I had always wanted to wake-up early, undisturbed by the noise of an alarm clock. But the usual bed tea followed by the same old routine had become too addictive and demanded more than just the will to break free.
Around February last year, I got a chance to explore Mleiha in Sharjah, UAE. At first, the offer felt like watching paint dry but I was soon to be proven wrong.
The following Saturday, I landed at the Sharjah International Airport. Sharjah is a 3-hour flight from Delhi and Mleiha is 57 Kms further from the city's hustle and bustle.
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) was my host and had also arranged a guide and cab for the duration of my trip.
After checking-in and freshening up at the Sharjah Sheraton Beach Resort in the city, we decided to hit the road. The one-hour long drive from the city to Mleiha wasn't strikingly scenic but as we left the city behind, the surrounding landscape started exuding an Emirati hue of golden yellow, transporting me to a surreal state!
My first stop in Mleiha was the museum at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre followed by exploring the well-preserved Archaeological sites. I soon got acquainted with its fascinating history, dating back to the Palaeolithic age. The pre-Islamic structures at the archaeological sites took me back in time, uncovering the region's ancient Bedouin culture.
Apart from being a treasure trove of historic narratives, Mleiha is a perfect escapade for adventure lovers. It was time to dive-in to some of its insane adventures.
Revving up through the sides of the dunes at almost 90 degrees in a 4-wheel buggy with red sand blowing on my face, I thought to myself - "This is what I was missing. Raw, real, and mad adventure!" As we took a halt in the middle of the dessert, my buggy driver showed me a fossil rock that resembled the upward-looking face of a camel. This was the popular 'Camel Rock'. It was almost sunset and Salim, a real camel was ready to take me on a brief safari.
Taking a camel ride after a thrilling episode of desert activities is like smoking a cigarette after a hefty meal. I bid farewell to Salim as I reached the sunset lounge just in time to witness the changing colors of the sun, sand, and sky gradually merging into darkness.
The bonfire was lit as it started getting colder. I sipped umpteen cups of Arabic Coffee to keep up with the changing moods of the Arabian desert. As the seasoned chefs were barbequing my dinner in the open grill, I started off to the nearby stargazing site. The researcher used his powerful telescope to point out various celestial bodies and constellations. I tried my best to control my gasp while pointing out craters on the moon for the very first time!
The smoky smell of chicken was indicative that the dinner was ready. The buffet was an elaborate assortment of salads, grills, sauces, hummus, varieties of bread, soups, and desserts. I bonded with some foreign tourists who were equally thrilled like me. The rest of the night was spent around the bonfire, chit-chatting, star gazing, dancing to Arabic tunes, and being surprised by the occasional shooting stars.
As the bonfire slowly turned to ashes and the music became silent, we decided to retire to our tents. A small gap inside my tent's roof was such a relief to the eyes. I kept staring at the shimmering night sky while slowly slipping into deep sleep.
I woke up early the next day, this time not to the blaring noise of an alarm clock. The gentle whisper of the desert breeze gradually brought me back to life and I walked out of my tent to witness the most beautiful sunrise ever!
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Tips:
1) The desert has makeshift washrooms which are very clean and water availability is not a problem.
2) If you are a vegetarian, it is advisable to inform the authority while booking.
3) Mleiha is just one part of Sharjah that you can explore in a weekend. However, Sharjah offers many other attractions that will take you 3-4 days to explore.
4) Friday is a holiday in the UAE. Make your travel plans accordingly.
5) Mleiha offers a variety of other desert activities. To know more: http://www.discovermleiha.ae/
