Winter is here!
After a verrrrry long summer, winter has finally arrived in the UAE. And when the weather gets cooler, many UAE residents take advantage of the beautiful climate by setting up camps in different places—along the desert, by the beach, and even up in the mountains.
My husband, our friends, and I have been camping for the past few years, and we really enjoy it. Aside from savoring the fresh air, camping gives us a chance to disconnect from our screens and spend quality time having meaningful conversations with the people we love. There is something truly special about enjoying nature without the constant distractions of everyday life.
We don’t usually go camping in the Philippines. I think one reason is that we often have our own gardens or backyards where we can spend time with family anytime. And, of course, it rains quite often there! In the UAE, however, residential spaces are usually inside buildings, flats, or villas, so finding a quiet outdoor space where you can simply relax and enjoy nature can be quite unusual.
Over the years, we have camped in several different places around the UAE. You can also check out my other camping adventures here:
Becca’s First Camping Adventure
This time, we decided to go camping with our daughter, who was only six months old. It was her first-ever overnight camping experience!
And here she is, with the beautiful Expo Lake as her backdrop. ❤️
I was so happy to see that she enjoyed being outdoors. Letting children experience nature is a wonderful thing. Aside from giving them an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and explore their surroundings, outdoor experiences can also encourage curiosity, interaction, and social development.
That’s another reason why we were happy to have our friends with us. Becca had other people around her to interact with, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Enjoying Expo Lake
We had such a wonderful time at Expo Lake.
And as you can see, we weren’t the only ones enjoying this beautiful place! There were plenty of campers and visitors who came to walk around, relax, take pictures, and enjoy the sunset.
Some people even went into the lake to enjoy the cool water.
We also tried feeding the fish, as there were so many of them swimming around the lake. They came in different colors and were fascinating to watch.
The children seemed especially delighted. Some of them looked like they wanted to jump straight into the water and swim with the fish.
Oh, so cute… and a little silly, too! 😊
A Cold Night Under the Stars
The evening became quite cold, so we prepared warm food and hot soup to keep ourselves comfortable. We also brought some drinks for the adults.
Meanwhile, look at our little Becca, all bundled up in her cute little sweater. She was so jolly and wanted to play with everything she could see.
She was also quite stubborn about turning around every now and then! 😂 Because she was constantly moving, she eventually became a little sweaty, so I don’t think the cold weather bothered her too much.
It was such a joy to watch her explore and enjoy her first camping adventure.
A Beautiful Morning
After the cold night, the sun finally came out and shone over the damp surroundings, making everything look even more beautiful.
There’s something peaceful about waking up outdoors and seeing the morning sunlight slowly brighten the area.
For us, it was the perfect way to start the day.
A Word From the Author
Becca actually slept well throughout the night.
However, one thing we noticed was that some neighboring campers were quite noisy. Some played very loud music, while others chatted, laughed, and sang late into the night.
This can be one of the challenges of camping in a crowded location like Expo Lake. Many people go there not only to relax but also to celebrate special occasions, spend time with friends, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Of course, everyone has their own way of enjoying their camping experience. Perhaps some were simply caught up in the excitement of the moment, or maybe it was their first time camping.
But to all campers out there, let’s also remember to be considerate of others.
Chatting, laughing, and having fun are perfectly fine, but let’s try to keep the noise at a reasonable level, especially at night. Other campers may simply be looking for a peaceful place to rest and enjoy their time with their families.
A little consideration can make the camping experience better for everyone.
The Takeaway
One of the things we love most about camping is having a break from the digital world and our constant connection to entertainment and social media.
Whenever we go camping, my husband and I try our best to avoid using our mobile phones and other digital devices as much as possible.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to forget about screen time and simply enjoy the people and surroundings around us. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why we have continued camping over the years.
Camping also gives us an enjoyable opportunity to create memories with the people we love, just like we did during this trip to Expo Lake.
Of course, camping isn’t always easy. You have to clean your area, pack everything up, fold the tents, and return the camping chairs and other equipment to their storage bags.
And now that we were camping with our little one, our luggage and camping gear had increased significantly compared with what we used to bring before.
But despite all the preparation, packing, and exhaustion, it was worth it.
At the end of the day, what matters most is the happy memory of spending quality time with our beloved family and valued friends.
Final Thoughts
Becca’s first overnight camping trip may have been just one night, but for us, it became a beautiful family memory.
She may not remember this particular adventure when she grows up, but we will always have these pictures and stories to remind her that, even as a baby, she was already out there exploring the world with us.
Sometimes, the best memories aren’t created in expensive places or during elaborate vacations. They happen when we slow down, step away from our screens, breathe fresh air, laugh with friends, and spend time with the people who matter most.
“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
May we always remember to appreciate these simple moments and the blessings that come with them. Life moves quickly, and our little ones grow even faster. So while we can, let’s make time for adventures, laughter, and memories that our families can treasure for years to come.
Have you ever camped at Expo Lake?
I would love to hear about your experience… whether it was positive, challenging, or somewhere in between. Feel free to share your camping story in the comments below!
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Originally Published: January 6, 2023
Updated: August 2026
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