AT THE BEACH/ OUT IN THE DESERT  JAN. 6TH

Having trouble adjusting to the time change so was awake from 3 a.m. until after 5. Hence we got a late start this a.m.  But Gail fixed us an egg and we used the croissants Sue K. gave us and a couple of pieces of fruit for a good start. We were to be picked up at 2:30 at the Hilton for the second part of our booked tour, out to the desert. So we headed for the beach near the Hilton. I wanted to at least say that I had be IN the Arabian Gulf. The waves were pretty high so we each went in about to our waist. It was gorgeous, nice temperature and warm. I took a photo of the camel guy in his crisp white dishdash or kandoura, worn with headdress called a ghutta with an agal (black cord) on top (that is used to bind a camel's feet during the night so he doesn't escape!) He asked how much I would pay him for the picture and I said never mind! He said okay! I didn't want a camel ride, just a photo!
We had lunch at an iHOP and changed for our tour.

We rode with Asif our driver of our 4x4. He has lived in Dubai for 38 years and seen huge changes. These drivers work from October to May and then go back to their countries, travel, whatever during the hot summer months when it can reach 50 degrees Centigrade (VERY hot!)

In our vehicle was Samari, a charming high schooler from Brisbane traveling with her dad a lawyer living in Bangkok and HIS father, Andreas, a charmer, originally from Cyprus, moved to London running a fish-and-chips place and then emigrated to Australia. He will turn 88 soon! Gave us a big hug when we parted at the end of the night! Those smooth Greeks!! :)

We drove out to the desert for about an hour, with lots of traffic. Asif said companies stagger their work hours so many were going home to Sharjah, one of the other emirates where it's much cheaper to live than Dubai. We arrived at the dunes where 16 other 4x4s awaited us. As they were arriving we climbed on dunes for pictures. It was very windy with sand rolling over the ridges. Beautiful!

We took off on our "dune crashing" tour which meant driving up and over and around dunes with sand spraying over our windshield and me holding a grab bar sure I was going to die when we rolled the vehicle!!! I forgot how much I DISLIKE rides like roller coasters, etc.!! Barbara was afraid she would be nauseous but she was so startled to see me with my eyes squeezed shut hanging on for dear life that I think she forgot to be sick!! But Asif got a hug when I finally disembarked at our high dune stop because he hadn't rolled us!!! We then moved on to the camel farm for photos with them, a couple of babies. Then on to the "camp."

We had a puff on a hubbly-bubbly or hookah - tobacco with flavoring passed through water. We had a henna tattoo painted on our hand. We watched the sand-skiers and decided to pass on that! Then with a Heineken in hand (thanks, Barb!) we sat to watch the twirling dervish-type dancer who spun around for a good 20 minutes, with lit up clothes, and several layers! Pretty amazing!

The crowd lined up for the "barbeque" with tomatoes, cukes, coleslaw, hummus (delicious!), chicken and/or lamb chops. There were little alcoves with long tables where we lounged and at as the sun set and stars came out. The final performance was the belly dancer who entertained for another 15 minutes. The finale was a tableau on top of a dune of a guy leading 3 laden camels posed in the spotlight. Unfortunately my camera screwed up the picture. Hopefully it will come out on the DVD I ordered of our ride and lots of photos so I'll check tomorrow when it's delivered to our apartment.

Here come the photos: