It may seem in the days of mass tourism and cheap worldwide flights that no stone has been left unturned in our pursuit of the unexplored. However, Arabia still offers much in the way of mystery and exoticism. If you are brave enough to venture into this unknown, a feast of surprises await the senses. The scenery is the first to strike. The picture-postcard desert is home to an astonishing array of mountain landscapes, deep and rich forests, bursting and colourful coral reefs, endless date plantations and lush green wadis, plus of course miles and miles of undiscovered, untouched and truly breathtaking beaches. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this fascinating region is its ascension from a 3rd world barren landscape to a series of prosperous, emerging nations in a little under 30 years. The Peninsula is far from a large plateau of sand and sun. The cultural legacy of the great civilisations can be seen and felt everywhere in the ancient cities, temples and fortifications such as the Beit Sheikh Isa bin Ali on Bahrain's Muharraq Island, or the Madain Saleh embedded in a rock face deep in the heart of the Saudi Arabian desert. So what activities might one engage in? Truly world-class golf resorts such as the Montgomery in Dubai, thrilling 'dune-bashing' (4x4s driven expertly over dunes at high-speed), wildlife safaris such as watching green turtles invade a beach at dawn to lay their eggs, snorkelling and scuba diving some of the planets most breathtaking and undisturbed coral reefs, or perhaps mountain trekking or desert safaris, meeting the indigenous Bedouin people for a cup of steaming arabic coffee with dates along the way. |
