A Sojourn at Ras Al Khaimah

Thursday, August 19, 2021

A lesser known gem of the emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is blessed with amazing landscapes, stunning coastlines, rolling desert planes, mangrove forests and archaeological sites that bespeak the rich Arabian culture. Located at a driving distance of about 45 minutes from Dubai, RAK offers a relaxing gateway to visit in a day. Going literally, Ras Al Khaimah means “the peak of the tent” which is located to the east of the Arabian Gulf bordering with Oman’s exclave with Musandam. Though visiting this unfamiliar emirate is in itself an amazing experience, but if you want to make the most of your trip, make a list of things to do in your day trip to RAK.

VISIT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RAS AL KHAIMAH

Once a palace of the Al Quasmi ruling family until 1964 now stands as a treasure trove of historical gems of the emirate. Situated in the old town area of Ras Al Khaimah city, the museum is a must visit place for tourists. There museum space is divided into three sections- The National History Room, Qawasim Room and Ethnographic Section. The National History Room showcases apparels, weapons, daily equipment, pearl diving and other relics. The Qawasim Room features a collection of documents, manuscripts and treaties between the rulers of Ras Al Khaimah and Great Britain. In the Ethnographic Section one gets a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of the emirate people through architecture and date cultivation.

GO FOR DESERT SAFARI

A long cherished wish for wanderlust souls is to go for an exhilarating drive over the colossal sand dunes in an open hood jeep. You can watch a striking sunset over the desert skyline en route your campsite. Going on a camel safari is a quintessential Arabian experiences every traveller looks forward to. It allows you to explore the rugged allure of a desert and get an up-close insight into the region’s traditions and culture. Tourists looking for milder pursuits can take delight in henna designing, belly dance shows, Falcon show, Arabic Tanoura and shisha smoking.

TASTE LOCAL FLAVOURS

Your trip to Ras Al Khaimah is never complete without tasting some of the popular Emirati savouries. From traditional breakfast trays to machboos, saloona samak and some frozen delights, the taste will certainly make you crave for more. Some restaurants serve both local and pan Arabic platters and offer an authentic Arabian feast to the epicureans. Not to forget, date fruits and date palms have a long standing place in Emirati culture. Got a chance, don’t forget to taste the finest farm-fresh dates in RAK.

GO PEARL DIVING

The Suwaidi Pearl Farm is the only pearl farm among Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain which breeds oysters in a natural and eco-friendly way. Visitors can go for pearl diving in the lagoon sited at the foot of the Al Hajar Mountain and collect some of the elegant gems. Pearl diving is still considered as one of the UAE’s most cherished traditions and the most enduring of divers can handle this task. UAE pearls are imported to countries like Rome, Venice, India and Sri Lanka.

ENJOY AT BEDOUIN CAMP

A Bedouin camp is a luxury haven which allows travellers a true-to-life recreation in an authntic Bedouin style. Tents made of real goat hairs are furnished with embroidered cushions on sand and sumptuous Arabian barbecues cooked in sand oven along with a surfeit of entertainment options is the ultimate hideaway for an Arabian experience.

Although RAK does not have the glitz and glitter of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, it is its old world charm which sets the little emirate apart from the rest. Spend a quiet and relaxing sojourn in Ras Al Khaimah and come back with lifetime of memories.

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