As I said in my previous story, every time I arrive in Dubai, it is always keeping to surprise me with something new. There are very few cities in the world that have so many resources to offer interesting places to see or new experiences to try each time.
And during the experience that I will tell you about below, I was again happy to discover the history and traditions of the emirate. Because beyond the well-known modern attractions, Dubai preserves its identity and its roots with its past and origins.
I was so excited when I saw in our program that we’ll have included a hot air balloon ride in the desert. Roxana, our Tour Guide, revealed the surprise to us at the last minute and it was truly fabulous.
It all started somewhere around 4 AM, the departure is so early because we don’t want to miss the sunrise in the desert, seen from above, from the balloon. After less than an hour’s drive, we arrive at the camp of Balloon Adventures Dubai ( https://www.balloon-adventures.com/ )
The atmosphere here is unique. In the middle of the desert, dark, cool and perfect silence. Just the pilots and their crews preparing the balloons for take off, while we are welcomed with hot tea and coffee and fresh dates. Then we are briefed, the take-off and landing procedure is explained to us, we familiarize ourselves with the equipment and then we go to the take-off area. Here we witness the moment when the flames of the balloons are lit, and the image is really spectacular, to see then in the dark, only by the light of the fire, how a huge balloon is inflated with hot air and slowly takes shape.
We then board the nacelle and take off smoothly… As we rise, the sky brightens and the desert below us looks spectacular. Our pilot, Maria, always explains to us which areas we are flying over and gives us the details of the protected nature reserve that we now admire in all its splendor. And the sunrise is really impressive, seen from here, from almost 1500 m altitude. Below us, the sand dunes and, from time to time, we are lucky enough to spot Oryx antelope, camels and even eagles…
All in total silence and from time to time you can also feel the burn of the flame that controls the altitude of the balloon.
You don't even feel how fast an hour or so passed, since we're floating smoothly over the desert and landing is approaching. Which is never the same or in the same place. But everything went well and the team at Balloon Adventures is waiting for us with cold water and the cars ready. We are again in the middle of the desert and go to have breakfast in a traditional Bedouin village.
Bedouin breakfast
We are picked up by the team from Platinum Heritage (https://www.platinum-heritage.com/ ), probably the most experienced safari organizers in the emirate, and we are welcomed with some convertible Land Rover Vintage 1950s. That's a kind of experience!
After a short safari among the sand dunes, we arrive at a traditional Bedouin village, where a hot breakfast, fresh fruit and tents await us to shelter from the burning sun. The Arabic specialities are really delicious, we then cool off with a mint lemonade and then go for a little camel ride through the desert. Animals are treated here with great care and in general everything is done with respect for environmental sustainability.
Overall, this visit to Dubai convinced me once again that this city-emirate offers new places and experiences each time. I was glad that I was able to connect more with the local history and traditions, which people here value and respect.