Trifter

A racing pulse, throbbing heartbeat, lightheadedness, a rush of adrenalin…don’t be surprised if these sensations, often associated with a romantic encounter, flood you when you go “Dune Bushing” on Dubai’s popular Desert Safari.

In fact, if you enjoy adventure, you are guaranteed the ride of a time at the safari, which is equally exhilarating for children. The vast desert in the United Arab Emirates is rightly targeted as one of the main hotspots for tourist.

Many tour agencies pick up tourist from Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi and drive them down to the golden dunes in their lavish four-wheel drives. On reaching the desert, the driver of the four-wheel drive releases a little air from the tires in order to adjust the pressure, which makes it easier to charge through the dunes.

How does it help? Well, releasing the pressure increases the surface area of the tires, which the boosts the stability of the vehicle. No ordinary car can beat a four-wheel drive when it comes to sturdiness. Once the tire pressure is adjusted, you are ready for “Dune Bashing”.

This interesting form of entertainment might seem easy at the beginning, but the misconception is quickly dispelled. Dunes come in various sizes, some as huge as mountains, and they are never really in one place for very long, as they get dislodged by the wind every now and then. The driver needs to have plenty of expertise to charge through the giant dunes.

Tourist are driven on and around the dunes for about 50 minutes, long enough for it to be said that it is actually the dunes that bash you. Let’s just say that it is a rocking and rolling, mind-spinning experiences.

Thrills and spills

But don’t just stop at Dune Bashing. If your tummy can handle action-packed, nail-biting experiences, be sure to check out other thrilling activities like “Dune buggying” and “Sandboarding”.

A “dune buggy” is a cross between a mini-car and a scooter. It’s too open to be classified as a car and more protected from all sides than a scooter. Essentially, it’s an enclosed bucket seat. Safety features like a harness and helmet are provided by the tour operators, as well as the training needed to bounce over the dunes. This is something the kids wouldn’t want to miss.

Sandboarding is almost like skiing on snow, except that it’s not as smooth. However, it does provide a similar kind of excitement. Instead of a snow slope, you’ll be whizzing down a sand dune. This will make your kids feel like daredevils! But fear not; just as there are beginner’s snows slopes, kids are started off on smaller dunes in the sand.

If you need a breather from such heart-pounding action, head for a camel ride. Also know as the ship of the desert, the camel is really good at surviving in the desert.

When it’s time to ride, a long chain of camels (around eight to 10) line up to be mounted. This can get a bit tricky, but there is always a friendly Bedouin to assist you.

When dusk falls

Once the camel ride is over, you’ll be guided to the Bedouin camp where a traditional Arabic welcome awaits you. In fact, you won’t even need a guide; just follow the heady aroma of freshly brew Arabic coffee and the delicious smell of Arabic cuisine.

The camp literally comes to life in the evening. In one corner, you will find a lively campfire overlooking beautiful seating arrangements. Intricate carpets and cushions line the floor, inviting you to just kick off your shoes, recline and relax. In another corner, you will discover a sumptuous barbecue of grilled meat and crispy vegetables. One of the trademark dishes of Arabic cuisine is shawarma, which is pita bread rolled and stuffed with chicken or lamb, vegetables and tahini sauce. The rest of the meal consists of falafel, couscous, pine nuts, dates and lots of olives served under the starlit sky.

While dinner cooks slowly over the fire, henna artists work their magic on the palms of women. Tourists can make use the opportunity to feel like Arabs for a day, smoking the shisha pipes, also know as the hookah. In Arabic culture, the men generally sit around in a circle as the hose of the hookah is passed around among users. Not all the shisha pipes contain regular tobacco though; some of them contain fruit-based tobacco, which is lighter and sweeter than the usual variety. Visitors can pick from delightful flavors such as peach, lemon, strawberry and apple.

After dinner, a belly dancer takes centre stage wearing ethnic outfits of shimmering sequins and flowing veils. Be mesmerized as you watch her hips sway to the rhythmic beat of traditional Arabic music till the wee hours of the morning…Can you think of a more perfect end to and authentic Arabian night?