Trace the Trails...

Continues from Wroom Wroom... It’s Desert Bikes

The sand on the other side of the hill was untouched. We started to go up the sand dunes. The wind had formed the sketch of waves on the untouched morning sand. As I climbed, I turned back. My foot prints were also there in a trail. It was then I realized that I can find out many trails in this self repairing soil.

It was then an attempt to trace the trails. I detected the trace of ants and an unknown trail. However, as our gang started exploring the area, the only trail that became available was those of footprints. The little ones in the gang started to slide down the sand dunes and to climb up again. We removed our Abhayas and relaxed for a while.

Three Expressions of nature

The fort across the desert looked so majestic in the glazing rays of sun.  The swift wind started to blow hot air and we started to melt. Among all these, the view along the desert kept on making us forget about the hot climate. After the vast stretch of desert, laid the green fields, succeeded by rock mountains. The three expressions of nature in the same platform was a rare scene of art.

Trails...

In between Sarath and Sreejith had gone uphill. They were busy with their photography expeditions as we started to come down. As they came back, Sreejith told me about the many trails that they had traced uphill. One trail definitely captured my attention-the trail that looked like a snake’s.

Camel field

The sand was turning into a hot bed as we returned. The wind started to become searing for those who face it. Our footprints will soon be repaired  by this hot wind. In the evening, it will welcome the new visitors with the freshness that had greeted us. As we passed the camel field, I thought -many of us may not set our foot prints again in that soil. But who cares? The passed moments are quite memorable and you cannot step on the same sand again, right?

Wroom Wroom... It’s Desert Bikes

Continues from The Sand Blushes under the Sun’s Kiss

Desert bikes at the horizon

Our comrades had already gone up the sand dunes. As I climbed I could spot three tiny dots of desert bikes that grew big from silver horizon to the desert grounds. People in the red sand seemed like white and black ants thrown out of their row. I spotted my friends and waded to join them.

As I joined my crowd and looked around to admire the beauty of a desert. The contemplation broke soon by the wroom wroom sound of desert bikes. We looked down. Men in our gang were already riding on the bikes. Though hesitated at first, I and sreevidya soon slid down the sand dune.

Riding the desert bikes was entirely a different experience for me. I am so much used with riding my Scooty back at home. This always gave me the tendency to put my feet down in fear of fall. The back wheels always scratched my leg, luckily avoiding any fracture.  Also, the desert bikes are different from the water bikes. Water bikes can easily sail through the sea whereas; desert bikes have to stride through dropping sand.

Riding Lessons

The ground filled with all in our gang trying their hands at the desert bikes. Interestingly I and Jayashree edathy, who were very good in handling two wheelers on roads failed in riding them. Many others, who hadn’t touched two wheelers, had a memorable ride. All through these, Sreejith wasn’t ready to give up my riding exerts. He got onto the bike with me and all I can remember is the speed amidst my screams.

The blazing sun of 7am

The riders were not tired as the men from the stalls came to retrieve the bikes. However the sun started to blaze by 7 am and the end for the ride seemed to be a good option.  After giving back our bikes, we headed to the other side of the Sand dunes.

Continues in Trace the Trails...

The Sand Blushes under the Sun’s Kiss

Visiting the Sand dunes in Saudi Arabia, during the middle of April is definitely not a good idea. Yet, our time in the Kingdom is limited. We are not sure to experience the good climate of the holy land again! Therefore we planned our trip to the ‘Red Sand’ along with the members in our NOMA family.

The so called Red sand is a location situated 40 Kms away from the city of Riyadh. It’s a well known place for weekend hangout among Saudi residents. The place is famous for desert walks, bike riding and the sheer joy of a picnic.

Considering the climate of Riyadh in the month of April, we scheduled our trip for early morning hours on a Friday. Our cars started in line from Hara around 5.30 am, when the sun was shining bright above us. My family got into the Appuetan’s car. The choice was worth! Appuetan (Real name-Thrivikraman) who lives in Riyadh for the past 25 years updated us about the desert valleys, hanging bridge, forts and other destinations in Riyadh.

Roadside Mountains

The interesting ride was made more enjoyable with the view of rock walls on both sides of the road. The steepest roads were earlier covered with mountains. Later the government gave contract to the Bin Laden group to construct the wide roads. The construction firm has done a remarkable work by breaking the roads amidst the dry mountains with dynamites and high tech machineries.

Riyadh Check Post

The sun was shining golden across the natural forts and mountains as we drove further. We crossed the Riyadh check post adorned with Arabic sculptures.  We couldn’t decipher the meaning of the art form and ourselves gave the conclusion that it is somehow related with valor and war.

Stalls of desert bikes started to appear in view as we neared the Red Sand area. The landscape looked so different from those we have seen inside the city or at the Edge of the world. The steep cliffs succeeded by dark mud grounds and later by the red sand! After one hour of drive, we reached our destination.

We were the first ones to reach our destination. We took a short desert safari while waiting for the others. Interestingly, this short safari was more fun that the one we had in Dubai.

As we parked our car, the men from the bike stalls started swarming around. Appuetan, who has got a knack for bargaining, started his attempts. He reduced the charge considerably. There were many types of desert bikes. The highly priced big bikes were meant to go up the sand dunes. Sreejith and Sudeep took the lowest priced bikes and started riding. They tried to get their bikes up the hill and had a tough time to get out of the sinking sands.

I started walking and soon found that it’s not easy to wade with my drowning feet in the sand.  Though it was early morning, the plain sand was already tampered with footprints and ride marks. The sand blushed with the first kiss of sun rays. The vibration of life was pulsing underneath the sand layers. The sand remained untouched away from the trodden paths. Among the red sand lonely bushes glowed proudly for their power to stand amidst the trying ambience. 

Continues in Wroom Wroom... It’s Desert Bikes