A Desert Staycation………
Now the title to this blog implies a camping trip in to the wilderness. Well, it is fair to say that the notion of camping and mention of Mrs. C in the same sentence is a complete juxtaposition. Indeed, Mrs. C's idea of camping primarily involves a deluxe room on the club floor at the Four Seasons!
So when we decided to indulge ourselves and celebrate our forthcoming 32nd Wedding Anniversary by enjoying a romantic desert staycation there was only one option, the wonderful Al Maha Desert Resort.
Al Maha is our most favourite place to visit in the entire U.A.E. It is the perfect spot for a quiet Friday lunch and a destination where we always take visiting friends and family. So when we decided to treat ourselves and have a quiet weekend away from the hustle and bustle which is modern Dubai, we could think of no better place.
What we love about Al Maha is that when you arrive you truly feel that you are in the middle of the Desert, albeit in 5-star luxury whilst being only a 45 minute drive from the heart of Dubai. More than that, it is the genuine welcome you receive from the lovely staff, the fact that nothing is rushed and that everything appears to be available to you at your convenience.
Our private chalet was rather splendid. When you enter everything is sort of old school but in in a luxurious sort of way.
Mrs. C embracing the Holiday spirit!:
Then, as you open the patio doors on to your private pool, you have the view, and what a view!:
For us the highlight of the trip was to be two activities:
A visit to the dunes at sunset by camel.
An early morning nature-walk.
Now just like camping, you also rarely mention camels and Mrs.C in the same sentence. Indeed, it is fair to say that in 25 years of living in Dubai this was to be only the second occasion that she would agree to participate! However, she was so glad she did.
Like everything else this was done in "Al Maha Style". We were asked to gather at around 5pm in the main building, where the staff had considerately laid out a full afternoon tea to ensure we were suitable refreshed and fortified before our desert adventure.
Our guide then took a party of about 20 people down to the edge of the desert where our trusty steeds were quitely waiting for us. Our particular "ship of the desert" was a spritely looking filly who appeared particularly relaxed, right up until she saw me trying to clamber on board and realized that they don't call me Chunk for nothing!
Up close and personal with our trusty steed:
Naturally, I had the Fuji with me as I needed proof that Mrs. C actually did this and as we both sat astride our trusty steed I reluctantly handed over the XH1 to the camel driver to take a few shots. How difficult could it be…..very! After five minutes of cursing in Arabic, the fervent pressing of buttons, about 15 attempts and despite continuous autofocus engaged and 5 point in body image stabilization active, our camel driver eventually got one shot almost in focus (whilst cutting off the head of our camel) and here is the proof. I think this one will go up on the Chivers Wall of Fame!
Then we were off. Our only other camel expedition had involved a two minute ride around a dune and then back for a gin and tonic. This was to be a much grander affair involving a 30 minute trek in to the desert and as I clung on to the saddle for dear life, I had what can only be described as a Lawrence of Arabia moment, as I imagined myself leading the bedouin army in to battle. However, I was soon brought back to reality with a jolt of searing pain as our trusty steed went in to a gentle trot, resulting in certain parts of me, that will remain un-mentioned, getting crushed against what may loosely be described as the saddle. I think our camel driver thought I was having tears of joy!
Actually fair play to the XH1. Despite what some Youtubers might tell you it is actually quite superb and I managed a couple of shots of both our camel and camel driver, one handed, as we crashed through the desert.
Eventually we arrived at our destination. As i gingerly dismounted and the circulation gradually crept back in to the depths of my nether-regions, we were greeted by a charming steward who proferred a refreshing glass of Champagne. Well what else do you drink you drink when venturing in to the great un-known?
Anyone for Crystal?:
Whilst our group was enthusiastically quaffing back the fizz I grabbed the Fuji and set off to record the sunset across the virgin sand and rolling dunes. As most landscape photographers will tell you, nothing ever goes to plan. Whilst the setting was perfect the sunset did not play ball and in fact never actually materialized, as there was significant cloud cover and the light was pretty flat. Nevertheless, there was enough light to put together a composition and in the circumstances I was extremely pleased.
Suitably refreshed we returned to our trusty steed, who was already girding her loins (can camels gird and do they have loins?) to carry us back to HQ and our gastronomic dinner.
The lovely thing about Al Maha is that it is a conservation area and is fenced off from the general public. So the desert is natural and un-spoilt and the wildlife is free and can roam un-fettered and without fear. It is surprising how well nature copes without un-wanted interference from humans.
Gazelle for dinner?:
That evening our romantic anniversary dinner was quite delightful, consisting of a deep fried scallop drenched by a delicate pea voloute to start, followed by lightly steamed Cod in a rather cheeky lobster bisque with a king prawn gently resting on top screaming devour me! This was all washed-down with a delightful South African Shiraz. All was very well in my world and it was fair to say that this little adventure had firmly re-kindled the old magic and Mrs. C had a very good chance of getting lucky!
Then of course my cunning plan collapsed before it ever began and it was off to bed for a bit of kip as Mrs. C reminded me that we had to be up at 4.45 a.m. for our dawn nature-walk!
Surprisingly the only people to turn up at 4.45 am for the nature walk were Mrs. C and me! Our South African guide, Kharlich, told us not to rush as we enjoyed a cup of tea and croissant on the Hotel veranda overlooking the oasis in the distance:
Then it was off on our trek. Actually, it was more of a gentle stroll in the desert rather than a Bear Grylls type experience.
Indeed, we were informed about the Ghaf tree, the national tree of the UAE, the fire bush and were shown how the Bedouin tribesmen rub the dry branches together to make tinder for their fires and Kharlich explained about the local wild life and how the wardens try and interfere a little as possible with the "circle of life".
Gazelles roam free and are extremely tame:
Other than the beautiful Gazelles and Oryx that roam free across the whole estate there are of course the usual desert creatures, two types of venomous scorpions, ants the size of your big toe that can give you a rather nasty bite and of course two species of venomous vipers which are apparently highly camouflaged and very easy to step on!! Needless to say, once this information was imparted by our trusty guide I stopped fiddling with the Fuji and my eyes switched to "lazer-beam mode". It is fair to say that I was on red-alert, especially when we came across the grizzly skeleton of a gazelle, which had clearly succumbed to one or other of these predators!
We also learned to differentiate the tracks of the various animals and insects. I was particularly keen to learn about the tracks of the vipers, scorpions and man-eating ants!
We then arrived at an oasis, just as Dawn began to break, where I found my shot of the morning. In photography sometimes the planets do align and everything comes together and for me this is one of the images I will take away from Dubai, when we eventually return home to the South West of England and which will always remind us of our wonderful time at Al Maha.
Well there you have it. Such a wonderful weekend and it all passed by so quickly.
Should you ever decide to pass through Dubai then I whole heartedly recommend a stay at Al Maha. Yes you will have to save-up as it really is a treat, although you can be assured that it will provide you with experiences and memories of Dubai that you will never forget.
For me it was also a wedding anniversary I shall never forget. I consider myself so fortunate in life that 32 years ago I succumbed to the seductive charms of Mrs. C (reader please note that Mrs. C claims she was a child bride and has an entirely different recollection of the seduction episode!). She has given me two wonderful children, she has been a mother to us all, she is my soulmate, my best friend and will always be the love of my life. Best decision I ever made!