Fujairah on A Friday

Among all the Emirates, Fujairah is one of the most hilly areas. It has lots of peaks and valleys. In fact, its name means 'Stone Mountains'. Well, I suppose it looks like Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone Mountains in the US. Having never stepped into such a setting before, I hungrily accepted a spontaneous invitation by a friend to visit Fujairah on a one day trip. 

It turned out to be a real surprise. Perhaps, I've been accustomed to the sights in Dubai - tall  buildings, shiny surfaces, customized shops catering for every single need. The whole city hums with activities around the clock. 

On the contrary, in Fujairah, the land is so barren. Void of greens, people and buildings. Low rise buildings spring up by the roadside; sharp, poky shrubs dot sparsely across the rocky mountains (it still amazes me how is it possible that these are the only plants that manage to survive this terrain); and of course, big, heavy boulder chips resting on the foot of these hills. If I were stationed here, I would probably fade into existence. 

Fortunately, the Masafi Friday Market is pretty interesting. It sells all kinds of toys, plants, carpets and fruits! Here, one can't but help but appreciate the presence of bright colours amidst the dull and barren hills. 

Well, I shall say no more. Let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Typical Fujairah Scenery

Plain Desert

Mountains

Rocks, Boulders and Little Stones

Driving through the Mountains

Masafi Market

Toys!

Date Palm Trees

Nursery! 

The only place where you'll see cactus in UAE...

Fruits! Bright red, Fresh Greens and Delightful Oranges!

Flowers - Sunny and Joyful!

Persian Carpets, Kashmir Carpets, Indian Carpets

Al-Madhab Spring Park

Date Palm Tree

Hot Spring! 

Al Hail Fort

Donkeys! So cute!!!! Look at their ears!

(Reminds me so much of Donkey in Shrek - the cartoon series)

Remains of the Al-Hail Fort

Road to the Fort

Oasis around the Fort

Signs of Greens = Signs of Life

Mountains all around the Fort

Hut

Age of this fort? 

1300 to 300 BC (Iron Age)

It is one thing to read about places, and another to physically walk out, touch its soil, inhale its air and absorb everything around it. 

Here, for the first time, I saw little local children playing, creating games on these hills, running effortlessly up and down the rocks. As we stood on the grounds of this fortress, an archaeological site well preserved for four millenniums, it dawned upon me that all that's available here, are just mountains. Everywhere I turn, that's all I see. I, am surrounded by them.  It's barren. It's deserted. There's nothing here. 

What then, was this fortress used to protect? Who would want to invade these lands?What were the Sheikh's of the Iron Age protecting? Who were they protecting it from? The fortress is not very tall either. It's so hard to spot enemies in this dusty terrain. With limited range of vision, by the time the enemy came, it would have been too late for defence. How did they protect the city? Where exactly was the city?

The questions circle around my head, like eagles flying above the skies. Yet, there are no answers. When I retire, I will be an archaeologist. Dusting grounds, searching for clues, to the questions about origin of humanity, resurfacing stories that have been pushed behind our minds, a long, long time ago.