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Dancing on the dunes: the largest desert in the world

28/5/2013

30 Comments

 
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You really could not have contrived a more a perfect Kodak moment if you’d tried; the symmetry of the Arabian-inspired crenelated walls, with a central infinity pool reflecting an arch, which offers a perfect window to the burnt orange sun-scorched sand dunes beyond. Then wait for the sun to go to bed and your breath is taken away by the brilliant moon perched perfectly above.

If you want real desert this is the place to come. We’ve escaped Dubai’s skyscraper forest before for the smooth open undulating dunes of the desert. It’s a fun afternoon to pack a coolerbox, firewood and some marshmallows, and set up camp just an hour away from home. It feels remote and peaceful. At least I thought it did until today.

Liwa is an oasis on the edge of the largest desert in the world, Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter). And it does its name justice. Three hours’ drive from Dubai and you start to get a real feel for what desolation is. I’m not usually worried but I had the nagging feeling that we would be screwed if our car broke down. With the weight of responsibility for two young children we tend to be more sensible now than we were in our backpacking days. We had water, snacks, maps…but there was no shadow or shade in sight. In 40C heat, you don’t last long without it.

The Rub al Khali desert is so harsh and barren even Bedouins only dance around the edges of it, but the 150km wide Liwa oasis that hugs the side is not empty of history. This land is famous for bearing the footsteps of Wilfred Thesiger on his explorations. It is also home to the Maktoum and Al Nahyan families who now rule Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The Tilal Liwa hotel was our temporary home for this weekend away from life; “tilal” means “dune”. Originally a hotel for camel owners galloping to the track during December’s festival, it soon found itself the target of expats searching for the real Arabian desert. There are now plans to expand the hotel with villas.

Today we got acquainted with the Arabian desert at very close quarters. A little too close for my liking as I found my nose an inch from the windscreen of a 4x4 as we rolled and pitched across the dunes. The raw beauty is stunning though. Bring a plastic bag with you…just in case.

Accommodation: Tilal Liwa hotel, built three years ago, is 180km from Abu Dhabi (330km from Dubai). Although the hotel has four stars it is no frills; don’t expect the glitz of a big city hotel. It has a beautiful courtyard with an infinity pool. The view of the dunes from the pool is reason enough to visit. The best rooms have patio doors opening onto the courtyard. 

The largest desert in the world? Are you sure? How do you cut a cake?! To be considered a desert an area must have less than 250 millimeters of annual rainfall, so strictly speaking that would be the Antarctic. The Sahara is the world’s largest hot weather desert, but the Rub al Khali is the largest sand desert ie. single largest area of continuous sand.

For more photographs, please click here. 

Competition: win a weekend in the largest desert in the world

Fancy heading off to the desert for a mini break? The Liwa oasis, a two hour drive outside Abu Dhabi, is on the edge of the Rub al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world. Experience an exciting summer adventure at the 4-star Tilal Liwa Hotel.

The lucky winner will receive a voucher for a two night weekend stay, for up to two adults and two children under 12, including breakfast. Activities include a sightseeing visit to the traditional camel farms and race arena, sand boarding, as well as full use of the hotel pool, gym and kids' club.

How to enter:
Leave a comment completing the statement: "I love the desert because...." The best comment wins. It's as easy as that. Good luck. Click here for conditions.

Closing date: 
Sunday, 7th July, 2013

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30 Comments
Jane Knight
19/6/2013 01:34:09 pm

I love the desert because it's stark beauty is breathtaking, no matter how many times your vista.

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Lamia Rassi
19/6/2013 02:35:20 pm

I love the desert because of the tranquility it instills within.

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Muhammad Aldalou
19/6/2013 02:53:23 pm

I love the desert because it is obvious and yet subtle, powerful yet welcoming, hidden but unmistakable and intimidating but soothing.

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Hadi Hajj Ali
20/6/2013 06:40:08 am

I Love the Desert because its one of the few places on earth unhindered by civilization and untouched since its creation.

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Ivan Cherian Thomas
20/6/2013 07:00:52 am

I love the desert because to get away from civilization and enjoy solitude. From the desert if you look up, sky is huge, and without the light pollution of cities and towns, you can see the Milky Way. It's possible to look back in time a million years.

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Linda Zwart
20/6/2013 07:04:27 am

I love the desert because the sand between my toes and the sun on my nose makes make me happy!

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neha sabnis link
20/6/2013 11:04:11 am

The desert reminds me that barren can be beautiful. I love the varied orange hues of the dunes and the way the sand feels beneath my feet. A sunset in a desert is unforgettable and so is the moment you catch a mirage. The feeling of being a miniscule being, enveloped by the sky and the sand takes away any airs i might have conjured up about myself. I ABSOLUTELY love the desert. It brings the poet out of me.

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Atefeh
20/6/2013 12:32:13 pm

I love the desert because......your feet leaving prints on the warm sand, watching the sunset behind the magical dunes. The Arabian Oryx & the Gazelles are the star of this tranquil environment. Nights are peaceful, you can wish upon a shooting star while lying on the roof of your car...

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Carla Roque link
20/6/2013 03:05:02 pm

"I love the desert because despite its aridity, we still find it as a place to get a life away from the city. Tilal Liwa is beaming with life in the middle of this desert."

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Christine F.
20/6/2013 03:55:39 pm

I love the desert because it's a sea of magnificence with slow moving waves. It's an ocean of awe with four-legged ships. Peaceful perfection ...and no scary sharks to nibble my toes.

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Shahbaz T
23/6/2013 04:37:11 am

i love the desert after being in UAE,have been here for only 1.5 years and i am already in love with this place,haven't been to a desert safari or a desert stay. But I am really hoping that i could soon make it happen :)

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Bianca Malata link
26/6/2013 12:38:31 pm

I love the desert because it just allows you admire and appreciate all the beautiful we have without too much of modern day distractions. By day you can watch the waves mysteriously waving across the dune breeze and by night you have diamond lit skies twinkling at you as you chill out and enjoy all that the desert brings by way of peace and tranquility.

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TJ Lightwala
28/6/2013 06:24:41 pm

The desert is barren, yet bountiful. Its the resting place of Islamic history and how the early settlements have used the resources of land, flora, fauna, and the oasis to grow. Its awe inspiring how the bedouins and sheikh dom has grown so much in almost 4 decades. Now, that's something! It all began from here.

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Raymond
28/6/2013 06:45:08 pm

I love the desert simply because I'M in love with its beauty and warmth...

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caroline
29/6/2013 08:36:28 pm

i love the desert because it's powerful. Man controls many things but not the desert. The desert commands respect. Once you respect the desert and agree to it's rules. It's inviting, magnificent and calming.

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Ascher Lim Hong Kwang
30/6/2013 08:35:33 am

I love the desert because it smooth like Sofa, when the night is coming, the sand just cold like Frappucino, the view of the sunset and sunrise just like a Drawing, i will say is more than drawing, is Amazing! The desert can sing as well when the wind is come.

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ayman hamed
1/7/2013 03:23:23 am

I love the desert because it makes you hear clearly your inner voices as well as the voices if the desert real or imagined. i become one with nature.

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Nina Brown
1/7/2013 05:19:11 am

I love the desert because it seems to free my inter child. I love watching my husband quad bike like he did 20 years ago.

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Shameem Nachiya
1/7/2013 05:00:21 pm

I love the desert because of it's Warm breeze, Calmness, Beautiful Golden sand dunes, the sunshine, palm trees and the plants in the dry desert environments.

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Ans aziz link
2/7/2013 06:54:44 am

I love desert because ... I feel every thing is for me all the dunes are asking wellcome.every thing is shines & bright also smooth sand under our feet like comfert corpet.in night sky is only for me all stars shiny for me i become a child & enjoy all the time in desert

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dennis vergel demaya
2/7/2013 11:46:57 am

i love the desert coz desert makes me feel im free and a feeling of peace just by staring at it

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Aimee Davidson
3/7/2013 08:09:08 am

I love the desert because it holds so many hidden secrets from the critters that only show theirselves at night to the feeling that you get when your camping in the desert 90km away road or civilization to the adventures of fatbiking and 4x4ing down the most enormous slip faces on earth!

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Benjamin
3/7/2013 08:23:13 am

I love the desert because
The desert flower blooms in the hot lazy sun
Anticipating Mother Nature to send someone
To photograph the beauty of it all
To take in all the colors of the fall
The warm wind sways her gently to and fro
Dancing mystically, putting on a show
Dispensing aromas you can almost see
Soothing the eyes so magically
Between the fire and the sand
It fits in style to the lay of the land
Its’ thirsty thorns reach out to a mirage
Luring those brave enough to make a charge
To not have seen it would be a sin
It arouses senses that only come from within
It yearns for a loving touch of the human hand
It aches for you to understand
It stands guard as it is its duty
To pronounce itself a desert beauty

Reply
piet bekaert
3/7/2013 08:29:06 am

Why? Because of the..
Silence,
Starry nights,
Spirituality,
Serenity,
Sand dunes curved like a female body,
Socializing with the bedouins...

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Diago
3/7/2013 09:31:18 am

I love the desert because it's the countryside available on my doorstep

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Corinne Draper
3/7/2013 11:53:23 am

I love the desert because its seemingly barren beauty has gotten under my skin (and between my toes) in a way I never expected.

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Birkit
3/7/2013 12:48:10 pm

I love the desert because it takes me away from all the hassle of daily life.

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Narciso m vallente link
3/7/2013 02:29:23 pm

I love Dessert safari it's amazing place

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Jimmy Sadeli
5/7/2013 08:08:36 pm

I love the desert because it is an endless beauty that can always mesmerize you everywhere you look, it shows you how God is very almighty and makes you realize that you are only a small tiny part in this huge world. It will also make you feel grateful for being able to witness the beauty of His creation

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Jihane Guettar
6/7/2013 05:10:05 pm

I love the desert for its infinity and calm.

Reply



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