In case you missed parts I, II, or III…
Our day of exploring Sharjah!
{Authentic Emirati breakfast at Fenyaal Cafe in Al Qasba. I had some superb Egyptian coffee with thick, savory, bread-like pancakes that are seasoned with spices and seeds that you top with a smooth, spreadable cream cheese and drizzle with honey. They were absolutely INCREDIBLE. Definitely one of the most interesting and unique dishes I ate in the UAE and it was delicious beyond words! Ted ordered a dish that consisted of sweet, warm noodles (think shredded crepes) and a flat omelette, which he also loved! We really enjoyed this cafe, the atmosphere, the food, and the views!}
{Eye of the Emirates and Al Qasba}
{Hop-on-hop-off bus tour = best and most inexpensive way to see Sharjah, learn about the culture and landmarks via audio-tour, and get around the city – an excellent form of transportation!}
{Browsing the wares at the Blue Souk in Sharjah. It was enormous – almost overwhelming! Thousands of shops selling gold jewelry, Persian rugs, evening gowns, abayas and hijabs, electronics, spices, traditional trinkets, and anything else you could possibly imagine. There were also men’s and women’s prayer rooms for when the ‘call to prayer’ sounds. At every stall entrance someone was standing at the door urging you to come in to their shop and see what they have for you – a very bold style of shopkeeping we are generally unaccustomed to in the US. It was definitely an experience!}
{Fruit and vegetable market & fish market – we arrived at the fish market after they’d closed for the day. Most markets and souks are open in the morning, shut down between 1 and 4pm, and reopen again in the afternoon/evening.}
{Museum of Islamic Civilization…it was full of amazing, gorgeous things! Sharjah is a cultural capital and has many, many awesome museums to visit…and they cost hardly anything! We’re really looking forward to checking out the classic car museum and the airplane museum next!}
{Back to Al Qasba for a beautiful sunset, a wonderful ‘pick-your-own-fish’ grilled seafood dinner at a lovely restaurant, some late-night ice cream along the water, steamy glasses (because that’s what happens when you step outside – it’s so hot and humid that you glasses instantly fog up), and the most terrifying taxi ride I’ve ever experienced and lived through – the driving there is no joke….but we got home safely!}
The last of our trip is up next!
