My desert dune expedition or adventure began when I was picked up by a middle aged guide –cum driver in an ultra-luxury Toyota Land cruiser outside the posh residential complex of Dubai where I stayed at my friend's place. We heard lot about the pomp and grandeur of the Dubai city with glittering skyscrapers and within about half an hour drive from the city took me and my family to the sandy expanses of Hatta.
The ravaged sides of the rocky and sandy mountains of the Hajar faraway gives a sight of some spectacular mountain scrapes. With the advancement of technology and civilization I drove my dreams to destination in the soft Arabian sands. Dune bashing is an acquired enjoyment among the worldwide tourists and residents from the region around. I can't wait myself to break free through the soft sands and let the gravity guide the vehicle. Dune bashing is best done in the hours before sunset, so that you can sense the solitude of the desert as the setting sun casts long shadows and no traces of human life for miles and miles.
The Hatta sand dunes as is believed to be the remnants of an ancient sea, which had once washed over the Emirates and are conveniently located outside the city of Dubai and most sand bashing tours base point. Driving a buggy on soft sands on just its sheer power was not much exciting for me to ensure a thrilling adventure I wanted to experience. The dune buggy is built like a scooter with 4 wheels and fat tires. Its striking effect causes a roar through the desert sends up cloud of sands as it droves.
Enthusiasts like me on the land cruiser feel safer to following the caravan of buggies and jeep on the dune bashing excitements. Scores of buggies and cars and jeeps tore around the sand dunes in what seemed like suicidal stunts. My experienced man in the driver seat packed me in the vehicle and took off into the undulating stretches of sand dunes. He pulled out the tricks from his sleeves to drive the vehicle tossed up and down the dunes raised the columns and clouds of sand was simply an exhilarating experience and a real desert drive. The breathtaking drive and its increasing undulations as I went over what seemed like a large sand mountains. The ride felt that passing through a turbulent and fiercely stormy sea waves. As the cruiser hauled and plummets up and down the crests and troughs of the desert dunes the ride was becoming treacherous yet magnificent feeling from inside. Roaring engines, enormous sand trails and deep tire tracks in the dunes, race across the blistering hot sand in a large four-wheel drive, or maybe ski down some sand dunes – a desert safari is a popular excursion for visitors like me to Dubai and surely to many other tourists.
The best adventure that fascinates me that the sand dunes rise for as high as 40m-50m, and some were even higher. The powerful vehicle as it climbed up the sand dune slowly, sliding here and there on the side of the sand pyramid. The windscreen framed a rising slope of sand and I was pushed back into my seats as if the emergency alert been put in an aircraft soaring into the sky.
The first climb was rough but it was certainly adventurous and thrilling and had an adrenaline rush. The best part was when we reached the knife edge crest of the sand dunes and the vehicle plunged into the other side seemed the landslide occurred in the mountains and I was about to rest in peace was that sinking feeling I had in my mind that moment. It appeared the that my heavy vehicle would topple over on its side but I had the best man with me my driver – the most skilled and experience who steered me through out.
Heading straight down at whirlwind speed, skidding on the sand in places where the sand was too soft, the vehicle went sideways, tilting at an angle, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right. Amazing yet breathtaking and beyond any dreams.After an hour of rough and scrambled ride, reached a rugged patch of rock in the middle of the desert. The fleet of several Land Cruisers stopped for a view of the crimson desert sunset. Spectacular view welcomed as the sun turned from golden to crimson red to soothing orange, it was a soul-soothing experience and a rear treat to the eyes.
I continued to bask in the dusk before heading to a well-lit up desert camp, equipped with sharp lights, sharp Arabian music and illuminated stalls and decorated Bedouin style camp and enriched myself with the rich culture and traditions of the Ancient Arabic themed.
Stalls put up to dress ourselves in traditional costumes (kandura for men and burkha for women).Also, there were plenty of desert delicacies made of dates, dry fruits & nuts along with a heady mix of alcoholic cocktails and fruit cocktails, Arabic Qahwa, Coffee, and Tea & Unlimited Water Pack. Most importantly the best in the desert adventure was the ride on an ancient friend of Arab's – The camel ride at their hump and stood to post for Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Later as the night passed, I stretched out on carpets and cushions on a round wooden floor resting and enjoying the cool desert breeze. Soon a belly dancer came on stage and entertained while a hookah aka shisha with scented tobacco was passed around, making me feel like royals enjoying under the night skies and brilliant moon rays.
