Last Updated on May 1, 2022 by asoulwindow
WHILE RETURNING FROM A MEMORABLE TRIP TO JORDAN, I had a long transit at the Sharjah airport. As my plane hovered over the brown landscape of Sharjah, I couldn’t take my eyes off the city, which looked neat and well planned.
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Spending all day at the Sharjah Airport, I craved to see Sharjah and Dubai. I should have applied for a transit visa maybe. Dubai and Sharjah have attracted Indians since a long time. I am from India and have long nursed the dream to explored United Arab Emirates. The distance between Sharjah and Dubai is short and takes less than an hour to cover the journey. I might plan a trip here soon. The long transit fuelled my dream to explore Dubai and Sharjah. Maybe I will travel there soon and also club offbeat UAE destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras-al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaywayn, Al Fujairah, Ash-Shariqah etc.
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Table of Contents
Business Class lounge at the Sharjah Airport
Unable to explore Sharjah due to a lack of visa, I compensated by exploring the Business Class lounge at the Sharjah Airport and the airport itself. The lounge had me engaged and had great facilities. It had everything one needs during transit. Wi-fi, magazines, newspapers, sitting area, work-desk, alcoholic beverages, buffet etc.
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I was delighted to find Indian dishes such as Aaloo Gobhi (Potato-cauliflower curry), dal (Lentils) and rice in the buffet. I had some along-with red wine and my last fill of mezze platter (Hummus, Labneh, Moutabal, black olives, the works!) During my week long sojourn in Jordan, I had stuck to the delicious mezze platter. Not only is it healthy but also vegan friendly. Being a vegetarian, it was my best bet. I myself can rustle up some great tasting mezzes.
![IMG_7521](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7521.jpg)
Post lunch, I strolled aimlessly at the Sharjah airport, only to be surprised by some discoveries every now and then. I was amazed to see so many Indian dishes on sale at the airport. Being an Indian, it was amusing to me. Blame the high Indian footfall or the influence of Indian cuisine, there was no dearth of Indian food available in the food courts of The Sharjah Airport.
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Indian Food Galore at the Sharjah Airport!
I was most impressed with an outlet called Mumbai Spices. It served typical Mumbai dishes. Their tagline read: ‘Spirit of Mumbai, Taste of India’. Being an obsessive Mumbai lover, I was delighted to see this outlet. They sold Pav Bhaji, Puri Bhaji, Samosa, Vada and even South Indian dishes like Masala Dosa, idli, uthappam etc. Another outlet sold Indian dishes like Paneer Masala, vegetable curry apart from Falafel wraps.
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Some Chinese outlets also served Indian style Chinese food, viz. Hakka Chowmein, Vegetable Manchurian (Dry gravy) etc. Mc Donalds was also vying for attention with its Happy Meals and what nots. Their menu was minimalist and different from what we get in India. The food court looks much similar to a food court in India, except the script on the menu boards.
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SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS AT THE SHARJAH AIRPORT:
I am not much of a shopping person. But I was intrigued by the interesting souvenir options available at the Sharjah Airport. Burqa clad women, Sheikhs and camel heads wearing sunglasses were my favorite. All these were done in porcelain. And were actually a cruet set (Salt and pepper shaker).
![IMG_7515](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7515.jpg)
The colorful and metallic camels, chirag and eagles were other typical souvenirs available at the Sharjah Airport. I am sure Dubai had similar souvenirs to offer.
![IMG_7516](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7516.jpg)
I instead shopped for coins and notes. Well, it’s not shopping in real sense. I exchanged some Indian currency with the currency of U.A.E to add to my collections. I have been a Numismatics enthusiast since childhood and have been collecting currencies of different countries since eons.
![IMG_7508](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7508.jpg)
How to reach Sharjah and Dubai
Emirates run regular flights to UAE. Known for their high standards of service, it is an apt choice.
Air Arabia offers comfortable rides to UAE. It is spacious and well managed.
![IMG_7492](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7492.jpg)
Where to stay in Dubai
J.W. Marriott, Dubai is a great option. It is a luxury property and close to Hamarain Centre and Deira City Centre. It has 351 rooms, 10 restaurants, spa and much more.
![IMG_7475](http://asoulwindow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_7475.jpg)
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wow this is so amazing, I have never been to emirates business lounge and this looks luxurious . Thanks for sharing
We had a lay over in Abu Dhabi. But didn’t have enough time to go out and explore the city. However, felt exactly like you while roaming around on the airport – an urge to go explore the city. Hopefully next time!!
You most definitely will not feel out of place in Dubai or Sharjah or UAE for that instance. Every shopkeeper here knows some bit of Hindi and almost every nook and corner you will find a lot of Indian restaurants. I can so relate to what you saw in your transit. You should definitely make a trip to UAE soon
Wow I can see why it made you want to visit Dubai. All that yummy dishes they served at the lounge would have all of my attention and make me not want to leave. There seems to have many shopping options in the airport too. I hope you get to visit Dubai soon!
Food sounds delicious and the souvenirs looks lovely too! The lamps reminded me of Genie and Aladdin:)
I hope you can return and visit Dubai sometime soon. Until then it looks like it wasn’t so bad exploring the airport. The lounge looks like a great place to kill some time!
Though I have never been to the lounge in Dubai, but getting free access to the premium plaza lounges in India,was definitely one of the reasons for me paying a yearly maintenance amount for my privilege card (turns out to be costly when you are broke) . But getting those few hours of comfort in a Lounge while waiting for the flight, and having food on the house, is definitely one of the most pocket friendly things I do on my travels.
Aha! That is the reaction when you find a great place with Indian food on foreign soil. We are also travelers and being vegetarian, finding food in foreign lands is sometimes a challenge. Dubai of course is the haven for shopping and even the most die-hard anti-shopping person would be moved 🙂
lucky to be in the lounge! I love the decorative chirag (hope I spelled that right). Would love to visit dubai and get myself one
I can see why, the airport is something else. Our nearest airport isn’t quite as glamorous. I have always wanted to go to Dubai too.
Welcome to Dubai! Marhaba! Very interesting and detailed description of airport. Airports of UAE itself is a tourist attraction with full luxuries. These airports are like a modern mini city with lots of vegetarian options.
What interesting post! I so love the photos from the souvenir shop. We always travel with the kids and I know we’d be coming home with those pretty genie lamps! I wonder what wishes they would secretly make by rubbing on them and hoping the genie would grant!!
I would love to get those salt and pepper shakers as souvenirs. I can understand the amount of dissatisfaction you felt when you missed Dubai inspite of being so close to it. I wish the Indian passport was stronger and we could evade visa every time we cross our borders.
Wow! I can see how tempted and desperate you must have felt to get out and explore Dubai and Sharjah! Glad you explored the airport! You should definitely plan your trip soon 🙂
I’d go for a mcdonalds in the airport unless I had a first class lounge pass. You should definitely make the effort to get a transit visa next time, maybe stay a few days. The Marriot would be the perfect place to stay in dubai.
Oh I’ve always wanted to peak in a Business Lounge – it just looks so nice! Maybe I’ll spring for it on my next long layover, the amenities and facilities certainly seem worth the expense.
This business lounge looks cozy and big. I like the souvenir items especially the camels. The restaurant options are also good. I prefer to eat vegetarian dishes when I travel although I am curious to taste the chicken burger from McDonald’s.
Iza c/o (Fill My Passport)
I love Emirates and enjoy the flights. I have never had the pleasure of being in their lounge but l hear it’s fabulous. I had a layover in Dubai for 6 hours last year and did not take advantage of it either, just perused the airport. Hopefully someday :-).
That is one part of the world that I am not very familiar with. I would love to experience it one day and get to see something entirely new to me. Yet at the same time if I need to I can still return to the usual for a little while if I need some Mickey D’s.
I have been to Dubai and the UAE but have not previously heard of Sharjah. Thanks for sharing your impressions!