So, Elizabeth then decided to give the fresh coconut milk a try, which I am sure Jared would love because he drinks it by the can from the market... I'm not really a fan, but I still enjoy the concept of just cutting the top off a piece of fruit (or tree nut to be technically correct, I guess) and then putting in a straw and just drinking.

After she had finished we didn't want to good coconut flesh inside to go to waste, so we asked the man who ran the stand if we could get the coconut meat out. He then went to town on it with a giant knife and improvised scraping tool from part of the coconut shell. Once he got the actual coconut out it was the freshest and most delicious coconut I had ever tasted. And I don't even like coconut, but when it's this fresh it's hard to turn down.

Finally, after our detour at the Farmer's Market we got back on the road and headed to our destination. Since Fujairah is still so rural there are very few resorts and hotels. We went to the Sandy Beach Hotel which is older and the hotel itself isn't anything fancy, but their beach resort area is gorgeous! Lounge chairs and palm umbrellas with a view of Snoopy Island (below). See if you can see Snoopy... It looks like he's laying on his back, lounging in the water.

Can you see Snoopy? :) Apparently when the tide is high enough you can climb up onto the island and jump off the rocks. The tide was too low the day we were there though.

So we whiled away the afternoon lounging, chatting, snacking, and swimming in the very warm water of the Gulf of Oman (Fujairah is the only Emirate located on the Gulf of Oman, all the others that have a coastline are located on the Persian Gulf). We had a blast playing in the water because Clare brought a water football torpedo (you know those ones that absorb water.... very fun) and a beach ball and Diana brought a volleyball. So we swam for awhile and when we got bored we ordered some pizza and Heinekens from the Beach Bar (you can just sit on the beach and drink cans of beer... pretty awesome). Then we began an animated game of Uno that we played until well after the sun went down and we couldn't see the cards anymore. A really great day in so many ways. Beautiful scenery, an opportunity to get out of the city, and time spent with new friends. Can't wait to go back soon... and maybe take some visitors too!

This is a sign that was posted on the beach that I very much enjoy. In case you were feeling the urge to Spear Gun fish in the hotel beach resort area, the Government of Fujairah would like you to know that it is prohibited and you will be subject to a fine if you use your spear gun in swimming area. Hmm....