Riding through the United Arab Emirates

We started our six (6) month motorcycle adventure through the Middle East and Eastern Europe in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

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Time spent in UAE: February 19 to March 01, 2006<o></o>
Distance Traveled in the Country: ~ 3000 km<o></o>​

Most Memorable Impressions of the Country: Modernization of the country is in process to a scale that is unexplainable and unimaginable if not seen with your own eyes. Every road, every overpass, every gas station, every new building is built with no limit on the amount of money spent. <o></o>

The famous BURJ DUBAI HOTEL<o></o>​

Looking back at history, one can compare this to the ancient Romans or Greeks and the grandness of their empires. The scale of the projects can be compared to the ancient Egyptians, who built massive structures that truly amazed the people that saw them. Even in our modern world it is possible to still be amazed by the ability of people to build things that, even when you look at them, it's hard to believe that they actually exist. The sheer number of construction projects is hard to comprehend. It is difficult to believe that they can build so many large construction projects all at the same time.

Construction Project in Dubai<o></o>
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"Rome was not built in one day", but it does appear that the grand city of Dubai will be built at a pace never before seen in history. We plan to return to Dubai when it is finished, to marvel at what was created. A high priority is placed on English education. Education in general is very important to them in respect to their history, country and environment. A new generation is emerging, exposed to the western life through education, TV and internet. Soon their will be not much left of the old world.<o></o>
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We arrive in Dubai late February 18, 2006. The motorcycles got stuck in Canadian customs and hadn’t left Canada until February 19, 2006. It still amazes me that one of the most difficult custom crossing over the six month trip was leaving Canada, something we did not account for. Meanwhile February 20, 2006 we tie the knot on the beach overlooking the Persian Gulf.<o></o>

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With an Arabic Marriage Certificate we start our 6 month honeymoon<o></o>
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Finally the anticipated moment arrives, the motorcycle crates arrive on Feb. 21, 2006 in Dubai, UAE. Within a couple of hours we have assembled the motorcycles and cleared customs and are on our way (very efficient).<o></o>

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The fork lift unloads our crates for customs check at the Emirates Airlines Terminal in Dubai<o></o>​

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All packed and ready to go we head out into the unknown.<o></o>
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We decide to head along the coast of UAE to the Saudi Arabia Border, knowing full well that we are unable to enter Saudi, since females are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle in Saudi Arabia. But it is all fun…<o></o>

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Saudi Arabia Border Crossing, we U-turn to head back into the Desert.<o></o>
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On our way to Liwa Oasis. Signage luckily is in both languages.<o></o>
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We reach the Liwa Oasis, which lays on the edge of the Empty Quarter. <o></o>
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The road disappears into Desert. On our second day through the desert we are riding through our first sand storm, visibility is brutal and the sand blows across the road making it hard to see.<o></o>
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Liwa Oasis main attraction are its 350m-high, salmon-tinged dunes...<o></o>​

We can’t resist getting a closer look at them with the bikes. The GS likes to dig into the sand.<o></o>

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Setting up camp in the middle of the desert surrounded by huge dunes. Maybe this is where the expression of “IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE” comes from<o></o>
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Our first taste of heat in the desert. +42 Degree Celsius (108 Fahrenheit). Temperature reading on the bike.<o></o>
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From one desert to another. We have never seen or ridden in this before. Wet soupy sand. A 600lb motorcycle loves this stuff (yeah right).<o></o>
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Mike climbs up the sand dunes.<o></o>
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A typical mosque on the side of the road<o></o>
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We try to cover as much ground as possible in each country to ensure we don’t miss a thing. From the north coast we head to the east coast.<o></o>
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Beaches on the east coast of UAE. What a dream.<o></o>
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We set up camp on the beach – East coast of UAE by Al Fujayrah<o></o>
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As the sun rises over the Gulf of Oman, we take a stroll along the deserted beach, which seemed to stretch along the coast as far as your eye could see.<o></o>​

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Just before Al Fujayrah we come across Al Bidyah Mosque, built of stone and mudbricks and coated in many layers of whitewashed plaster.<o></o>
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To enter I had to wear the traditional dress. The construction of the Mosque maybe as early as 1446 AD.<o></o>​

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As we continue our journey into Oman, we leave behind civilization as we know it. UAE was the Welcome to the Middle East 101.<o></o>
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To see more amazing pictures of the United Arab Emirates visit our website: Direct link: http://www.2canadiansonbikes.com/Photo%20UAE.html<o></o>
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For those of you who can’t wait for the next posting check out our website: www.2canadiansonbikes.com and the Photo Gallery link.<o></o>
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Until the next time.<o></o>
Cheers, Ruby & Mike<o></o>
www.2canadiansonbikes.com<o></o>

*****Modernization of the country is in process to a scale that is unexplainable and unimaginable if not seen with your own eyes. Every road, every overpass, every gas station, every new building is built with no limit on the amount of money spent. *****

Nice to know somebody is puting my gas money to good use.

Looks like the start of a great report. True adventure.

What a great way to spend your honeymoon. Congrats on the marriage.

JC

Congratulation !
Great pictures !

Grattis till giftermålet! ("Congrats on marriage" in Swedish)

What an amazing couple you are! You are spending your best time in life
with what most of us are dreaming of.
I really enjoyed looking at your website beautiful pics with texts and great
plans of future journeys. I need to spend moore time to read your journals...

/Mattias

Great report and have a great time on your trip.
Dubai is an adventure riders and 4wd paradise. Diving off Oman, wadi bashing, beaches. It has it all even without any of the city attractions.
Great guys

H

Sorry I couldn't help myself with this one from your www.2canadiansonbikes.com web site (absoluting stunning stuff on there in regards to your adventures):



All due respect, you two have been kicking ass while I've been sitting on my butt for the last four years.

Safe travels and thanks for sharing!

What an amazing life you two lead.

Your web site is the ultimate eye candy for Adv. riders. Duh, as if the above photo doesn't say a million words.



The architecture, culture, and scnerey are beyond words. Thanks for posting.




Give us more!!!

You are way too hot to be married.

Shame on you Speedy. Shame on you.

YES SHE IS!!

But she is all Mine!

Sorry!

Thanks for the pics and the link to you website...

Congratulations on making a real effort to see the parts of the world most people from the wealthly industrialized world don't go to!!!

Love the pics...

You are a lucky couple...

Ride on you crazy diamonds!!!

Wow, you two sure know how to travel. I know jealousy isn't a good thing, but man! And rubbing it in with a full list of your "future trips"!

Thanks for the amazing read/photos... and inspiration to go buy a lottery ticket!