Weekend in RAK

Ras al-Khaimah, aka RAK, sits on the Trucial Sea about 150 miles from Abu Dhabi at almost the northernmost point of the UAE.  Fittingly its name means “Top of the Tent.”  Each Thursday afternoon, RAK is a favorite destination for my young Emirati eager to vacate school.   On a recent Thursday, Alison and I thought we would follow suit to see what all the fuss was about. 

Hilton Ras Al-Khaimah Resort & Spa

The trip north was what one might expect here:  weekend accidents, a bus on fire, stop-and-go traffic between Dubai and Sharjah.  Yes, careful reader, flames completely engulfed a worker bus, which resembled a giant marshmallow roasting on the edge of the road with billowing black smoke filling the late afternoon sky.  Looked like everyone got out alive, at least to us rubberneckers on the other side of the road.   Once in RAK, our KC-built Garmin directed us to a non-existent Hilton Spa and Resort, but Google came to the rescue.   (Thankfully my lovely wife travels with all available technology.) We finally arrived at the real spa as the sun was setting over the Trucial Sea.  Later we enjoyed a seafood meal with prawns and sand lobsters along with a host of Arabic mezzes at one of the resort restaurants. 

Alison outside our villa to take sunset pictures

Sunset over the Trucial Sea

Labyrinthine Pool at night

The Hilton sports a variety of pools: the requisite noisy kiddie pool with squirting fountains, a tranquil adult pool, and a labyrinthine pool with seawater from the gulf.  No pool, however, could compare to the beautiful beach.  Alison waded into the waters, enjoying the waves and collecting bottles and plastic to protect endangered, hawksbill sea turtles.  I held my Fitbit aloft in the water, and invoked the memories of Moses in battle.  Alternately we relaxed and read in comfy beach chairs, enjoying the sun and gentle breezes, which made the 110° F (43° C) heat tolerable.  In the afternoon, we imbibed next to scantily clad Germans (in Speedos and halters in pursuit of “braungebrant”) at an outside cantina.  Steve sampled a fruity mojito while Alison sipped a Planter’s Punch, worthy of her Southern roots.

Alison the environmentalist!

Relaxing and Reading

Cheers!

Seaside cantina

So worth the effort to get there!

After a full day at the resort, we decide to venture out Friday night to THE top restaurant featured in Trip Advisor (TA), an Indian diner begun by a five-star chef from Dubai (One of the surprises we have had here is a growing affinity for spicy Indian food).  Anyway, the dinner began inauspiciously:  we were moved into the “family” room; the oven was out of commission and so the tandoori touted in TA was unavailable.  Instead, we feasted on an Indian version of bruschetta and 2 curries -- prawns masala and chicken masala -- along with endless Indian flat bread.   After the entire meal plus waters and Mountain Dews, we were delighted to see the tab was for 66 dirhams, or about $18. 

With a late checkout and Ramadan not yet starting, we spent another leisurely morning at the beach on Saturday. The afternoon concluded with an uneventful return:  no flaming buses, just interesting desert terrain.  

Modesty even at the beach

Dates are almost ready.

Desert from RAK to Dubai