Slidning down the sand dunes of Mui Ne

On our first day in Mui Ne, Tony and I decided that relaxing on the beach was going to be our first priority. Walking out onto the sand, we quickly realized that there wasn't going to be too much shade to be found so we just dropped our towels on the sand and laid down to enjoy the hot sun and the sound of the waves breaking just a few feet away. It didn't take long before both of us had to evacuate the heat on the beach and go for a swim in the cool clear water. After having cooled off we returned to the beach where the process of baking ourselves began again. This time, we didn't last half as long as the first and were both back in the water. Our third attempt to relax in the sun was even shorter and for several hours we went on with the process of lying on the beach for ten minutes and then going for a swim for twenty. I don't think I have ever been to a beach as hot as this one here in Mui Ne. I am shocked that the local people have not come up with the idea of renting umbrellas and beach chairs here. I would have gladly forked over a few dollars for the chance to get out of the sun for a bit!

We finally gave up on enjoying the beach as we were both beginning to be roasted alive so we decided to rent a couple of motorbikes and head off to visit the nearby sand dunes. After a few wrong turns and various pointing by locals we finally made our way to the nearest sand dunes that were not only red but were also covered by hundreds of children holding little plastic sheets. With women waving us to park in front of their stores, we pulled over thinking we had made it to our destination when we were suddenly boarded by multiple children. Each of us now had one child on the back and one more standing between our legs holding onto the handle bars. They carried these plastic sheets that looked like the remnants of a plastic ball you might see at a grocery store for a dollar. The children were yelling that we should go to the big dunes, the white ones. Each yelling and pointing down the road in the direction in which we were heading, they convinced us to head that way.

Fighting off the attempts of other children trying to board our motor scooters, we slowly eased out onto the road and began the fifteen kilometer drive to the white sand dunes. Now, I was a bit worried about Tony driving a motorbike, especially with two children on board but he seemed to be holding up just fine. We eventually turned off the paved road onto a dirt road where we slowed down the pace to avoid sliding around. As we wound down the dirt road, we were separated from the big white sand dunes by a small lake. It was a stunning sight to see these massive white sand dunes in the afternoon sun reflected on a perfectly still lake. With the sun fading fast, we decided not to waste time taking a picture and continue on our journey to the dunes. After passing the lake, we began a slight decent where I noticed a big patch of sand on the road. Knowing how easy this can make the bike come out from underneath you, I quickly slowed down and made my way through the sand, slipping and sliding all the way through. It occurred to me to stop the bike and wave to Tony to go extremely slow. For whatever reason, I decided he would be fine and continued on.

Not long after crossing the sand, the children showed me where to park the motorbike where we could walk up to the sand dunes. As I pulled in and hopped off the bike, there was no sign of Tony. Immediately I knew what had happened. The sand had gotten him! All I could do was hope that he along with his two child passengers were ok. A few minutes passed and still no sign of his motorbike approaching. I started the engine on mine to go back and look for the remains of my friend when suddenly the children began yelling that he was coming down the road. I waited and as Tony pulled in, I could see the blood pouring from his leg and his arm. It was obvious that the injuries weren't serious so I was more concerned about injuries to the children. Somehow, Tony had managed to take the brunt of the fall and was the only one on board the motorbike who sustained injury. A few minor scrapes here and there, but nothing to worry about. He did however claim that he was finished with motorbikes for the rest of the trip. We shall see about that one!

The children led us into the desert abyss of these enormous white sand dunes. The sun was fading fast and I wanted to get some good photos so I picked up the pace a bit and managed to get some great shots of the untouched and unmarked sand dunes. It was a stunning sight to be so far away from everything and have these massive sand dunes all to ourselves. In the distance I could see where the tour buses were leaving after dropping their passengers off for a photo of the dunes but here we were standing on the tallest of them around with no footprints to be seen but our own leading back down from where we came.

At the top of the biggest dune, the children took turns with their plastic sheets flying down the hillside. It was a steep and long ride down and watching them climb back up the hill with the sand slipping beneath their feet even made me tired. After the children had their turns, they brought the plastic over to Tony and I and the next thing you know we were flying down the hill. I have no idea how fast we were going but I think it definitely exceeded the top speed that we had made it that day on the motorbikes! After struggling through the climb back up, we took a rest and spent the rest of our time enjoying a terrific sunset over the enormous sand dunes. An incredible end to another adventurous day of traveling.