Campfire, Reflections, Wildlife Admiration: Desert Lake Camping Bliss in Al Qudra, Dubai

Hi Hivers! What's up, everyone? I hope all is well and in good shape. Sharing our ventures with my family.
Our recent camping trip with my husband, our son, and our daughter-in-law was a mix of adventure, relationship, and reflection.

We got there in Al Qudra at around 3 in the afternoon. We set up our tents and arranged the cooking and seating area, the portable comfort room, and the fire pit for the campfire. Setting up was a joint effort and it's satisfying to work together as a family to create a temporary home in the wilderness.

My husband lit a fire on the portable stove to boil water for our coffee, the small blue flame moved irregularly because of the wind, so my husband put a barrier around it so that the fire would not be off. As the water came to a boil, we immediately put our instant coffee into our mugs. Just sitting in front of our tent, relaxing while sipping a hot coffee with the quiet sounds of nature that surround us.

In front of our spot was the calm small lake. As we were having our coffee, the black swans were gliding across the lake, they moved smoothly and effortlessly hardly disturbing the water's surface. Minutes passed, and out of nowhere, the calmness was broken by the pair of black swans. They flapped their wings splashing water playing or simply having fun, their movements created small waves on the water. To our surprise, one of the black swans suddenly ran free from the water, its long neck stretched as it ran towards us. The swan's approach added a touch of wild beauty to our peaceful coffee break.

We roamed around the place, the golden sands lengthened endlessly around us. As we reached the dunes, we couldn't resist to take pictures. Some photos were planned and others were effortlessly and candid. The desert breeze grasps the quiet surroundings of the place. The sun was slowly going down to the horizon, we savored the serenity of the place knowing that these moments would stay with us forever.

My husband was the one who did the grilling of our food. He seasoned the pork and chicken with just the right blend of spices. The rich smell of the marinade filled the air and disturbed our appetite even before the grilling had started. Staring at him prepare our meal made it even more special. Our dinner was simple yet it was full of love and joy sharing a good meal.

The desert air cooled quickly, and we gathered around the fire pit piling dry wood and lit it. The glow flickering against our faces sent warmth through the cold evening. We lifted our feet into the fire pit to get warmness. We shared memories of past trips and childhood adventures. We took the moment to share wisdom with our son and daughter-in-law who had just embarked on their journey of marriage six months ago. We told them that love isn't just in grand gestures but quiet moments of understanding, patience, and kindness hold more weight than being right. And the strongest marriages are built not just on love but on friendship. Above all, we reminded them to keep God at the center of their marriage, for He is the foundation that holds everything together. They listened, their hands intertwined and in that simple gesture, we felt the beauty of passing down not just the advice but the love, faith and experiences we had through our own years together.

Waking up in the desert lake has its own kind of beauty. Peaceful and quiet hush as the sun begins to rise, and the lake mirrors its beauty. Me and my husband had a morning stroll enjoying the cool morning air and watching the birds glide over the surface. I captured a few of the species that are just around our spot, flamingos, swans, and geese, there are more Indigenous birds around the place. This sanctuary offers a glimpse into the resilience and beauty of wildlife in the desert.
After our walking, we had our simple yet satisfying breakfast, eggs, toast and coffee, a perfect way to enjoy the day. We packed up, the sun was high warming the desert once again. We drove home, I smiled knowing that this trip would stay with us.
One of the greatest gifts of camping is its simplicity. It allows us to disconnect from the noise of city life, Just the desert, lake, wildlife, nature and each other. This tells us to slow down, to breathe, to appreciate the beauty of simply being.

Photos are all mine and collaged in Canva