My Nature Trip, Travel, Adventure & the Outdoors

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Mussandam, Oman | Dhow

2010-11-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Taken from the dhow yacht we that we boarded. A smaller dhow is seen parked along the side of the hills. A dhow is a traditional arab boat made of wooden materials. Modern versions are made of fiberglass and are equipped with navigational systems and an engine. Note the watch tower at a farther distance on top of the hill. This place is a perfect escape from the usual busy city life where one can relax on the yacht or go for snorkeling.

Mussandam, Oman | Granite Hills

2010-11-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken in the snorkeling area of the Mussandam seashore. Note that there's no beach front or shoreline. Solid formations of layered granite rocks lined the slopes of the hills down to the water. The water is so clean and crystal clear. This is where divers take their plunge to explore the seabed where vast coral reefs and abundant aquatic life can be seen.

Dibba, Fujeirah | Stunning Rocky Mountains

2010-11-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Another snapshot of the stunning scenery on the way to Dibba, Fujeirah UAE. Note the mountain range at a farther distance that is obscured by smog. The roadways are beautifully situated between rocky mountain ridges and hills and anyone can easily take photos while traveling. Desert plants grows naturally beside the highway and fewer on the slopes of the hills. Wild animals such as desert snakes, wild cats and foxes are known to inhabit the hills and mountains. Walking along the road during night time is not encouraged because of this reason.

The Yas Hotel at Night

2010-11-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the Yas Hotel at nigh time. Notice the similarity with the Esplanade in singapore. The Yas Hotel is situated along the F1 racetrack in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. There is a part of the hotel where the race track is just situated outside where one can conveniently watch whenever there's a race going on. There would be a race scheduled on November 12 to 14, 2010. The Yas Arena have been the favorite venue of various gigs and acts by famous international bands ans singers like Beyonce, Kings of Leon, Aerosmith, Jamiroquai to name a few. Other acts scheduled to take part this November and next month are concerts by Nelly Furtado, Guns n Roses, Prince and Linkin Park.

On Our Way to a Dhow Cruise and Snorkeling Trip in Mussandam, Oman

2010-05-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is a road that leads to Dibba, UAE when one goes for a dhow cruise and snorkeling trip to Mussandam, Oman. There is not a lot of greenery along the long stretch of rocky mountains that engulf beautiful roads leading to the destination, however, the scenery is a feast for the eyes and offers a twist to the usual beautiful landscapes of green mountians and hills one can see in tropical places and in Southeast Asia.

Desert Safari or Dune Bashing in the UAE

2009-12-01T10:15:00.001-08:00

This video is all about the typical dune bashing experience I wrote in my other blogs. Enjoy watching it.

This is me in a traditional Arabic dress. Everyone is free to try wearing the khamis and take photos of themselves before dinner commence after dune bashing.

Dune Bashing Video - Dubai & Sarjah UAE

2009-11-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

One of the most exhilirating rides I've experienced. Triggers adrenalin rush, fun and excitement, though some people might get nervous and uneasy. It's definitely an outdoor activity that shouldn't be missed while in the UAE.

Belly Dancing Video

2009-11-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

A wonderful treat during dinner time after 2 hours of dune bashing is the highlight of a typical desert safari adventure. This is the moment where tourists experience a little Arabic culture and cultural appreciation through a treat to wear traditional costumes, gastronomic treats with it's diverse culinary repertoire and by watching and participating in a traditional dance.

Belly Dancer - Desert Safari Highlights

2009-11-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

Belly Dancing in the Desert Camp. After two hours of dune bashing, this is the event highlight that concludes a typical desert safari adventure trip. Traditional cuisine is offered for dinner while a belly dancer shakes her hips and shoulders to the rhythm of a traditional Arabic music beat. The dancer isn't necessarily of an Arabic descent as the dancer in the photo who is a Russian. After dinner, guests may participate in the dancing ritual and are eagerly invited by the belly dancer to do so. Question: How do I book for a desert safari adventure and how much does it costs? Answer: A typical tour package costs around Dhs 150 per head and are offered by local travel agents. We were lucky to be invited for a free tour compliments of a local travel & tour operator that was granted as an incentive to a friend who was working with the travel agency as an agent.

Camel Ride

2009-11-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

Camel Buddy! Shown in the photo is a camel getting ready to take a person or two for a ride. The camel is so tamed and friendly that it doesn't react to human touch. It is a gentle animal that can be trained to follow simple orders from it's trainer just like sitting down to prepare for carrying loads. It is also sort of cute because some tourists even kiss the animal after the ride is over. I opted not to take the ride though I had an experience riding a carabao (water buffalo) in the Philippines because it has a strong odour.

Desert Hills and Valleys - Desert Safari Blog Series

2009-11-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

Desert Hills and Valleys! A convoy of 4 wheel drives over the lunar landscape resembles this scene except for the presence of native desert plants scattered all throughout the area. It's a beautiful landscape complete with hills, valleys and mountains at the backdrop. Duration of this trip lasts for two hours till the sun sets and then the convoy proceeds to the desert camp where tourists can enjoy a traditional dinner while a belly dancer performs her art while tourists take their dinner. Before dinner is served, tourists can enjoy a camel ride and also being photographed wearing traditional arabic dress. The food is great with a mixture of local delicacies such as shis tawook, kebabs, shawarma, barbecued lamb chops, salads and desserts alike.

Camel Rock - Desert Safari Blog Series

2009-11-26T04:18:00.000-08:00

Camel Rock! An amazingly beautiful rock formation in the middle of the Sharjah desert with rocky mountains in the back drop. It's a wonder of nature and how nature works. It was called by it's name because it's formation resembles a head of a camel. It is also a coincidence because camels belong to the species of animals that live and survive in the desert. Somehow, one might suspect that the rock formation was intentionally carved by some bedouins through the course of time to glorify the camel but there's no record in history that says so. It is more likely that the rock formation was carved by nature's forces, the scorching heat of the sun, weathering, erosion, wind, sand and rain through long periods of time.

Top of the Dune - Desert Safari Blog Series

2009-11-26T03:46:00.000-08:00

A bike and a 4wheel drive at the top of a dune! The car in the photo wasn't a part of the convoy during our desert safari adventure. It is privately owned by a local who happened to be in the scene. The owner took his family with him in this outing. However, he got concerned about his family's safety probably because he didn't expect that the dunes are high and steep and would be dangerous enough to compromise his family's safety relative to the thrill and excitement that they are about to experience. He decided to discontinue with the activity and preferred to drive down the dune and just watch the others while the sun sets gracefully despite the fact that accidents rarely occur during such activity provided that drivers are adept to drive over an ever changing terrain. Some adventurers take their "motocross" motorcycles and brave the dunes though there are dune buggys that are being offered for rent.

Dune Bashing - Desert Safari Blog Series

2009-11-26T02:49:00.000-08:00

75 degrees Down! Could you believe it? Yes it's true! During dune bashing in a desert safari trip, one of the highlights is to descend from the top of a dune to ground level along a 75 degree steep slope of pure dune sand. It is possible because the friction coefficient between the wheels of the car and the dune sand is higher than on a paved surface or compacted earth. Wheels actually sink partially beneath the sand and the driver of the vehicle must be well trained so as not for all wheels to sink totally during dangerous situations as the one shown in the photo. This is the most exhilirating part. Whew! My stomach nearly got upset because of the sudden change in elevation! It's just like riding on a Ferris Wheel on it's way down.

Desert Safari - Desert Safari Blog Series

2009-11-26T02:07:00.000-08:00

Beautiful desert sunset! This photo was taken during our desert safari adventure trip to the Sharjah deserts in the UAE. A desert safari tour is an outdoor activity offered by local travels & tours agent in the UAE. Tours typically starts after lunch time where a convoy of four-wheel drives take tourists from the city to the desert dunes where the highlight of the activity takes place. The trip lasts for about 1½ hours to 2 hours just enough time for food taken during lunch to be digested. It is not advisable to take the dune bashing rides with a full stomach because the rides, that are too bumpy and exhilirating, cause stomach upset, nausea and vomiting for those who are not used to riding terrains with ever changing elevations. Riding up and down very steep slopes and along the edge of dune ridges is very exhilirating and comparable to roller coaster rides. One cannot avoid screaming in excitement during descent rides from the top of the dunes. I was wondering why people scream when I watched a video of the same thing before my actual experience and ask myself, do I need to scream? You bet I did!