"Life on the fringes of the Empty Quarter" United Arab Emirates by DSwede

United Arab Emirates Travel Guide: 4,987 reviews and 14,397 photos

Dunes for as far as the eye can see - United Arab Emirates

UAE is a rather unique corner of the world. While until recently (1970’s) it was still very much part of the third world, with wandering nomadic Bedouin tribes living hand to mouth, it has transformed into an oasis of business and commerce.

There is a long history and rich culture of the tribes and people who have called this area home for centuries, but very little of it is visible in the cities. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been built from the sands to the monstrous steel skyline as you see now almost overnight. In my opinion, while they do have nearly all the modern conveniences of life and the latest of technologies, the cities are too artificial and commercial.

If you want to experience anything other than lights, skyscrapers, shopping malls, exhibition centers and overpriced hotels, you must get out of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Life is still found

On the other hand, the east coast with places like Fujairah, have majestic mountains dropping into Gulf of Oman, quaint fishing villages and rustic atmospheres. It is much more intimate and beautiful.

Al Ain has a long history as being one of the greenest places on the Arabian Peninsula, as it rightfully should with a name that translates into “the Spring”. It is home of a handful of oasis’s, and boasts being the home town of Sheik Zayed [bin Sultan Al Nahyan], the founder of the UAE. The oasis, forts and falaj of Al Ain are definitely worthwhile.

Of course, all points in between are connected by the ever present dunes and arid mountains. The colors of which change over the distances as the sandstone turns reddish due to iron ore, the textures of which also change from fine to coarse.

I'd love to come back and explore the Rub' al Khali (otherwise known as the "Empty Quarter")! After getting my fill of all corners of the UAE, I dipped further south into the northern areas of Oman.

Mosques, forts and souks

(for more pictures, feel free to visit my UAE Gallery. If you enjoy the pictures, please leave a comment.)

Pros and Cons

Pros:The deserts are easily accessible for any level of enthusiast or curiosity.
Cons:The big cities are artificial, the small towns are very spartan.
In a nutshell:The heart of UAE is in the beautiful but desolate deserts surrounding the cities.

Intro Updated Apr 4, 2011
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Greenery on the sides - United Arab Emirates

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If you pay attention to the roads as you venture anywhere, you may quickly notice how much of them have trees, grass and... more travel advice

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Comments (2)

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SLLiew Jul 6, 2009 at 8:51 PM

Yes, great desert photo.
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Tijavi Jun 12, 2009 at 3:04 AM

Beautiful photo of the desert...when were you last here? Will return for your take on what has been my home for the last 4 years.