Solo women campers in UAE inspire winter adventures and road trips
Emiratis and residents are making the most of the drop in temperature. It’s -15oC outside and three Emirati women are making the most of it by touring the country in their cars as the temperature plummets.
From mountain camping to desert motorbike rides, these women are reclaiming leisure and reconnecting with friends and loved ones. Sometimes they go on lone-wolf hunts too.
Al Yaziah Obaid is a young woman in her 30s from Fujairah who loves to travel and adventure in her country. Al Yaziah is known as a broadcaster and community leader who helps make other people – especially women – want to go out into the open and challenge themselves.
She likes running, hiking and rappelling. Al Yaziah is also a skilled driver on tough routes and participates regularly in tourist-discovery trips.
She is fond of the winter drive and her car is prepared for desert and mountain drives. "My car is always prepared to go on a journey, I’ve got tea and coffee, cooking equipment and seating," Al Yaziah said.
"Basics like chairs, table, tea and coffee, and water is necessary for every excursion," she added.
She also accepts that all trips are beautiful, no matter if they are with family or friends. "Every journey offers something special and a feeling of nature, time with family and friends, and coffee warm," Al Yaziah said. Though she takes solo trips for some downtime, Al Yaziah values family time, too.
Nature enthusiast
The 34-year-old Abu Dhabi adventurer Fatima Al Marri adores travelling, and trying new things, even those that may sound monotonous at first. "I didn’t know I liked camping until I went," she said. Fatima likes taking vacations, spending time in the nature, making her own space.
Fatima stocks up her car with what she needs when she travels. She lugs a table and chairs, snacks, pots and pans, lanterns, water and garbage bags to keep things clean. It all depends on what you want to do, but her trip kit is typically more than Dh1,000.
The correct car, seat and equipment is very important to have a good trip, according to Fatima. Then she takes it all away at the end of winter and puts it away for next year.
Winter explorer
Noora Al Shamsi like Fatima loves to go on winter trips. The 37-year-old from Ajman goes camping for Dh 500-Dh1,500. She makes sure that she is covered to travel. Noora likes the trip more with coffee and tea. She admits to going on solo or with her family.
Describes her best vacation: A recent trip to Jebel Yanas in Ras Al Khaimah was special. We stayed there and it was dark and cold; that day it was a full moon."
Because these Emirati women all love the outdoors and adventure — they’re pushing for the outdoors and solo travel in UAE — it is their perseverance and spirit of adventure that keeps them going in winters in the UAE.
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