Majestic Sharjah

Sharjah is one of the 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates but, the magical land of Sharjah is very distinct from the rest of the Emirates in the UAE. Unlike the popular modern city of Dubai, Sharjah is a developing city which holds both ancient historical and modern architecture. It is an industrial hub which attracts a number of  working class people to settle here as the cost of living is also affordable.

However, if you are heading to Sharjah anytime soon for a visit here are a few places you can checkout while there.

Soothe those nerves!

If your looking for a calm and peaceful environment Al Mataz Waterfront is the place to be. The blue waters bordered with modern structures is truly mesmerizing. Relax, breathe in the fresh warm air and enjoy the tranquil blue sea.

Way to the waterfront

Al Mataz waterfront

Merry time !

This is a cool place to hangout if you have some time in your hands. The Sharjah Maritime Museum just like the name says is all about marine and aquatic life. And what's a museum without an aquarium? The aquarium is home to a number of  aquatic animals. The museum is well done up on the outside too. It has a garden with fountains and replicas of marine animals on the outside. The ambiance on the whole is very beautiful and clean. 

Garden outside the  Maritime Museum

The Giant Eye

The Eye of the Emirates is a must see while you are in Sharjah. The view from the top of the wheel is breath-taking. The Eye of the Emirates is one magnificent landmark in the city of Sharjah. The whole of the city can be viewed from a little cabin when the wheel brings you to the top. If you visit the eye just before sunset,  it is definitely a bonus!

Eye of Emirates

City of Lights

Al Qasba is a little buzzing town in the city of Sharjah. Everything you need to unwind and relax you will find here. Food Joints, Kids Play area, Fountains and the Eye of the Emirates is all located here. It has beautiful views of the lake where tourists can also enjoy a boat ride. The sunset brings in the added treat to the soul and as the sun sets gradually the city lights shine brighter by the hour. 

Fresh off the boat!

Souq Al Jubail is by far the best market I have ever visited. The cleanliness and organization of the various departments is just impeccable. The souq is divided into departments for fish, meats, fruits and veggies. You can find every variety of fresh fish and fruits and veggies under a single roof. They also offer a fish cleaning/cutting services which is pretty organized.

Fresh catch of fish

Meats

Spices/Masalas

Dates

A Piece of Heaven

Ever thought a dessert like Sharjah could also have an island? Yes! Sharjah has its own island which is called Al Noor. You can take a walking tour around this blissful island and there is so much to explore here. To start off there is a wooden foot bridge that connects the city to the island. The island has its own butterfly garden and in case you missed the one in Dubai, this can be your second chance! It is definitely smaller than the one in Dubai but it still wont disappoint. After meeting the colourful little creatures in the butterfly garden, you can walk through plantations bordering the sea and breathe in the fresh air. If you are in a playful mood the island also has a trampoline on which you can bounce while enjoying the view of the sea. For people who love nature, this is the perfect place to be!   

Footbridge to the island

Butterfly Garden

Wondrous Dubai (part 2)

Hello There! 

Life is'nt always a fairytale, but you can make it one by doing the things you love.... When you enter a new city make sure you explore everything the place has to offer and you won't ever regret it. In my previous post I began with a list of attractions to visit in Dubai. Here are some more, and trust me each of them is a pure delight to the soul.

Soul Connect!
This was the highlight of my trip! The Oasis! The Al Qudra lakes, Dubai is one the most picturesque spot to visit. The lakes are spread over a large area of land and is said to be man-made but it is the best way to connect with nature. If you wish to get away from the usual hustle and bustle of Dubai's city life take a road trip to the oasis and immerse yourself in its beauty. Beautiful colored and patterned ducks adorn these lakes making it even more delightful to the soul. You can feed the ducks and the fish, or just sit back and breathe in the fresh air. Al Qudra is the perfect place for an outing with family and friends. It is located on the outskirts of Dubai which also makes the journey a perfect roadtrip.

Photo Credits: Nelo Photography

Spectacular as ever!
The Dolphinarium in Dubai is one of the most happiest places in the city. No words are enough to express the joy of seeing the enormous friendly creatures dancing and responding to their trainers. It gave me a deep sense of satisfaction and glee to see them jump around doing their tricks. The Dolphin and Seal show lasts for about an hour after which you can have personal contact with the ginormous dolphins (if you choose to) and also get a picture taken with them. I met 15 year old Lucia who greeted us with her sweet kisses. The life-span of these dolphins goes up to 45 years.

Shop till you drop!
Honestly, this was not the major reason for choosing Dubai but you can say it was a minor one. I mean how could you visit a city so advanced in fashion and lifestyle and not shop. Dubai is home to the biggest brands in clothing, footwear, accessories etc but why am I telling you this?! The whole world knows Dubai mall is the biggest mall in the world.Besides Dubai Mall, there is Mall of Emirates, Madina Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mirdiff, Diera City Centre, Festival City and many more. Out of all Ibn Battuta has the most distinct theme of set up.  Dubai is home to people coming from different nations which is why you will find malls having different cuisines from all over the world. During Ramadan every mall is lit and decorated using the Ramadan theme.

Unraveling History!
Get a glimpse of old Dubai and learn about its history and the origin of its culture. Dubai museum gives you a wide picture of the lifestyle of the Arabs back in the ancient times. The most interesting part about it is the houses in which the people lived back in those days and the type of ventilation they used to help them survive the desert heat. It is astonishing to see the 'Abaya' and the jewellery that women would wear is so different from what Arab women wear today. It also gives you sneak into the trade and business of the Arabs back in those times. The Dubai museum is quite an interesting place to be in especially if you are a history lover. Take a walk outside the museum and you will find yourself in the middle of the old Dubai souk with vendors selling all kinds of traditional and modern artifacts and souvenirs. Finally take an Abra (which is a wooden boat) at the Dubai creek and get ready for the most peaceful ride of your life. The cost of this ride is around 1 dirham one way. Relax and enjoy the city lights and the tranquil water in the late evenings.

Photo credits: Nelo Photography

My Precious!
Gold and precious stones is what Dubai is known for. While you are in Old Dubai make a stop at the Gold souk there and get ready to be dazzled by the shiny jewellery displayed in the numerous outlets. Get spoilt with the endless choices of jewellery, right from heavy chunks of gold to the most intricate,  fine pieces, you will find it all under one roof. Clearly, the Arabs love their gold which is why you might also find the replica of the iconic Burj Khalifa made of pure gold at the gold souk. Ruby's, pearls, and all other gemstones can be bought from the souk at the best prices. Next to the gold souk is the spice souk where you can find the most aromatic spices imported from all over the world.

Photo credits: Nelo Photography

Lights will guide you home!
No! I ain't hinting at city lights. Of course Dubai is a well lit city in the night but if you wish to add a little more of glow to your vacation head to the glow garden, Dubai. The brilliance and creativity used in exhibiting various arrangements with lights will leave you amazed. This remarkable place of wonder has the most sophisticated designs which was far beyond my imagination. However it does get very humid during summer, so the best time to visit this garden is during winter. The garden also has a dinosaur park adjacent to it which takes you back to the Jurassic period. There is also a live dinasour walking about at certain timings. This was truly the best conclusion to my trip since it gave me something to remember and take back home.

Photo Credits: Nelo Photography

I hope you find this blog helpful in planning your own trip and making your own memories....