Belly dancing, my first tattoo and a little more
To answer the questions in the preceding post:
Did I try the sisha?
I had a couple of chances to taste it, during the Dhow Cruise last year and after the Desert Safari few weeks ago. But no, I did not try the sisha. Not because that I do not smoke. Maybe because it is not too appealing for me yet thinking that I have plenty and nearby chances to try it.
Did I belly dance?
That we will find out soon. 
(She playfully danced with that sword on her head, chest and side-waist)
We moved to the belly dance area 30 minutes after the buffet dinner. The airing of sort of tribal-Arabian music cued the belly dancer’s entrance. She’s tall, walked gracefully, and looking closely I concluded she’s an Egyptian.
As we probably all know, this type of dancing originated from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Africa. I was never that excited to witness this one as I have seen enough from the movies and photo features. But when the exotic music played, it became different. The dancer’s moves are very polished and hypnotic, which I should not be surprised at all since Egyptians, male or female, are known to be very good belly dancers.
The songs were changed at least four times. And starting with the second song, guests were charmingly invited (you can belly dance anytime, by the way) by the dancer or by the camp (Arab) personnel to belly dance, too. Seeing her playful moves and costume made me realize how more open is UAE compared to other countries in the Middle East. In other areas in the Gulf, belly dancing in public is prohibited. Some districts in other countries even banned this.
I mentioned this dancing that I witnessed to an Emirati (a local) and saw how uncomfortable she is with this exotic and traditional dance which is part of her culture. It proves that openness to embrace the change in the culture will always vary. Not all Arabs are conservative, not all Westerners are that too liberated. Where do I stand? I don’t know exactly. But I am proud of my race and flexibility.
Available in the souvenir stalls are belly dancing paraphernalia.
I have not really realized how these shiny little things can make a big difference in the dance floor.
Until the effect became glaring when these two guests (we queued together for the henna tattoo) went on to dance. This piece of cloth added more wiggling and made her look sexier. Also, I realized how different is the movement of the authentic belly dancer, that even a graceful non-belly dancer would look plain. How is that? The torso of the Egyptian dancer was making all the work to make her tummy dance, while the others leverage on their hips.
So I was invited twice to dance, but politely begged off. Thanks to my friend who took the turn. Don’t worry, it will be me next time. By the way, the black kids are a fast learner. They can wiggle like a pro that night.
I remember the belly dance sessions being offered at the gym back home. I agree that aside from yoga, it is one of the better means to keep you fit.
And yay, I had my first tattoo. I always plan to get a henna tattoo whenever we would visit Boracay. And I always fail to get marked, too. It smelled like mint when it was being drawn on my skin. A little aching after a few minutes. I washed the mud away before midnight that left only the black and brown “artwork”. I thought it would stick only for a few days. But after almost two weeks, it is still here.
Traditional dresses are also available for the guests to try and be taken photos while wearing such.
Honestly, I found it creepy the first time I saw a woman wearing abaya (full black dress) in a mall in the Philippines. But after few interactions with them when I came here, I noticed that that actually makes them look more elegant, especially when they wear those with intricate designs, beads and crystals. Would you know who is among the top designers of abaya in Abu Dhabi? Yes, a Filipino gay.
(Ooops, my friend’s partially anonymous)
I am looking forward to having another Desert Safari, with dune bashing as main consideration. Perhaps, we will try an overnight safari next time. Let us see how it is like to spend a night in camp at the middle of the desert.
the henna tattoo looks really cool. i love it =).
Oh, the tattoo looks lovely, i didn’t try henna tatto when we went to Boracay too, i wish i did…
wow, wish i can belly dance like that! but i have unsightly belly bulges! haha.
cool tat!
ayun..di ka pala nag belly dance! you should have tried it! may authentic instructor na sa tabi mo! he! he! looks fun!
Ganda ng tattoo mo, wits! Sana ‘wag mo nang alisin ‘yan.
At yung belly dancer, woohoo!!!
Hehe…ikaw yung naka-abaya, wits, ‘no? Kita ko yung tattoo mo.
Take care always, wits!
Thanks for posting the pictures! Beautiful!!!
i love the belly dancing outfit! i want to get me one of those. LOL
Bukas na bukas rin pag-aaralin ko ng belly dancing (at pole dancing) si misis! Ganda ng henna tattoo mo. Parang intricate yung design ah!
Ang ganda ng henna tattoo! I love it.
I want to learn how to belly dance, but I wasn’t graced with grace. Hahaha. Ang tigas ko sumayaw so pangit tingnan. Heehee.
I tried belly dancing sa gym before and the result…sobrang sumakit ng katawan ko and never tried it again hahahaha…
Thats a cool henna tattoo. The last time na nag pa henna ako butterfly ang design, corny noh? lolz.
Happy Thurs Wits
i want a henna tattoo as intricately beautiful as that! ang co-corny ng sa beaches eh, walang artistry. tsaka gusto ko din matuto mag-belly dancing. i almost enrolled in class, but it all consisted of “oldies”!
wow jo i thought it was u belly dancing hehehe. i planned to enroll in belly dancing a year ago pero nde natuloy.
Remember my post re: wedding in Oman? Several ladies brought those things with the dangling shiny stuff that they wear around the hips. Like you said, it made a huge difference the moment they started dancing
The belly dancer is “musri”? Here, you can have a belly dancing show, but the dancers are westerners, patago pa!
[...] the original: Dubai Desert Safari, Belly Dancing, Henna Tattoo, Traditional … [...]
i thought u tried the belly dancing eh hehe
[...] more from the original source: Dubai Desert Safari, Belly Dancing, Henna Tattoo, Traditional … [...]
when i was in abu dhabi airport for my stop-over last year, i was a bit freaked out by so many women wearing abaya. it was a different world for me, and it made me so uncomfortable. ^-^
anywho, the belly dancer looks really fab!
waaaaa si ezrah naki sayaw ahaha…nice…maskulada ang belly dancer ahahaha..
Love belly dancing
So much fun, definitely jump in! Love your henna tattoo ^_^
Hmmm, I don’t think it’s the politically correct term for that…:D
I’d love to try belly dancing one day! =)
Sorry for the late visit. Been really busy organizing life..hehe.
wow, the henna tattoo looks sooo pretty! hehehe. i actually really wanted to find out if you danced. it looks tiring no? hahaha! o tamad lang talaga ako?
Very nice tattoo. I haven’t seen a live belly dancing show. It’s quite rare in my neck of the woods but thanks for sharing such a very informative post. Great pics too!
That guy dancing looks like he’s really into it. hehe. No video of the belly dancing? I wanted to hear the music when they dance.
its always a want for me to see this woman do belly dance. I was even planning to go for a class after a yoga class but time pushes me not to. glad that you ahd experience the henna tatto..I had mine five years ago when my hubby and I went to Puerto Galera sometime July 2004
it’s actually the same location as you have in that photo 
when i read the caption my mind run with the thought “OMG, nagbelly dance ka!” hehehehe, but sayang na you didn’t try. i won’t be surprised if you did because i know how you love to try new things, hahaha, maybe except for belly dancing
Yes it’s awesome how you can belly dance in public in the UAE but there are some who are still so conservative that they don’t even consider belly dancing as part of their culture……but who cares as long as dancers can get work entertaining the more liberal set and tourists.
That’s my friend in the photo with an abaya on. She also got a henna tattoo.
Now I appreciate the intricate artwork more. Wishing it will be permanent. Lol. I was just kidding. But yes, it’s really beautiful.
Try it next time. It’s fun.
Same here. I’m conscious about the “belt bag” = bulges.
I will try next time.
They’re colorful. Do you belly dance?
Naks, pole dancing looks fun (and difficult), too. Yes, I liked the tattoo design a lot. Some of the guests had their tattoos done on legs and other parts of the body.
Thanks, Toni. That’s why I prefer yoga, you don’t have to be that graceful haha. Pero nakakapagod din ang yoga. But both are relaxing.
Haha, I can imagine nung sumakit yung katawan mo. I haven’t tried belly dancing when I was going to the gym pa. Pero mukhang mahirap. =)
The woman putting the tattoo is very skilled.
Lol on oldies. Try to enroll. I think that would be fun especially if you’re inherently adventurous or love to dance.
I wanted to take photos of the other tattoo designs as she was putting them. They’re more intricate. But I chickened because they might think I’m a paparazzo, heehee. Theirs were put on other parts of the body.