Living so far from home, I, of course, love having visitors in town. But the expectation to entertain the troops can be stressful. This time around my parents have flown in on transit for the weekend before they jet off again on their holidays.
This isn’t the first time they’ve come to visit me in the capital – they love it here just as much as I do. But I want to show them a different side to the region, something where we can escape the buzz of the city, unwind and catch up in a chilled environment while trying out some different activities too.
So here we are sitting in the comfort of an Arabian Nights Village 4X4 vehicle being driven one hour and 20 minutes into the desert. We’re off to the unique Bedouin-style desert resort to be amongst the dunes and we’ve got an exciting itinerary lined up ahead of us.
Having watched the architecture of the city thin out into sweeping desert dunes, we dodge a few stray camels on the final road leading up to the village. As we arrive, the vastness of the landscape becomes apparent as we gaze into the endless and sandy horizon.
Rashad Koudsi, village manager at Arabian Nights Village, meets us at the traditional-style watchtowers which emerge from the sand at the entrance. Welcome drinks in hand, he leads us into the picturesque courtyard to show off the five clusters named after Abu Dhabi’s Shahama, Baynouna, Remah, Hameem and Razeen neighbourhoods.
Each cluster features beautifully decorated Bedouin-style rooms, suites and glamping-style tents, complete with air-conditioning and all the quality amenities expected of luxury accommodation.
Like a desert mirage, Rashad shows us the Oasis Pool lined with palm trees and surrounded by dunes. But we’ll go for a dip later – we’re off now for our 4.30pm camel ride.
It’s hard to prise the parents away from the pool and harder still to convince them that mounting these nomadic beasts is a good idea. But 15 minutes or so riding one of the desert’s most fascinating creatures is a unique opportunity. After all, our humpy, native friends have become accustomed to having us human folk clamber all over them, so it is all plain sailing and surprisingly comfortable on the crotch area as we gaze into the distance watching the sun go down.
Time to up the ante – 5pm is dune-bashing time. Mum and Dad have survived their first test of endurance, but the desert is our playground and we’re in the hands of fully qualified drivers. Screaming and laughing with either pure delight or fear, the parents enjoy being thrown about by our driver. We make stops to get the perfect sunset snap that falls into the “no filter” hashtag category, before going back to where our quad bikes await.
We’re let loose on the nearby dunes to get a feel for the versatile machines. Mum is a little hesitant, so she stands well back, shielding her eyes while Dad relives his youth.
Fat biking and sandboarding is next on the itinerary, but since the sun has set, we rely on floodlights to show us how to navigate the sand. It’s exhausting and my already jet-lagged parents are yearning for a sit down. After being convinced to join my mum in the henna painting room by Rashad – who tells me Conor Maynard popped in with his mates to get a scorpion design on his wrist – I find myself getting traditionally inked.
To complete the day, our table awaits in the outside seating area and an all-you-can-eat buffet is at our disposal. Plates stacked high, we sit back on the majilis seats and become entranced by the belly dancer’s moves.
By 9pm our desert retreat is complete and our driver is readily waiting to whisk us back to the city. Arabian Nights Village claims it offers an authentic desert experience, no arguments from this end.
Desert day safari from Dhs300. For bookings, packages and price enquiries, visit www.arabiannightsvillage.com (02 676 9990).
Four more Desert days out
Arabian adventures
Offering tours, safaris and general mayhem across the region, this is one of the established and more popular tour operators currently in business. Try the desert safari package if you’re entertaining guests.
Prices vary. Corniche Road, Al Markaziyah, www.arabian-adventures.com (02 691 1711).
Al Jahili fort
Something a little different that may interest the culture vultures. Take a day out to visit this traditional 19th century Arabic fort, home to regular concerts and a permanent exhibition devoted to British travel writer Wilfred Thesiger.
Free. Open Tue-Thu 9am-5pm; Fri 3pm-5pm; Sat 9am-5pm. Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain.
Al Badeyah eyes tourism
This reliable company provides a variety of services that demonstrate UAE hospitality, heritage, traditions and culture through desert safaris. Al Badeyah is family orientated so kids are welcome too.
Prices for experiences vary. Al Nayhan Camp, www.abet-uae.com (050 511 7122).
Qasr al sarab
An Arabian palace in the midst of the desert, with spacious rooms, attentive staff and good food. Chill out surrounded by dunes and enjoy activities including desert yoga, horse riding and archery.
Prices vary. Qasr Al Sarab, www.qasralsarab.anantara.com (02 656 2000).
