Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Get out
Dubai has an arrangement with Oman to allow visitors who qualify for an Omani visa on arrival, visiting permission by road through Hatta. Details of the arrangements can be viewed on the official Omani web site [74].
While Dubai itself offers ample entertainment and shopping opportunities, tourists may also visit the nearby Emirate of Sharjah for its many museums, beaches and parks. However tourists should be aware that Sharjah is more conservative than nearby Dubai - alcohol is banned in this Emirate and there are heavy penalties if you are caught transporting alcohol. However, if you are transporting alcohol from an emirate where the sale is permitted with a license to another licensed emirate (eg. Fujairah to Dubai), then you are legally allowed to transport alcohol, provided you have the license for your destination emirate. However, this is not common knowledge, even amongst the Sharjah police. Additionally, women are not allowed to wear swimwear on public beaches in Sharjah.
The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is an entirely different city and it is worth the one and a half hour ride to see the contrast.
The Iranian island of Kish is close by, and most visitors do not require a visa.