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Christmas 2003

We left Dubai Thursday morning following Mel and Suzanne, traveling to Wadi Shwaib where we intended to camp for the night. The trip was a short one, but full of excitement and anticipation. The kids were on the edge of their seats the whole way because we had not opened any 'seasonal gifts' in the morning as we often do, but intended to wait till we had set up camp in the desert. This was the first time we had camped in the desert. Of note, were the camels that were there to great us upon arrival, the size of the dunes beside us, and the vividness of the stars above us.
This is the entrance we came through to get to our camp. Rock on one side, dune on the other.
This is the entrance we came through to get to our camp. Rock on one side, dune on the other.		 In the UAE, all the acacia trees with their flat tops are all tilted at about 5 degrees due to our latitude.
In the UAE, all the acacia trees with their flat tops are all tilted at about 5 degrees due to our latitude.		 Can't have fun without getting stuck.
Can't have fun without getting stuck.		 These camels were here when we pulled up -- we knew this camp would be a good one!
These camels were here when we pulled up -- we knew this camp would be a good one!
Nice thing about this animals, is that they do not come around asking for hand-outs.
Nice thing about this animals, is that they do not come around asking for hand-outs.		 Rock
Rock		 Perfect place for a hike.
Perfect place for a hike.		 The flowering plants were just trailing off, but we found this one still in bloom.
The flowering plants were just trailing off, but we found this one still in bloom.
Thorn tree above our camp.
Thorn tree above our camp.		 Wadi Swaib in 180 degrees from the top of the big dune.
Wadi Swaib in 180 degrees from the top of the big dune.		 We were visited by an alien that became firm friends with Garnet.
We were visited by an alien that became firm friends with Garnet.		 Not much for large wildlife, but the small stuff was just as interesting -- like this beetle.
Not much for large wildlife, but the small stuff was just as interesting -- like this beetle.
View of the camp from half way up the large dune.
View of the camp from half way up the large dune.		 With a bit of wind it took the team of M&S to cook the eggs.
With a bit of wind it took the team of M&S to cook the eggs.		 Ahhhh coffee!
Ahhhh coffee!		 Dune at sun set.
Dune at sun set.
Looking towards the sun along the dune top.
Looking towards the sun along the dune top.		 The group.
The group.		 Two gifts each ...
Two gifts each ...		 One at a time.
One at a time.
Venus and the moon about to set over the dunes.
Venus and the moon about to set over the dunes.		 Morning sun rise.
Morning sun rise.		 Looking back at the camp in the morning.
Looking back at the camp in the morning.		 Tracks every where in the morning, but all of them small -- we saw a kangaroo rat quite close to the camp.
Tracks every where in the morning, but all of them small -- we saw a kangaroo rat quite close to the camp.

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pinicola29-Dec-2003 20:23
I would like to be there, and so would Samba! Hiking in this area with Mark, Donna, Aven and Garnet would be great fun. The flowers are really beautiful; when is the desert in bloom? Dad
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