Day 6: Desert Adventure

In the UAE, the weekend starts on Friday. We all enjoyed a relaxing morning before heading out for another great excursion: the Desert Adventure!

In the late afternoon, three desert safari guides came to the hotel to pick us up. We boarded the three Land Cruisers and started the 45 minute drive to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). Along the way we were fascinated by what we passed; most notably the modern Bedouin villages, camel farms and racing tracks.

When we arrived at the DDCR, the three vehicles met up to deflate the tires for better traction in the desert. After, we drove to a small amphitheater where we met a few camels and saw a falcon show while learning about the Bedouin culture. Both falcons and camels were vital for survival. Every winter, peregrine falcons would migrate from Europe and Africa to the warmer Arabian Peninsula. The Bedouin people would capture falcons, and then use them to hunt. A small group would follow the falcons on camels to gather the food. Today, falconry is still a major hobby in the UAE. We thoroughly enjoyed the show.

After the show, all of the Land Cruisers took off for a 30 minute dune drive through the desert. In total, there were 55 vehicles. We drove over dunes, and around banks, sliding and slipping through the sand. It was a crazy drive, and a lot of fun. We stopped to watch the sunset over the dunes, and then proceeded onto the camp.

At the camp, everyone was able to take a camel ride before entering the dinner area. We then enjoyed some traditional Arabic food and barbecue under the stars. We sat on pillows at a low table to enjoy our food and a performance by a belly dancer. This was an incredible night!