Climbing the world's tallest sand dune

After an amazing weekend at the Tilah Liwa Hotel we ventured out early morning to the Liwa crescent and the tallest sand dune in the world - Tal Moreeb - on the edge of the Empty Quarter. After driving around a while, we stopped at a baqalla to ask for directions to the sand dune, the name for which my husband forgot along with the Arabic for "dune". Calling it "the biggest mountain of sand" was enough to get us on the right track. After several miles of back-tracking, we were finally en route, but all the fuss was worth it! Driving on the winding road out to Tal Moreeb was exhilarating but also a little scary; parts of the road were almost completely covered with sand drifts, and we questioned whether our little VW would make it through, while all the while moving forward. Looking over at my husband I could feel the stress radiating off of him, and we were giggling uncomfortably at the surrealness of it all. This is what I love about the UAE. Everyday can be an adventure - with hidden beauty around every corner - if you're willing to go the distance!