So today was the first day of the weekend and all week we'd all been looking forward to our desert safari trip to go dune bashing. We got picked up at the hotel in the afternoon - don't we look excited?
A shot of the downtown skyline on the way out to the desert:
After driving for about 40 minutes, we stopped at a small convenience store to use the bathrooms, buy water, and let some of the air out of the tires of the Land Rover. Then it was off the road and into the desert! After driving just a ways, we got out to take a few pictures, then we went out into the desert plowing up and sliding down the sand dunes. There was a whole caravan of vehicles from the tour group (there were a few vehicles not associated with a tour, but it looked like a lot of people who do this on their own find a different area to go - and I don't blame them - there were tons of tours out there!). I captured a pretty anticlimactic part here, but it gives you a bit of an idea. It kinda felt like driving through about 8 inches of snow, but intentionally climbing hills and making sharp turns.
A shot of the downtown skyline on the way out to the desert:
After driving for about 40 minutes, we stopped at a small convenience store to use the bathrooms, buy water, and let some of the air out of the tires of the Land Rover. Then it was off the road and into the desert! After driving just a ways, we got out to take a few pictures, then we went out into the desert plowing up and sliding down the sand dunes. There was a whole caravan of vehicles from the tour group (there were a few vehicles not associated with a tour, but it looked like a lot of people who do this on their own find a different area to go - and I don't blame them - there were tons of tours out there!). I captured a pretty anticlimactic part here, but it gives you a bit of an idea. It kinda felt like driving through about 8 inches of snow, but intentionally climbing hills and making sharp turns.Once we got a ways out, we stopped to walk around, take pictures, and watch the sunset. The boys climbing a dune:
One of the personal vehicles out driving around:
Kickin' up some sand:
Sunset over the desert:
Our team posing on top of a dune:
Ankle-deep:
The rest of our caravan. Note the open hoods on some of the SUVs - I have a feeling they don't use these vehicles for too long - the way they drive has to be horrible on the transmission and suspension!
Then off to the camp:
And some great dinner:
The dune bashing was really, really fun (and a little nauseating :))! We were all covered with sand by the time we got back (there seriouly may still be some in my ears despite a shower - the wind really whipped it around a few times!). The camp was very laid back with opportunites to get henna tatoos, smoke a hooka, eat some great food, and watch a belly dancer.
One of the personal vehicles out driving around:
Kickin' up some sand:
Sunset over the desert:
Our team posing on top of a dune:
Ankle-deep:The rest of our caravan. Note the open hoods on some of the SUVs - I have a feeling they don't use these vehicles for too long - the way they drive has to be horrible on the transmission and suspension!
Then off to the camp:
And some great dinner:
The dune bashing was really, really fun (and a little nauseating :))! We were all covered with sand by the time we got back (there seriouly may still be some in my ears despite a shower - the wind really whipped it around a few times!). The camp was very laid back with opportunites to get henna tatoos, smoke a hooka, eat some great food, and watch a belly dancer.
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