In our quest to find activities exploring the country and to recommend to our guests we tried a half-day sunset desert safari with Hala, a local travel company. We were a bit curious not knowing if dune-bashing, driving up and down the sand dunes, would be to our liking. A pick-up was arranged from one of the near-by hotels and after another stop for a few more guests we drove out past Al Wathba in a Toyota Landcruiser, the car of choice for this tour.

Our first stop was on a road to a camel farm where we waited for some free-roaming camels to clear our path. At the farm we were shown to the biggest breeding camel in the corral: a big, dark brown beast towering at over 2.00 m.

Free-roaming camel along the road

Breeding male camel

Hala – http://www.etihad.com/en-us/hala-abu-dhabi/

Besides this photo opportunity we had the option to feed the camels with hay, but their strong, long teeth stopped us from trying. After deflating the tires the Landcruiser was ready for its ride on sand through the desert. The dune-bashing started right away and we had fantastic fun driving up and down the dunes at all angles! It is definitely a ride for people between the ages of 6 to 60 with a strong stomach and reminded me of a gentle roller-coaster ride. While driving around the sun started to set and the most amazing colours emerged. While the sand looks white and barren during the day it morphed to warm yellow, orange and deep red just before the sun went down.

Long shadows on white sand

Melow yellow

Other dune-bashing cars

Orange-pink sunset

The next stop was in front of an re-enacted Bedouin camp where we had opportunity to participate in various activities: camel riding – we passed on that one knowing it would be quite uncomfortable -, henna tattoos, trying on abayas or kundeeras (local, traditional clothes), having a picture taken with a falcon, and smoking sheesha (the Arabian waterpipe).

getting ready for a round on a camel

henna tattoo

Carpet-covered stage

All this already before we had a traditional buffet dinner with barbecue roasted lamb, beef and chicken, rice and soft drinks. There was a small store to buy Arabian mementos and belly-dancer’s clothes and a shop for coffee and tea. Once everyone had enjoyed their dinner an amazing belly-dancer arrived on stage and mesmerized the audience. Incorporating different clothes and a sword into her dance routine. It was wonderful!

Sword dance sequence

The last activity was star-gazing once all the lights were shut off. An unbelievable number of bright stars and the milky way were visible. This must have been the view for centuries before modern electricity reached this part of the world.

Thank you, for reading my blog! Have a very Merry Christmas and I hope to hear from you again in 2017!

Maike