I had heard about it, but never even dreamt that one day i would undertake such an adventure during the dusk of my life. The Desert Safari among the pristine sand dunes of the desert, stretches a little away from the periphery of Dubai is something that the tourists from different parts of the world look forward to experience and catch the moments in their cameras.

It is said that if you go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and do not experience the thrill of the Desert Safari you have missed the essence of your visit to the land of traditional deserts part of which has been converted into concrete jungles and modern hubs of civilization.

As our hosts had made all the arrangements, we just had to get ourselves ready for the unforeseen adventure in the desert. On the designated day we were picked up by the agency that arranges the Desert Safari at the Dubai Grand Hotel at 3pm. We boarded the four-wheel driven vehicle piloted by a young and dynamic Philippino.

The vehicle moved in the direction of Kalba. At around 4pm the vehicle stopped at the starting point of the Desert Safari which has an enclosure and garden where one can see pea-hens picking insects from the garden. Close by, a camel, a horse and a mare have been kept ready for anyone who wanted a ride by paying a price.

"Subhan Allah" I said in complete aww as I looked at the vast desert in front of me.

"Indeed...Subhan Allah" he whispered slowly. I looked at him and he quickly looked at the vast desert in front of us.

"You said somthing?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.

"Th-the desert!" He said gesturing with his hands. Adeel, just chuckled looking at him. "He's becoming very naughty day by day!" He said pinching the bridge of his nose.

I bit back a smile, nodding my head in understanding!

Prior to the start of the Desert Safari, people could have their individual adventure by hiring desert worthy bikes or four wheelers or desert buggies managed by the Alramool Motor Cycle Company. We could see a number of youngsters zooming past and having adventurous ride on the slopes of the desert prior to the start of the safari. I so badly wanted to race with Zain, but leaving Adeel alone was a No No option!

There were a number of foreign tourists from different countries clicking pictures of their family members and friends. I was amused to see two monkeys playing pranks with tourists for food and attention. An Arab dwarf with white robe was obliging the tourists to have their pictures taken with him, of course for a fee.

It was around 5pm, and the groups of four wheel driven desert vehicles prepared themselves for the adventurous Desert Safari. The Philippino driver let off some pressure from the wheels of the vehicle so as to have proper grip of the sand while undertaking the desert ride.

Usually, during the Desert Safari four wheel driven land cruisers belonging to particular agencies move in proximity and assemble in groups at certain vantage points or during sunset so that the tourists can have an opportunity to click pictures.

"Zain, did you told the driver to go slow?" I peeked out from the car's window. He just leaned down and give me a are you mad look! "What?? You didn't said? An 8 months old kid will also be with us in this car! How can you forget?" I was now sticking my head out of the window.

He placed the index finger on my forehead, making me look down at his finger and all of a sudden he pushed me inside!

I was now looking no scratch that, I wad now glaring at him with my mouth wide open!

"Hani, we usually glare with our eyes wide open and not with our mouth wide open!" He commented with a smirk. Immediately, I hit him with my elbow.

"Why are you taking tension? He's my son! He won't get scared." He said proudly.

"I'm still not convinced!"

"Good. It's time!" He said sitting beside me, pushing me in the process!

"You are so annoying!"

"I'll take that as a compliment" He smiled. Huffing, I moved to the other side, faraway from him, now glaring at the desert. This time, they both chuckled.

Fastening the safety belts and holding tight the side handles we were ready for the Arabian roller coaster ride through desert driving also known as 'dune bashing'. This is the most exciting and thrilling part of the event. The Philippino driver showed off his skill by the cruising and twisting the four-wheel drive against the sand dunes. It is similar to having a roller coaster in the sand dunes.

Soon enough an arm came and wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. I didn't have to look to who that person because I could already feel his piercing gaze boring holes in my head. The land cruiser suddenly took a left turn making me shriek as I placed my hand on his thigh making him choke!

Embarrassed, I quickly pulled my hand back, my face turning beet red!

Adeel was very happy, he was even clapping and jumping on his lap, when the land cruiser took surprising turns and went down.

Just when I thought that now I'll be able to control myself thoroughly, the land cruiser took a right turn and dashed towards down making me yelp and my head hitting his cheek. I felt him leaning against my head, as my eyes closed automatically.

When I opened my eyes it landed on his eyes, who were fixed on mine. Holding my gaze for a little longer, I felt his grip tightening on the sides of my waist, making me stiff. I saw the driver looking at us from the rearview and I immediately pushed myself away from him.

I didn't dare to look at him because I knew that he was very much irritated with me.

As the land cruiser went up and down as well as sideways we could see the sand dunes rising before us like waves in the sea and felt the excitement that was just out of the world. The driver's alertness, experience and skills in controlling the desert vehicle were really commendable.

As the land cruiser moved further deeper into the desert we could see nothing but sand dunes all around without any vegetation or earth or rock formation. Getting down for picture session we could feel the fine desert sand blowing gently in the wind and could see the wave formations on the slopes of the sand dunes.

The evening Desert Safaris have been preferred by a number of tourists to Dubai as they come in direct contact with the mysterious beauty of the dusk. The main reason why many love the evening Desert Safari is not only for its timing but for the beauty of the sunset which goes beyond words. An evening drive through the golden sand dunes with the sunset as the backdrop makes the Desert Safari one of the most desirable and preferable activity in Dubai.

After nearly an hours' thrilling dune bashing, the vehicle proceeded to a regular road and drove for nearly fifteen minutes towards the desert camp. Halting outside the camp, the tourists could avail the facility of the camel ride and or the four wheeler motor bike ride that was included in the package. We did have a brief camel ride.

At around 6.45 pm, we entered the Bedouin camp, an enclosure with a square stage at the centre and low wooden tables kept around and low cushions known as majlis to sit on. Tourists on desert safari excursions in Dubai can enjoy sample food cooked the traditional Bedouin way and have a look at the goods they create for a living. There were souvenir shops and a henna joint for decorating hands and feet for those who had an interest in these indulgences. There were two open tents in which tourists could smoke the flavoured Shisha or water-pipe.

"Zain, I want to put henna on my hands!" I said excitedly.

"Sure, go ahead!" He said smiling.

"But, Adeel?"

"His dadda is here for him. Don't worry about him, you just go and put henna!" He said smiling.

"Thank you so much, Zain" I said giving him a full hearted smile.

"Anything for you, Mam!" he said doing a little bowing gesture with his hands, to which I laughed.

It took one hour for the henna artist to complete the henna in my hand and by the time it was over, I was already dozing off! I was so damn tired.

"How's it looking?" I asked extending my hand.

"Masha Allah, it's so beautiful!" He said with his eyes twinkiling.

"That woman is really talented, Masha Allah." I said looking at my hands.

"Indeed she is, but your hands are making the Henna look more beautiful" He said looking at me.

My cheeks were now sure red as hell as all the blood ran to my cheeks.

He just chuckled thoroughly enjoying my second hand embarrassment!

After we were done with our dinner, at around At around 8pm the camp programme came to an end and we started back to our residence and reached at around 9pm.

If you all must be wondering that how did I eat then, Mr.Zain fed me!

GGAAHHHH!!!

Looking back to the Desert Safari, the entire experience of six hours was worth the time and money. It was a good opportunity for me personally to know the different cultural aspect of the desert life and an occasion to capture some of the amazing pictures of the desert topography.

***

The whole concept of visiting a mall when travelling abroad would be considered waste of precious time. After all you are travelling on a holiday and how different possibly can a mall be. But Dubai Mall is different. For one it's really huge. You have to see it to believe it. And you can't see everything in one day.

It's one of the largest malls in the world with over 1200 shops. It's like a mini city which even has its trees, alleys, skating ground large enough to be an Olympic venue. So yeah, we're going for shopping!!

"Hani, aren't you ready yet?" He knocked.

"Two minutes" I said applying my favourite strawberry colour lip tint. Today I decided to wear light blue denim with a pink top. I then wore my favourite white coloured hijab. I didn't put any makeup, just a bit of mascara and a lip tint, my cheeks were already so flushed naturally. For my shoes I wore my White coloured pointed heel sandal.

"I'm ready" I said opening the door.

"Wao! You look so pretty and yet so cool!!" he complimented.

"Thank you." I smiled. He was also in his casuals. He was wearing a black jeans with white tshirt and blue denim jacket. He wore his white sneakers, with his favourite Gucci watch and his Rayban sunglasses.

"You look just perfect" I commented.

And Adeel also said something in his language.

"Yes yes, you're also looking handsome my boy!!" I said kissing his cheeks and he jumped in his arms.

We soon reached the mall and it was just awesome from outside. I can't wait to go inside. This mall is huge, and practically has everything you need. It has your high street shops, designer shops, food court, fountain, waterfall, cinema, aquarium etc.

It also provides access to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountains and world's largest Aquarium. Plenty of restaurants to choose from. All in all, a perfect day to spend.

We first decided to shop because I was already going crazy by looking at few dresses that were peeping through the glass of the shops.

I bought a couple of dresses, tops, kurtis and many more things. For Adeel we shopped alot, it was like whatever we were shopping, we felt like we need to get this one also for him. Zain also got a couple of things for himself like shoes, jacket, hoodies and many more.

I also bought a kurti for Zarine. It was nothing fancy, with a minimum work of rose embroidery on the corners of the kurti. For both of my Mom's, I got purse and for Dad's we bought watch.

We then went to the Top of the Burj Khalifa, 148 floors it is. It is worth the expense, just Wow. Well this is the most talked about building in Dubai. After all it's the highest building in the world. The world's tallest tower naturally dominates the Dubai Skyline. I guess the most stunning thing is the speed of the elevator that brings you up to the toppest floor like a spaceship.

What a view from the top! I really was not expecting it to be so high. You really get to see the surrounds of the city: desert. The view was stunning, we took lots of photos. Buildings look like lego blocks, beyond a point all you can see are the deserts and then you truly understand the magnitude of development which Dubai has managed in this place. However, once you spend 30 minutes, there isn't much to do. But still it's still a definite one time go.

We had high tea at Atmosphere. The food was ok. Nothing to rave about. Completely overpriced, but that just about sums up Dubai. It's a place to experience once in a lifetime so you may as well go all out. What you are paying for, is, the view. Everything is pretty well organized here from your entry to exit.

We then took our 8 months old son to the aquarium. All l can say is FANTASTIC.

"Zain, the Aquarium was just so awesome!" I screeched and he just chuckled.

"Well, the best part of today's evening is yet to come!" He said and I gave him a confused look, before he pointed to the other side.

Some say the best things in life are free. And this certainly proved true here in Dubai at The Dubai Fountains - the world's largest choreographed fountain system on the Burj Khalifa lake. These fountains are animated with performances set to sound and music. It was super crowded, but Zain found a spot for us. We sat down and instantly got lost in the magic of the fountains.

The sheer beauty of the fountains working their magic in sync with the music being played and lavish scale of the water dance against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa was just magical.

"It's so amazing" I said totally amazed by the beauty of the fountains.

"Beautiful" he said. I looked at him smiling but he was already looking at me.

"Thank you soo much for bringing me here" I said honestly.

"No, Thank you, for coming with me" he smiled.

"Zain, out of all the places why did you choose Dubai?" I asked

"Why? You didn't liked it?" He asked with concern in his voice.

"No no...I absolutely loved it, I meant you've already travelled to Dubai many times, then why now? You could've taken me anywhere!" I said.

"I could have, but I don't want to. Because I knew that out of all the places your favourite place is Dubai. So what if I had been here many times, but this time I'm here with you, with Adeel and that's more important for me." He said.

I don't know why but something flipped inside my stomach.

"What happen? Why do you look so astonished?" He asked.

"Nothing" I smiled.

"Did I said something wrong?" He asked. I just nodded my head looking at Adeel. But on the inside, I was smiling.

"Where are we going tomorrow?" I asked enjoying the breeze.

"Mmm..where do you want to go?" He asked taking off his denim jacket. I don't want to lie, but he is grabbing attention by doing this.

"Do you have slightest of idea also that you're turning heads by doing this!?" I blabbered. Damn Hanya!!

He just scrunched his eyebrows and turned to look sideways. Then, he flashed his signature one side smile before looking at me.

"What??" I tried to act innocent.

"What about this Hani?" He said and before I could say or ask anything, he started rolling his sleeves up, his nerves proudly showing themselves.

Why is he doing this? Doesn't he know that a man with messy hair, rolled up sleeves, top two shirt buttons open makes a man hundred times more sexier!!!

Did I just say sexier?? As in Sexy??

Just to stop drool coming out from my mouth and to stop myself from further embarrassing myself, I forcefully turned my face to left side.

"Hahahahahahahaha...." He threw his head back and laughed.

"Shameless man!!" I murmured.

"They are staring at me so why am I being called shameless?" He asked still laughing.

"Because you're making them stare at you!!" I huffed.

"Hahahahaha...don't worry I'm already booked." He said jokingly but that joke made my heart skip a beat.

It was so addictive that we ended up spending almost 3 hours at this place. And didn't wanted to leave.

_____

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