Searching for Secrets in Sands of the Emirates

Shaun Meintjes, of The Times in South Africa flies over the desert of the Arabian Peninsula and lands in the airport at Dubai.

Ditching the Dazzle
He says, “I spot what everyone describes as dazzling Dubai. But it’s not the dazzle I’m after: it’s the dust and the secrets it holds.”

Meintjes gets himself a guide who takes him to the Dubai Museum, a walking tour of Bastakiya in Bur Dubai, the Heritage Village, some Dubai mosques and the historic souks.

Heading Out East
The next day they drive towards Fujairah via Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. They stop at the Friday Market, the Hajjar Mountains and the 17th century Bidiya Mosque.

The article is full of history and images from ancient generations. It is slow-paced and searching, like a traveller seeking secrets in the sands.

Link
Shaun Meintjes, The Soul of the Sands, The Times, 12 July 2009.

Dr Geoff Pound

Geoff can be contacted by email at geoffpound(at)gmail.com on Facebook and Twitter.

Image: Sands of the Emirates.