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Pictures of our trip 2012/13 to the United Arab Emirates – part 1
- with our vehicle from November 2012 to January 2013
Sharjah/Dubai/1st Traveler's Festival in Dubai/Emirates National Auto Museum south of Abu Dhabi
 
 
Liwa - United Arab Emirates with our car in February 2013 - part 2
Al Ain, Eastcoast & Ras al Khaima - United Arab Emirates with our car in April 2013 - part 3
Sharjah + Dubai: United Arab Emirates - without our vehicle from February 19th, to 27th, 2011
Fairytale Wedding in Dubai - United Arab Emirates - with our car from February 7th, to May 20th, 1999
Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula
Oman 2013 – Part 2 - February 2013: Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa
Oman 2013 – Part 3 - March 2013: Sur - East Coast - Island of Masirah - Dhofar
Oman 2013 – Part 4 - March 2013: Salalah & Surroundings (Dhofar) - Nizwa
Oman 2013 – Part 5 - March 2013: Western Hajar Mountains
(Oman 2013 – Part 6) - April 2013: Omani Madha Exclave in the UAE
 
 
 
U.A.E. Map
 
 
 
       Middle East Map
 
latest picture: January 21, 2013
  • click a picture to see details

 
 
 
 
 
 
101  View from the artificial island “The
Palm” offshore of New Dubai, to the skyline
of Dubai’s Marina Bay. Initially 3 of these
artificial “Palm Islands”, reclaimed from the
sea (Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeira, Palm
Deira) and 2 archipelagos (Universe, World)
have been planned, which have been put on
hold in 2008 due to the financial crisis. Only
“The Palm Jumeira” is in operation today
102  We drive next to the metro
towards the “gate” being part of the
extravagant hotel “Atlantis The Palm“.
It has 1’539 rooms between minimal
about US$ 550 up to the underwater
suite for US$ 9’720/night
103  One of the multimillion projects
on this artificial island “The Palm” is
this residential area built in Yemeni
architectural style
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
104  Two Arabs enjoy the afternoon at
the Al Mamzar Creek in the conservative
Emirate of Sharjah where there is neither
alcohol nor pork meat – in contrast to
Dubai and other Emirates
105  The muezzin has called for prayer
at the Al Qasba Mosque in Sharjah
106  Two Arab ladies walk at a leisure
pace through the sandy square near the
Blue Souk in Sharjah. Covering up in
the Emirates isn’t compulsory like
e.g. in Iran or partly in Saudi Arabia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
107  The friendly face of Sheikh Sultan
bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi of Sharjah
greets from the glass facades of sky-
scrapers. How modest our Land-
Cruiser looks in comparison
108  Gigantic are not only the futuristic
skyscrapers, but also this limousine.
In the Emirates everything is some
“sizes” larger than elsewhere
109  Our LandCruiser on “our” parking
lot in front of the Crystal Plaza Hotel in
Sharjah. Parking areas are mostly sandy
squares and scarce, where each evening
one struggles to grab a free space
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
110  Liliana is gazing over the Sharjah Creek
to the festively decorated “Directorate
of Town Planning & Survey” with the
7 Sheikhs of the 7 Emirates (Abu Dhabi,
Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman,
Ras al Khaima, Umm al Quwain)
111  A teacher instructs her children
in the Qasba for the 41st Indepencence
Day on December 2nd, 2012
112  Two attendants at a gasoline
station wear a T-Shirt with the
symbol “Spirit of the Union” for
the Independence Day
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The UAE show us the same hospitality, generosity and support
like we were able to experience it on our previous visits in 1994, 1996 and 1999
113  We meet Sujith (with blue Shirt) at
the Carrefour parking in Sharjah and end
up on a desert tour with family and his
friends at “Fossil Rock” and “Big Red”,
about 30 miles East of Sharjah
114  We were in contact already since
Borneo with Foremost International - F.Z.E.
in Ajman for 5 Facet fuel pumps for our
LandCruiser. Director Rammohan C.
Kottieth (next to Emil) offered them for free
115  Business partners Robbie (red T-shirt)
and Kubair (green T-shirt) from Robbies
Motorsport in Dubai (left of Liliana) pose for
a picture with their crew. They replaced for
free a spring leaf and two shock absorbers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116  We celebrate Christmas 2012
amidst the sand dunes at “Fossil Rock”
(Jebel Fayah Mountain) near Maleiha,
East of Dubai …..
117  ..... our tiny Christmas tree
spreads a festive mood and our
dessert is special: Black Forest
cake and pineapple
118  Sujith, his family and friends are
singing “Jingle bell” for us and pose
for this unusual Christmas picture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
119  The dunes at “Fossil Rock” are the
playground of the grown-up – locals like
expats. Our old-timer wanted to go up there
too – but we didn't let him (too heavy,
too top-heavy, and the power is too weak
120  The most popular dune for
dune-bashing and dune-bugging is
the 300ft high “Big Red” along the
Hatta-Dubai Road E44
West of Madam …..
121  ..... on weekends the Emirati
make an extensive use of letting off
steam. It’s even possible to rent
vehicles on the spot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
122  Two camels are peacefully
roaming and foraging around in
the sand dunes – a sight that
never loses its fascination
123 A young Emirati is looking at his friends.
His traditional attire is part of the charm of
this country. The choice of the headdress
(checkered or white, etc.) is just fashion
124  We always had a fascination
for the desert. In the U.A.E. we
can live it out
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
125  Delightful golden decorated
home in Huwaylat, North of Hatta
126  One of the splendid buildings
emerging from the desert and possibly
belongs to the University of Sharjah …..
127  ….. here the “University City Hall”
of Sharjah along highway E102 to Kalba
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
128  We capture our first encounter with
Mr. Awad Mohamed bin Al Sheikh Magrin
(shakes Emil’s hand). He is the organizer
of the “1st traveler’s Festival” in Dubai
and invited us to participate
129  With a glass of warm camel milk we
sit around the fire in front of Mr. Awad’s
desert tent at his farm near Lahbab
along the Oman/Hatta highway
130  Official Invitation and Program of the
“1st Traveler’s Festival” under the patronage
of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin
Rashid al Maktoum being held on
December 27th, 2012 at the ‘Cultural
& Scientific Association Building’ at
Al Mamzar in Dubai
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
131  The desert mobile home of Bel Helei
from Abu Dhabi is another example of the
gigantism in the United Arab Emirates. We
got to see it at the “1st Traveler’s Festival”
on December 27th, 2012 in Dubai …..
132  ….. more modest, but still
impressive looks the LandCruiser of the
“UAE Travelers First Car Team” (Emirati
Travelers) decorated with routes and
places they have been traveling …..
133  ….. the most modest however is the
car that has been traveling the longest time
around the world: Our good old Land-
Cruiser FJ60/1982. “Keeping low profile”
was always our philosophy – and we
want to keep it that way
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134  The exhibition of the “1st Traveler’s
Festival” at the ‘Cultural & Scientific
Association Building’ in Dubai is being
prepared. The posters of the
participants are arranged
135  Emil gets a little treat for all
his interviews: His comment:
“I could get used to it!”
136  A remembrance shot of our stand:
We sit in front of our two posters showing
pictures and the certificate of the Guinness
Book entry of the “Longest Driven Journey”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
137  Organizers and participants: The
participants are from Australia, Bahrain,
Bosnia, Yemen, Jordan, Malaysia, Oman,
Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates
138  The young girl in her lovely outfit
is waiting for the Sheikh, who will cut
the opening ribbon to the exhibition hall.
Liliana poses for a picture with her
139  The showcase of Saeed Al Memari,
the first male Emirati who climbed
Mount Everest twice. He presents his
equipment he carried to the top
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140  We show our worldrecord Land-
Cruiser – our “showcase” – and answer
questions while waiting for the arrival of
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum …..
141  ….. also an Emirati bagpipe
band is waiting for His Highness. One
of its players is already in action …..
142  ….. and now the whole band is
in action, when H.H. Sheikh Mansoor
bin Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum is arriving
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
143  H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum is greeted by
Mr. Awad Mohamed bin Al Sheikh Magrin.
He arrived in a 'Mercedes G63 AMG V8
Biturbo’ for the official opening ceremony
of the “1st Traveler’s Festival” in Dubai
144  The two most important men of
the “1st Traveler’s Festival” in Dubai:
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mr. Awad
Mohamed bin Al Sheikh Magrin, organizer
and founder of Emirati Travelers
(www.emiratestravellers.ae)
145  The delegation is walking straight
towards us. His Highness (opposite of
Emil) asks us some questions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
146  H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum cuts the ribbon for
the inauguration of the 1st Traveler’s
Festival 2012 in Dubai
147  The visitors are swarming into
the exhibition hall with the stands of
the different participants
148  Emil and Liliana on stage: They
give a short overview of their
28 years worldrecordtour
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
149  In the presence of Mr. Awad
Mohamed bin Al Sheikh Magrin, organizer
of the festival, His Highness Sheikh
Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum presents us an award …..
150  ..... the award .....
151  ..... and the obligatory group
picture with His Highness, the
organizers and participants
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152  At the ‘Relax RV Camping and Resort’
a desert camp in the Emirate of Ras
al-Khaimah, camel meat, rice and chicken
are cooking on the open fire for the closing
evening buffet of the “1st Traveler’s
Festival” in Dubai …..
153  ….. The camel meat is arranged
on a large plate. It is fibrous and a bit
hard to chew – not necessarily our taste.
But at least it is cholesterol free .....
154  ..... a guitar player entertains
us with Arabic sounds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
155  Winter sport in the desert? Yes, in
the Emirates Mall in Dubai (District of Al
Barsha in the so called ‘New Dubai’)
there is a skiing hall with a ski lift, chair
lift, coasting slide, snowman and a ¼ mile
long run from a 279 ft. high hill …..
156  ..... and in the Dubai Mall – the
biggest shopping mall of the world –
there is also an ice rink for ice skating.
The ice rink as well as the skiing hall
are functioning even if the thermometer
outside is showing 118° in August
157  It looks almost like real at the
rushing waterfall in the Dubai Mall:
Elegant dives headfirst into the water.
Again a superlative in the Emirates
like Burj Khalifa – the tallest tower
in the world (2'722 ft.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
158  The impressive skyline of the
Sharjah Emirate is looming across
the Al Mamzar lagoon
159  A warning sign in Arabic, English
and Russian (Russian tourists are taking over
in the UAE) reflects the conservative Sharjah
Emirate: Nudity (total or partly) is strictly
forbidden. This can include also bathing suits
160  Colorful dhows are lining up
in the Sharjah Creek. They are
loading all kind of goods bound
for Iran and Pakistan, but also
for other Gulf countries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
161  The portraits of the rulers are
omnipresent. Here a billboard with the
President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa
bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (right)
and the Vice President of the UAE,
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum (left)
162  A rear car window with two of the
many Sheikhs of the UAE shows the respect
for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
(right), the former ruler of Abu Dhabi and
first President of the UAE, and Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
(left), the crown prince of Abu Dhabi
163   At the ‘Emirates National
Auto Museum’ (about 43 miles South of
Abu Dhabi along highway E65) Sheikh
Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan watches
over the gem of his 250 vehicles’
collection: The ‘Dodge Power Wagon’,
a custom built replica 8 times oversized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our pick from the private collection of Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (aka “Rainbow Sheikh”)
at the “Emirates National Auto Museum” 28 miles South of Abu Dhabi:
164  World-globe shaped 3-storey caravan
with all the facilities in a normal house
165  Nissan Patrol 8x8 – custom-made for
Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan
166  The oversized “Land Rover Café”
at the car museum
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
167  The world’s largest two-wheeled
five-storey travel trailer was built 1990
for Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan
of Abu Dhabi. It is 66 ft long, 39 ft wide,
39 ft high and weighs 269,000 lb. There
are eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms,
four garages and water storage for 6’340
gallons). It’s listed in the Guinness Book
of World Records 1993 (see right)
168  Left the Guinness Book Certificate
for the world’s largest two-wheel
travel trailer
 
Right the Guinness Book Certificate
for the largest motorized model car,
a Willy Jeep
169  An outsized model of a Willy Jeep
in the scale 4:1. It is the largest motorized
model car, created by Sheikh Hamad Bin
Hamdan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi. It got
2012 an entry in the Guinness Book
of World Records (see left)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
170  Fiat 500 Maria, Model 1973,
made in Italy and painted in the
colors of the rainbow
171  Replica of a Tricycle Mercedes', a
“Benz Patent Motor Car” – the first
automobil, Model 1885, made in Germany
172  Not a collection object, but still in
use by the ruler family of Dubai (we were
allowed to take a seat): Fort 350 Super
Duty 6x6, Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8
 
 
More websites from the United Arab Emirates:
Fairytale Wedding in Dubai - United Arab Emirates - with our car from February 7th, to May 20th, 1999
Sharjah + Dubai: United Arab Emirates - without our vehicle from February 19th, to 27th, 2011
Liwa - United Arab Emirates with our car in February 2013 - part 2
Al Ain, Eastcoast & Ras al Khaima - United Arab Emirates with our car in April 2013 - part 3
 
More websites from the Middle East:
Welcome to Kuwait on March 3rd, 1996
Yemen car trip (from Oman to Saudi Arabia) - from May 16th, to June 15th, 1996
Sandstorm in Saudi Arabia on February 4th, 1999
Trip to Dubai in January and February 1999
Oman 1999 - from mid-March to mid-April 1999
Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula
Oman 2013 – Part 2 - February 2013: Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa
Oman 2013 – Part 3 - March 2013: Sur - East Coast - Island of Masirah - Dhofar
Oman 2013 – Part 4 - March 2013: Salalah & Surroundings (Dhofar) - Nizwa
Oman 2013 – Part 5 - March 2013: Western Hajar Mountains
(Oman 2013 Part 6) - April 2013: Omani Madha Exclave in the UAE
Iran 2013 – Part 1: Ferry Port Bandar Abbas-Shiraz-Persepolis-Pasargad (between Persepolis and Yazd)
Iran 2013 – Part 2: Pasargad (excl.)-Yazd-Esfahan May 2013
Iran 2013 – Part 3: Esfahan (excl.)-Chelgerd-Hamadan-Sanandaj-Orumiyeh May 2013
Turkey 2013 Eastern Anatatolia - June 2013
Socotra - without our car from February 9th, to 19th, 2011:
Part 1: Socotra trip in Yemen (East) Hadibo - Dihamri - Arher Beach
Part 2: Socotra trip in Yemen (South) Homhil - Aomak Beach - Wadi Daerhu - Dicksam Plateau
Part 3: Socotra trip in Yemen (West) Qalansiya - Shouab Beach - Qadama Beach - Momi Plateau - Wadi Ayhaft
Saudi Arabia 2016: Transit from Sudan to the United Arab Emirates
Iran 2016Part 4: Ferry Port Bandar Abbas-Kerman-Mashad-Bajgiran April/May 2016
 
Articles in newspapers etc. about us in the United Arab Emirates:
Website: "Award Traveler's Festival Dubai 2012", Blog "HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum", Dec. 27, 2012
Article: "Human bond knows no borders", Daily Newspaper "Gulf Today" - December 27, 2012
Article: "Still on the road 28 years later, Swiss couple attends Dubai Travellers Festival", Daily Newsp. "GulfNews" - Dec. 27, 2012