Chloe: May 2009 Archives

On our second last day we had the chance to try a Desert Safari. I was a little nervous having heard stories of jeeps tumbling onto their sides and hurtling down dunes at 100 miles an hour, but it turned out to be a fantastic experience.

We piled into our 4x4s and our charming guide drove us into the desert an hour outside Dubai. It was a relief to have a respite from the skyscrapers and construction work in the city. The scenery was amazing, with perfect sand dunes and camels walking by in single file.

We then arrived at Bediun style candlelit camp, where we had henna tattoos and a barbecue dinner. Pictured below is a belly dancer who managed to get a few of the guys' hips moving!

The group flew back on a British Airways night flight on Tuesday, happy, slightly saddle-sore and full of activity ideas for their clients travelling to Dubai.

 I've just come back from a fam trip to Dubai with a group of UK travel agents. Our mission was to discover that there's more to the city than huge hotels, sun and shopping.

For our first challenge, we tried our hand at clay pigeon shooting at the Jebel Ali hotel. I discovered I had a hidden talent, getting five out of ten (with a little help from the instructor).  Here's the overall winner, Lucy from Flight Centre.

The next day we visited the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Centre, which is home to beautiful horses used for polo, jumping and riding. One of the instructors, Marion Wichmann (pictured), told the group about the effects of the ubiquitous construction work on the club and its members. A new road means members have to drive 5km to cross the street.

She also told us about the problem of wealthy Emiratis who buy horses as a status symbol, but don't  know how to ride or care for them properly. Some of these horses end up at the club where the team nurses them back to health.

 Next up, the agents donned their helmets and riding chaps for a spot of camel polo. The camels, which are owned by ground handling agents Gulf Ventures, live mainly in the desert and are brought to the polo club  when booked by a group. They were all very friendly and gentle, apart from one who decided he'd had enough and ran back to his truck.