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A winch is the second best recovery gear after the Shovel. It's very good to have, but it's not mandatory if you are driving with people who already have the winch. As in the whole group if you have 1 or 2 cars with winch it's very safe and optimal to venture. As in some sticky spots, a winch can save a lot of time, and in other dangerous pulls, a winch can do on slo-mo so that you can dig and clear after every few cms move to prevent the flip.

Traction mat - all types - are pretty much useless in the sand. They work in less than 5% perfect scenario. 95% I see them failing. I bought them too and never used it. Tow rope work always and its best thing to have but if you are stuck in a sideways position which is very prone to flip, I will prefer winch than a tow rope, so that I can recover slowly and clear the sand pile up on the lower side of the vehicle, which causes the flip. This way after every few inches we have a chance to clear the sand wall in front of lower tires, with rope it's just one jerk and you might come out or you will flip. With patience in hand and at a certain angle you can also use tow rope and do softer tug, maybe 4-5 soft pull and clear sand after every tug to not to build up that sand wall in lower tires. A few weeks back we had that situation with @Shamil and @edouard asked me the same question. A winch is also very helpful when you are stuck in some difficult spot where tow rope recovery isn't possible due to no space, like in a sand pocket or in the soft sand area, where the tugging vehicle will also get stuck due to extremely soft sand, all around. Seen this in last Bidayer drive, with Aqeel pathfinder in a soft spot and I was digging myself in with tow rope when I tried to recover him, so used the winch. In short, you can do pretty much everything to anything without winch if you have little patience and common sense to adhere to safety issues rather than relying on ego or muscle power.

Well the demonization is totally politicaland nothing to do with intellectual property and China is moving towards that too. Recently JLR won a case in a Chinese courtroom against a Chinese company ripping off on of their designs and ordered it to stop its production. P.S : As if the west wasnt or isnt involved in govt backed theft too. During the space race, cold war etc etc everybody was keeping tabs and trying to rip off each other. The entire nuclear and rocket program was basically ripped off from German Scientists.

Stay away from US specs unless you really know what you are doing as 99% if not all are insurance write offs and repaired cheaply to flip quickly and make a profit. Now having said that Insurance is really weird in the US as it is supposed to repair the car to it original condition clauses so many what would be considered perfectly good cars here are written off. I've seen older cars written off as hail damage with just a few tiny barely dings on the roof or hood on a otherwise perfectly running and driving cars, because labour is expensive and to get a proper professional job needs the entire roof hood and trunk repainted . So really is a gamble you could end up with something that just had a cracked bumper or something where the entire frame was repaired. And in some cases you won't even know it until after a few years the frame, fender, roof etc etc starts to rust and paint bubble because of a cheap repair job. But if you have a keen eye you can pick up a deal. But keen eye is important, many don't even know what they bought and are just happy with the lower price. I remember an Indian fella brought in Camry to my shop he had just bought. The thing didn't have a single body panel that didnt have inches of bondo i.e body filler on it. The whole car was wavy with not a straight panel anywhere to be seen. But he was very happy with it because he got it cheap. I just didn't have the heart to tell him he'd just bought a big POS. As for the lexus GS it's a good car and I know a friend which has 250,000 miles, thats miles not kme on it. Probably 300,000 miles on it now. And still looks and drives perfect. But like I said if it's fuel consumption then it's 4 cyl only for you mister and that too not every car has great mileage. I get atrocious mileage on my mrs brand new 2019 Nissan Sunny company rental compared to the earlier 2017 Yaris. That thing literally ran on fumes. 50dhs gas and almost full and week and half of from Sharjah to Business Bay daily traffic commute. This thing hardly makes it 3-4 days on 50dhs. Plus its so gutless I call it the gutless wonder. mind you same engine size of 1.5 on both.

I would say stick to Honda Civic or Hyundai Accent or Mazda 3, if fuel saving is prime in this ever increasing fuel prices economy. There is no end to upgrade from 4 -6-8 cyl. Although I totally agree with dude that 8 is better than 6 on highways for fuel consumption and drive comfort. Also sticking to boring Japanese is better and recommended as you are putting 5k kms every month for long drives and regular maintenance on German cars will be higher and also reliability of 10 years old German car would be highly questionable vs 5 year old Japanese with another 5 year of usable life in 20k budget.

Instead of drive arabia car compare, which is meaningless for him at the moment unless he decides a couple of cars. Go to car classified sites and search with 20K - 25K price filter, select sedan, coupe and hatchback option to drill down to see what all options are there in the used car market.

Shuweihat Island, Location, Waypoints, Photos, Videos, Reviews and Feedback from the travellers who visited before. Shuwaihat Island offers the best mix of clear water shallow beaches with beautifully textured rocks and zero light pollution to enjoy the stars like never before. This island is a perfect place for any photographer to capture incredible shots of great variety from the sky, water, rocks, sun, beach, sea in one place. Sandstone colour rocks and low-lying cliffs that look like mini caves are mesmerizing in itself. Shuweihat Island is about 3 hours and 30 minutes away from Dubai and 2 hours and 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi. As you will be driving on International Highway E11 so be confident to overtake truckers every now and then at high speed. Although you can reach in a sedan car, but getting closer to the water or reaching to tall rocks or crossing the rocky terrain 4WD is better. I visited Shuwaihat Island on the last national day weekend and this place was very crowded with hundreds of cars. Shuweihat Island scenery is so beautiful that you can spend hours doing nothing and enjoying the nature if you plan to visit during good weather. You can enjoy the rocky formation and clear water shoreline is amazing, of course with sandals as the beach is mixed with sand and rocks. If you plan to stay here for long, you should carry enough water and food as there is no grocery or cafeteria nearby. You can fill up the petrol in the last Adnoc Fuel station at Qareen Al Aish and pack up the food supplies as this Adnoc gas station is big enough to have a convinient store, ATM, restaurant and toilets. Adnoc at Qareen Al Aish: https://goo.gl/maps/PSQ2hvJWHJy This is my recommended spot that I found the best in terms of scenic beauty and access to the beach. https://goo.gl/maps/B3utEm8nYmv 24°06’42.2”N 52°25’57.4”E Reviews: Tripadvisor - 4 out 5 based on 10 reviews Google: 4.6 out of 5 based on 152 reviews Best time to visit: October to May, when the weather is not too hot for outdoor. Shuweihat Island Entry Fee: There are no charges to visit or using public areas Shuweihat Island Timing: It is open 24/7, 365 days, you can enjoy in day and night too. Shuweihat Island Camping: Not sure if it's allowed everywhere, as part of Shuweihat Island is owned by Army. If you happen to make an attempt, keep it clean and less noisy and you might get away. Essentials: Outdoor clothing and closed footwear, few good torches or flashlight if you plan to stay after dark. Online GPS is a must for driving (offline is even better), carry plenty of water and food if you plan to stay outdoors for long hours. Keep it clean: Don't litter anywhere, because trash cans, plastic and glass kill wildlife. Emergency: If bitten by a snake or a Scorpio take a picture or remember the colour and size and rush to the nearest hospital for a specific antidote for that species. Keep yourself calm, so your blood pressure and heartbeat stay low to help you minimize the effect. Feedback: Please leave your feedback below if you have been to Shuweihat and like to add something more.

I was just going through one of the website indicating difference types of Winches for 4x4. You expert advice seeking; 1. Whether winches are advisable in 4X4 including desert driving? 2. what will be the best option to go for and garage / service provider (if available) 3. It is optional and not worthful in desert drive!! Thanks in advise in advance!! Good Day!! _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Pl see details found on website for your ready reference) A winch is a mechanical device made of rope, chain, or wire cable wound around a rotating spool called a winch drum. The 4WD winch is used for hauling, lifting, and adds more tension in a rope to help move the vehicle. They are powered by a motor using your vehicle’s battery or a power steering pump, which allows the winch to spin the rope in rapid motion. A 4WD winch is technically a recovery device that will help you extract your vehicle in case you become bogged or stranded. This device is necessary especially if you plan to use your 4WD for outback travel, where muddy pits and rough roads are expected. Important Components of Power Winches Power winches are the most popular means of vehicle recovery. They are powered by either the engine, power steering system, or battery. Here are the most important components of power winches that allow them to function properly: Motor The motor is typically hydraulic or electric. It is the most important component of a 4WD winch that makes it function. The motor is the reason why these winches are called “power” winches. Without a motor, the winch needs to be operated manually (i.e. by hand). Solenoid A solenoid is either integrated or remote. Integrated solenoids, also known as contractors, are installed at the top of the winch. A remote solenoid is not installed on the winch. They control the direction of the winch drum rotation. Wire Rope or Cable The cable or wire rope, which is between 40 feet to 100 feet long, is neatly wound around the winch drum. Winch Drum The winch drum is where the the cable or wire rope is spooled. This spins in a circular motion to wind the rope in or out. Internal Brake The internal brake is used to keep the load stable when you stop the winch, preventing the load slipping back. This is usually located within the winch drum. Gear Train The gear train is responsible for converting the power from the winch motor into pulling power. Free Spool Clutch A free spool clutch is used to engage or disengage the winch drum from the gear train. The engaged free spool clutch position needs power to spool the cable. The disengaged position, on the other hand, allows you to wind out the cable manually at a faster speed. 3 Main Types of Power Winches There are three main types of power 4WD winches available in the market today: 1. Power Take Off Winch The Power Take Off (PTO) winch was the first power winch available on the market. The PTO winch is connected directly to the transfer case via a drive shaft – this drive shaft runs the gearbox of the winch. The PTO winch is powered by the engine, which means it requires the engine to be running to make it work. It is an extremely powerful winch because its power source is the engine itself. However, it is no longer very popular today. Pros of PTO Winches: Very powerful winches that are really useful especially for mud bogs. Always have full power and you can rely on them all day long. They have multiple speeds available because they drive through the gearbox. Cons of PTO Winches: You cannot use it if your engine is dead. If the winch is mounted at the front, it only pulls forward. More expensive compared to other types of winches. 2. Hydraulic Winch The fully-enclosed hydraulic winch derives its power from the vehicle’s power steering system. The hydraulic motor, which is fitted to the winch, is powered by hydraulic pressure. Pros of Hydraulic Winches: Very powerful as the power supply is also derived from the engine through the power steering pump. Secondary battery is not needed. Motor cannot be affected by water immersion. Cons of Hydraulic Winches: Cannot run without engine. Available in two speeds. Only pulls forward if the winch is front-mounted. If the steering is altered during winching, the winch stops running. 3. Electric Winch Th 12V-powered electric winch is the most widely used 4WD winch today. The electric winch derives its power from the vehicle’s battery first and then from the alternator. This type of winch doesn’t need the engine to work for a short period of time. However, it’s best to bring an extra battery during a long trip as the battery is the source of its power. Pros of Electric Winches: Lightweight and easy to use. Widely available in the 4WD market. Can be used even if the engine is dead, as long as the vehicle’s battery is powered. Cons of Electric Winches: May not be very powerful and efficient. Uses a lot of energy from the battery so a secondary battery is recommended. Single speed of operation only. The electric motor can be affected when immersed in water. Only pulls forward when mounted in the front. The Manual Winch: Hand Winch The hand winch is a manual type of winch which doesn’t need an engine or a battery to run. It derives its power from the driver or anyone who will operate the winch. All it needs for the hand winch to work is time and energy from the operator. Pros of Hand Winches: It doesn’t need engine or battery to operate. It can be used to pull the vehicle forward, from the rear, or from either left or right side of the vehicle. Cons of Hand Winches: It takes time to operate. It is manual so it needs a lot of effort from the person operating it 4WD Winches: Which is the Best Option? The “best” 4WD winch really depends on the situation you are in. Power take off and hydraulic winchesare great if your situation requires a lot of power. However, for situations when the engine can run, the electric winches are the most suitable to use. It’s important to remember that electric winches only work with dry cell batteries. All three types of power winches only pull forward when front-mounted. They are great for towing or pulling another vehicle. However, if the vehicle with a winch is stuck and it cannot be recovered through a forward pull, then the hand winch would be most helpful. Hand winches are a great option if you need to pull from the rear, left, or right. https://sandgateautoelectrics.com.au/4wd-winches-type-best/

After a super exciting fun intermediate drive I would like to propose a relaxed night drive for all level of drivers to enjoy. It's time to self-drive your 4X4 to venture through the desert safely with offroad experts. Its time to enjoy an evening drive and in fresh sand dunes to challenge your senses and 4x4, with the best offroad enthusiasts in UAE. As the summer has arrived we will be having night drives now, so let's thrill all your senses. This drive will also enable us to gear up and learn important aspects of desert driving in the nights, as it would be easier for newbies to join in night drives after this nicely paced drive. When: 30 May 2019 Meeting time: 11 PM, the convoy will move at sharp 11:15 PM Where: Adnoc Petrol Station Maleha Road GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/H2jguQQocz4gNCKY7 Level: Absolute Newbie, Newbie, more experienced drivers welcome to join to support this drive. Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 10 inches of ground clearance. Plan: Drive, train and enjoy till about 3 am break for Suhoor and end the drive by 5 am What to bring along: Snacks, Suhoor meal whatever you like with little extra to share, water, liquids, smiles, stories, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 5:00 am Please RSVP on the below calendar:

After spending 9 years driving my Pajero 3.8, I have finally decided to move on and get myself a more affordable daily driver. I clock about 4000 - 5000 km a month. My budget is approx 20 - 22K, and the criteria is as follows: 1. Has to be a sedan mainly to help reduce my current mileage 2. Should be reliable 3. I keep getting visitors from banks, suppliers and customers frequently, and hence cant drive a small car like Yaris. Need to keep some image. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Totally agree, as I used wire winch earlier in my Patrol and knew the fraying issue and now almost after a year of use in few places my winch wire is also fraying and im using gloves to be safe. I surely "THINK" synthetic ropes are better and safer due to the fraying issue, but can't comment unless I use.

Now that we’re on the topic, what’s the pros and cons of synthetic v wire ropes on winches? We have a couple of cars at work with warn winches and synthetic ropes but in the real world I only ever see wire ropes.

Hi Sri, my daily commute is a 2014 hyundai sonata and i am happy with its performance... It gives me 13 kmpl and the car is cheap to maintain. Sleek design is an added bonus.

Thanks for your valuable inputs. I have one more point, in case of driving in group in sand, traction mat / kinetic rope may useful and they are cheaper than a winch cost. Then, how winch is more effective than other low cost recovery tools, in case of driving alone/ driving in group. For your valuable guidance.

Time to sell all above 2.0😁

Planning to with electric cars

The Germans were not exactly ripped off. They were so far ahead of everyone else that nobody was in a position to actually rip them off, so what the Americans did was to transplant the German rocket program (scientists included, except for those that the Russians got hold of first) to US soil. True about the JLR case, although that case represents the exception that proves the rule.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I had done some work and have shortlisted the following cars: 1. Lexus GS300 - GCC Spec (2006 - 2009) with mileage of approx 200K 2. Lexus IS 250 / 300 - GCC Spec (As latest model as I can get) 3. Honda Civic 1.8 L (2012 +) - A small but fun car to drive, but doesnt carry the image like the above. The only car that I would buy if mileage is the main criteria Regarding Honda Accord, already one of my family members has the 2014 model so wouldnt want one more. As much as I love how the LS 430 feels, having a V8 will kinda defeat my entire purpose of selling the Pajero. Mind you I am still quite happy with it, its just the rising fuel cost is starting to hurt. So I felt to get something that gives me the mileage between a 1.5 litre and my Pajero. Regarding the Mercs, I was always afraid of their reliability issues. Any particular models that is the safest of the lot and things that I need to watch out for. Hows the reliability of the C200 (2007 - 2009) or the S320 (which years should I be looking) Also, many of the cars are US specs but have been registered in UAE for quite a while like 4 - 5 years. Do i need to keep away from those as well?

Couple of my friends got the Honda Accord, bit boring but reliable, classy and very economical on fuel. You can get a decent 2011 - 2012 model for about 22k.

I would say get a Lexus LS 430. Very solid and reliable cars. Drivetrain is like a rock and go for half a million kms easy without ever opening it up. It has image, super comfy and luxurious. Gas mileage would be the only slight drawback but not much more than the Jero. Or a Merc S320 for slightly better gas mileage. But in my own usage Ive found very little difference in mileage between a 6 and V8 and then you always regret not getting thr V8 so go for the S500 instead plus more bells and whistles. Just avoid the fancy suspension, 4matic and ABC If fuel economy is your number one priority then it has to be a 4 banger because as I said 6 n 8 are almost identical and V8 Ive actually found V8s more economical on highway driving at or under speed limit. Hard to find a good 4 cylinder that ticks all your boxes. So you will have to compromise on one atleast.

Great effort!!

Go for Mercedes C200.. 2007 to 2009 model will fit in your budget. Try to find a clean car and you will never regret the deal.

W211 Mercedes E class. Try to get 2007-2009 facelift models. Before facelift they have some issues but after facelift models are amazing. If you are looking for good fuel you can get E200 Komperssor which has 1.8 liter 4 cyl engine. Sample https://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/2019/5/21/top-range-super-clean-e280-low-mileage-exp-2/?back=L21vdG9ycy91c2VkLWNhcnMvbWVyY2VkZXMtYmVuei9lLWNsYXNzLz9zaXRlPTImcz1NVCZyYz0xNDAmYzE9MTQ1OSZjMj0xNDY5JnByaWNlX19ndGU9JnByaWNlX19sdGU9JnllYXJfX2d0ZT0yMDA2JnllYXJfX2x0ZT0yMDA5JmtpbG9tZXRlcnNfX2d0ZT0ma2lsb21ldGVyc19fbHRlPSZzZWxsZXJfdHlwZT0ma2V5d29yZHM9JmlzX2Jhc2ljX3NlYXJjaF93aWRnZXQ9MCZpc19zZWFyY2g9MSZwbGFjZXNfX2lkX19pbj0tLSZhZGRlZF9fZ3RlPSZhdXRvX2FnZW50PQ%3D%3D&pos=18

I'm kinda in the same boat. Having 2 pajero's in my driveway that both consume a lot really adds up. A sedan will definitely help reducing your fuel costs and probably also maintenance costs. Just my two cents: * Korean cars like KIA are Hyundai are great commuters. The Kia Optima definitely has a nice presence, and also the Cerato is nice. This is a buyer's market so plenty are available and they are not overly expensive. Resale value is a bit lower. * Japanese cars would be the preferred option, although i find them a bit boring, especially the Corrolas and Camrys. Resale value will be higher. Mazda 6 is my preferred Japanese option as it really looks sporty. * German cars.... nah sorry, they are cheap to get but your maintenance cost will probably be too high. * French or Italian.... very nice... not so much for the daily commute (reliability issues). Steer clear from CVT transmission if you can. You know they are a pita... Have a look at below website. Might help you to compare different cars: https://www.drivearabia.com/carprices/uae/carcompare/

Try disconnecting the air flow meter and drive a bit and see what happens. If the problem goes away, you need a new air flow meter. Don’t drive long term with the airflow meter disconnected, it will cause other problems down the line. Other causes can be bad spark plugs or coils, amongst others. Weak spark can cause hesitation under load. Doing a diagnostic scan is the way to go but I’d try disconnecting the airflow meter first. Pretty common fault.

Best 5 things to do in Al Qudra Lake. Enjoy Love Lake Dubai easy access. Explore Al Qudra Desert with gazelle and camping under the stars including the BBQ. Al Qudra Lake is the best example of man-made lakes in the middle of Saih Al Salam desert, which is a part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. You can enjoy the best sunset in the desert with a waterfront view and surrounded by wildlife in serene and beautiful lakes. Qudra lakes is a house of beautiful birds and wildlife from flamingo, ducks and swans to Oryx, gazelles and desert fox if you venture little deep in the Qudra sand dunes right behind but with a proper 4WD vehicle and not in sedan or SUV. Al Qudra Lake Al Qudra lakes have been designed in such a way that you can easily reach them in any type of car from a flat track (not tarmac). You can spend time next to these beautiful Al Qudra lakes, set up a picnic layout, put your chairs and enjoy Karak tea or a shisha with your friends and family. If you plan to do the BBQ then do it slightly away from the lake and do it in the BBQ pit and not on the ground. Idea is to keep it clean and after you finish your BBQ, throw all burnt coal, wood etc. in the garbage drums, conveniently placed almost everywhere. Love Lake Dubai Recently opened this beautiful Love Lake Dubai has two heart-shaped lakes towards the end of Al Qudra Lake. Although flat track entrance is made until love lake, however, it is very easy to get lost in the sand while reaching there. So if you are driving an SUV or sedan be extra careful to stick to the flat track and not the sand patch. These lakes are so huge that first time we spotted them through Google Earth while planning a desert route from Lisali to Al Qudra Lakes and then we named that drive as Drive in search of love when these lakes were under construction. If you plan to visit Love Lake Dubai from the desert, then be very careful as this lake is surrounded by small technical dunes from three side and only easy doable access is from the front side, from where the flat track is made now. Al Qudra Cycle Track For bikers, Al qudra lake is a perfect place to enjoy cycling in a safe, serene and dedicated cycle track that offers various length from 10 Kms to 70 Kms. It's an amazing place for cycling, as the track passes through a serene desert that sometimes offers you a glimpse of wildlife along with beautiful scenery to enjoy while pedalling. You can rent the bike from TREK store or carry your own bike and gears, make sure to carry plenty of water as there are no shops or cafeteria around the cycle track. Al Qudra Parking: https://goo.gl/maps/wV6XSXGtj9Q2 24°50'59.7"N 55°20'42.3"E - 24.849912, 55.345078 Last Exit Al Qudra: https://goo.gl/maps/k7Yp7LRV9wz 24°50'57.9"N 55°20'41.6"E - 24.849409, 55.344886 Trek Bicycle Store Al Qudra: https://goo.gl/maps/xyNRPejk4y32 24°50'59.0"N 55°20'44.4"E - 24.849732, 55.345676 Al Qudra Cycling Path: https://goo.gl/maps/f9ywUmVbT5L2 24°50'59.6"N 55°20'46.4"E - 24.849888, 55.346210 Mosque for Friday Prayer: https://goo.gl/maps/NsAGr7yNVFv 24°50'59.3"N 55°20'38.9"E - 24.849818, 55.344127 Al Qudra lake Flamingo, Duck and Swan lake: https://goo.gl/maps/FRMKvFNUXKQ2 24°50'42.2"N 55°21'04.5"E - 24.845062, 55.351235 Al Qudra Flamingo Lake: https://goo.gl/maps/cPgsGD3aavA2 24°49'58.8"N 55°22'22.3"E - 24.832985, 55.372849 Al Qudra Flamingo Lake 2: https://goo.gl/maps/U71Bbe1v3T62 24°50'05.1"N 55°22'31.2"E - 24.834742, 55.375335 Love Lake Dubai: https://goo.gl/maps/RUoRHL739Vp 24°50'12.7"N 55°24'27.0"E - 24.836865, 55.407511 Al Qudra Desert is a perfect place for having a chilled out desert drive away from bustling city routine. Qudra dunes offer a great mix of small to medium dunes just behind the Qudra lakes, but you need a proper 4x4 and not just an SUV and also you need to deflate to 12-15 PSI to enjoy these dunes safely. This area is perfect for beginners offroad driver to fewbie level as close to the solar park side it gets little technical. Qudra dunes always offer a good glimpse of gazelles and oryx, that even in the night drives we have spotted a few. However, remember not to chase the Gazelles as they are very fast and very smart to take you towards the technical dunes to slow you down or even make you stuck on the crest. We have done several drives in this area from newbie to fewbie, you can use the attached track for safe offroading. Al Qudra Desert: https://goo.gl/maps/iTKxYm4XWBy 24°49'33.1"N 55°21'54.7"E - 24.825854, 55.365200 Newbie+ Drive - Lisalli to Qudra - 73 Images Lisalli to Qudra Lake - 25 Images Lisali to Qudra lake - 31 Images Al Qudra Desert Lisali to Qudra 24 March 2017.gpx Lisali to Qudra 24 March 2017.kmz Lisalli Qudra.gpx Lisalli Qudra.kmz Qudra back dunes.gpx Qudra back dunes.kmz There are few restaurants at Last Exit Al Qudra Parking area near the entrance. Best time to visit: October to May, when the weather is not too hot for outdoor. Al Qudra Lake Entry Fee: There are no charges to visit or using public areas Al Qudra Lake Visiting Time: It is open 24/7, 365 days, but to enjoy nature and wildlife daytime is better. Al Qudra Camping: You can camp anywhere safely slightly away from lakes, or even go inside the desert if you have a 4WD. Essentials: Outdoor clothing and closed footwear, Online GPS is a must for driving (offline is even better), carry plenty of water and food if you plan to stay outdoors for long hours. Keep it clean: Don't litter anywhere, because trash cans, plastic and glass kill wildlife. Emergency: If bitten by a snake or a Scorpio take a picture or remember the colour and size and rush to the nearest hospital for a specific antidote for that species. Keep yourself calm, so your blood pressure and heartbeat stay low to help you minimize the effect. Feedback: Please leave your feedback below if you have been to Qudra Lakes or Desert and like to add something more.

100 Points awarded to @Gaurav for this "Exceptional Post".

100 Points awarded to @Emmanuel for this "Exceptional Post".

Brilliant post @Emmanuel, thanks for sharing this. I'm so tempted to go to Shuweihat Island now after seeing all these images and video.

Thanks, @Frederic to help build this article more accurately with local resident feedback, really appreciate it. Please confirm if this is the love lake route through Tarmac you have mentioned? Yes, this requires little bit tweaking in Google maps to move the points around.

Brilliant article ! *Al Qudra Lakes are a nice getaway, but can get extremely busy on the late weekend afternoons and evenings. Beware to take your GPS with you because as it gets pitch dark and as all lakes look similar it's very easy to get lost. Most of the trails are easy to drive on, but i've come across quite some areas where people got stuck, especially in the sandy parts between the road and the side entrance of the lakes. Many people that drive towards the lakes have zero to none off-road experience so you'll see many people getting stuck with 7 people in the car and no deflation done. * The Love Lakes are definitely worth a visit, especially on weekend mornings between 9 and 12 when it's still calm and peaceful. (ssssst... don't tell the others )They are easy to reach if you drive all the way up to the Last Exit roundabout, go left and follow the road direction Al Lisaili. Keep going straight for at least 3 roundabouts and then take a right where you will see the sign boards that will lead you to the parking of the Love Lakes. (most of this road is a sandy trail that goes parallel with the High Voltage Lines), it is a road that any SUV can tackle. Even 2WD would work but is of course more risky. Warning: Google Maps shows another lake called "Love Lake", but this is a wrong pinpoint: https://goo.gl/maps/nABTVGaT87q This location is NOT the Love Lakes, so do not look at the reviews of the disappointed people. *The Bicycle track has different lengths depending if you stay parallel with the main roads or go into one or more "loops" in the track. There are several loops within the track. Avoid taking these loops at night or when you ride alone; there have been reports/rumours of cyclists getting lost, or accidentally crashing into a gazelle or oryx. Some of these loops are close to the Maktoum Solar Park (24.740259, 55.322964). Novice cyclists could go on the Saturday morning breakfast ride that starts at the bicycle roundabout parking at around 6AM (depends on the season), they drive up to Bab Al Shams for breakfast, and then drive back. There are 2-3 groups with different average speeds. I would avoid using these tracks for a leisure ride with kids and the misses, as you'll be shouted at constantly to move over by the wannabe Lance Armstrong types . As we go camping often; the areas below the Maktoum Solar Park are fantastic and quiet. But don't venture out alone and go at least with 3-4 cars, and keep the nice spots for yourselves