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 ‘Chalo Desert Safari’ – a thrilling experience with the Belleans in Dubai.

Dubai: A desert safari forms the main attraction for anyone visiting Dubai. The adventurous dune- bashing, amazing beauty of the expansive desert and awesome view of the sunset are unique experiences that a Dubai visitor would carry along for a life-time.

The Belleans who after their memorable Easter picnic, wanted to go on a desert safari on Friday May 22th 2015 came as a blessing.  We all gathered near Dragon Mart at Oman-Hatta road at 3.30pm.  Though it was a hot and humid summer about 80 young and old Belle and friends, joined at designated spot. The organizers distributed travel kits comprising a banana, chips, water and a bottle of fresh juice.  Before starting the desert Safari Fr. Mervin Noronha SVD who came to Dubai on Visit after serving 15 years in Kenya as a Missionary priest, offered prayer and thanked God for this wonderful opportunity to be part of Belleans Cholo Desert Safari.  Thereafter the group headed towards the desert at around 4.45 pm. Having parked our vehicles at the assembly point and we shifted to the 4X4 vehicles.

There were a number of foreign tourists too from different countries.  All four wheel cars were ready with reduced tyre air pressure waiting for us to get in at the assembly area. There were also a number of foreign tourists from different countries clicking pictures of their family members and friends.

It was around 5.45pm, and the groups of four wheel driven desert vehicles prepared themselves for the adventurous Desert Safari. Driver advised everyone to fasten the safety seat belts we were ready for the safari ride. This is the most exciting and thrilling part of the event. The Arab drivers showed off his skill by the cruising and twisting the four-wheel drive against the sand dunes.

As the 4X4 cars went up and down as well as sideways we could see the sand dunes rising before us like waves in the sea and felt the excitement that was just out of the world.

The driver’s alertness, experience and skills in controlling the desert vehicle were really commendable. As we moved further deeper into the desert we could see nothing but sand dunes all around. Getting down for picture session we could feel the fine desert sand blowing gently in the wind and could see the wave formations on the slopes of the sand dunes. The main reason why many love the evening Desert Safari is not only for its timing but for the beauty of the sunset which goes beyond words.

After thrilling dune bashing, the vehicle proceeded towards the desert camp. Halting outside the camp, the tourists could avail the facility of the camel ride, four wheeler motor bike ride, photography etc.

At around 6.30 pm, we entered the desert camp, an enclosure with a square stage at the center and low wooden tables kept around and low cushions to sit on. There were souvenir shops and a henna and tattoo shops for hands and feet painting for those who had an interest in these indulgences. There was one Bedouin tent with carpet and pillows in which tourists could smoke Shisha and a separate bar counter.

Prior to the buffet dinner some of us had soft drinks and some headed towards bar counter. Meantime female dancer presented well known belly dance to the accompaniment of traditional Arabic music and a men wearing long colorful jacket with full of colourful lights and performed Tanoura dance which was amazing.

Thereafter a disc jockey played melodious Arabic and Hindi music. At 7 pm, the delicious buffet was kept open to serve for men and women in separate queues including veg and non-vegetarian Arabic meals such as Kaboose Arabic bred, hummus, different kinds of Arabic saladas, biryani, rice, dal fry, barbeque Chicken, seekh kabab and deserts.

After the dinner suddenly all lights went off and a fire dancer walked in to the stage with juggling fire touches to perform fire dance which was excellent.

At around 8.15pm the camp program came to an end and crowd slowly started vacating the Camp. As a special consideration for Belleans the desert camp owner allowed the Belleans to spend more time in the camp and meantime he permitted to dance on the platform with Konkani Baila and Hindi filmy dance songs. All Belleans made use of this great opportunity and along with kids and parents everyone participated in the Baila dance. Soon after the Baila dabce our team got into their respective cars to return back from the Safari camp around 9.30pm.

The Entire time that we spent in safari was worth time and money. It was a very well organized ‘Belleans Chalo Desert Safari’ event. Big thanks to all the Organizers for organizing such a wonderful and memorable Chalo Desert Safari’