Salmi Desert - Kuwait.

Sand dunes in Kuwait

                           

It is a known fact that sand dunes are very rare in Kuwait and was never even seen in some areas. In my years of travel experiences around Kuwait, I haven't found a good sand dune place in Kuwait for a photo shoot. I have learned that sand dunes are formed by the wind and other climatic forces and we were informed that we can only find good sand dunes in Kuwait Salmi - Saudi Arabia boarder.

So today is another Friday shoot along with two of my friends to catch amazing Sand dune clicks in Salmi border. We left Salmiya in two cars at around 4 o'clock in the morning full of hopes to capture an awesome sand dune view. It was an enjoyable ride for everyone!

                           
We headed to Jahra area and took a left turn through the fly-over end of the 6th ring road. It took us another 30 minutes more to reach the Salmi boarder. (Sorry! no route maps and location provided. My phone was having some software issues)

We don't know the exact route and this is our first time to visit the area, so we  decided to go ahead and just stay few meters away from the highway. From there, i have seen an endless desert. It was a very quiet area and we are literally in the middle of nowhere!   

We were warned about the old stories of sand mines buried in ground and are suspected to be still active from the 1st gulf war and so we decided not to go further towards the middle of the desert. Luckily, we still found sand dunes area for our photo shoot.  Few macro shots of some desert species was also captured during our visit.

   

  

A lonely desert flower 

                         

A pleasant and favorable climate for a photo shoot welcomes us. Clear sky view, quiet blowing wind and fair humidity. However, after about 2 hours, we started noticing a gradual change in wind speed and temperature. We then felt that the wind was getting stronger and sands started to move slowly and then got stronger every minute.

                          

The sand storm made a great show in front of us displaying its might. It was so powerful like a raging bull and we have witnessed a river like movement of sands over the desert. We then decided to call it a day and went back to our cars and head back home. In five minutes, the whole area and the road were completely covered with sand. The road visibility had gone very low.  

                            
I had mixed emotions throughout the trip. The excitement, fear and experience are really unforgettable and i will definitely visit this place again. Well hopefully by the next time we will not have to experience and taste the wrath of Kuwait sands. :P

This blog post is specially dedicated to my friend Sandeep whom i accidentally hit by his own car during the trip. LOL  (FYI.. he ends up with few bruises in the knees)  Sorry my friend! :D

Some other days explre in to the other side of salmi desert ;