1776Reporting
In a story straight out of a traveler’s tale, two women found themselves stranded in the vast Dubai desert. When their modern solution to this ancient land—using the Uber app—summoned a rather unexpected form of transport, their desert adventure took a surprising turn. Instead of a car pulling up to rescue them, a camel arrived, much to the amusement of the internet.
The incident took place in Al Badayer, a popular desert spot near the Dubai-Hatta road, earlier this October. The tourists, who were understandably distressed after getting lost in the middle of the sand dunes, turned to the one thing they thought could help: their smartphones. They opened the Uber app, likely expecting to see options for cars or off-road vehicles, but were instead greeted with the option of ordering a camel. The moment became even more surreal when the actual camel showed up, along with its handler, ready to transport them back to civilization.
In a video posted by the Instagram account @jetset.dubai, one of the tourists couldn’t hide her disbelief. “We got lost and ordered a camel!” she exclaimed as the towering animal approached. The sight of a “ship of the desert” arriving after a modern-day Uber call was both amusing and heartwarming, showing just how Dubai’s unique blend of tradition and modernity often surprises visitors.
The camel, it turns out, charged 50 dirhams—about $13.61—for the ride, an unexpected yet practical solution to their desert dilemma. One of the women filming the video remarked, “This is unbelievable! We’re lost in the middle of the desert, so we called this enormous camel.” It seems that in Dubai, even when you’re lost in the middle of nowhere, technology still has a way of surprising you.
The story, now going viral with over three million views on social media, not only amused viewers but also highlighted the unusual transportation options available in the region. Through the Uber app, the tourists noted they could have chosen other methods of transport, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or desert quad bikes, but fate—and perhaps a bit of humor—delivered them a camel instead.
Their camel driver, Rifak, played a key role in the adventure. When asked by the tourists about his work, he explained his unique job in the most modest of ways. “I’m assisting people who are lost, and you can also place an order online. You can get anything you need, even if you’re lost here in the desert,” Rifak said with a smile. It turns out, in the middle of the desert, you might not be as isolated as you think.
In the video, Rifak showed how well-prepared the camel was for such tasks. The animal knelt down on its own, allowing one of the tourists to climb aboard. The ease and coordination of the process made it clear that this was not the first time Rifak and his camel had rescued lost travelers. As the woman mounted the camel, the journey back to safety began, with the surreal sight of a camel, booked via Uber, carrying her through the sand dunes.
The video has since been flooded with comments, with many offering humorous takes on the scenario. One user, @abokhyri, quipped, “For safety reasons, make sure to check the number plate though.” Another commenter, @charita_tv, joked, “I hope you gave him a 5-star review on Uber.” Some added their own desert travel tips, like @goldsgang who suggested, “Next time, consider choosing the ‘Double Hump Camel’ option when booking, known as CamelXL. It’s a bit more expensive but offers a stable ride with a ‘Humper-to-Humper’ warranty.”
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Despite the lighthearted nature of the event, there was plenty of praise for Rifak and his dedication to helping those in need. In the vast expanse of the desert, where survival instincts kick in, it’s the simple and sometimes amusing solutions—like calling for a camel—that remind us help can come in the most unexpected forms.
As more people continue to watch the viral video, it’s clear that this quirky desert rescue has captured imaginations worldwide. The story of the two lost tourists, their Uber app, and the trusty camel is not only a testament to Dubai’s incredible blend of past and present but also a reminder that sometimes the best stories come from the most unexpected adventures.
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