The Liwa Oasis is a two hour journey south of Abu Dhabi into the vast desert known as Rub’ al Khali or The Empty Quarter. It is a 100 kilometre long, narrow ‘fertile’ crescent with many date plantations and farms growing camel fodder. As you travel out from Abu Dhabi the sand gradually turns from almost white to a rich red and the flat, featureless landscape grows ever higher sand dunes.

We did the culture bit first visiting three renovated forts. The local idea of renovation seems to mean rebuild so it is difficult to know what is original and there is no signage of any sort to let you know how old things are. Still it is good fun to clamber all over them.

Next stop the desert for a bbq lunch. We had planned to go to the same spot that Sue and I had camped. When we arrived at the turn off we discovered that the side of the road had been built up making it impossible to turn. But the valley that we had camped in was now home to a huge herd of camels that very kindly walked right past us to have their photos taken.

We found a way across the sabkah (salt flats) that you can see in the photo above and then on to another valley between spectacular red dunes.

A delicious bbq lunch was spoilt slightly by Jonathan insisting on taking his shirt off!

After lunch the sand dunes needed climbing and the views from the top made the climb worthwhile. Only spoilt slightly by Jonathan keeping his shirt off. This was very hard work going up. But lots of fun coming down.