Wednesday our ‘day as a tourist ‘ did not start until 3pm. So we based ourselves by / in the pool until then. Very pleasant. Simon had earlier gone for a run before the heat of the day but going at 7am when it’s already 27 degrees with a high expected for the day of 28 was not as bad as it seemed. The track is in the shade. Our desert journey started at 3.30 with Erickson our private guide / driver. When we left the hotel the pick up zone was full of 4wds heading also heading to the desert. Erickson is Filipino and has been in Dubai for over 15 years. When started desert treks there were about 20 companies now there are over 200.
We drove for about an hour and a half before we turned into the sand. We had a gentle drive over the sand as Myra has a very dodgy shoulder so bouncing was not advisable. She didn’t really want to come but the 3 of us insisted. We stopped to reduce tbe air pressure in the tyres by about half to make it easier to travel over sand. We went over a bluff which had a much steeper drop than what Erickson was expecting and that unfortunately caused Myra a lot of pain. We took a short cut, after first stopping to pump the tyres back up, by road to get to the Camp. The camp is made up of a circle of basic buildings, with rugs laid with low tables which you sit at in cushions. Before you enter the ‘camp site” it’s time for a Camel Ride- Rose and Simon did. Obviously very placid but you get a bit of a jolt when they stand up and also when they sit.
It was nearly sunset so we drove into the desert to get some photos of the sunset. Very spectacular.. Back in the camp while we waited for dinner, we all had turns holding onto a Falcon. We had dinner with probably about 150 tourists. Apparently there are at least another 20 camp sites doing the same thing as us that night and every night of the week.
The ‘Belly Dancer’ came out for her floor show after the entree She, I imagine would have been more at home at Calendar Girls as she was very tacky or tarty or both. She must have been making a lot of men happy judging by the number who were recording her ‘shake it all about” After our buffet dinner main we then had a Whirling Dervish dancer. They dance by spinning in one spot doing very clever tricks with baskets and gowns for about 15 minutes. After 30 seconds of spinning I am sure I would be a shade of green! He then dud a ring of fire which as the name suggests spins with a ring of fire attached to himself. It was impressive.
It was then home time, Erickson knew a shortcut to get us back onto the road.
We passed 2 or 3 4WDs that were stuck in the sand. We got back to the hotel at about 10.30 for our last sleep in Dubai as on Thursday we are heading to Istanbul.
Desert photos.
1: Preparing for the desert. Letting air out of the tyres.
2 - 5: In the desert.
6: We found a Camel in the desert. A Camel butt. The amount of litter was surprisingly high. Plastic bottles and cigarette butts.
7: Shopping in the desert. The definition of a supermarket is a bit different to the Kiwi definition.
8: Time for a ride. Lean back as the Camel gets up. Still quite a jolt when the Camel gets onto all 4 legs.
9: Time for a trek. Actually the ride was about 3 minutes, we went up a wee dune and back all very tame.
10: Down we go. Again a bit of a jolt when the Camel gets down.
11: Susan & The Camel
12: Sunset
13: Look whose got the sun.
14: The Hawk in desert camp.
15: Susan’s turn
16: Holding the sun.
17: Ring of Fire. Impressive performance. No sign if fire rugs or extinguishers if they were needed. I am sure they were there but just out of site.
18: Desert Camp Entertainment. Note the large number of people (men) recording the tacky dancer. Can you see her. I can’t.
19: Pedestrian Crossing. This photo and the next one should be the first 2 photos. When your are waiting for the green cross light the footpath lights are red they change to green when it’s good to go. Very clever.
20: Hot all day. It does not matter what time of day you run as it is hot all day. You just run a shorter distance and Nigel you don’t go up any hills.
Leanne
2018-04-23
Loving the blog! That sunset - wow! It all looks fan-blimen-tastic.
Elia
2018-04-24
You both look quite relaxed, considering your days seem quite full on?! Fantastic, may your travels continue to be safe. And Im enjoying being a part of it, Thank You!