Ras Al Khaima, UAE

March 2008 got a new job in Fujariah, 35 km from Ras Al Khaima which i am presently residing. Ive got a studio flat, spacious for a single person or a small family.

Ras Al Khaima aka RAK is 80 km from Dubai or 1 hour ride from a private car towards the end of emirates road after Umm Al Quwain. There is a mini bus going to RAK that stops Umm al Quwain then proceed to RAK bus stand. It will take 1 hour and a half if you will take by mini bus.

RAK is an old small city. Traffic congestion is not observed all the time, less people, less vehicles and definitely less establishments.

My flat is located in the Qawassim Corniche, behind the famous Ras Al Khaima Hotel. The corniche (cornish) is on progress rehabilitation that the local government is preparing for tourist attraction in the coming days. People are walking or jogging along the track of the cornish, some families are making picnic at the new grass ground. While others are at the street side for various cafe and restaurants.

Manar Mall is the only shopping destination at a glance, but lately, new shopping arcades are now sprouting due to the demand of people and the construction boom of the locality. Manar Mall pioneered the shopping destination in which the famous carrefour is situated inside the mall. Weekends thereat is indeed congested by locals and expats.

There was only 1 taxi operator when i arrived in RAK that was 2008, and there is no public transport upto now. Taxi is very convenient and not expensive compared from Dubai. Nowadays, there are 4 taxi operators servicing the small city.

Night clubs are also observed, Filipino, Indian, Arabic and Russian clubs are in the vicinity. Alcoholic drinks is affordable at the clubs. The City Hotel is the first club i came across, located in front of the Carrefour at the Muntasir Road in Nakheel. There is a Filipino acoustic singer, a small bar and cozy bar. Mostly this bar is patronized by western people which you can observed their mob every Thursdays and Fridays. Not to mention the Klub 88 at RAK Hotel and Makati Avenue.

Popular food chains are also present in this city, like starbucks, mc donalds, KFC, dunkin donuts, etc.

Now, i am 1 year in RAK and occasionally going to Dubai on week-ends.