UAE | General
Kalba, a peaceful holiday haven
While people from other emirates descend on fujairah and head north residents turn south.
- By Fuad Ali, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:45 December 18, 2008
- Image Credit: Fuad Ali/Gulf News
- Visitors to the mangrove of Al Qaram, south of Kalba, on Sharjah's eastern coast will be surprised by the experience of nature in all its green splendour.
Fujairah For some years now the East Coast has become the favoured destination for many Emiratis and expatriates, as they try to make the most of the festive season.
Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Al Faqeet beaches near Dibba are brimming with day-trippers and tourists enjoying the mountains and marine life of the area.
When the usual tranquillity of the area is disturbed as thousands descend on Fujairah and turn north towards Dibba, many Fujairah residents quietly pack their picnic provisions and take a five-minute car ride the other way.
Regeneration
Awaiting them is a first-class combination of parks, lagoons and long sandy beaches, still largely undiscovered by residents of other emirates.
Many only briefly knew of Kalba as the worst-hit place by the infamous Cyclone Gonu, which devastated large parts of the coast of Oman, the border of which is less than five minutes drive.
Much has been done since to restore the vibrancy in the town, one of three areas on the east coast that actually belong to the emirate of Sharjah, the others being Khor Fakkan and Dibba Al Hosn.
The much-loved Corniche Park in Suhaila, a favoured destination for both residents of Fujairah and Kalba, was the hardest hit public venue in the town.
After months of repair work, costing millions of dirhams, the park was reopened again during Ramadan and this time it is better than ever.
Refurbishment includes better and more public utilities, play areas for children and a new improved cafeteria and uniformed park attendants.
Abdullah Al Ali, an Emirati resident of Sharjah, travelled to Kalba in a large group of ten families and says the town has a real attraction.
He said: "We love coming here to experience the ocean and get away from the hustle of Sharjah. The place has many places of interest both in terms of nature and history and we like to mingle with the friendly locals."
Kamal Omar Khan is also a Sharjah resident and a first-time visitor and was equally impressed with what he has seen.
"We took the opportunity of this extended holiday to come to Kalba, which we only heard about from some people, and we are pleasantly surprised by the place. The drive here was easy. The parks are nice and the ocean looks great," Kamal said.
Further south along the coastline lies one of the UAE's most precious nature environments.
Al Qaram, is a mangrove marsh in Khor Kalba, home to a number of rare plants and wildlife unique to the area such as the white-collared kingfisher.
Delicate ecology
The attraction of such a beauty spot can, however, threaten the delicate ecological balance of the area.
Al Qaram was recently declared a nature reserve by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
It remains to be seen if the balance between enjoying and protecting the environment can be maintained, as the area continues to grow in popularity.
Another favoured picnic destination is the Khor Kalba lagoon corniche, a stone's throw from Al Qaram.
The lagoon corniche has well maintained green spaces with plenty of public utility facilities and is served by a number of shops and cafeterias, which make it easier for those who want to make an unscheduled stop.
Visitors to Kalba will, however, notice a lack of well-appointed hotels. The authorities here say they want to change this situation.
Despite the undoubted potential of Kalba, the town is only served by one small motel.
For the time being, visitors who plan a longer stay can still discover the area from any base along the East Coast, as it is only a short drive away.
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