13 October 2007

Enough of Dubai city – we headed out to the desert for the ‘real’ emirates. We had booked a desert safari which was pretty exciting. Unfortunately as Ramadan had just finished, hundreds of others had a similar idea. There was no sense of isolation at all with dozens of exactly similar white Nissan 4X4 all driving over the same dunes. All nose to tail like a train of white ants on the red sand for miles into the horizon. In fact in places the sand was packed so tight it made a better raid than many in Jamaica.

By watching all the jeeps in front it was obvious we were in no danger, but still feeling the vehicle slide sideways down a dune, was thrilling, like a natural roller coaster.

We made a few stops along the way, ostensibly to look at a magnificent red sun set over the red sand, though I suspect the driver just didn’t wan the kids throwing up in the back of his jeep and was giving them a breather. Sunset was fast and a few minutes later we were sand boarding by spotlights from our vehicle. It was crap, even Wee Lad managed to stay on the board every time. Riding an escalator is more exciting and certainly faster.

After the extreme sports, we adjourned to an “authentic” Bedouin camp. Camel rides, belly dancers, henna tattoos, dressing up in Sunni robes for photos, and a free bar. The Bedouins know how to live. As touristy as it was, it was at least different and with Dorothy, Scarecrow and family deciding to come along, the gang all had a great time. Scarecrow found himself maneuvering to get a better look at the belly dancer, while at the same time shrinking away from the stage for fear of getting singled out by her. There was no such shyness from Wee Lad who was straight on stage at the first opportunity, striking pure rock star poses for the crowd.

Sleeping arrangements were in a communal tent on the ground. The smell of camel piss from the corral behind was overwhelming. It was an uncomfortable night sleep, and breakfast was instant Nescafe and cold boiled eggs. This was certainly far removed from the opulence experienced thus far in UAE.