Outside the bustling metropolis of Dubai, sand dunes dominate the landscape, offering the opportunity for fun and adventure.

Sailors of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) went on a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tour to sandboard and ride camels during a scheduled port visit to Dubai, May 16.

The Sailors were split into small groups and boarded SUVs with lowered tire pressure to enable sand surfing.

"The best part of the tour was definitely driving through the middle of the desert," said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Corey James. "It was pretty crazy, and I was in the back of the SUV so it was a little bumpier."

The drivers made the ride around the sand dunes more enjoyable by going faster and swerving through the desert.

"It was a great experience riding in the SUVs, going side to side and down the dunes," said Airman Recruit Mason Bean. "The drivers were cool, calm, and collected and they definitely added to the experience."

The vehicles stopped at the top of a sand dune and Sailors were given sand boards.

"I've never done any snowboarding or anything like that before but it was a good adrenaline rush," said Bean.

James enjoyed sandboarding and explained the differences he noticed between a similar sport that he enjoys.

"I grew up in Maine, so I used to ski a lot," said James. "You have a lot more control on the snow than you do on sand. Snow is a lot smoother and more compact, and sand is grainy and it just shifts around and loosens underneath you. It was definitely a great experience."

After a couple of rounds of sandboarding, everyone went back into the SUVs and drove to a camp where Sailors could ride a few camels before lunch.

"Camel riding is much more fun than horseback riding," said Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Danny Ray Nunez Jr. "It's pretty unique because the animal is so large and has a distinct shape. Getting off the camel requires it to kneel down, and it was like a roller coaster coming down."

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