Ras Al Khaimah - The Middle East, plus a drop of Dubai
First, I was intrigued by the destination. Second, we had friends who were eager to explore the Middle East. Third, it was as affordable as a trip to Menorca.
Ras Al Khaimah is located about an hour north of Dubai, so I knew we could easily visit Dubai to experience its glitz and glamour if we wanted to. My research on Ras Al Khaimah led me to believe that this Emirate is up-and-coming—about 20 to 30 years behind Dubai, yet already beginning its transformation.
Flying with Emirates into Dubai, we stepped out into the searing Middle Eastern heat, got straight into our car, and headed out of the city. We drove through flatlands and desert landscapes until we reached the Rixos Bab Al Bahr, located on the man-made island of Al Marjan. In another 10 to 15 years, this island is set to become an entertainment and casino hub.
If you haven’t experienced 5-star all-inclusive luxury in the Middle East, it’s worth noting that it’s a cut above the usual standard. This isn’t a TripAdvisor review of the hotel, but we absolutely loved it.
Summer in the Middle East can be intensely hot, with temperatures so high that it feels like you're sweating out your insides until you acclimatize. The key is to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while your body adjusts. Is it too hot? Not at all. With regular dips in the pool and some shade from your sunbed, you'll be just fine.
After a few days and nights of relaxing at this wonderful hotel, it was time for my first solo adventure: the world’s longest zipline. I’ve already written a blog about this, so feel free to check that out for more details. However, reaching the zipline itself was an incredible experience. To get there, you have to climb up through the Jebel Jais Mountains, which boast the highest peaks in the Middle East and are home to the highest restaurant in the region!
After conquering the zipline, we made our way back down the mountains, passing through Ras Al Khaimah. We stopped for a photo at Emirates FC, which I’m pretty sure is where Iniesta is now playing. Unfortunately, I didn’t spot him—just the Australian groundsman.
Of course you still get the high rollers up here in RAS. Plenty of them.
Ras Al Khaimah has some cool shopping malls, like Al Hamra Mall and Manar Mall. While they might not be on the same level as those in Dubai, they're great places to spend an evening for a change of scenery. Craving some McDonald’s, anyone?
The waterfronts at the malls are always a cool spot to visit too.
In the Middle East, land is abundant. So, when they build something new, like Al Marjan Island, they go all out. The island features a promenade, a cycle lane, and even a rubber running track! Yes, a full rubber running track.
Just for the record, I hadn’t packed my running shoes or proper running attire, so I can't comment on the quality of the track. Maybe next time.
Once our friends had fully acclimatized to the weather and environment, it was time for a trip down to Dubai. It’s easy to arrange a car and driver for the day, and the price is quite reasonable. I’m sure many of you have already explored Dubai, but for those who haven’t, our itinerary included the Spice Souk, The Frame, the Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Water Fountains. That’s how you hit all the highlights of Dubai in a day! Most of the passengers were asleep on the drive back.
Dubai was a hit with our Middle East newbies—they loved it. I get it too. When you first visit Dubai, the scale, the wealth, everything feels oversized.
But back in Ras Al Khaimah, as I mentioned before, things are much more laid-back. Camels wander the roads and desert, and since we were in the desert, we had to experience the obligatory dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, and quad biking, all followed by a feast and belly dancers. Oh, the Bedouin life!
We made a couple more trips into Dubai during our stay. One of those was just for the girls, who spent the afternoon at the world’s highest infinity pool, Aura Skypool.
As the days leisurely passed at this wonderful hotel, I felt the urge to dive into some history. Since I love exploring the origins and stories of a place, I dedicated a day to discovering the old Ras Al Khaimah.
First up on my day was the old Dhaya Fort. The only remaining hilltop fort in the Middle East.
It was quite a climb in the morning heat, but the breathtaking views transported me back to a simpler time.
Next on the list was the National Museum, which costs just £1 to enter. This museum was the residence of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah until 1964—another hidden gem in the area.
The final stop on my day out was the Ghost Village, or Al Jazeera Al Hamra—an abandoned fishing village on the outskirts of Ras Al Khaimah. It’s like a Middle Eastern version of Pompeii
Rather than being left to decay, this area is being transformed into a Heritage Village, which must be quite amazing at night, albeit a little eerie.
So, Ras Al Khaimah is an incredible Emirate that felt completely different from Dubai. Would I return? Definitely, perhaps during the cooler months to explore the spectacular trekking trails high in the mountains. Did our friends enjoy their first trip to the Middle East? I’m pretty sure they did—it's a unique experience.
I’ll share more stories and blurry-eyed photos, just like a regular tourist.
Side note: While we were in the Middle East, there were riots and unrest in the UK, which I found quite embarrassing.
In life, there are good people and bad people. During my time in Ras Al Khaimah, I met people from a variety of countries—Uganda, Russia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, England, Pakistan, Wales, Jordan, Egypt, Scotland, Uzbekistan, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India, to name a few. All of these individuals fell into the category of good people, whether they were working or on holiday.
No one is entitled.
