11-day camel trek concludes
DUBAI — Forget your fancy four wheel drives and quadbikes, expats are loving riding camels through the desert instead.
A total of 15 expats from nine countries returned from an 11day camel trekking expedition as part of Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Centre’s (HHC) fourth edition of the ‘Camel Trek’ programme. It started on January 17 at the Empty Quarter in Abu Dhabi and concluded at the Heritage Village in Global Village on Friday.
The initiative involved expats of many different nationalities in riding camels together, through sometimes harsh weather, and learn about the traditional Emirati culture. This time around, participants rode over 500km through the UAE deserts and trekked about nine hours each day without stopping.
First time participant Nicola Mather said she faced “all sorts of challenges” throughout the trip; however, it turned out to be one of her “most memorable” experiences ever.
“The last 10 days have been the most incredible days ever. I don’t know how we’ve all done it, but somehow we managed,” she said. “I’ve never done this before, so I
I think I’ve met more Emiratis on this trip than I have during my 14 years of living here.” Nicola Mather
was given training for a month on how to ride a camel solo.
“Some of the biggest challenges I faced during the trip was probably a massive sandstorm that hit us right in the middle of the sand dunes; another one was when we drove through a town and hundreds of cars were following us.”
Even though Mather faced a few challenges, she learned a lot about Emirati culture. “I think I’ve met more Emiratis on this trip than I have during my 14 years of living here,” she said.
Mather is sad to part ways with her camel; however, she is excited to get back to her husband and two children.
It wasn’t just Mather who had to go through training. The Argentinian Ambassador to the UAE, Fernando De Martini, joined the expedition
There were some challenges involved, like the training involved and the desert conditions.” Fernando De Martini
on January 23 and stayed overnight, before taking off on his own camel. “There were some challenges involved, including the training you have to go through and the desert conditions you have to face. But it was a great experience and I would recommend everyone to do it,” he said.
Not everyone from the trip was new to the experience. French expat in Dubai, Nour Laine, was taking part in the initiative for the third time. “It doesn’t get any easier. You can really feel the pain in your legs and back when you ride for nine hours straight some days,” she said. “But on this trip, you make a family. It was a new group of people this time, so it was lovely making new friends. I would do this again, again and again.”