Desert Safari

Our desert safari started with a taxi pickup at a local hotel.  We climbed aboard our 15 passenger bus and headed out toward the border.

When we got there, and by 'there', I mean the random part of the desert that appeared to be a parking lot of sorts, the bus pulled in and we all climbed out.  We transferred into two 8 passenger 4 wheel drive vehicles for a 'dune bashing' ride out to the desert camp.

I was busy screaming and flailing, but I did managed to snap one photo out the front window.

There were at least two times where we went up on two wheels and I swear he lost control coming off of one big dune.  We were told that you could have an 'easy' ride, but we got the 'queasy' one instead.

When we got to the camp, there were five camels giving rides.  You could line up, wait your turn and then climb aboard for a fun filled 50 yard trek, a slow turn and then back to the starting point.

The kids wanted a go and so did a couple of the other grandparents.

I opted out of the camel ride.  This is truly not on my bucket list.  Plus, look at that face!  Did I really want to tax that poor guy?  He's suffered enough.

The camp itself was a fenced arena lined with outdoor rugs, low tables and sand filled 'pillows' for seating.  It was oriented around a low stage and well lit.  The sound system was excellent.  I know this because the first act was a guy playing what I can only figure was the middle eastern equivalent to bagpipes.  Yeah.  Let that one settle in.

Next came the main act.  A belly dancer who did several numbers.  She did one with a silver pleated cape that she swung around like wings.  It was done to a very Egyptian sounding music. I really think it was the theme song to the Mummy movies that came out a few years ago.

Next, she did an actual belly dance with all the hip shaking and heel dropping.  She wrapped her hips with a jingly scarf and the coins were clacking.  All the menfolk were mesmerized.

Her next dance was more interpretive.  She pulled on a blue, drapey vestment and did a lot more hand movements to a different tune.  She was quite a talented gal.

Her final number was completely different.  She pinned back her hair, changed into black jeans and a black tank top and had them turn the lights out.

She lit two pots, torches really, that were on the end of tethers about as long as her arms.  Then she began to swing them around.

Imagine all the flaming baton twirlers you've ever seen and then multiply that by a really flexible gal.  She did incredible things with those swinging torches.

The last act of the evening was a gentleman who was billed as performing an Egyptian specialty.

He was a whirler.  I won't say he was a Whirling Dervish because he obviously did this as an entertainment, not a religious act.

He started out with about four layers of weighted circle skirts.  He did a bunch of spinning with some hand held drums.  Then he began to untie the skirts and swirl them about his head.

The big finale included the bottom two skirts being outlined in tiny LED bulbs.  when the lights went out, his swirling skirts up and down danced with light.  It was kind of pretty.  One of the guys with us timed him and he spun constantly for over nine and a half minutes.  When he finally finished, a couple of guys got up on the stage and he put the skirts on them so they could try their hands at spinning.  I really think they had just drunk one too many beers.

All in all, the desert safari was a pretty fun TOURIST experience.  I don't believe there was anything inherently Emirati about the whole thing.  Even the music appeared to originate from other middle eastern countries.  But like a Colorado mining town chuckwagon dinner, it was a fun family experience.

There was a full variety of 4x4 rentals, guided tours of the desert via ATV, and arts and crafts available.  The kids all got hennae tattoos and sand paintings with their names inside.  There was even a guy walking around with a falcon on a perch you could slip onto your arm for a photo opportunity.

We enjoyed the experience and the kids got a huge kick out of it!  I'm so glad we went.

--  Sandee Wagner