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Published: July 25th 2013
Dubai
Dubai DesertWe started the day slowly today with a leisurely breakfast and then we were back at the Emirates Mall at the Du Shop (Dubai Telecommunications) and sorted the SIM card issue. I could put my angry face away for which Clive was grateful. Spent the next hour or so meandering around the Mall, mouth agape when we decided we were hungry and it was time to have lunch. Now before I go any further let me tell you about Ramadan . . .
The Holy Month of Ramadan is when Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Qur'an. It lasts for 30 days and during that time Muslims abstain from all food, drinks and cigarettes during daylight hours, i.e. from sunrise to sunset. Restrictions apply even for non-Muslims. By law non-Muslims are not permitted to drink, eat, smoke or chew in public during Ramadan. As a consequence the hotel dining area was hidden from public view by a large dark curtain and we were required to eat behind that curtain. Easy, no problem. Why oh why then, after we bought a Subway roll (yes that's right . . . Subway) did we sit down in the Mall Food Hall and
Dubai
Convoy of Four Wheel Drives start eating our roll in public view? What were we thinking? Within seconds of taking a bite into the roll a not too happy security guard was onto us. Did we pack that roll away fast and get out of there? Do you think? For the second time in two days I thought we were going to meet our maker!
We probably wouldn't recommend visiting Dubai during Ramadan. As amazing as Dubai is there are just too many restrictions of which you have to be aware. There are also no restaurants or cafes open during the day which means that the streets and shopping areas are really quite deserted so the atmosphere is a little sombre during daylight hours.
The evenings are a different matter altogether. Tonight we experienced a 'Dune Dinner Safari' and it is something we will never forget. Our guide Asis drove us in a 4 x 4 Land Cruiser over the sand dunes of the Dubai Desert and into the Conservation Reserve. Words can't describe going over those sand dunes. What a thrill! In the Reserve we saw wild orycs and gazelles . . . just beautiful. There were a few stops on the
Dubai
Clive and the convoy. way to the camp which included a falcon viewing and watching the sunset over the desert . . . unbelievable. At the Bedouin style camp we feasted on grilled meats, fresh salads and middle eastern sweets, rode a camel and smoked a shisha (of the aromatic variety). Because of Ramadan there was no belly dancing but instead we were treated to a traditional Arabian male dance which involved much twirling and throwing of objects in the air. Again, amazing. This evening was on on my own 'must do' list and it turned out to be as memorable as I hoped it would be. Oh and the temperature today? 48 degrees! When we returned to the hotel just before 11.00pm it was still 38 degrees. You could cut the air with a knife . . .
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