Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

I recently made it back to Dubai in the UAE after an absence of more than 2 years thanks to the pandemic. October is a good time to go as the extreme heat of summer has passed although it can still be very hot during the day, and it certainly was! 

I went for the specific reason to meet up with family and friends and it was so good to be reunited again after so long. What better way to spend quality time together than by doing a staycation in a beautiful setting away from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Dubai. 

The day after my arrival, we set off from Dubai on a road trip  about an hour north of the city through the desert to a beach resort of the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah. What an amazing sight it was in the drive up to the entrance of this iconic hotel architecturally inspired by the grand palaces of Arabia. We had suites on the ninth floor with sea views and the most beautiful sunset and golden silence to match to begin our stay. 

It was about 3 degrees cooler there and daytime temperatures were around 33C with low humidity so not too hot to be by the pool or on the beach. I rarely sunbathe so am usually to be found under an umbrella unless of course I'm in the water. 

This location was the perfect spot for some real rest and relaxation. The adult pool was a haven with a DJ pumping out some great chill out tunes and efficient pool service with food and cocktails at the ready. The white sandy beach was vast with sun beds spaced well apart and the crystal clear sea was like entering a warm bath. It was just so blissful to float about endlessly without getting cold, until the skin on your fingers wrinkled from the water.

Of course, I had to have a Piña Colada or two. It's a must have refreshing cocktail for any beach holiday!

The food we chose was excellent. After early evening drinks on the outdoor terrace, we had dinner at Umi on our first night with Teppanyaki cooked at our table. We underestimated the amount of food we had to consume. 6 courses of delicious fresh Japanese food. By the time we got to the dessert course we were struggling to finish! It was though, an absolute treat.

The second evening we ate at the Lexington Grill and Bar, sampling their newly created plant based menu with food sourced from local farmers. Although it's essentially a steak house, they offer some very good alternatives to meat and I thoroughly enjoyed my roasted cauliflower dish.

We departed for Dubai wonderfully relaxed after our 2 night mini beach holiday ready for staycation number 2. Look out for the next post for more on my Dubai vacation.

* * * * *

If you're looking for a break away from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah is a good option and only 45 mins drive from Dubai International Airport. 

Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history dating back some 7,000 years. In the 13th and 14th centuries, a prosperous port arose in the area we now know as Ras Al Khaimah. Then named Julfar, it became one of the most prominent trading posts in the Arabian Gulf and was widely known for its exquisite pearls. The discovery of rare Chinese pottery in 2019 in this area points to the extent of trade that occurred in the erstwhile Julfar. 

Ras Al Khaimah has about 1,000 archaeological sites, four of which have been added to the ‘UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage’. The emirate is also home to one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in the Arabian Gulf, Al Jazirah Al Hamra, and the only hilltop fort still in existence in the UAE, the 18th century Dhayah Fort. 

 

The emirate is noted for its varied topography, from the Hajar mountains, to rolling sand dunes to 64 kms of beaches, as well as its adventure tourism attractions.

Info from the Official Portal of the UAE Government.