The air was warm and humid; the sun still up at around 5:30 pm when we set off for one of the adventures I've been looking forward to since I arrived in Dubai.
MEETING PLACE:
Ms Hannah and I waited beside Dubai Grand Hotel for the tourist bus that will take us to the starting point at the Hatta Desert. The tour was rescheduled at the later hour owing to the scorching heat of the sun.
It was almost 7.30 pm when we reached the starting point where land cruisers were waiting for us. The sun was still unceremoniously beaming proudly from its standpoint at the cloudless sky.DUNE BASHING:
When I asked people who have experienced the desert safari before, some of them warned me about this part. Some even shared outright that it was scary. I braced myself for the ride and found it to be one of the high points of the entire trip.
I noticed that the drivers deflated the wheels of the land cruisers, apparently to make travelling on the sand easier. We were the last group to leave (there were about 6 or 7 groups of 7 : the capacity of each land cruiser) I was surprised they allowed children, even toddlers. But they assured us that it was perfectly safe. Still i had my doubts as i watched the first land cruiser calmly rise on the sand dune and disappeared leaving a cloud of dust.Not for the queasy, i admit... because the experience is pretty much like a roller coaster ride. And nothing prepared me for the stomach churning wave that assailed me whenever the land cruiser dips, turns, rises and yes, jumps at death-defying degree. I have to admire the practiced and superb handling of the driver-cum-tour guide, who played some rock music in sync with the journey, it was like watching a movie, except that i am in it. He even talked relentlessly about how his kids loved this part of desert safari, maybe to help calm our tattered nerves.
After several minutes of dune bashing, you kinda get used to it... that's when i started being confident enough to take pictures. Wasn't easy though, what with the constant jolt and being tilted to an uncomfortable degree. But somehow, i managed to take some good shots. others appeared blurry, but i was glad my camera (and my stomach) was intact after the experience.
MORE RIDES
You'd think that after the dune bashing, you'd have had enough of rides to cap the Safari experience. Nah. 'Twas just the beginning
CAMEL RIDE
I have always wondered how it would feel to ride on a camel. Another wonder put to rest. As soon as we alighted from the land cruiser, a quick sweep of my eyes caught the camels just lying good naturedly near the entrance gates. I literally had to keep my mouth from gaping. That was the first time I came very close to a camel set on its natural habitat. (Somehow, the backdrop made all the difference) I marvelled at the mammal's serene beauty. So huge, yet so gentle.
Like a child thirsting for sweets, I asked the hesitant Ms Hannah if we can ride on a camel. We had to wait awhile because there was quite a queue, waiting to have their turns of the majestic ride. ( Hey, I know i'm exaggerating here...but that's how i see it after reading pages and pages about great men, including the three maggis braving the desert on these docile but strong mammals)
The ride was short. Lasting only for about 5 minutes. But boy, it was one of the best rides of my life! How can something so majestic be so gentle? The world offers a different vista nestled between the hunches of this unruffled animal. A sense of peace... stillness engulfed me. Just as the desert sun began to set, I dismounted , instantly feeling the earth and all its realities beneath my soles. There was a certain discomfort too, looking at its docile eyes framed by absurdly long eyelashes... the eyes bore into your souls. Or was it just my imagination?
QUAD BIKES
A desert safari ad read that the only time a person becomes a perfect meanderer is when he or she is on a quad bike safari; that quad bike safaris are a toast to every adventurer’s thirst which alone can quench your adrenaline rush. Outside the gates of the camp, the quad bikes are temptingly lined up. Men and women, even teenagers appeared to be enjoying the "rush". I naturally wanted to try, except that i have this reservations about "things on wheels" since my accident a few months back. So , i settled for a quiet feel of the bikes here, to our tour guide's amusement.
Someday...
THE BEDOUIN CAMP
Traditional tasseled Arabian carpets... low tables and cushions for comfortable seating... sumptuous barbecue meals... all set under the canopy of a balmy starlit skies... this is the typical Bedouin Camp.
I've read about them in books, or watched bedouin camps portrayed in movies... but somehow, nothing prepared me for the ambiance of the camp that instantly reminded me of Arabian nights, even though the camp is just a replica of the real thing.
We helped ourselves to some refreshments (tea, coffee, juice, softdrinks,--hard drinks are not allowed) and some sandwiches or vegetable wraps, as soon as we entered the camp. I took stock of our surroundings while munching some of the healthy and delicious wraps. There were quite a number of tourists around, but the camp is not that busy as I observed quite a number of vacant cushions. There was even a man-made little fountain, which filled me with awe as I reminded myself that we are supposed to be in the middle of the Hatta desert.
HENNA PAINTING
Ms Hannah assured me it's totally ok to have henna painting for it just comes off in a week or so. Well, I was there to experience new things, and so, it didn't take me second prodding to have a henna tattoo . I marvelled at the creativity and dexterity of the woman who designed the tattoo. It took less than a minute for her to complete a flower design on my left hand. The henna felt cold against my skin at first ; a few minutes after, I removed the surface which hardened into a scab. After seeing the beautiful imprint, I almost wished I had it placed on my lower spine.
The camp also provided a variety of unique experiences that one can choose to indulge oneself in. At a far corner, some men enjoyed the aromatic Sheesha also known as ‘hookah’. On one side is a room filled with traditional arabian costumes . There was also a section of a craftsman who designed jars and frames out of the desert sand. Towards the middle of the evening, we treated ourselves to a sumptuous dinner buffet with a wide variety of barbecued delicacies and salads as the main course. The memorable evening is capped by the stunning performance under the star-lit sky by the exotic belly dance and fire dancer.
-----Amidst the chatter of my fellow tourists in the bus on our way back home, I was filled with a sense of fulfillment after the desert safari experience which is worth remembering and worth experiencing again ... especially with people you love.
