Dubai - Liwa - Dubai

milindajp · 25th May 2009, 19:17

On 21st March 2008 at 6.30am, I and my brother started from Dubai to visit Liwa Oasis. Liwa is located about 350km south west of Dubai. Historically, it is of immense importance for UAE because this oasis is the birth place of the ruling families of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 1793, the ruling family Al Nahyan moved their residence from Liwa to the city of Abu Dhabi. Traditionally the Bani Yas tribe (the people of Liwa) is pearl divers, but now date farming through widespread use of drip irrigation, camel farming is their main source of income.

The road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is 8 lanes on each side. As it was Friday morning, there was less traffic on road and taking advantage, my brother drove his Ford Explorer (4ltr, all wheel drive) at approx 140-160 kph (avoiding periodical radars). We reached Abu Dhabi at around 8 o’clock and stopped at a roadside petrol pump to have our breakfast.

Sharp 8:30 am and we again fired the engine of the monster and set sail for Liwa. The road heading towards Liwa is 2 lanes on each side so we had to drive slowly. There was a lot of heavy goods vehicle also on the road making the drive slower. However, we enjoyed the roadside sceneries and I was constantly clicking my Nikon D80

After 2 hrs we reached Liwa and rested for the day at Liwa Guest House. The Manager, an Indian from Kerala was very nice to us and tried every way to make us comfortable.

Next morning, we went to visit Mireb dune which is approximately 2okms from Liwa Guest House. With a height of 300mtrs, it is considered to be one of the world’s largest dune. Every year thousands of visitor (expatriates, locals and people from GCC countries) gather here during Liwa festival to enjoy Off Road driving and camel racing. We spent the whole day driving on the desert and it was a lifetime experience. We also meet a group of expatriates camping nearby and spent some quality time with them

Well after sunset, we returned at the guest house. After having a refreshing hot water shower and dinner with dal fray and fish curry, we went to sleep so that next day we could start our return journey early in the morning.

rkbharat · 26th May 2009, 08:46

those roads amazing. I am really surprised how they maintain those roads in the middle of desert. And did you took your gigantic ride to off-road?

spadival · 26th May 2009, 11:23

Nice.. Any idea why they have bothered to fence off a bit of sand in the middle of nowhere??

pjay_in · 26th May 2009, 11:24

Amazing place. Great roads, and a good looking machine. The pictures are beautiful.

Rajesh Rawal · 26th May 2009, 11:48

love the pictures of the dunes my friend!

bond_bhai · 26th May 2009, 12:01

Nice Pics! Love the sand, the sun and the dunes! Same question which bharat asked! "And did you took your gigantic ride to off-road?"

jaysmokesleaves · 26th May 2009, 14:19

Wonderful dune pics. The desert indeed looks ravishing. I would really love to roll down that slope.
I DEMAND more pics ....

benbsb29 · 26th May 2009, 14:29

After having spent 18 years of my life in the UAE, i am ashamed to say i havent been to places such as these. Possibly since we didnt have a 4x4. To make up for that, i will have to be content with viewing the pics you post.

Please post more including the part where you took the Explorer off-roading.

25th May 2009, 19:17	#1
milindajp BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Highway Posts: 213 Thanked: 206 Times	Dubai - Liwa - Dubai On 21st March 2008 at 6.30am, I and my brother started from Dubai to visit Liwa Oasis. Liwa is located about 350km south west of Dubai. Historically, it is of immense importance for UAE because this oasis is the birth place of the ruling families of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 1793, the ruling family Al Nahyan moved their residence from Liwa to the city of Abu Dhabi. Traditionally the Bani Yas tribe (the people of Liwa) is pearl divers, but now date farming through widespread use of drip irrigation, camel farming is their main source of income. The road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is 8 lanes on each side. As it was Friday morning, there was less traffic on road and taking advantage, my brother drove his Ford Explorer (4ltr, all wheel drive) at approx 140-160 kph (avoiding periodical radars). We reached Abu Dhabi at around 8 o’clock and stopped at a roadside petrol pump to have our breakfast. Sharp 8:30 am and we again fired the engine of the monster and set sail for Liwa. The road heading towards Liwa is 2 lanes on each side so we had to drive slowly. There was a lot of heavy goods vehicle also on the road making the drive slower. However, we enjoyed the roadside sceneries and I was constantly clicking my Nikon D80 After 2 hrs we reached Liwa and rested for the day at Liwa Guest House. The Manager, an Indian from Kerala was very nice to us and tried every way to make us comfortable. Next morning, we went to visit Mireb dune which is approximately 2okms from Liwa Guest House. With a height of 300mtrs, it is considered to be one of the world’s largest dune. Every year thousands of visitor (expatriates, locals and people from GCC countries) gather here during Liwa festival to enjoy Off Road driving and camel racing. We spent the whole day driving on the desert and it was a lifetime experience. We also meet a group of expatriates camping nearby and spent some quality time with them Well after sunset, we returned at the guest house. After having a refreshing hot water shower and dinner with dal fray and fish curry, we went to sleep so that next day we could start our return journey early in the morning. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Jaggu : 25th May 2009 at 20:45. Reason: Please dont post whole thread in bold, it affects readability. Thanks
	(1) Thanks

26th May 2009, 08:46	#2
rkbharat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gurgaon/New Delhi Posts: 1,601 Thanked: 724 Times View My Garage	those roads amazing. I am really surprised how they maintain those roads in the middle of desert. And did you took your gigantic ride to off-road?
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 11:23	#3
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Nice.. Any idea why they have bothered to fence off a bit of sand in the middle of nowhere??
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 11:24	#4
pjay_in BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 396 Thanked: 20 Times	Amazing place. Great roads, and a good looking machine. The pictures are beautiful.
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 11:48	#5
Rajesh Rawal BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Back in Mumbai Posts: 384 Thanked: 159 Times View My Garage	love the pictures of the dunes my friend!
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 12:01	#6
bond_bhai BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 83 Thanked: 10 Times	Nice Pics! Love the sand, the sun and the dunes! Same question which bharat asked! "And did you took your gigantic ride to off-road?"
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 14:19	#7
jaysmokesleaves Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mostly Mumbai Posts: 1,702 Thanked: 1,452 Times	Wonderful dune pics. The desert indeed looks ravishing. I would really love to roll down that slope. I DEMAND more pics .... Last edited by jaysmokesleaves : 26th May 2009 at 14:21.
	() Thanks

26th May 2009, 14:29	#8
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,969 Thanked: 13,228 Times View My Garage	After having spent 18 years of my life in the UAE, i am ashamed to say i havent been to places such as these. Possibly since we didnt have a 4x4. To make up for that, i will have to be content with viewing the pics you post. Please post more including the part where you took the Explorer off-roading.
	() Thanks