Around Middle East: Part Nine

In which we drove on the deserts of Sharjah

Day Three continues...

We got ready in white dresses and were divided into group of five or six for the Land Cruiser. I was part of one vehicle alongwith Neha, Kshipra, Swati, Vrushali and Snehal. We went to the basement and boarded the vehicle by 3pm. It was led by Abdul Raffe, our captain for the day. He seemed to be very strict while we started our journey to the borders of Dubai and Sharjah. He gave the basic instructions and the do's and don'ts. He was a very rude guy. We had a pitstop at a souvenirs and tea coffee shop while the tyres were inflated, at the base of the sand dunes. The desert adventure activities include dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding, etc. 

Sand dune bashing is an exhilarating off-road activity that involves driving a 4x4 vehicle over sand dunes, with experienced drivers navigating the challenging and constantly shifting terrain of sand dunes. The experience involves going up and down steep dunes, sharp turns, and the feeling of the vehicle sliding and maneuvering on the sand, providing an adrenaline rush. In short it's a bumpy breathtaking and back breaking ride. We had one round of the dune bashing till 4:30pm and then we had photoshoot with the setting sun. 

The sand was so soft that sandals were going into it and it was difficult to move quickly. Post the group photo, we had another round of dune bashing. Then we reached the campsite by 5:50pm. The sun had already set by now and so was my energy. I hate closed cars, even though with AC, it took a toll on me and I needed to rest my bones.

The Desert Safari was organised by the Dream Night Tours. It gives a taste of Bedouin culture, camp setting with traditional majlis style. Few travellers went to experience camel ride, few were enjoying the self service tea coffee refreshments. I slept on the couch for a while. At 6:45pm, they started serving starters. 

We got the henna painting done on hand. We did not try the traditional abaya. Few travellers tried the sheesha smoking. Few clicked photos with the trained blind folded Falcon on their arms. The stage was lit at 7pm and we had two performances.

Tanura dance show: Witness a mesmerizing traditional folk dance with whirling dervishes. The spinning motion symbolizes the movement of the universe, the cyclical nature of life, and the soul's journey towards spiritual enlightenment and unity with the divine. It represents the idea that everything begins and ends at the same central point. The layers of skirts symbolize the different stages of spiritual awakening. The removal of layers of skirts symbolize the shedding of earthly attachments or the unveiling of the soul.

Belly dance show: Enjoy a captivating performance by a professional belly dancer. It's characterized by fluid, rhythmic movements of the torso, hips, and arms, often expressing a wide range of emotions.

We had dinner at 7:45pm. The food was bland still I had it since I needed strength for the return journey. At 8pm we had the last performance of the day.

Fire show: Against the stunning backdrop of the night desert sky, skilled performers use fire as their medium to create a mesmerizing visual spectacle. They often use a range of flaming props, such as poi(balls of fire attached to chains or ropes, swung in intricate patterns), batons lit on both ends, twirled and balanced, hoops of fire that are spun around the body,  handheld flames moved rhythmically, fire breathing a mist of fuel over a flame to create large bursts of fire, etc. 

We left the campsite at 8:30pm and had a pitstop as soon as we hit the main road, to wash off the sand and inflate the tyres. We reached the hotel at 10:45pm. We were super tired today and had to pack the bags. There were a few enthusiasts ready for the limousine ride at 11pm. 

A limousine ride is a luxurious experience that involves being transported in a long-wheelbase, chauffeur-driven vehicle known for its comfort, style, and amenities. The travellers had a Dubai by night experience watching all the monuments sparkling in the dark.