[v1kram]

I was waiting for a big weekend to explore some parts of UAE in my Fortuner. Since we had Eid holidays, we (me and 2 of my colleagues) planned for a drive around Hatta which is apprx 120km from Dubai.Finally the date was set on 7th Dec and place remained unchanged. Plan was to start around 9am from Dubai and reach Hatta, do some offroading and in the evening at the beach. Got ready by 9am, picked my colleagues, had some breakfast and we were off to Hatta. Climate was very good and we were happy and i was doing around 120-130 speed since many new radars are installed.

Reached Hatta around 12:30pm (we stopped many a times for some photoshoot). Driving in the mountanous road is like a treasure with some unexpected offroading to be done. Mostly all the vehicles were SUV's since it's a difficult task for the cars to perform on those type of roads. We had a plan to do some desert drive in the evening while returning to Dubai, but at the end of the hatta drive, we had some good roads with nice views and mainly without speed cameras. My fortuner was begging to open up the small monster in it and finally we drove for another 40+kms and hit a max speed of 160km (auto speed limiter ).


While returning back, we were in a dilemma whether to go for desert drive or not, since i dont have any experience i was bit worried but when we reached the place it was another story. Let the pictures do some talking for a while.

[rkbharat]

beautiful pics and you have got a power truck. Looks like there are others doing the off-road as well.

I feel envious that I rejected a long term offer for UAE

Keep posting more pics

[v1kram]

Some more pictures, desert drive part will be posted next since only 20 pictures are allowed per post.

[SirAlec]

Dudes!!
if its not too much to ask from members living in UAE, can you please find out if H.H. The Rainbow Sheikh has opened his car collection to public or not.

I would really like the images of big trucks that he owns, especially 15 times bigger Power wagon that is actually a full size house.

Also i read that he has the largest collection of LR after Dunsfold.

[v1kram]

As i mentioned earlier, i was in a dilemma whether to go for desert drive or not, we dropped the plan to go for beach and while way back we entered the desert site. This was the first thing we saw after entering.


I was tempted to enter inside after we saw the Landcruiser in front, but the inexperience part kept me worried to enter. Finally we planned to reduce the air pressure in the tyres and enter. We were just looking how other vehicles are prepared and after 2-3 rounds around those vehicles in entered the desert in josh. First few moments were different feeling like flying but soon this happened.


Reason being the tryes, we didnt reduce the pressure in that josh . Few seconds later we inspected the vehicle and saw that the rear side completely went inside and the chassis has landed on the sand dunes. What next? no rope or any sort of thing to even remove the sand. Suddenly a Patrol came nearby and the person was asking me do you need help? I said yes please! He came along with his son, after inspecting the vehicle he asked me has the pressure been reduced? is it 20 or 15? my reply was no sir! nothing has been done. He smiled and asked is this your first time? then we started to reduce the pressure to 15. He also did'nt have any rope.



Two of other people who came in desert bike's also joined in the rescue process. After reducing the pressure, removal of some sand and shaking the vehicle on both sides, we were back again on the track. We said thanks for those who came to help and started our drive again.



We drove for another 15 mins and after some stunt we planned to leave the place as it was getting dark. Finally we had some excellent time and planning for the next desert drive.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Dudes!!
if its not too much to ask from members living in UAE, can you please find out if H.H. The Rainbow Sheikh has opened his car collection to public or not.

I would really like the images of big trucks that he owns, especially 15 times bigger Power wagon that is actually a full size house.

Also i read that he has the largest collection of LR after Dunsfold.

I will try to find it out, but if it has been opened to public, steer should have informed us and arranged a mini meet over there.

Steer! are you listening

[Jayabusa]

Nice pics and nice Fortuner....wonder when it's gonna hit Indian shores if at all.

[v1kram]

some more pictures of the drive

[maddy42]

Great pics/ SO are you hooked as in are you going to try this again?

[benbsb29]

Lovely pics there. Makes me real jealous.
Had been to Hatta as a schoolkid for excursions. I've never got round to doing any dune bashing though.

[Nutty Nair]

Hi Vikram,

Nice pictures & nice narration. Now let me see where I can go dune bashing here in Kuwait!

Ranjith

[getsurya]

Vikram, Awesome Pics. Good to see them in detail. Have fun!

[mobike008]

It's more of a picturelogue than a travelogue. Awesome pictures and this activity is a must for people visiting DXB.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by maddy42

Great pics/ SO are you hooked as in are you going to try this again?

Yes, we did go for the desert drive and was much better than the first visit with some unexpected tyre punctures too. Will attach the pictures soon.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Lovely pics there. Makes me real jealous.
Had been to Hatta as a schoolkid for excursions. I've never got round to doing any dune bashing though.

Thanks ben, i am sure you would love the second set of pictures aswell.