Memories recapped .. Desert Safari -2005
It was Thursday afternoon in Salaam Street, UNB Parking lot, we could see lots of families with bags .. With children in full form, boarding the waiting buses for their journey towards the Desert, for an overnight bash .Five buses and 2 Land Cruisers left UNB parking lot towards Al Khatim Desert with over 175 persons including children towards the camp of Net Tours, and on the way members and guests enjoyed by playing Antakshari in the bus. Some did not take the bus, but took their own cars to the camp.
After reaching at 5.00 pm at the outskirts of the camp, all members were shuttled to the camp. The camp was big enough to cater a big crowd.
Members after keeping their belongings, started in batches for the next program, Which was Dune bashing and along with Quad bikes which were there. Everyone enjoyed both these and some even went for their second rounds. The Dune drive was really enjoyable one, with sun setting in the background and the slopes of the Desert were great. And was really a treat.
There were camels, and kids & Adults enjoyed the camel rides, and not to speak of the adults, who did the camel ride before the Dune bash. Down in the Camp, the Dabka show was on, with the dancers dancing by playing with their special instruments and bongos to the Arabic tunes, which was interesting.
Side by side, people were having hot coffee / tea along with Samosas and Onion Bhajias served by Food Lands. Some members / families were busy doing their Hennas / Tattoos and some with wearing Arabic costumes and clicking pictures. This was followed by Raffle draw, sponsored by NMC Group, Food Lands, and Zari zardosi restaurant and 7 draws were taken and prizes distributed.
Great Dance numbers were playing in the background, and people were enjoying the tunes, and some kids also started to dance in the centre stage. After this Kids were kept very busy with the Magician doing lot of exiting tricks and magic which was greatly appreciated by the children and also the adults.
After this Mr. Sitaraman took over to an exiting round of Quiz, which could not be completed because of time constraint, by that time dinner was served and everyone enjoyed the delicious and tasty dinner.
The most important item of the evening the Belly dance show was the next item in the agenda, and the dancer danced to the Arabic numbers, and were joined by the members And to end the item, she also did dance to a Re-mix Hindi song. Following the exiting tempo and the mood created by the dance numbers and songs which was being played members and children were dancing at great frenzy for some time.
One should not forget the Sheesha which were kept in rows and many members and guests were enjoying the hubbly bubbly.
During this time it was getting time for the people who were to leave to get ready and Bingo tickets were distributed to be played later.Some members / guests left in batches back home with memories to remember, and there were lot of happenings at the camp
What else people needed with the hectic life style, and every one busy with their office and children with their studies, this was indeed a welcome break which everyone was waiting for. Then continuing the program, the bingo / housie game started and there were enough people waiting eagerly for the game, which was missed by the persons who left. The time was 11.30 pm, and Housie rounds in full swing with members / guests winning many prizes for this game. The climate was indeed very nice, it was neither warm nor cold, and moreover there was some expectation of wind, which was not there, and it was a perfect setting for an overnight stay with stars above and sand around.
There were many members, who were busy with the favorite game Dumb-Charades, and it was men vs. women, and it was indeed fun, and people did not realize how the time was flying Many members and their families stayed awake till 5 am, and some took some half an hour of nap, and after the sun rise, the settings were really beautiful, with people just took a stroll in the desert .
Many had a nice sleep in the tent with the excellent mattress / pillow / blankets provided, and got up and the atmosphere was superb. At around 7.30 am, we could see the 4WD coming with the breakfast, and people started queuing for the same, and everyone enjoyed the Idli / Vada / Sheera & Samosa, with piping hot tea / coffee.
After having the breakfast, people relaxed for some time, and some more lucky dips were called for and around five prizes were won by members when the raffle was drawn.
Sandeep did the vote of thanks and everyone started with their bags from the camp to the waiting Land Cruisers, and were transported to the main road where the buses were waiting and the trip was nearly coming to an end .
But fun was not over for many, who played Antakshari even on the way back, and at around 11.15 or so, there were dropped at the same point UNB Parking lot.
Everyone said good bye to their friends and the friends they made at the camp and went home with happy memories of the first social event of 2005 organised by the Abu Dhabi Chapter of Chartered Accountants of India.
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