CNN TV
SCHEDULE ANCHORS REPORTERS CONTACT US
Inside the Middle East
October 4, 2010
Posted: 957 GMT


After driving several hours from Abu Dhabi, we arrived at Qasr al Sarab, a luxury resort in the middle of the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert. There is little to see between the two destinations, save a large garbage incinerator for the capitol and the odd grouping of camels. We credited our hotel arrival to a man at a road-side stop along the way. He filled our depleted tank with gas poured in from an improvised funnel – high tech for one of the world’s oil capitals.

Qasr al Sarab bills itself as the ultimate Arabian getaway in the Liwa Desert. The year-old hotel is remote, surrounded by nothing but sand and lots of it. Our room, one of just more than 200, ticked all the right boxes: big bed, excellent shower pressure, a functioning air conditioning and the bonus espresso machine. But what really sells the site is the view.

Dunes extend as far as the eye can see and much higher than I was willing to trek. After a mere 10 minute hike up one of the larger ones, I was out of breath and sweaty. I forgot my iPod and the Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack to motivate me. So I paused to thank the gods that I was born in modern times and to marvel at the wonder of nature.


As the sun sets, the golden sand reflects and absorbs its lights. Dark red and black earth dots the terrain and wispy clouds idle in the blue sky. Breathtaking. A sight made all the better as I know I can hike back to the hotel and eat a dinner that someone else has prepared instead of setting up camp, fending off the harsh conditions of the desert and wondering how far until the next water supply. For this luxury, I am willing to pay five-star rates.

Posted by: ,
Filed under: Abu Dhabi •UAE


Share this on:
subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

This blog has now been archived and commenting has been switched off. Visit the Inside the Middle East site for news, views and video from across the region.

Read more about CNN's special reports policy

Categories