If there’s one thing I love, it’s a well planned road trip. So when Nissan approached me about a road trip through the desert of UAE, competing against other bloggers in a challenge that would see the winner keep the X-Trail for three months, I didn’t think twice before confirming my attendance.
Up against Natalya Kanj from Five Five Fabulous, UFC athlete Tam Khan, Pravan from AMD Mode, Teresa Karpinska of Style Drifter and Lailli Mirza from PintsizedFashionista, I wasn’t going home without the X-Trail.
So the mechanic behind the competition was simple. If your followers commented on your photo with a specific word from a pre-determined set, you received points. The words: Nissan, X-Trail, Road Trip, Wow, Exciting and Adventure.
Checkpoint One – Al Sofouh Beach, Dubai
We had allocated drivers pick us up from our homes and then meet at our first checkpoint, where we were briefed on what was to come of the day. Here, I met my competition for the first time (we all became very good friends after the race).
And the race was on…
Checkpoint Two – Sharjah Arab Culture Capital Monument 1998, Sharjah
After a solid hour of driving through Dubai and then Sharjah, we reached our first checkpoint. Tam arrived a minute before I did and was off again before I could even open my car door. He’s one competitive bloke.
After everyone arrived at the Sharjah Arab Culture Capital Monument, our camera crew played musical chairs with the cars, where each car would have their own cameraman to capture all the behind scenes, tactics, course language, bloopers and endless arguments with the co-driver.
Checkpoint Three – Middle of the Desert, Ras Al Khaimah
I utilised the X-Trails 4×4 feature to climb this mini hill somewhere in the middle of the Ras Al Khaimah desert.
Final Checkpoint – Banyan Tree Al Wadi Resort, Ras Al Khaimah
Just after checking in and being offered some light refreshments, we were escorted to our very own private village. This wasn’t your ordinary resort villa, this was simply one of the most breathtaking villas I have ever stayed at. Everything from the oversized bathroom and to the high ceiling bedroom, to your own private pool. I was in love.
Here are a few snaps of our villa:
It was time to call it a weekend, and what a weekend it was. As we departed the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, we were stopped in our path a few times by these guys.
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