5 March 2026
The UAE turned out to be a land of contrasts — and unforgettable moments. We thought we would ‘just drive through’ but we are so happy we got to experience more!
We began our stay in what can only be described as a little paradise. Mohamed welcomed us to a place that has become one of the most special stops on our journey so far. Not just because of the beautiful setting, but because of the people. Spending time with Mohamed and his family was something we’ll never forget. Their warmth, generosity and stories made it feel like home almost instantly.
The place itself was incredibly inspiring. The way it was built, the atmosphere, the connection with the surroundings — it sparked so many ideas that we’re quietly storing away for the day when our travels eventually slow down. Honestly, we almost didn’t want to leave. Mohamed joked he would only kick us out after a year and a day… but after a week we felt ready to roll again.
The rest of the UAE showed us a completely different side of the country. Hyper-modern cities with jaw-dropping skylines on one hand, and endless desert on the other. So many cultures with so much tolerance for each others differences. We wandered through the grandeur and luxury of the cities (driving in Dubai is chaos — we’ve never missed so many exits 😅), and balanced it with quiet nights wild camping in the desert.
Out there we practiced, learned, and sometimes struggled with driving in the sand. Twice we managed to get ourselves stuck — but both times it led to great stories and wonderful encounters with kind strangers. Especially the guys from @sos_offroad_rescueteam
In the end we stayed longer than planned. And the UAE left us with far more than we expected: inspiration, lessons, friendships, and memories we’ll look back on with a big smile!
