The Red Sands Of Shaybah

Shaybah is a HOT SPOT not just because of the intense temperatures. But, because it's difficult to get to this camp in what is known as the Empty Quarter which is north of Yemen and west of UAE.

On most of the camps you have to enter a lottery for several years before you even get the privilege to take a bus and then a private jet to this REMOTE Aramco facility. For us it was a bit simpler. You do have to be present for ticket purchase, not been previously, or get really lucky like we did and be on the waiting list that had last minute spots open up.

Not only did we get to have this amazing experience

we get to do it with many of our closest friends!

Upon our arrival we sat down for some poolside snacks and some homemade chocolate cookies with Reeses chips in them. They were so good and I've been craving them every day since. It is possible to have too much of a good thing.

We then went on a short walking tour of the residence facilities. In the gym there is a massive mural showing bulldozers clearing sand away for a runway. As pictures of pictures go, this doesn't do it justice as the dunes are super steep and sadly lives were lost in this project.

We had a bit of down time during the main heat of the day and kept cool in lounge areas were pillow fights and games of tag kept the kiddos busy.

We then loaded up for a bus tour of the G.O.S.P. (Gas and Oil Separation Pipes or Pumps?) It was perfect timing for Graham to take a little snooze because the real action was yet to come.

We toured a drill site...with drilling in progress. It was nice to have a Dad that could explain what was going on. Other buses full of teachers didn't get the same tour as our bus that had several Engineers on it.

The day wasn't too hot as days go here but any shade was welcome as this was the hottest time of the day.

After loading up we drove up to the Shaybah Oasis which is a large tent with AC above the main camp. We snacked, watched a movie about the area, and kept cool waiting for the sun to set a little more so we could......

....go sand sledding or at least try. (Ethan is in the gray shirt in the middle of the picture.)
Some of us just relaxed and watched the others fill their undies and every other crevasse with sand.

Chris did a bit of exploring trying to find the perfect untouched dune.
When Graham did finally adventure down it was too steep for him to climb back up and had to be rescued....not that he was in any danger.

It was quite a work out for the daddies.

This picture of Zach and his best buddy "M" is my favorite picture of the day. Could those big smiles have anything to do with getting to ride a 4 wheeler over some dunes?
The boys were ready for some serious down time on the plane ride home. What do you expect after playing non stop with friends all day, exploring Saudi's wilderness, and a non stop consumption of juice followed by a surprisingly delicious meal out on the Oasis patio.
Thanks SAEA for another wonderful day trip.

Oh yeah and the Crown Prince just announced that Saturday will be a National Holiday as the King just returned from a successful surgery abroad. Yeah for 3 day weekends.