Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUS
to the old Plaza Cinema (Dh25, two hours). The last bus leaves at 9.45pm. Buses are met
by taxis for onward travel.
CAR
Locals rejoiced when the opening of the scenic Sheikh Khalifa Hwy (Hwy E84) through
the Hajar Mountains in December 2011 cut the trip between Fujairah and Dubai to under
an hour. Coming from Dubai, head north on E311 or E611, then east on E102 (Shar-
jah-Kalba Hwy) and turn onto the Hwy E84 about 2km east of the Maleha overpass.
TAXI
Taxis
( 09-223 3533)
to Dubai or Sharjah cost about Dh130 to Dh160. Budget about 40Dh
to Dh50 to Al Aqah or Badiyah and Dh70 to Dh80 Dibba. Most rides within Fujairah cost
no more than Dh10.
BIRDING IN KALBA
About 15km south of Fujairah City on the Omani border, the town of Kalba is famous for its creek (Khor Kalba),
a pastiche of mangroves, tidal creeks and sandy beaches, which are key breeding grounds of many rare bird spe-
cies, including the white-collared kingfisher and the Sykes's warbler. The area is also a wintering spot of the Indi-
an pond heron.
In 2012, Khor Kalba was closed to the public while undergoing rehabilitation as part of the Sharjah govern-
ment's effort of developing Kalba into an ecotourism destination. With strong binocs, you might still be able to
spot the birds from the partly opened bridge overlooking the creek and mangroves. Check
www.uaebirding.com
or
www.shurooq.gov.ae
for updates.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Khor Fakkan
About 25km north of Fujairah, Khor Fakkan is dominated by its super-busy container
port. At times, an entire armada of ships can be seen on the horizon, queuing to dock, un-
load or refuel. Still, Khor Fakkan is not without charm, especially along the family-
friendly
Corniche
, which is flanked by palm trees, gardens, kiosks, and playgrounds. Sever-
al kilometres long, it links the port and the
fish market
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
7am-noon Sat-Thu & 4-10.30pm daily)
at the southern end with the storied
Oceanic Hotel
(closed for
renovation at press time) at the opposite end. Khor Fakkan also has a clean and simple
youth hostel
(
09-237 0886;
www.uaeyha.com
; 78 Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qassimi St, behind Al Safeer
