We love us a good desert trip.
During my parents visit we planned to take a trip to the desert with friends. We stayed two nights at an eco-lodge and had a fabulous time.
(Disclaimer: this is a LONG one)
It was only a couple hours drive from the city. Once we arrived and got settled in, we went for a stroll around the village.
It’s a very small and simple village known for pottery. We walked to a closeby studio and had a look. And the kids had a nice game on the stairs. They are too cute.
We gathered to see a demonstration…
After throwing one pot…
He did the next one with his eyes closed the whole time. Cute!
It was a gorgeous winter day. Look at that green and that sky!
A lil’ duck family was fun for the kids.
After the night, we loaded up early into a couple 4 x 4s for our desert excursion.
We hit the road. For awhile.
And then we randomly veered off the road and started driving straight through the sand (for sure the driver knew the exact way to go, but to us it ALL looked the same).
The first time he floored the gas and we went soaring blindly over a huge dune, it took my breath away! I was in shock… didn’t know that was happening! My Mom said watching my face in that moment was the best part of her day, ha! It was exhilarating and terrifying and oh-so-much fun.
The pictures don’t really do it justice. But when you’re up there you can see and feel how crazy steep and blind it is! At some points I thought we were so stupid for taking our kids up these dunes. We had the littles in carseats, but there were no seatbelts for the carseats or for any of us! At times it really felt like we were going to roll down the side…
The four big kids in the other car had mixed feelings about these crazy dunes. Some loved it and others didn’t. I could hear them screaming from the distance that I took this picture from!
At one point near the end of the day were driving toward a CRAZY looking dune. I thought for sure we weren’t going to attempt that one. Dad pointed to it and nodded to the driver and before I knew it, we were going up and I took a death grip in Mister B’s carseat!! Ahhhh!!!!! Its was nuts. I don’t often get that exhilaration feeling… the last time I felt it was when we watched the local circus a year ago.
Our first destination was Wadi El Hitan. This area used to be covered by a lake and they have found whale bones there. Who knew? We checked out a museum and then did some climbing.
A couple months ago this little buddy was not a fan of the sand. He’s adjusted well since then!
We loaded back up to do some more driving through the sand…
These four had so much fun riding in the back of the Jeep together.
A lake! Pretty.
The next stop was a great place to go sandboarding. Our drivers/guides threw some sandboards off the roof and it was time to give it a go!
Waxing the board with a candle is very important.
Sweet N loved this job and took care of everyone's board for them.
It was really fun to give it a go in different ways.
And to watch others give it a go!
Most of us had a tumble or two. Or more…
And this is what we all felt like when had to climb the dune after sliding/tumbling down it. Such hard work!!
Add double boards and a toddler and it’s like a whole week’s workout!
Poppi did amazing! On his feet to the end!
See those feet in the air? Quite a tumble, ha!
Arrived at the top after the tumble…
…sandy face!
While we were eating sand and burning millions of calories, our guides were down the hill by the lake preparing us a Bedouin feast. See the smoke rising from the BBQ? Yuuummmm
The usual selfie with a stranger…
Great spot to rest.
Playing while the food is prepared.
Or reading in this boy’s case.
Great food! Main meal followed by fruit followed by hot tea. So fun.
We loaded up again, used the winch to free a stuck vehicle, drove over a crazy dune, found a road, used the winch to free another stuck vehicle, and then veered off the road again to find the famous Wada El Rayan… waterfalls!
It’s no Niagara. But the the locals love it.
After another stop to let the kids roll down more dunes (they hadn’t had enough yet if you can believe it), we began the drive back to the lodge.
I was feeling oh-so-sandy, windblown, just the right amount of cold, and my heart was just overflowing after such a fun day with our friends and my amazing parents. It was so special to do this with them.
After showers for most, we waited for our dinner.
Dining al-fresco in winter is COOOOOLD, but it was fun.
We loved every moment of this trip and we loved share it with favorite people!!
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