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For the first time, I have been in UAE in summer during Ramadan. It was a bit extreme journey because the weather was very very hot and humid, but I had limited options because my vacation was only couple of weeks and only in that period of time.
Good to know:
- The most comfortable time to visit UAE is during winter time: from October to March. The weather condition is the most pleasant with average temperature during the day around 25℃, in the evening, however, it might drop till 15℃.
- The spring (March – May) and autumn (starts from September) months are also good for traveling to UAE. In spring time the temperature is steadily increasing, while in autumn it begin slowly to fall.
- The summer moths (end of May – beginning of September) are extremely hot and humid. July and August are the hottest months, when the temperature might climb up over +50℃ (the temperature of the ocean might be over +30℃) and the humidity is over 90%.
- Obviously, during the summer months hotels are not crowded and prices are much cheaper.
- Rainfalls in UAE are rare, irregular and don’t last for a long period of time. In Dubai average number of rainy days is 5 per year.
Important to remember:
Upon arrival at the Dubai airport I saw two queues: the one is for the eyes scan; another one is for the passport control. It’s important not to mix up where to go first. First, must be the eyes scan and after – the passport control.
The hotel was located in the Fujairah emirate.
The Fujairah emirate is the emirate which is located on the east coast of UAE and lies along the stunning Indian Ocean. This emirate also has some mountains.
The hotel was “Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa”. It was a big and well-maintained hotel with relaxing ambiance, gorgeous gardens, sandy beach, sparkling pools and nice restaurants. There was a huge monument of sharks in front of the hotel! So the caution “Not to swim across the buoys” had the real meaning! :)
The hotel was located outside of the city, but there were free buses, that run from the hotel twice a week directly to Dubai and daily to the Fujairah shopping mall. As for me, it was perfect! I enjoyed my peaceful vacation by the ocean. Before travelling I read some articles about naphtha slicks, which people often saw on the water. Well, we saw them only once. It was even fun. We’ve got a couple of stains on the feet while walking through the sand on that day, but rescuers on the beach always had a special oil for removing the stains.
More information about the Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa hotel you may find on the Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa official website.
Exploring Dubai
Dubai was magnificent, unique and beautiful. For traveling around the city I mostly used a taxi. Yet, for the first impression and inspiration I’ve taken a metro because almost all the metro stations are above the ground. I enjoyed the fabulous view. Metro trains didn’t have drivers and the first carriage had a panoramic window. I bought “Gold Class Tickets” to be able to use that carriage.
Good to know:
- Getting to Dubai from the “Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa” hotel: the bus from the hotel to the Fujairah mall; then a taxi to the bus station (it takes around 5 min :) but still much more comfortable in the car when outside +50℃) and then any bus which goes to Dubai.
- Travel time was approximately 2 hours.
- I suggest ask the driver from which bus station in Dubai you can take the bus back to Fujairah.
- Payment in the taxi and buses was in AED – UAE Dirham, cash only.
- The exchange rate was everywhere the same, so it didn’t matter where to exchange money: in the airport, hotels, banks or shopping malls.
- By the way, the hot weather didn’t bother me so much. Air conditioners were literally everywhere: in the taxi, buses, metro, malls and even at bus stops and stations throughout the city. As for sunbathing, I don’t like it anyway! :) Swimming I could enjoy either early in the morning or after sunset, and spent the rest of the day for visiting numerous attractions and shopping malls.
Ramadan is observed by the people with islamic religion during the entire lunar month by the same name.
Every year it’s a different month. Month of religious observances consists of fasting and extra prayers. The month is spent by fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk.
What does it mean for tourists? If you are planing to spend all your vacation in the hotel – nothing special (except the fact that all bars will be closed during the day time). Yet, if you want to travel to different places, like I did, you should be ready for several things. All restaurants and bars are closed till sunset. It is possible to buy food in the supermarkets, but eating, drinking and smoking for bidden during daylight hours. Also it’s not a time for the ultra mini dresses and skirts. Most of the tourists don’t want to feel inconvenience. That’s why during Ramadan the city is not crowded.
Places to visit in Dubai:
Dubai Marina is a very nice neighbourhood with amazing skyscrapers, hotels, restaurants and residences.
In this district there was a shopping mall called “Dubai Marina Mall”, which is not so big comparing to others, but very cosy. After spending a bit of time and money there, I took a taxi from the mall, and after couple of minutes arrived to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence).
JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) is a unique waterfront area contains residential and hotel towers with open access to the beach.
Mall of the Emirates. It’s the station #32 “Mall of the Emirates” by the metro. It’s a huge mall which includes Ski Dubai – a large indoor skiing facility. The design of this mall as well as others is fascinated.
Another amazing mall is Ibn Battuta Mall which is the world’s largest themed shopping mall. I enjoyed historical architecture of it a lot.
Dubai downtown. The downtown of Dubai is a hight developed business centre. Besides skyscrapers of different international companies it includes Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, Burj Khalifa. It is the station #25 “Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall” by the subway.
Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping mall. Shopping is amazing there (contains more than 1200 shops). Moreover, there are Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Mall’s Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Mall Waterfall and a lots more.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall. It’s the largest aquarium in the world. The entrance fee was around 100 AED (~27$). The ticket included: Aquarium Tunnel, Underwater Zoo, Glass-Bottom Boat Ride. It’s incredible home for thousands of aquatic animals, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger sharks in the world.
You may want to visit the official website of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo for more information.
The Dubai Fountain was located between the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa in the Burj Khalifa Lake. It’s worlds largest dancing fountain. On me personally, the fountains made the biggest impression in that trip. Breathtaking performance of Classical, Arabic and World-famous music with shooting water as high as 150 metres (~ a 50-storey building) did’t leave anyone indifferent. There were no shows before Iftar during Ramadan, but evening shows run from 7.30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every 30 minutes.
More information about the fountain, working hours and performances you may find on the Dubai Fountain official website.
It was an amazing experience and a great vacation! Of course, there are much more to visit in UAE. I hope to visit and explore this incredible country more in the future.
You may find the post about my another trip to Dubai -> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, DUBAI
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me -> GET IN TOUCH
we wait new interesting trips