Our Abu Dhabi adventure started a little later than planned, thanks to a late ship arrival. But hey, less sightseeing meant more time for…desert fun! We were all feeling a bit burnt out from endless tours, so we decided to ditch the museums and embrace some wild desert activities.
First stop: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Yes, we squeezed in a cultural gem before the mayhem began. This place is jaw-dropping. Not only is it the biggest mosque in the UAE, but it also boasts the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet (we practically walked on history)!
The mosque itself is a feast for the senses. Intricate floral courtyards, the world’s largest marble mosaic, and a sky dotted with 82 dazzling white domes – all bigger and better than anything we’d seen before. Inside, the prayer halls shimmered under the glow of 24-carat gold chandeliers. No wonder the security was everywhere!
Being tourists, we got special access to both the men’s and women’s halls (visitors are usually restricted during prayer times). To enter, we needed to cover up – scarves, long sleeves, and long pants for me. Chuck, bless his stubborn heart, refused anything but shorts, so he ended up in a traditional Emirati dress called a Kandura (surprisingly cheap at $15!). Let’s just say seeing him in a dress was worth the price of admission, and hey, at least he got to experience the mosque’s beauty!
Escaping the scorching 102-degree heat that appeared to be pointed directly at the mosque, we piled into our 4x4s and headed for the desert dunes, about an hour outside the city. First up: camel spotting. Turns out, Chuck is now a self-proclaimed dromedary expert (thanks to a previous Moroccan adventure), so we skipped the camel rides this time and watched our friends pile on! What a fun event that was!
But the real fun began with the dune bashing! Our guide, a desert driving pro, deflated the tires a bit for extra thrills. Up, down, and sideways we went, screaming and laughing like giddy kids. Thank goodness for seatbelts!
After our adrenaline rush subsided, we reached our desert camp, where we joined other shipmates (around 12 in total). A delicious traditional meal with tea and Arabic coffee capped off the evening, all under a breathtaking sunset. It was the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation.
Now, here’s the best part: tomorrow, we pack our bags for a glorious 5-day NOTHING-doing session in the Seychelles! After that, it’s off to Africa, with our ship reunion happening on May 27th in Cape Town. Buckle up, because this adventure is far from over!
May God bless you always!
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 