Have you ever heard of a cold camel?

The next day the Aussies, Heather, our two Bedouin guides (Hamada and Islam) and I climbed into our packed Land Rover and headed deep into the Black and White deserts for some REAL desert camping.

Endless sand dunes as far as the eye can see...

Desert + Riad + Bedouin head scarf = awesome...

Eerie moonscape of the Black Desert, named for small black stones sprinkled everywhere...

Hike up to the top of one of the volcano shaped mountains in the Black Desert, asses still looking spectacular...

Cool desert spring, where we took a quick dip to wash off the dust, despite its sulphric smell (imagine the wickedest rotten egg fart)...



This was shot from inside the Land Rover whilst traversing yet another ridiculously steep incline...

We arrived late to our camp site in the heart of the White Desert, and it got cold fast.
The Bedouin had recommended camel socks, and yes it is exactly want you imagine... socks made out of camel hair. As Hamada, our Bedouin guide explained, "Have you ever seen a cold camel?"... gotta love desert logic.

We hooked up with another Land Rover carrying 3 more Canucks and 2 girls from Holland.
Seated on rugs and pillows, blocked from the wind by a makeshift tent, we dug into the most delicious camping meal I have ever had... rice, vegetable stew and grilled chicken, with an orange for dessert.

Sure way to make fast friends... sleep in the cold desert. There was plenty of spooning and I was in heaven.

When the sunrises, you rise...

The White Desert is famous for its unusual rock formations, created by the winds whipping across the sandstone. There were chickens, eggs, mushrooms but our favorite was the rabbit...

When Hamada says roll, we rolled...