Dune Buggies

I've really wanted to go ride the Sand Dunes with some buggies ever since I got to Dubai.. I don't know why I had to wait till it was super hot to do it, but hey, better late than never I guess. Since it was the summer, we couldn't do it in the afternoon, so we headed out at 8 AM, which didn't really make any difference, because by 9AM, it was 35 degrees Celsius (95F). That is pretty hot for 9AM! Anyway, after everyone got one some sunblock, a helmet and some goggles, we were all ready for our buggies..

My awesome blue buggy before we set out to bash the dunes

Michael tested out the frontal crumple zones, the buggy suffered

I tested out the roll cage - it worked. Ok, so we just came off a really bug dune and I was going really fast.. then the guy in front of me braked really hard and fast.. and I had to swerve to avoid him, my right rear wheel dug into the sand.. and flipped me over.. So.. I found myself upside down, strapped in, engine running and fuel leaking from the gas tank onto my back. I was a little freaked out.. turned the engine off... scrambled to undo the seatbelt, which was stuck for a while.. but finally got it loose, fell on my head, then crawled out and ran away in case the buggy caught on fire. Anyway, it didn't catch on fire, we flipped it back on its wheels, pumped the tire up with air and off I went again.

At the end, it was pretty sweet driving around, specially when we drove between the camels and tried to scare them, but I guess they were very used to buggies on the desert, so didn't really pay too much attention to us.

A good experience, and I'll definitely do it again, but will probably wait till its cooler next time!