud brick fort in Al Ain, originally both residential and strategic in nature. The palm oasis was a valuable asset, and there are a number of defensive structures dotted in its vicinity.
Our next night was to be in Fujairah city, capital of the Fujairah Emirate. However, another geographic and political anomaly was to divert us from driving directly there.
Ridge Towers, Al Nahwa
The day I learnt about the Al Nahwa counter enclave, it was added to my list of unique and weird places in the world to visit.
Madha is an Omani enclave, entirely in the UAE. Al Nahwa is a UAE, more specifically Sharjah, counter enclave, entirely in Madha.
Really, it needs to be seen on a map to start the process of comprehension. Al Nahwa is the hole in the Madha donut on the UAE plate... or something like that.
While in Al Nahwa, we ascended to this ridge with restored old watch towers.
High Above the City, 20 Metres above Sea Level
Back to the west of the Emirates, we spent a few days working our way down through Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman, and Sharjah. As always, we felt we could have spent longer, in almost each stop. Another week or two might have been ideal, but we do what we can with the times and schedules that we get.
Exploring Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Red Island in English, Al Jazeera Al Hamra was once a thriving centre, one of the regions important pearling centres. With the introduction of cultured pearls, the town was unable to survive the down turned economy. Eventually, everyone left, and by the 1970s it was completely abandoned.
What remains has been largely pillaged. Anything of value or interest carted off long ago.
We spent a few hours clambering through the haunting shells of a once-was-life, creating stories in our head for the rooms with traces of decoration.
Exploring Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Of course, most of the abandoned buildings are houses and some shops. Wandering up and down the streets, we chose one every now and then with an architectural difference to enter and explore in more detail
The tree here is a Eucalyptus, widely planted in the area for its fast-growing shade.
Nothing says Posh Quite as Well as Towel Art
Dinner by the Lagoon
Umm Al Qwain is way less developed than its nearby relatives. The city has few towers, no hustle or bustle, and a vibe of taking it easy.
Celebrating our anniversary in a resort by the lagoon seemed perfect and appropriate.
Contemplating Art in Sharjah
Sharjah is home to a number of interesting and varied museums.
The art museum was a highlight. Having only a handful of pieces for each era kept the experience from feeling crowded or overwhelming. The mix of modern and contemporary pieces was an excellent taster.
