Lakshmi Narasimhan

I am good to travel with PCR result reflecting properly, all set, waiting to see you all.

2 hours ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Escape from Lisaili - Midweek Drive Report

"From the moment you entered this world of existence, a ladder was put in front of you so you could escape" - Rumi

Dear Desertanuts,

Escaping was the plan: first of all, from the routine of our weekdays, and once given that opportunity, escaping from one of the most diverse desert areas in Dubai, through its technical areas, via its furthest reaches, across a mix of technical dunes, long range cordons, and sabkhas, all the way to Murqab's mosque. The plan was to reach it at sunset, and so we did. 

This itinerary was almost entirely an exploration drive, and indeed it "flowed" a little less smoothly than more practiced tracks. Entering the area from the Three Trees side, we went in towards Solar Park, instead of in Lisaili's direction. Then turned north-east, to reach an area with lots of trees, well away from the pylon track (closer to the "chimney" area of Solar Park's new phases), from there we aimed back in toward Lisaili, but turned east again, upon running into an area of large sabkhas and low dunes, which was the gateway to reaching Murqab's tall, bushy, long range dunes and bowls. Most of the terrain was quite technical, with the added challenge of having to ride and cross ridges made soft and shifty by the strong wind, which had created an accumulation of fine sand forming a "step" on the hard-face of the dunes. This was an unusual situation, which I found myself facing for the first time, and which clearly was "designed" to make our escape a little more difficult.

The convoy behaved extremely well, responding to each different environment with minimal refusals, and with just the need to stop three times, for a pop-out repair, and for a couple of tugs.

Thanks to @Chinthaka Ruwan for a clean Second Lead, to @GauravSoni for a very reassuring Sweep, and a very well deserved thanks to the rest of the convoy - @Lakshmi Narasimhan, @Zixuan Huang - Charlie, @JeromeFJ, @PaoloMaraziti, @Darren Brooke, and @Zed. Great driving, and ability to adapt to the different terrains.

See you soon out there. Enjoy the rest of your week.

@Ale Vallecchiyour drive brief, pre brief, drive directions, post drive report are equally eye catching like your leading the drive on sand. I love all your exploratory drive theam, planning, execution and exit. As usual it was wonderful and refreshing mid week drive. It is assured that your mid week drives defeats the heat of the sun and is full of fun, thrill and learning. Thanks to the entire convoy for being part of the fun drive.

1 minute ago, Gaurav said:

I will wake you up with tons of recoveries and shoveling.

Happy to assist always, looking forward to.

1 hour ago, Zed said:

Dear @Gaurav bhai, inspired yesterday by @Lakshmi Narasimhan & @GauravSoni's enthusiasm who said they will only sleep for 2 hours after Sri's night drive, please put me in Waiting List as this will be my 3rd drive this week 😂

Besides, I haven't seen you for a long time! 

I do work continuously for 2-3 days I am used to waking for long hours. Body and mind has to be tuned for that. If you can manage no problem will see you!!! If you feel tired then please head back home thats what I will do.

20 hours ago, Zed said:

bro @Lakshmi Narasimhan 2nd drive in AUH? Are u joining Gaurav's Friday Morning 5am drive despite Sri telling us this will be over by 1am morning? 😅

Yes, I will take rest on Thursday and after the drive near by itself. In case if I feel tired I will exit. 

2 hours ago, Srikumar said:

@Lakshmi Narasimhan you have been added to the drive list. Welcome aboard. 

Thank you very much, see you all soon.

@Srikumar can you pls confirm if I can RSVP today for my third drive for the week (second in AUH), I would like to utilize my PCR test to the maximum!!!

14 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

I'm getting my PCR test today afternoon, hope to receive result by Thursday afternoon and be valid till Saturday. 

I have got my second vaccine dose in march, but al hons says first dose in march. Kind of lost with how al hosn app count or gather data.

Al hosn app some times not reflects the update properly. While me and my wife took vaccine together on 5 May, its not even reflecting the second dose for my wife. I have tried reaching DHA, al hosn many times to update with no luck.

Last time when I took drive in AUH my recent test result was updated with the previous test date making my test result invalid. Luckily they updated after calling them once. Have to closely watch the updated on al hosn.

1 minute ago, GauravSoni said:

@Gaurav thanks!!! Just want to know if I need to do PCR 48 hours prior or I can do it before that and have my vaccination status (in green) on al hosn app which will allow me Entry.. I am not so clear about the rules these days.

If you have taken both doses of vaccine and completed 28 days after 2nd dose, then when you do pcr test, on alhosn it will show E, in this case pcr test will be valid for 7 days. If you don’t see E on al hosn app then it will be valid only for 2 days. So for first time better do it 2 days before travel to avoid any status update issue on the app.

5 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

@GauravSoni and @Lakshmi Narasimhan both of you have been added for your second drive early, so that you can plan your PCR test for Abu Dhabi in time.

Thanks. Will do!!!

Please add me to waitlist for second drive

1 hour ago, Srikumar said:

For your second drive?

Yes

Kindly add me to waiting list

Congrats @Alfred Alinazar

Congrats @Abdul Rafay-S

Congrats @Paolo Pellegrini

@Wrangeldunfortunately my number plate us missing, I will not be able to join today. See you soon have a nice drive everybody. 

@Islam Solimanmy number plate is missing so I have to drop my drive 😭😭😭

Have a nice time guys

See you all in the morning

Congrats @Luc Khaldoun

Congrats @Hasan Wahlan well deserved

Congrats @M.Seidam well deserved

Congrats @Shaz Shah well deserved!!!!

10 minutes ago, Frederic said:

@Lakshmi Narasimhan faced a similar issue a few weeks back. I think you'll need to check with the private clinic. They should be instructing DHA to update the app. 

I did my test in Seha center, my problem was the test date was updated wrongly. I called Seha and they updated it. Its better to do test in Govt test centers than private.

@Ale Vallecchi it was wonderful mid week drive in the “Little Sweihan”. Hot and dusty weather and white sand made it really challenging today. What ever it was following your tracks made it  easy and very interesting. Mix of technical area, nice ride riding and criss cross and long range dunes were highlights of todays drive. I enjoyed the drive every minute following you.

@Ashok chaturvedi, @Humayun Ghias, @Gok Krish, @Russ, @Gaurav Soni, @Darren Brooke, @Shaaz Sha and @Ranjan Das hope all of you enjoyed the drive and thanks for joining the drive.  See you soon!!!

17 minutes ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Dear Desertnauts.

Last minute info about tomorrow's drive. We'll meet a short distance after the Solar Park "glass pyramid", pointing in a westerly direction, parallel to the bike track, which we'll follow as much as possible, until we reach a sand track that will take us to Little Sweihan.

Here we'll explore its length, multiple times, each one moving further south, until we'll reach the sabkha that separates this area from the northern reaches of Abu Dhabi (without ever coming close to the border). There'll be plenty to practice, from finesse driving in tight dunes, to faster pace, roller-coaster bowl riding, and criss-crossing sharp dunes, often ruffled by the string winds that sweeps the area.

Our convoy order will be as follows:

@Lakshmi Narasimhan in Second Lead

@Ashok chaturvedi will follow at #3

@Humayun Ghias at #4

@Russ will be #5

@Darren Brooke at #6

@Ranjan Das will take spot #7, and 

@Gok Krish will Sweep.

No Center Forward, as each driver will take care of the cars in front and behind, with my assistance.

We'll pick the Carnity Channel at the meeting point. Come ready to drive, as punctual as possible, so we may depart as close to 4:00PM as possible.

See you tomorrow.

Looking forward, see you all tomorrow!!!