(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Over the past couple of weeks, Abu Dhabi-based social media platforms are abuzz with an invitation to give malls a break and experience the magic of the desert instead.
The invitation, which is from the UAE Offroaders club, urges 4WD vehicle owners to spend a day in the desert. There are no charges, no dress codes and you don't even need to have off-roading experience.
"It is the Valentine's Day weekend and most people tend to spend it in a shopping mall or an expensive hotel, buying expensive gifts and meals. With our mega trip for all UAE residents, we are offering an alternative ... way to spend Valentine's that is full of fun, beauty and it doesn't empty the bank account," said Emad Al Tamimi, marshal and one of the seven founders of the UAE Offroaders.
Dozens of 4WD vehicle owners signed up for the event within days of being announced. Some of them are regular members of the club, but many have never driven their vehicles off the tarmac.
"We will start by meeting all participants in the morning and (then) drive together to the desert location, which is in Al Khazna, between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," explained Al Tamimi. "We will brief everyone on the main tips of driving in the sand, then we will spend a few hours cruising between the very high and spectacular dunes of Al Khazna.
"We will stop at a pre-arranged camp at sunset, where we will have games for adults and children, barbeque, raffle draw and even movies under the stars," he explained.
A team of UAE Offroaders marshals and experienced drivers will be present to assist with difficulties or answer queries participants might have, especially since a few dozen sand newbies are joining the event.
"For sure there will be cars stuck in the sand, but we are very well prepared to deal with such situations. To be frank, getting stuck can happen even to most experienced drivers, it's nothing unusual, and sometimes it's even necessary to avoid worse situations," said Al Tamimi.
An entirely non-profit club, the UAE Offroaders was established in 2010 by a group of mostly Emirati desert enthusiasts with the aim of giving the UAE residents a platform for enjoying the UAE outdoors, especially dune driving, in a safe manner. "We are a group of friends and often used to drive in the desert and found people stuck, so eventually we decided to form a club and allow everyone who joined us to learn the skills of desert driving," said Khaled Magboul, UAE Offroaders founder and marshal.
"The desert beauty is unique. Be it sunshine, rain or windstorm, everyone who lives in the UAE should experience it. I promise you, it is so majestic, it becomes addictive. What more romance can you wish for, especially on Valentine's Day," said Amr Al Tamimi, also founder and marshal of the UAE Offroaders.
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