our own personal travel agent has done some fine organising
ensuring we are booked into venues, etc that are a must see or do
so on our first full day in dubai we are off to visit the jumeriah mosque
a guided tour and q&a session in their open door open mind program
the impression of an attempt to neutralise probable typical muslim negativity
fair enough - we a bit underwhelmed by that and the fairly new building
but worth the effort - next - beach visit (hot) and public transport training
this is serious stuff - e.g. air-conditioned bus-stops for the pristine buses
and the metro rail system - the world's longest driver-less train network
70km of super-efficient, super-clean, super-everything electric trains
making the journey as rewarding as the destination in this modern city
but a big contrast is the order of the day for the evening and night
we are transported 45km out of the city and then back in time we go
a fleet of 1950's open-top land-rovers is loaded up with the punters
complete with mandatory head scarves to really set the scene
and off we go on another 45 minutes rollicking dune-bashing
our driver stopping regularly to point out the local flora and fauna
gazelles spotted frequently and time taken to learn about the vegetation
various desert mushrooms and very unusual trees with multiple uses
medicinal mainly but halluciogenic and simple sustenance also
another stop is for a demonstration of the art of falconry
an ancient bedouin tradition where bird and man co-exist
the bird the hunter and the man the gatherer and sharing the spoils
in this case a quail used to demonstrate the falcons deadly skills
very impressive and more relief for the knocked knees and bums
respect for the skilled drivers and more so the authentic vehicles
our destination is a simple camp set up to host we dune-bashers
starting with a camel ride to further enhance the desert experience
then it's into the meal based around an in-ground slow cooked lamb
generous servings of traditional salads, rice, breads and juices
the still of the balmy night in this remote location quite seductive
and then topped off sprawled on cushions and hookah at hand
sucking in the heady flavours of the hubbly-bubbly mix
enjoying some raqs sharqi (belly) dancing and trad music
a happy birthday sung to another punter on the trip
and a reminder of a special day for myself
quite unforgettable really...is good...
