Desert Safari, Wow!

You can’t live or visit Abu Dhabi without going on a Desert Safari.  There is a range on what is available on the safari and what the cost is.  My friend Yvonne asked around and found the BEST deal for our money and it was FANTASTIC!

Our family of 5 plus my mom, met with my friend and her family of 4.  We were picked up from her compound in two separate SUV’s by a couple of locals.  We didn’t have to worry about bringing anything but ourselves (and a camera).  Everything else was provided.

We drove about 40 minutes or so before stopping off at a Camel Farm for a few quick photos and close-up looks at a Camel. 

 

                       

 

After a visit to the Camel Farm, we were taken “dune bashing” for what felt like an ETERNITY but I think was around 30 minutes.  This was to get us from the Camel Farm to where the final set-up was.  The dune bashing was freakin’ INSANE.  People do this regularly here and I don’t know how.  There are 4x4 clubs and I have one friend who goes on a weekly basis.  I was pretty sure I was going to die.  Seriously.  I am a little bit of a control-freak and in fact prefer to do all of the driving.  I get a little car sick when I don’t drive and not to mention, don’t like NOT being in control.  So….needless to say, dune-bashing was SO not for me. 

Before you start, they have to take a little air out of each of the tires.  This allow the tires more area to “grip” the sand.  When you drive, you go fast up and OVER the sand dunes or sometimes just sideways ACROSS the sand dunes.  At any moment, I was pretty sure we would go up, over and roll on down the sand dunes and probably sink deeply into an unknown vortex of sand and die.  I know it’s sand and you think it’s soft but I’m pretty sure you can still roll over down a dune and then have sand seep in through all the crevices and drown of sand.  Yep, pretty sure that was a possibility at any moment.

 

    

Cameron – “enjoying” the ride

Here’s the skeletal remains of a camel that didn’t make it.  Yeah, that’s reassuring.

Here are a few lovely videos that Brian couldn’t help but take.  You will notice Isabella’s wild laughter as I try and prevent a panic attack or at least prevent it from getting any worse.

After the craziest, wildest, scariest ride of MY ENTIRE LIFE – we FINALLY got to where we were going.

Thankfully we were some of the first people there and had everything to ourselves!  The kids could go in the back on the bouncy slide or we could get a drink or we could……..

RIDE CAMELS

                               

                               

                               

                               

 

SAND BOARD

     

Connie sandboarding in Abu Dhabi

 

PLAY IN THE SAND

  

  

 

 

RIDE 4-WHEELERS

  

 

PLAY DRESS-UP

  

 

HOLD FALCONS

  

                                     

 

PLAY AROUND ON THE BELLY DANCER STAGE

                                      

 

GET HENNA

   

 

EAT A WONDERFUL DINNER

                                         

 

SMOKE SHISHA