The Mirfa hotel sits across the bay

Kite surfing was definitely the most popular event.

Sail boat race

Kayak race

Body surfing??

Grand tent set up with carpet and plush chairs--(I think it was for
dignitaries but many "ordinary" people took advantage of the
lush accomodations)

Thunderstorm rolling in made for great photos

One of the actual boats used in the Volvo Ocean race.
One of the in port races was actual run in Abu Dhabi in
mid January.

Now you know who beached the boat!

Things started to liven up around dusk.

Trevor would like one of these for his birthday!

                      MIRFA WATERSPORTS FESTIVAL

                                                          (and our camel farm detour)

Slight detour took us to a much more remote region that was
unintentional but rewarded with a look at how most locals lived
40 years ago.

     Every year for 10 days a sleepy little fishing village turns into a vibrant beach full of festival attendees who are drawn in by the promise of live music, pro athletes from all over the world, and free beach camping of course.  Some of the sports are kayaking, kite surfing, skulls, and wind surfing.  During the week all who dare are encouraged to participate and try their hand at many of the events with supervision from top pros from all over the world.  When we arrived at 1:00 in the afternoon, had it not been for the tents and stage left behind we would have thought we were in the wrong place.  Since it was the end of March/first of April we still had not gotten accustomed to many things shutting down in the middle of the day.  Very few people venture out even if the temperatures permit.  Nevertheless, it was a perfect day to enjoy the beach and search for any number of sea shells that littered the waters' edge.  There was a slight breeze and temperatures were nothing more than 85 degrees.  We were even blessed with a brief thunderstorm late in the afternoon; it was quite funny to see the locals scatter like ants as if they were going to melt.  We just held out our hands and enjoyed the rare visit of showers to this very dry place.  There were exhibitors and entertainers, and food of course.  One of the empty hulls from the Volvo ocean race was beached and open for all to try their hand at navigating a large sail boat--Trevor took to this like a fish to water.  Trevor met another new friend, (she was quite smitten with an older man!)  and the head of the "coast guard" handed him a back pack full of floaties and water safety literature in exchange for a photo opp. Who knows, he may be on all the signs and promotional material for next years festival.  Even with the hour and a half drive (2 hours if you count the detour through the camel farms...) it was a very relaxing day and well worth the effort to get here.