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February 9, 2011

D is for Driving the Dunes

Should you ever go to Dubai, definitely do go for a drive in the dunes of the desert... if you dare. 



Dubai, 2005

It wasn't allowed, of course, but me being me and a bit of speed freak, I sweet-talked one of the tour drivers into letting me take his car for a spin. After the rest of the group was dropped off at a touristy camp for a tacky culture show and dinner, he and I snuck back out into the empty desert and I took over the wheel for about 45 minutes.

It wouldn't take much to overturn a vehicle on these sharp-edged dunes, I can tell you. Don't imagine me creeping along in first gear, either. And get this, the sun had long ago set so it was pitch dark. Woohoo! What an adrenaline rush of a ride! What a dream!

Would you dare?

These exciting Ds are linked with ABC Wednesday. Go check out the many  dramatic, dazzling, delicious or just plain fun D posts.

38 comments:

  1. VioletSkyFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    I'd like to think I would dare - what an experience!

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  2. DinaFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    I'm impressed with your derring-do!
    And the dunes are beautiful.
    Would I dare? No, it's not something that draws me in.

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  3. Sylvia KFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    What a delightful dare devil you are, Francisca! I love it! And your photos are terrific! What a fun post for the D Day! Would I try it? Maybe not at my age now, but a few years ago? You bet!! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  4. Cezar and LéiaFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    `Bravo!
    Dear Francisca, I'm so impressed!What an adventure!
    You gave us something to dream about!
    Thanks very much! :)
    Léia

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  5. NankaFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    You dared to do a daredevil act where angles fear to tread!!
    Interesting adventure and fascinating pictures too!!

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  6. photowannabeFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:52 AM

    Definitely daring. I probably would not be brave enough to do it and then would kick myself forever afterward that I hadn't done it.
    Stunning pictures. I love the shadows and edges of the dunes.
    I really enjoy seeing the world through your lens.

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  7. EG CameraGirlFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Fantastic! Amazing how these shots make the desert look interesting. :)

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  8. VPFebruary 9, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    I tried this more close home, it was great, but I really like normal roads... The view is gorgeous!

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  9. BPOTWFebruary 9, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    Very nice photos!

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  10. AndyFebruary 9, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    After 42 years of driving buses through Canadian weather I'd give it a try. After all when I was a kid I did play in a sandbox:)
    Great photos as always Francisca!

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  11. ???February 9, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    I think you would rather find me going out at night looking for desert animals. The photos are great, I love the patters of light and shadow on the dunes.

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  12. Richard LawryFebruary 9, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    The dunes are beautiful. I would enjoy driving on them

    An Arkies Musings

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  13. Pat TillettFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Cool story! That sounded like fun!

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  14. Roger Owen GreenFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    looks like fun in Dubai!
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  15. Chubskulit RoseFebruary 9, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Lovely, you are such an adventurous woman hehehe!

    Want to find out my D, come and see!

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  16. HFebruary 9, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Would I dare? Probably not in the dark, but in daylight...

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  17. jabblogFebruary 9, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    That's a challenge I would accept! Fabulous photos - I've been fascinated by dunes for years and can never understand how nomads can find their way in a constantly shifting world.

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  18. Kim, USAFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    I call them the Daredevils!! Very beautiful shots Francisca! Happy Wednesday!
    ABC-Wednesday

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  19. LowellFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    I wouldn't dare, I would deny, I would defy such a daunting but divine adventure.

    Great photos. What a hoot that must have been! You are too much.

    Got my fingers crossed for you...sure hope it all works out!

    I'm going on hiatus for a few weeks...so won't be posting or commenting after today...Nothing wrong, just some other things I need to work on...like a new website!

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  20. AndreaFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Hi Francisca, I've been there, but of course your photos are lovelier than mine. Did you have a Filipino driver, we had and it seemed we were home. I was with a family with a 5 yr old special child, and when it was already like a roller-coaster, the child blurted out loudly "Oh my momach" which all of us laughed. He meant his stomach is doing something unusual. hahaha. I love to do that again.

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  21. FranciscaFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    @Andrea... the driver who carried our group to the tent was not Filipino and when I asked him if I could drive, he sloughed me off. Hrrmph. Not one to give up easily, when all the cars stopped to watch the sun set, I saw a group of Pinoy drivers standing together and I approached them with a few words of Tagalog to make them smile and one of them agreed to take me out later. He was a very nice young man and I hope I didn't get him into a lot of hot water. I'm not really keen to return to Dubai, nor is sand my favorite stuff, but given the chance, I'd drive the dunes again.

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  22. fredamansFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Definitely daring dune driving!!! I'm deliciously drooling over your pics!

    http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2011/02/abc-wednesday-d-is-for-daytime-in.html

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  23. ???February 10, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    I visited the mystery rodent-blogpost. I'm not really sure, but I bombarded Patrick with questions - I'll let you know if I ever know for sure :)

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  24. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    smart d words.
    what a fun take.
    love the images.

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  25. EbieFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    I dare not! I am even scared of driving in canyons with high drop!

    I bet this was one great experience to see the sand dunes!

    Your photos are great!

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  26. tapirgalFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Beautiful pix! No, not the tipping over part. My courage doesn't extend to defying death.

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  27. Kay L. DaviesFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    Wonderful, Francisca! Trust you to want to drive one of the vehicles! LOL
    -- K

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  28. Leslie:February 10, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    YES! Francisca, I would Definitely Dare to Drive Down those Dunes! And at breakneck speed like you, too! That first part of your post could almost be sung to the Teddy Bears Picnic Song...

    Leslie
    ABCW Team

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  29. WandaFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:46 AM

    Oh yes, I would dare to be the passenger with you driving. What a Blast!!!

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  30. DhemzFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    wow! I would love to try that...looks fun!
    Check out my ABC Wednesday entry too. Thanks! have followed your blog.

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  31. AndreaFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Hi again Francisca, can't just reply to my blog since you might not see it anymore. I thought before that your driver was Filipino, because they are the ones who will allow you, and i almost got it right! haha. We are easy with our kins and you speak our language, so we extend it to you, haha again. BTW, i am amazed that you have not been to the places in Indonesia i've been to! Of all people i expected you to explore them too, you should try it one of these days. And your Central Asia escapades are my envy, i wish i had more funds like you, or a work entailing more travels.

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  32. Jeannette StGFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Yes, I can totally see you do that! Like to travel, but with a car,I'm a wimp!
    Such majestic landscape -thanks for sharing:)

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  33. UnknownFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Great photo! I must admit that I drive like a grandma. I went go karting with the boys... they were very kind, but everyone overtook my kart, over and over again!

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  34. JoanneFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    No! I wouldn't dare... but I have been in the desert in Oman and did this, my partner did sandsurfing in the dunes, he suffered abit with the hot sand but it was great fun:))

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  35. JamesFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    That looks and sounds like a lot of fun! I've never tried anything like it but I think I would if given the chance. :)

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  36. UnknownFebruary 12, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    These are amazing! The top shot is incredible, well done!

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  37. Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 12, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    I daresay I'd DARE if you would DRIVE!

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  38. CarolaAugust 23, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Great shot. Found it as a link under your dunes shadow shot. It must have been a real fun for you. But for me?
    No, this is not my stuff. Driving is just to get from A to B. I love to run in the big sand dunes (as I did in Namibia). And maybe one day I surf or slide down a big one.

    And Francisca I hope to answer some of your questions in your comments on my blog. I will.

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