Desert

"The whole world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page.” St Thomas Aquina

And as we can’t travel anymore, I’ll continue to show you virtually the wonders of our world.
 
I realised that I regularly talk about the sea and the ocean, but not that much about the desert which nevertheless occupies nearly 20% of our beautiful planet.
 
Certainly, I’ve already told you about Las Vegas which is located in the middle of the Nevada desert, but this doesn’t count.

Previous articles:

• Las Vegas
• Palm Cove (Australia)
• Australia
• Christmas in Brisbane
• North Stradbroke Island (Australia)
• Series about Crete (Greece)
• Santorini
• 4 Elements
• Madagascar
• Las Palmas (Canaries)
• Sunset​

I'm not going to lie to you, the reason that brought me to visit this desert, well it's a spa!
 
You know it's one of my passions after reading my article Spas Around the World.
 
And I'm not talking about a mirage, but a magnificent establishment nestled in the sand.
 
Today I’m taking you somewhere where the word impossible doesn’t exist, in the desert of Dubai ...

​​When it comes to Dubai, you think of luxury, and for sure the 5-star Al Maha resort and spa is no exception.

In the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, just 45 minutes from the city, this is the perfect place to regain your energy in contact with nature, and to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

Lounges filled with traditional furniture and local antiques immediately transport you to another world.

Relaxing here is nothing difficult especially when you see a gazelle by the pool.

And when you have lunch with a view of the desert, it’s a truly unique and magical experience.
​
Without forgetting that the 42 suites of this luxury hotel are hidden in the dunes and the vegetation, notice the small white tents…

Another reason why I’ve been there is for the animals.

I admit none of them is mentioned in My Favourite Animals, but yet I’ve always wanted to see oryxes, gazelles and antelopes in the wild.

Follow me, a guide takes us in a 4x4 to visit the reserve ...

Thanks to conservation efforts since 2004, the reserve now has more than 70 plant species, 140 bird species and 44 mammal and reptile species.
 
It has received numerous awards for the protection of nature and local wildlife.

All the activities and excursions organised within the reserve respect its ecosystem.

With its 225 km2, representing 5% of the emirate of Dubai, it’s the largest area protected by the government of the United Arab Emirates.

I’m delighted to have discovered this reserve of Dubai, totally magical and unreal, with its dunes as far as the eye can see, drawn by the wind, a soothing and timeless silence.

And sometimes a landscape that reminds me of Mars (reread In the Air 2) ...

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. It’s a wonderful memory for me.

You can also check my other article about Dubai.
 
Have a wonderful week!
 
Love & Joy,
L.