Arabian dinner, sisha and more

by witsandnuts on June 29, 2009

Continued from dune bashing and sunset camel ride

dates and arabic coffee

After riding the camel, we were taken to the (Arabian Knight Tours) camp. It looks purposely primitive to a certain extent because the walls were made of dried trunk and leaves from palm trees. As you approach the entrance, you will be offered fresh dates and Arabic coffee.

to get the appetizer

Next to which you will pass by the man serving the appetizer. You have to pick the pieces yourself while they’re newly fried. You bet, I had an ouch moment. The food looks like Indian’s gulab jamun (which is a dessert). But when I tasted it, it is also delicious but is almost crunchy compared to gulab jamun which is dipped in a syrup.

parang fishballs

The tables and chairs were set up like these. We strategically sat here so that we were near to the belly dance floor and tattooing area.

dinner table

Here’s the belly dance floor :

before belly dancing

While the buffet dinner was being set up, we checked the souvenir stalls.

sand souvenirs

These are colored real sands that are being customized and packaged in a bottle.

sand souvenirs 2

You will also notice the colorful belts at the end right.

sand souvenirs 3

More souvenirs here like camel figures, accessory cloth for belly dancing, Burj Al Arab figurines and sequined purses.

souvenirs 2

While these are commonly available in souvenir shops in the malls.

souvenirs

Not too long when dinner was served. It was more of a barbecue party to me – of mutton and chicken meat, of course no pork. Most of the dishes were spicy and the salads were really good. I was a little disappointed with the desserts because they only served fresh fruits. Or maybe because I just expected that I’d see several cakes and other pastries just like in the hotels. :) I forgot that this is a camp.

food

It was revitalizing to be taking a meal under a literally starry, starry night in a desert. We were also counting the planes coming in and out of the horizon.

Most of the locals do take sisha as a tradition. While most of the foreigners tried it out of curiosity.

sisha

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the washrooms. Honestly, it was a mixed feeling of being creeped out, amazed, and transported to a provincial feeling in the Philippines (remember those toilets in the barrio and those shown in old books?).

cr 2

You will notice though the obvious fondness for carpets in this part of the world. But of course, I didn’t see a tabo inside.

cr

Next: Henna tattooing, Arab’s traditional dress for men and women and belly dancing

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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

cza June 29, 2009 at 12:02 PM

Sisha!!! We have mini sishas at home. I think they’re now just for display. I grew up in the middle east but never got to try one. ever. :)

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kayni June 29, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Wow…really interesting bathrooms. They do remind me of the province. You know, the fourth photo, with the table and seating setting, really reminds of the Igorot colors. Really interesting.

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ever June 29, 2009 at 1:37 PM

na try ko na rin ang sisha…malakay ang tama,pero saglit lang.paborito kong flavor apple…

masarap din ang kebab…chicken man o lamb.

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kreez June 29, 2009 at 2:50 PM

I’ve always been interested with those sand souvenirs and how they manage to write words with it inside the bottle.

that comfort room reminds me of the one in the restaurant at night safari in Singapore.

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luna miranda June 29, 2009 at 2:52 PM

how exciting, having dinner under the arabian sky—romantic.:P i tried shisha in an indian restaurant in greenbelt 3 (i think i wrote a blog about the experience:P), i loved it but i got nauseous afterwards.

yeah, the washroom is similar to bathrooms in our rural areas here. we have something in common din naman pala.:P

a quite interesting experience for you. thanks for sharing.

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Jeanny June 29, 2009 at 6:26 PM

wow nice experience. Did you try the sisha? :)

Oo nga, the washroom is similir to what we have here ah! ;)

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kg June 29, 2009 at 10:48 PM

jo, nag belly dance ka? he! he!

ok na yung washroom, basta ba malinis. at least, very environmentalist ang dating! :)

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Rico June 30, 2009 at 12:41 AM

Yung sands sa bottle reminds me of Bora.
Nag belly dancing ka?! Whoa! That’s one post I wouldn’t miss!

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upto6only June 30, 2009 at 1:07 AM

o wow you really had a wonderful trip there. is that stuff toy for free? hehe parang Dad’s. cool washroom.

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aLine June 30, 2009 at 5:48 AM

BOLLYWOOD Na….HEEHEE

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PM June 30, 2009 at 10:20 AM

i want to eat that food plate!

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Toni July 1, 2009 at 3:14 AM

All the pictures were beautiful but my eyes were drawn to your food plate! Mmmm!

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bw July 6, 2009 at 1:30 AM

the colored sand is very interesting. Man, I love that Arabic coffee and dates combo. I dig Arabic food – love the shawarma a lot :)

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