I Missed Out on My Camel Ride / myLot

New Zealand

May 28, 2018 3:49pm CST

One of my hopes for my recent Ghan railway trip through Australia was to ride a camel. I knew I'd have the opportunity when we had dinner under the stars at Alice Springs. However, two camels and about 280 people didn't make the task easy. When I first lined up in the queue I waited patiently and came within four people of having a ride. That was when I took the photo above - sorry its not very clear. Then, we were all called back to the tables as entrees were being served. Bother! During the break between entree and the main course I realised the queue no longer existed, so I ambled over to the camel enclosure. The camels were both over to one side, eating. I asked if I could have a ride but the answer was no. The camels were having their dinner. Bother again! I was told to come back in twenty minutes, but of course by then darkness had set in and the night was well under way at the dinner table under the stars. The camel rides began again but by that time I was enjoying the conversations at our table and decided to stay where I was. Never mind. Maybe the opportunity to ride a camel will arise again another time.

26 people like this

28 responses

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69416)

• Germany

28 May 18

I rode on a camel near the pyramids in Egypt. It's difficult to get on and off the animals as they fold their legs in a strange way. :-)

2 people like this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

I had detailed instructions from friends on how to get on and then found there was a platform just the right height for getting on in a more dignified way

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69416)

• Germany

29 May 18

@valmnz A platform certainly helps. Camels can be huge!

1 person likes this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (48890)

• United States

28 May 18

It would be a really cool thing to do, but I think getting up on a camel would frighten me.

2 people like this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

It's an animal you either love or hate.

Anna

@LadyDuck (457430)

• Switzerland

29 May 18

You missed nothing Val, I rode a camel once in Marrakesh and I do not remember this as a "pleasant experience".

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

I think I would have enjoyed it Anna. I have other friends who have.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

1 Jun 18

@LadyDuck probably.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457430)

• Switzerland

30 May 18

@valmnz I suppose Australian organization is a lot better than what we experienced in North Africa.

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Jabo

@jaboUK (64362)

• United Kingdom

28 May 18

I've ridden camels in Tunisia and also Lanzarote - they aren't the most comfortable of rides.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

I just wanted to add it to the things I'd done

1 person likes this

Jabo

@jaboUK (64362)

• United Kingdom

29 May 18

@valmnz Yes. I can understand that

1 person likes this

Jessica

@JESSY3236 (18885)

• United States

1 Jun 18

I rode a camel with my mother when I went to a petting zoo. They had a elephant rides too. It was really cool.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

2 Jun 18

Yu are lucky :-) I have had an elephant ride.

1 person likes this

Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129379)

• Israel

29 May 18

@valmnz You can come to Israel. We have camels here you can ride.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

30 May 18

I wish my budget would stretch that far :-)

1 person likes this

Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129379)

• Israel

30 May 18

@valmnz I hope one day you will be able to come see this amazing country.

1 person likes this

Always smiling

@allknowing (130067)

• India

29 May 18

What man proposes God disposes

Better luck next time.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

Ha, ha, I like that saying.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

29 May 18

I would have thought they would have had a better plan for the ride but I too would have preferred the conversation.

1 person likes this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

28 May 18

so sorry you missed out on this.Hope you will be able in another time.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (94806)

• Marion, Ohio

28 May 18

Sorry you missed it, maybe in the future.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

Something to look forward to another time!

1 person likes this

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (12614)

• Ireland

28 May 18

@valmnz I’d feel ridiculous swaying on top of a camel and would be likely to topple off just like I toppled off an elephant in India and landed at the feet of the prime minister of Malaysia who found it all very amusing. Rude man.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

I was looking forward to it, having loved my previous elephant ride.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (305561)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

29 May 18

I hope it does and you have a chance to have that ride of a lifetime.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325405)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 May 18

That's a shame that you missed out on your ride. I haven't ridden a camel. It's interesting that this one is muzzled. Was the camel made to sit down before you got on or did you climb steps to a platform then step into the saddle? They have the platform things here now which saves a lot of wear and tear on the camel.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

29 May 18

Yes, there was a platform.