Much Ado about Sharjah

Sharjah, during a sandstorm… See the sea water on the promenade?? Yup, the wind was that strong! – View from the Sharjah Aquarium

Ramadan Kareem everyone!

Yeah, that time of year is upon us, again, where work hours are short, and schools start late (in the UAE where I'm at anyway, hehe). Productivity drops, traffic accidents increase, tempers flare (when they aren’t supposed to), and malls go quiet in the day (and become a hive of activity in the middle of the night!) Huge changes, but it’s a time a lot of Non-Muslims look forward to. (Why? When else can you get an excuse to get off work early???) I dunno about Muslims (coz I ain’t one), but I always feel a general calmness, an acceptance by the bosses and the higher-ups of laying off the work pressure (a rare thing in a society like Dubai), and a re-orientation of priorities towards family, friends and …God (instead of bloody work). A welcome change, wouldn’t you say?

I’m putting some pictures of our neighbouring emirate, Sharjah. Sharjah may be crowded, jammed up and disorganized in some way, but the ‘poor man’s’ version of Dubai has quite a lot of things going on that’s worth a visit, especially when you’re looking for something affordable. I’d say, its attractions are definitely more people-orientated (than the commercially driven attractions of Dubai). In fact, the kids love it. Here, have a look!


Underwater Tunnel, Sharjah Aquarium


Jayden and a sea turtle


A guitarfish!


Sharjah Aquarium – notice how small the kids are, especially Jayden? …That’s because this was taken more than 2 years ago, i.e. Jan 2017


Sharjah Maritime Museum, which is right beside the Sharjah Aquarium


Whoa?! Who are these men in white?


Pearls! Yup, that's what the UAE used to survive on...


Pearling industry - tools of the trade

We also visited the Museum of Islamic Civilization on the same day as our visit of Sharjah Aquarium and the Maritime Museum. Click on the link for a look.


The Central Souk, Sharjah (aka the Blue Souk) …honestly, looks more brown to me than blue


Sharjah Desert Park, which contains a children's farm, wildlife centre, natural history museum, Islamic garden, …etc. That background in the photo by the way, is a prop!




Arabian Wildlife Centre, part of the Sharjah Desert Park


A camel ride at the Children’s Farm


Islamic Garden …let’s go! It’s night already! – This is more recent – Nov 2018

To those who are fasting, have a blessed Ramadan, Selamat Berpuasa!