And that's a wrap ...
The Gulf News Fun Drive participants woke up to a cold misty morning at the campsite.
Many people could be seen taking advantage of Mureeb Dune for their morning exercise by climbing it while children enjoyed running up and down the dune and having a blast.
People started to arrive at the breakfast tent from around 7am to enjoy a final get together with family and friends.
Although clearly tired from the previous day's action, everyone seemed in high spirits and some were already planning their return trip.
Few were still too excited to stop the dune bashing, and could be seen with their cars testing their skills at the nearby dunes.
Others were taking it easy and having a lazy morning enjoying the scenery and the good food.
Some suggested that while they had enjoyed the whole experience, were impressed with the organisation and enjoyed the festivities, the campsite would have been more complete had there been a manicure and massage tent.
We'll certainly pass that suggestion on.
The overnight campers slowly packed their gear and started to head home and by around 11am empty tents were all that was left except for a few people who were struggling to come to terms with the fact that it was all over and they had to wait another year to do it all over again.
"Of course I'll be back next year. I don't want to go home, I am just sad that it's all over," said Saritha Pradeep.
Saturday, 12.30pm: A thrilling two days had by all
It was an action-packed weekend at the #GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Saturday, January 16, 2016
Friday recap
9.05 pm: The party at the end of a thrilling day of driving
After close to eight hours of driving in the spectacular Liwa desert, you would think that a full-day drive over undulating dunes - some as high as 300 metres (and a 50-degree slope) - would make people too tired to head for an evening of entertainment.
The festivities continue at the #GNFunDrive2016 camp. Recap the day's action on gulfnews.comPosted by Gulf News on Friday, 15 January 2016
Instead, they were full of energy and ready to party the night away at the Fun Drive campsite where festivities were in full swing.
A gargantuan meal was laid out for participants while the live DJ played a wide range of music from pop to Bollywood favourites that got hyped everyone up.
The crowd witnessed an extravagant cake being cut by the company's commercial director, Rajeev Khanna. The gigantic serving was decorated with a number of four-wheel drive cars -- was a big hit with the crowd who were trying to get close to it for a picture opportunity and a slice.
The entertainment also included a boisterous raffle, belly dancing and a magician that was very much a hot with the children.
The party is still very much alive at the campsite with no sign of anyone retiring to their tents and calling it a night.
As the day comes to an end, we'd like to thank Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, as well as all our sponsors for making #GNFunDrive2016 such a success!Posted by Gulf News on Friday, 15 January 2016
8.45 pm: Here's the cake
It's massive and looks awesome, just like the desert we saw a lot of today. And it's decked up with toy 4x4s on top -- but the sand-coloured icing is sure to taste as sweet as sugarcane.
The cake arrives and it's on the #GNFunDrive2016 theme!
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, 15 January 2016
7.32 pm: At the camp
Here's what the camp looks -- and sounds -- like. It's a fully-equipped desert venue, with tents for everyone, a five-star BBQ and, of course, a party to remember under the stars. And there's a live band playing in the background too...
Live music, great food and camel rides are just some of the things lined up for those who have arrived at camp. #GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, 15 January 2016
6.39 pm: Now heading to the camp
The latest hits from the West to the Middle East are blaring on the public address system inside the camp as Fun Drivers form a beeline into the nearby parking lot.
It's been quite a day of battling with the dunes. Everyone's excited about what's in store for them at the camp here in the Liwa desert. Can't wait for the camp fire, to dine and have great fun with family and friends.
We'll show you what the camp is like in a bit.
6.14 pm: Tired but happy
What we went through was actually part of the "Empty Quarter" (Rub Al Khali in Arabic). We've seen some settlements and farms, but most of it is really empty.
That name, Empty Quarter, by the way, came from the fact that it's a vast and empty space -- unforgiving almost barern desert region about 650,000 sqkm in size (more than 900 times bigger than Singapore) -- which forms a quarter of the Arabian peninsula.
We found the sand here is very soft and it's not really advisable for amateur desert explorers to venture out into this side of the world.
Some of the dunes we just saw rise above 300 metres high at an angle of about 50 degrees. But it also boasts of some oasis towns like the majestic Liwa, which is another story by itself.
5.54PM: Heading to the camp, for more fun
The Gulf News Fun Drive has been a successful adventurous family day out day out, this time in the Liwa desert.
The stunning Liwa dunes tested even the most experienced of drivers with their challenging heights and slopes.
People formed groups, even if they did not start in one, and had a blast going up and down the dunes while cheering one another.
Some were unlucky enough to land in soft spots of the sand and get stuck however, there was always a marshal nearby to come to their rescue and they seemed to be enjoying the day far too much to be frustrated in anyway.
Alphonsa Engineer and her family of four were in high spirits even after being stuck in the sand.
"It's our second time here. Last time we got stuck seven times, so this is our second time only...We are still having fun. We've got the kind marshals who keep this trip so enjoyable," she said, pointing to the marshal who was preparing to pull their car out of the sand.
Sarvnaz Geranpayeh/Gulf News
5:54 pm: Raving about the adventure
#GNFunDrive2016: Sami says the dunes are his favorite part of this fun drive
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, January 15, 2016
5.43pm: Excitement in the dunes
#GNFunDrive2016: Participants share their favorite part of the ride
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, January 15, 2016
4:01 pm: 240km covered so far
The marshals start to slowly close check points -- there were a total of eight checkpoints -- on the 240-km route.
Everyone is making their way to the final destination now, the camp site, to continue the fun at an entertainment-packed evening.
3:37 pm: Participants rave about the adventure
We're enjoying our #GNFunDrive weekend onboard the new Land Cruiser! #ToyotaUAE pic.twitter.com/Ctx97QNDuK— ToyotaUAE (@Toyota_UAE) January 15, 2016
3.24pm: Participants share their views
#GNFunDrive2016: participants share their experience so far
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, January 15, 2016
2.45pm: Down the dunes
Picture: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
2.40pm: Tackling the mighty dunes
Action and adventure at #GNFunDrive2016, as vehicles negotiate huge dunes!
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, January 15, 2016
2.13pm: And the drive continues
Picture: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
1.47pm: Taking a break
Picture: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
#TropicOfCancer marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere on June 21. #GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Friday, January 15, 2016
Going to checkpoint 2 of the #GNFundrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Thursday, January 14, 2016
11.50am. At Tropic of Cancer
Picture: Melissa Majdandzic/Gulf News
11.00am: First timers Sindhu, (42) Shalini (17), and Gokul (11) wait as their car wheels got stuck in the sand.
Picture: Melissa Majdandzic/Gulf News
#GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Thursday, January 14, 2016
10.47am: Going through the first checkpoint
Picture: Melissa Majdandzic/Gulf News
Mitch Perera has volunteered for the #GNFunDrive2016 for 27 years and has marshalled for 32 #FunDrives pic.twitter.com/ZCy2HL6EwD— Gulf News (@gulf_news) January 15, 2016
9.52.am. They waited patiently
Off-road enthusiasts waited patiently for the fog to clear up. As soon as the flag off took place over 800 cars made their way to the beautiful Liwa desert to start a fun packed day. Sarvy Gernapayeh/Gulf News
Posted by Gulf News on Thursday, January 14, 2016
Here are some of the drivers at the #GNFunDrive2016
9.38.am. The drive begins
The fun drive started with a delay at 9am due to heavy fog. Marshals sent convoy to check out the area a number of times before it was deemed safe to start.
Over 2,500 people have gathered for the #GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Thursday, January 14, 2016
9.36am: Here we go
Picture: Zarina Fernandes/Gulf News
Posted by Shafiq Ur Rehman on Thursday, January 14, 2016
Desert fun drive in chilled climate managed by Gulf News
From the registration counters at the #GNFunDrive2016
Posted by Gulf News on Thursday, January 14, 2016
Participants are all set for the #GNFunDrive2016. But there has been a delay with flag off due to visibility issues. https://t.co/GJEhbEMDAS— Gulf News (@gulf_news) January 15, 2016
8.33am: All geared up
Picture: Naureen Aquil/Gulf News
7.52am: Breakfast time
Picture: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
7.47am: Chips anyone?
Picture: Naureen Aquil/Gulf News
6.30am: Registration in progress
Picture: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Picture: Naureen Aquil/Gulf News
Picture: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
5.53am: Tea time
Picture: Naureen Aquil/Gulf News
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Contributors: Sarvnaz Geranpayeh, Naureen Aquil, Ahmed Ramzan, Jaye Lentin, Logan Fish,Virendra Saklani, Rabab Khan, Anupa Kurian, Sanya Nayeem, Donia Jenabzadeh, Biju Mathew)
