{"id":11144,"date":"2018-01-25T15:04:38","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T20:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/?p=11144"},"modified":"2023-09-01T11:50:59","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T11:50:59","slug":"offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/","title":{"rendered":"OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &#038; THRILLING SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_55 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662be1c444dfd\"><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662be1c444dfd\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#OFFBEAT_ADVENTUROUS_THRILLING_EXPERIENCE_OF_SAND_DUNE_BASHING_AT_MLEIHA_SHARJAH_UAE_PLUS_65000_BILLION_YEARS_OLD_FOSSILS\" title=\"OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &amp; THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS!\">OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &amp; THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#OUR_ENTERTAINING_DRIVER_FROM_PESHAWAR_PAKISTAN\" title=\"OUR ENTERTAINING DRIVER FROM PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: \">OUR ENTERTAINING DRIVER FROM PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#THE_THRILL_AND_ADRENALINE_RUSH_OF_SAND_DUNE_BASHING\" title=\"THE THRILL AND ADRENALINE RUSH OF SAND DUNE BASHING:\">THE THRILL AND ADRENALINE RUSH OF SAND DUNE BASHING:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#THE_FAMOUS_CAMEL_ROCK_OF_MLEIHA\" title=\"THE FAMOUS CAMEL ROCK OF MLEIHA:\">THE FAMOUS CAMEL ROCK OF MLEIHA:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#65000_BILLION_YEAR_OLD_FOSSIL_ROCK_IN_MLEIHA\" title=\"65000 BILLION YEAR OLD FOSSIL ROCK IN MLEIHA:\">65000 BILLION YEAR OLD FOSSIL ROCK IN MLEIHA:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#THE_SUNSET_POINT_OF_SAND_DUNES_OF_MLEIHA\" title=\"THE SUNSET POINT OF SAND DUNES OF MLEIHA:\">THE SUNSET POINT OF SAND DUNES OF MLEIHA:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#WHY_GO_TO_SHARJAH_UAE_FOR_SAND_DUNE_BASHING\" title=\"WHY GO TO SHARJAH, U.A.E. FOR SAND DUNE BASHING? \">WHY GO TO SHARJAH, U.A.E. FOR SAND DUNE BASHING? <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#MY_FASCINATION_WITH_DESERTS\" title=\"MY FASCINATION WITH DESERTS!\">MY FASCINATION WITH DESERTS!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#OTHER_ACTIVITIES_IN_MLEIHA\" title=\"OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MLEIHA\">OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MLEIHA<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/#_Pls_subscribefollowlike\" title=\"\u00a0Pls subscribe\/follow\/like:\">\u00a0Pls subscribe\/follow\/like:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"OFFBEAT_ADVENTUROUS_THRILLING_EXPERIENCE_OF_SAND_DUNE_BASHING_AT_MLEIHA_SHARJAH_UAE_PLUS_65000_BILLION_YEARS_OLD_FOSSILS\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &amp; THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS!<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><em>This blog is about my thrilling dune bashing experience in Mleiha. I also visited the pre historic caves, billions of years old fossils and camel rock. Mleiha is an upcoming destination near Sharjah and Dubai in U.A.E. <\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11140\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11140\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9364.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9364\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The famous camel rock of Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates. Pic by: <a href=\"https:\/\/imvoyager.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sandy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"OUR_ENTERTAINING_DRIVER_FROM_PESHAWAR_PAKISTAN\"><\/span><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">OUR ENTERTAINING DRIVER FROM PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN:<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><em>You want it soft or hardcore?<\/em><\/strong> After a few hesitant replies, me and all of my blogger friends unanimously voted for a <strong>hardcore dune bashing session<\/strong> in the vast <strong>deserts of Mleiha<\/strong>. For most of us, it was a first time experience of dune bashing. <strong>Nihar Asghar<\/strong>, the driver from <strong>Peshawar<\/strong> in <strong>Pakistan<\/strong>, spoke in thick Pashtooni accent and on realizing that we are Indians, played <strong>Bollywood songs<\/strong> for us. He regaled us with <strong>tales from Pakistan<\/strong> and why he prefers <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/07\/02\/mygrationstory-of-a-filipino-living-in-dubai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>staying in U.A.E.<\/strong> <\/a>Absorbed in his <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/03\/24\/mygrationsw-why-this-brave-woman-lives-alone-in-a-forest-in-mukteshwar-uttarakhand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>entertaining banter<\/strong><\/a>, we were taken for a surprise when suddenly he changed the gear and drove on soft sand. He caught us unaware when the vehicle roared as it moved up and down on the ever changing landscape of the sand paradise. We realized that the tar road had ended. <strong>The fun begins!<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11127\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11127\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11127\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9165.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9165\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11127\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We passed many fenced sand dunes as we traveled from Sharjah. En route to Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THE_THRILL_AND_ADRENALINE_RUSH_OF_SAND_DUNE_BASHING\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>THE THRILL AND ADRENALINE RUSH OF SAND DUNE BASHING:<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We sat <strong>cocooned<\/strong> in the vehicle, anticipating how the session will turn out. Since it was a first time experience for me, I was excited to see what happened next! I tried to balance my video camera but in vain. 1 minute of <strong>straight driving<\/strong> was followed by <strong>sudden dips and climb<\/strong> on the loose sand. As the driver maneuvered the vehicle on the <strong>edges of the dunes<\/strong>, we could not help but marvel at the dexterity with which he handled the steering.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11138\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11138\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11138\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9336.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9336\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11138\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">That&#8217;s the Bedouin colony in the distance. Sunset Point at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It takes <strong>lot of training<\/strong> and an alert mind to drive so skillfully on hostile terrains. I enjoyed every bit of the ride. Being an <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/05\/04\/ziplining-at-jim-corbett-national-park-yes-its-possible\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>adventure enthusiast<\/strong><\/a>, I did not find even the hardcore version of dune bashing as dangerous as I expected. I would advise you to opt for hardcore and skip the softcore dune bashing. I have enjoyed it and want to return to try it again, maybe this time in <strong>Dubai. <\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11129\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11129\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11129\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9290.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9290\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11129\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THE_FAMOUS_CAMEL_ROCK_OF_MLEIHA\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>THE FAMOUS CAMEL ROCK OF MLEIHA:<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We took a brief break in the middle of the desert. On agenda was a huge rock which <strong>resembled a camel.<\/strong> It did live up to its name when we had its first glimpse. \u00a0I stood there silently, insulated from the excited exclamatory sounds of my co travelers and <strong>communed with the vast expanse of sand.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11139\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11139\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11139\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9344.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9344\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11139\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camel Rock. Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nature never fails to amaze me even after <strong>10 years of independent travel.<\/strong> Nihar, our guide from Pakistan told us that people camp here overnight and that the <strong>sunset is a stunner.<\/strong> Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to do overnight camping. My stupor was broken when 2 youngsters, apparently, Emiratis, whizzed past in style on a <strong>cool quad bike.<\/strong> As they vanished in the far distance, leaving behind a tiny desert storm, I promised myself to try quad biking the next time I see a desert.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11128\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11128\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11128\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9285\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11128\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"65000_BILLION_YEAR_OLD_FOSSIL_ROCK_IN_MLEIHA\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>65000 BILLION YEAR OLD FOSSIL ROCK IN MLEIHA:<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The 65,000 billion years old fossil rock is a <strong>paradise for paleontologists.<\/strong> Nihar stopped the car for us to have a close look at the fossils. Our Indian guide from Mleiha Archaeological Centre, poured some water over the rock to expose the <strong>details of the fossils<\/strong> which have been in the same state since times immemorial.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11130\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11130\" style=\"width: 922px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11130\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9304.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9304\" width=\"922\" height=\"614\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">65000 Billion ear old fossil rock. You can see bod shapes of sea creatures. Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was exciting to see well preserved body shapes of sea creatures from a lost era when <strong>human species did not even roam the Earth.<\/strong> The fossil rock is testimony to the fact that the sand we were standing on was once <strong>buried under the sea.<\/strong> This was my most favourite part of the trip and we spent half an hour observing the fossils and listening to our erudite Indian guide. As we were leaving, the guide pointed to a cave above which <strong>desert foxes<\/strong> call home.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11135\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11135\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11135\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9327.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9327\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11135\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunset Point. Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THE_SUNSET_POINT_OF_SAND_DUNES_OF_MLEIHA\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>THE SUNSET POINT OF SAND DUNES OF MLEIHA:<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As we were enjoying the thrill of a roller-coasteresque ride on the sand dune peaks, Nihar stopped the vehicle abruptly. Just when I was thinking if something went wrong, Nihar took us to a vantage point. Being an industry insider, he knows all the great stops en route. We were impressed with the <strong>sweeping views of the land below.<\/strong> We gasped collectively as we trained our gaze on nothingness. The vast land had nothing but few trees and a camel here and there.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11133\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11133\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11133\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9322.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9322\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11133\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">That&#8217;s the Bedouin colony in the distance. Sunset point. Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The pattern of <strong>naked landscape<\/strong> was disturbed by a B<strong>edouin colony.<\/strong> Mleiha has only recently been developed by the Government as a <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/11\/08\/north-goa-your-quick-easy-guide-in-to-the-heart-of-indias-party-capital-plus-an-itinerary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>tourist destination<\/strong><\/a>. Till not so long ago, the local Bedouin called it home and lived in makeshift tent houses and even caves. The Government has now built a special brick and mortar colony and given them free homes. They no longer have to call desert foxes as the next cave neighbor. The wind here was very strong and it was difficult to stand still. Just the way I prefer it, eh! I wanted to visit the Bedouin colony but lack of time stopped me to.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11134\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11134\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11134\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9326.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9326\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11134\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">That&#8217;s the Bedouin colony in the distance. Sunset point. Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WHY_GO_TO_SHARJAH_UAE_FOR_SAND_DUNE_BASHING\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">WHY GO TO SHARJAH, U.A.E. FOR SAND DUNE BASHING?<\/span> <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In my country India, dune bashing has still not reached professional level and still does not meet the safety norms. In places like Jaisalmer in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/10\/27\/offbeat-rural-circus-solo-budget-trip-to-pushkar-fair-rajasthan-incredible-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rajasthan<\/strong><\/a>, dune bashing has lately picked up but is conducted by unauthorized professionals who do it on rickety open jeeps. Despite the immense popularity of dune bashing, the <strong>standards are improving,<\/strong> but slowly. Therefore, Indians and people from other nationalities prefer heading to U.A.E. for dune bashing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11137\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11137\" style=\"width: 917px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11137\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9335.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9335\" width=\"917\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MY_FASCINATION_WITH_DESERTS\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>MY FASCINATION WITH DESERTS!<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The last time I saw a desert was in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/11\/22\/30-exclusive-pictures-of-wadi-rum-explore-mars-on-earth-its-for-real\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Wadi Rum<\/strong><\/a> in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/02\/amman-citadeljordan-the-home-to-many-ancient-civilisations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan<\/strong><\/a>. It was my first time in a desert and I had a <strong>child like excitement<\/strong>. We even stayed overnight in tents. I also saw a <strong>cold desert<\/strong> in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/09\/17\/leh-to-nubra-valley-via-khardung-la-with-scout-my-trip-oyo-rooms-incredible-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Nubra valley<\/strong><\/a> in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/09\/02\/highest-blogger-meet-in-khardungla-top-ladakh-introducing-the-fun-company\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ladakh<\/strong><\/a>, India. Though the deserts in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/27\/is-petra-by-night-worth-it-one-of-the-7-wonders-of-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan<\/strong><\/a> and Mleiha were quite similar, the cold desert of <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/12\/23\/mygration-story-of-a-shepherd-near-zoji-la-pass-ladakh-incredible-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ladakh<\/strong><\/a> was a different beast altogether! I have recently finished reading a book <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2018\/01\/12\/travel-book-review-of-seyyah-20000-kilometer-epic-journey-of-a-lifetime-along-the-silk-road\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Seyyah<\/strong><\/a>. The <strong>author<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/12\/05\/seyyah-20000-kms-travel-thrrough-silk-road-interview-with-gautham-reddy-nallavari\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gautham<\/strong><\/a> took a 20,000 kilometers journey across 8 countries, tracking the <strong>silk route.<\/strong> He came across deserts in many different countries. Of all the places he had mentioned in the book I am most keen to experience the <strong>deserts in China.<\/strong> Even noted travel writer <strong>Paul Theroux<\/strong> mentioned China\u2019s deserts in his books and its links with the Silk Road.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11131\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11131\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11131\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9314.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9314\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11131\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Me at Sand Dune of Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates. Pic by: Surabhi Kapila<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"OTHER_ACTIVITIES_IN_MLEIHA\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MLEIHA<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not forget to visit the <strong>Mleiha Archaeological Centre.<\/strong> It has a fantastic museum on the ancient days of Mleiha and U.A.E.<\/li>\n<li>Do visit the <strong>pre-historic cave shelters<\/strong>. It reminded me of Bhimbhetka in <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/19\/mygration-story-what-is-this-young-delhi-girl-doing-in-the-remote-village-of-madhya-pradesh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Madhya Pradesh<\/a>, India.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stargazing at night<\/strong> is recommended for astronomy enthusiasts.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/10\/18\/a-tiger-free-wildlife-safari-to-satpura-national-park-madhya-pradesh-incredible-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Wildlife trips<\/strong><\/a> are popular in deserts.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/07\/09\/6-exciting-monsoon-treks-in-sahyadris-maharashtra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Trekking<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/31\/offbeat-bhutan-how-cycling-near-tango-and-cheri-monastery-helped-me-discover-the-unseen-thimphu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>cycling tours<\/strong><\/a> are also available in Mleiha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11126\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11126\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11126\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9164.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9164\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11126\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We passed this royal Mosque and universities (not in pic) in the middle of nowhere. UAE is a strange land! On the way to Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>HOW TO REACH MLEIHA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The closest big city to Mleiha is <strong>Sharjah.<\/strong> It is also close to Dubai and easily accessible. I would suggest booking a taxi for a convenient trip.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>BEST TIME TO VISIT MLEIHA AND SHARJAH<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>October to April<\/strong> is <strong>winter<\/strong> in Sharjah. The weather is pleasant in these months. It gets really hot in U.A.E. May onwards.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">The view from my #SoulWindow gave me adrenaline rush!<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11141\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11141\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11141\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9368.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9368\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11141\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our driver Nihar was from Peshawar, Pakistan. Mleiha Archaeological Center. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You may also like to read:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2018\/01\/17\/from-being-fired-for-traveling-too-much-to-being-one-of-the-top-travel-bloggers-of-india-the-journey-of-not-quitting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">From being fired of traveling too much to India\u2019s top travel blogger!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2018\/01\/17\/from-being-fired-for-traveling-too-much-to-being-one-of-the-top-travel-bloggers-of-india-the-journey-of-not-quitting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Know more about me<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/05\/01\/why-i-hate-the-glamorization-snobbery-of-solo-traveling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Why I hate the snobbery and lies of solo travelers?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/28\/petra-the-secrets-of-the-city-of-the-dead-explained-one-of-the-7-wonders-of-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The secrets of Petra revealed<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/29\/dead-sea-in-jordan-why-i-ran-out-screaming-as-soon-as-i-entered-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dead Sea- Why I ran out screaming<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/05\/15\/few-hours-spent-at-business-class-lounge-at-the-sharjah-airport-made-me-want-to-see-dubai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My experience of Business Class Lounge of Sharjah airport<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/10\/12\/top-ten-reasons-to-visit-canberra-capital-of-australia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Top 10 things to see in Canberra<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/12\/05\/guide-to-paro-valley-why-you-should-go-to-this-dreamland-in-bhutan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Complete Guide to Paro valley in Nepal<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2017\/11\/21\/in-search-of-one-horned-rhinoceros-other-wildlife-in-chitwan-national-park-naturally-nepal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spotting Rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park in Nepal<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/2016\/04\/07\/aadhe-adhure-of-dysfunctional-family-and-moral-dilemmas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Play review- Aadhe Adhure, of dysfunctional families and moral dilemmas!<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11142\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11142\" style=\"width: 913px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11142\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9383.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9383\" width=\"913\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11142\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We saw this interesting crossroad on the way to Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Spread the love, share this blog<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Got any question\/comments, ask in the comment section below so that it can benefit other readers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Email me for collaboration: 21abhinav21@gmail.com<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Be a part of my journey on social media. The travel content I create there is different from this blog.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Pls_subscribefollowlike\"><\/span>\u00a0<strong>Pls subscribe\/follow\/like:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC8K8pGNVByDAfy7kNKl7mAA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You Tube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/asoulwindow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/asoulwindow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/A-Soul-Window-Travel-Blog-by-Abhinav-Singh-322014484524692\/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11132\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11132\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11132\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9321.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9321\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11132\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>WARNING : COPYRIGHT TO ALL THE TEXT SHARED HERE REMAINS WITH ME. YOU CAN NOT JUST LIFT THE CONTENT AND USE IT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. STRICT LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IF CONTENT IS STOLEN. YES, I AM SERIOUS.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11143\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11143\" style=\"width: 1152px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11143\" src=\"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9338.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9338\" width=\"1152\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11143\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sand Dune bashing at Mleiha. It is near Sharjah &amp; Dubai. United Arab Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &amp; THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS! This blog is about my thrilling dune bashing experience in Mleiha. I also visited the pre historic caves, billions of years old fossils and camel rock. Mleiha is an upcoming destination near Sharjah and Dubai in &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/offbeat-adventurous-thrilling-sand-dune-bashing-at-mleiha-sharjah-u-a-e-plus-65000-billion-years-old-fossils\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &#038; THRILLING SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS!<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,73],"tags":[110,126,127,371,372,394,548,761,762,834,849,963,1329,1800,1801,2222,2447,2457,2761,2844,2948],"modified_by":"asoulwindow","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",1152,768,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",150,100,false],"medium":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",300,200,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",768,512,false],"large":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",1024,683,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",1152,768,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/img_9285.jpg",1152,768,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"asoulwindow","author_link":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/author\/abhinav2111\/"},"uagb_comment_info":17,"uagb_excerpt":"OFFBEAT, ADVENTUROUS &amp; THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF SAND DUNE BASHING AT MLEIHA, SHARJAH, U.A.E. PLUS 65000 BILLION YEARS OLD FOSSILS! This blog is about my thrilling dune bashing experience in Mleiha. I also visited the pre historic caves, billions of years old fossils and camel rock. Mleiha is an upcoming destination near Sharjah and Dubai in&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11144"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11144"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18661,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11144\/revisions\/18661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}