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UAE is best for a short and sweet holiday: Residents

Against the backdrop of high travel costs and the short Eid holiday, private workers and residents opt to stay in the emirates, planning to enjoy the natural scenery of the UAE which they consider as the best summer holiday destination in the region.

From the towering Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain — UAE’s second highest peak — Ain Al Madhab Gardens, Heritage Village and the ruins of Fujairah Fort to the Falaj Al Mualla Garden Park in Umm Al Quwain and the beaches and bird watching spots at Rams in Ras Al Khaimah, the list of the UAE’s captivating tourist spots is long. As Eid approaches, these attractions are in the mind of many residents, particularly families who prefer for “staycations” to out-of-the country vacations.

A Moroccan expatriate of 18 years, Abdullah Khamal said the UAE was the best holiday destination in summer. “I love Al Ain, and will spend Eid there. Definitely, Jebel Hafeet with its winding road and vast mountain scenery have attracted lots of people, not just tourists. I am one of those expatriates, who love the place.”

He said that even in Dubai, residents are going to Atlantis, The Palm to sit with friends and listen to music while enjoying the tasty food and the beautiful surroundings. “I will also be doing it on the first day of Eid.”

Iraqi student Ola Aliraqi said that she would spend a day with friends at Fujairah’s beaches and go for off-road adventures and magnificent scenery. “I love to go swimming and dine with my friends at the restaurants there to celebrate Eid.”

Fujairah is home to UAE’s oldest mosque — Al Bidyah Mosque — that dates back to 1446, the rare archaeological discoveries dated to early Bronze Age, and the Bithna Fort, 20th century Fujairah Fort, Ain Al Madhab Gardens and the Heritage Village. They all beckon Eid “staycationers”.

Farooq, a Pakistani expatriate resident of Sharjah for 25 years, said that he and wife Ishrat would spend Eid in Fujairah. “We will take our three kids there so they can appreciate what the emirates offer. Eid is only for two days. It is too short and too much work to do after that. I cannot take my family back to Pakistan for this short a holiday. Fujairah’s sea and beaches and the hillsides of Khorfakkan also attract me.” He said that it was best to spend short holidays in the UAE as it was the best holiday destination in the summer.

Rama Ramees, a Syrian student, will spend the second day of Eid with friends and cousins, shopping and eating at any Dubai restaurant after. “My father is a hard-working man. He is too busy to take us out on Eid. We cannot be in Syria now.”

Egyptian Mona Mahmoud, a mother of three, always spends Eid in her hometown in Homs, but the ongoing political upheaval is preventing her family to be there. “This year is my first Eid outside my country. But, there is nothing Egyptians in the UAE can do except to stay here and visit scenic spots,” she said.

Filipino expatriate Norman Yutero said going out of the UAE for the Eid was costly this time as airline tickets to the Philippines were pricey. “I and my family will just stay at home and enjoy the respite from the usual hectic daily schedule and strengthen family bonding.”

lily@khaleejtimes.com