November 19: 🚢 Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Shore Excursion: Desert Safari
Arrived this morning in Fujairah and once again greeted by that hazy skyline and can definitely understand why after our traverse on excursion this afternoon. It is the only Emirate capital city on the UAE's east coast and it is an industrial and commercial hub whose prominence and strategic significance is increasing as an alternate port in the Gulf of Oman.
The port is dominated by cylindical tanks for oil storage and as we made our way into port this morning the queue of tankers waiting to enter the port is testament to its significance as a global hub for oil exports. And on land, as we made our way towards the desert, we were gobsmacked by the extent of open cut mining and quarrying that is taking place here. We travelled for one hour along the base of Hajar Mountains and through soil and rock of every colour and size and it was just a landscape absolutely scarred and gutted in the quest for limestone and other minerals. The sand dunes we were in had a proliferation of red flags marking points under survey for the location of natural gas. This is a "shake your head" type of reshaping of the landscape through mining.
Anyway, onto the activity.
Our excursion today was an adventure - slipping and sliding as we made our way over, around, across, up and down the red sand dunes in gutsy off-road vehicles in the capable hands of our driver @Abduhl (each traveller tried but we couldn't collectively pronounce the second part of his name, so he invited us to shorten it.)
Arrived in the Constellation Theatre and were very quickly moved, complete with boarding pass onto the dock where the Fujairah welcome was the most inviting we have experienced to day. The red carpet was literally rolled out - the door was surrounded by musicians and a welcoming party compelte with children handing out gifts and once through a quick security check, the hall was filled with a children's dance performance, ladies completing a basket weaving demonstration and tables laden with food with ladies preparing and serving! Was an experience but we didn't have time to take it all in because there were FORTY off road vehicles lined up in the car park.
Jumped on board - four to a vehicle and buckled up. Our vehicle had an additonal two passengers somehow shoe-horned into the back seat, but after the first hour and at the first toilet stop, they were moved into the backup vehicle as the only two passengers - much more comfortable for them.
We travelled convoy style, strung out along the roadway and did note that the convoy was being filmed at various points along the route. There was a lead vehicle - car number 1 - and everyone needed to stay in their designated spot en route. After a toilet stop (2 loos for the ladies, 8 loos for the men - so you can imagine how long that stop took) and were soon entering an Archaeological Park that marked the entrance to the red sand of the desert. It stretched further than the eye could see, and after deflating the tyres, the convoy proceeded to snake its way across the tops of the dunes. A highlight was the downward descent of a steep cliff face of sand. We were down and up without a hitch but one of the vehicles had an issue with their tyre and had to have the support vehicles come and assist with a quick tyre change.
Loved this drive. We were "door deep: in sand and at one stage, the sand was spiralling up over the side of the vehicle like a wave of water. Got to enjoy our rocking and rolling ride (mind you it was all surprisingly "gentle" - you weren't grabbing onto roll bars or handrails) and even better, got to watch what was happening as the other vehicles in the convoy made their traverse.
Made our way to two distinctive rock formations - Camel Rock and Fossil Rock - walked barefoot (at @Abduhl's suggestion to really "feel" the land) through the surprisingly cool and ultra fine sand and marvelled that NO DUST was ever kicked up in the sands of the desert.
I think it is important to understand that this was our "driver" - not a "tour guide" or a "tour leader." Comparing notes with other ladies while in the toilet queues during the day - most vehicles were very quiet. There was no explanation of what you were seeing or where you were going. NOT so in our case. We got the talking going.
@Abduhl was a quietly spoken Emirate married man with three children and 8 siblings. And with that basic lead in and loads of questions we were able to draw him out and gleaned lots of insights as we made our way through the desert. He shared insights into his family's life and how his family accessed their land and home - he was able to highlight the landmarks both natural and manmade as we made our way through the journey and carefully tried to give answers to the questions that were posed. AND we were in his safe hands for the off-road ride.
Coincidentally, we shared the ride with an American couple who had shared stories with @LoRi on their Luxor overnight stay. What are the odds of that? Made for a very relaxing afternoon with an exhilarating shared adventure.
Back on Board
Last visit to the speciality restaurant tonight and had "familiar fun" with @Andrea. Tried a new (to us) fois gras here and thoroughly enjoyed it, @Mac somehow managed to get two bowls of the mushroom soup (not hard really, just have to smile at @Andrea and ask, who then ensures you get every last drop and drip from the serving.)
Confessing, we are all just so soft. By the time we finished dinner and threw in a couple of coffees - we were collectively done for and despite wanting to revisit the show with Lorraine Brown we all piked and headed for bed. Know we should have made the most of it - but four oldies nodding off in the back row would not have been a good look - especially if we had tumbled off the high stools.
And yes, we have the dreaded brown envelope that gives the specific details of our disembarkation. Guess it is time to think about packing.
PS Very pleased to see @Mornae back on deck this morning all smiles after his absence. He said he was suffering from exhaustion. I can believe it - long days - and constant work for all team members.
PPS The marshalling in Constellation Theatre was complemented today by specific instructions for restrictions in UAE plus the need for some passengers to go through face-to-face inspections. Instructions included specifics for medication. Glad we had completed the online application to the Health Ministry of UAE - we have identified and listed all our medications and have written permit/permission to bring the drugs into the country. The application process had about a 3 day turn-around - but it was a "free" process - so feeling comfortable that we have the appropriate tick of approval.
PPPS @Loraine shared the lift with one of the Security and made inquiries about crossing paths with the speed boat last night. Apparently, they were smugglers running the blockade with Iran.
PPPPS Some guests are heading down-under on subsequent legs of this cruise. Just a heads up - the contrast in views to the horizon couldn't be stronger. The top row of the collage below features two snaps taken yesterday (by @Carolyn and @Von) and one from last week (by @Gary) from home. Compare that with the bottom snap from our approach this morning into Fujairah. Our beaches and coastlines are just one reason why we acknowledge home as "The Lucky Country." I know the Regent travellers lucky enough to be on board will be soaking up the sunshine and the clear blue skies.
Weather: 31 but a very dry heat - comfortable
Steps: 7342 - i think we should get double for walking up sand hill
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
Thank you for a terrific and engaging blog. I have been really enjoying the opportunity to follow along with your cruise experience, and I am sorry that it is almost over.
ReplyDeleteDid you have to declare your medications only because you are disembarking in Dubai? Would you have needed to do so if you were not taking them off the ship?