Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Centre; dm HI members/nonmembers Dh50/60; reception hours 9am-11pm)
in an old white villa on the
busy main road next to Al Kansa Mosque.
For excellent Indian food, try
Taj Khorfakkan Restaurant
( 09-237 0040;
www.grouptajmahal.com
;
Al-Tufail bin Malik St, off Corniche Rd; mains Dh22-45; noon-midnight)
opposite Al Safeer Centre.
There's also
Iranian Pars Restaurant
( 09-238 7787; cnr Corniche Rd & Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed al-
Qassimi St; mains Dh30-45; 11am-midnight)
, which gets local thumbs up for its Iranian fare, in-
cluding super-tasty chelo kebab.
Since Khor Fakkan is an enclave of the Sharjah emirate, it's 'dry' as a bone.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Badiyah
Badiyah (also spelt Bidyah and Bidiya), 8km north of Khor Fakkan, is famous for its
teensy
mosque
(Dibba Rd, Hwy E99; 7am-10pm)
. The modest structure, adorned with
four three-tiered domes and resting on a single internal pillar, dates back to AD 1446 and
may well be the oldest mosque in the UAE.
The interior has a lovely contemplative feel, enlivened only by colourful prayer mats. A
sign says that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, but you're free to catch a peek
provided you're modestly dressed and take off your shoes; women must also cover their
hair.
The mosque is built into a low hillside along the coastal road just north of Badiyah vil-
lage and guarded by two ruined
watchtowers
. It's well worth walking up here for superb
360-degree views of the Hajar Mountains, the Gulf and a date-palm plantation.
On the northern outskirts of Badiyah, fruit and veg vendors set up shop daily along the
road.
WORTH A TRIP
WADI WURAYAH
Tucked into the Hajar Mountains and famous for its waterfall, Wadi Wurayah (Wurayah Canyon) was designated
the UAE's first protected mountain area by the World Wildlife Fund in 2009. The harsh habitat harbours many
endemic animal species, including threatened ones such as the Arabian tahr, the mountain gazelle and the caracal
lynx. To get there, head inland near Zubara on a paved road that corkscrews for about 14km through the harsh
rocky landscape, deadending at a viewpoint overlooking the wadi. It's a steep hike down into the canyon where
there is a small pool and a waterfall hemmed in by (sigh!) graffiti-festooned rocks.
With a 4WD and a GPS it's possible to make the bone-rattling drive to the waterfall, but this is no trip for the
inexperienced. Get advice locally before setting out.
