‘They were at karaoke until 5:30am’: UAE expats call out rowdy campers during Eid getaway – News

Whenever you go camping to enjoy the serenity of the desert and mountains of the United Arab Emirates, it is easy to lose track of time, but this was not the case for Filipino expat Patrick Fronda. He and other campers couldn’t help but look at the clock as they endured non-stop karaoke and raucous laughter during a getaway in Ras Al Khaimah.

“They started singing at night, which was nice because it was nice to have some music when you’re camping. But then it went on and on. Around 1:30 to 2:00, the karaoke was still on,” Fronda said. she that she went camping in Ras Al Khaimah’s Wadi Shawka with family and friends over the long Eid weekend.

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They couldn’t get any sleep because the “excessive noise” continued until the wee hours of the morning.

“They didn’t stop around 5:30 in the morning, when they ran out of drink,” the expatriate said, adding that the chatter was so loud that they could hear all the gossip they were laughing about even though they were far away. 750 meters away.

Patrick Fronda in Wadi Shawka

As it turns out, Fronda and her group weren’t the only ones encountering raucous parties during what should have been a relaxing camping getaway.

Over the past few days, a community Facebook group has been inundated with complaints about rowdy campers.

Two Internet users shared short video clips of people in full party mode, with big speakers and lights, in the early hours of the night.

“They arrived at 1am (at Wadi Shawka) and started making noise, talking to each other at the top of their lungs,” an anonymous member of the UAE Dubai Camping Lovers group said on Wednesday.

“We had to ask them to lower their voices and music volume (without success). A public place must be shared and respected… Don’t camp if you can’t take into account those who want to sleep,” he says. she added, sharing a clip of people partying at the campground at 2:52 a.m. on April 10.

Midnight ‘concert’ in the desert?

Another member of the group posted a similar clip but taken from the Al Qudra desert in Dubai.

“It’s okay to play music, but keep the sound within your perimeter. We opted to leave early because we couldn’t sleep. We didn’t realize we would be attending a ‘concert’ while camping,” he said while sharing a video. of a group of people singing and dancing with huge speakers blaring in the background.

Somewhere in Fujairah, Iris also encountered noisy crowds. “The worst is (the group that) finished around 6 a.m. the next day,” she said. “They were drinking and playing loud music.”

Ivy Bondoc Marigmen, a business owner in Abu Dhabi, was about to call the police when a group of singles arrived in Dubai’s Al Qudra desert with their portable speaker, playing loud music at 11.30pm.

“I went and told them to stop, otherwise I’ll call the police. They stopped immediately… Some respect should be given to others who just want peace and relaxation,” he said.

‘I don’t want to camp anymore’

These scenarios are not new to Filipino nurse Kaye Bitoon, who lives in Ras Al Khaimah, a favorite camping destination.

Bitoon had been camping since 2017, but stopped completely after “consecutive” encounters with noisy campers and bed bugs.

“I once met a group that came with speakers and guitars, etc., and they were making a lot of noise. It was like they were giving a concert or something and they continued even after midnight,” he said. Khaleej Times.

“There was also another time when I called the authorities. A group of Filipino campers arrived at a beach in Ras Al Khaimah in a minivan and did karaoke but ended up getting drunk and fighting,” he said.

“The same thing happened when I went to dinner with friends at Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain. There was very loud karaoke. We had to move away so as not to be disturbed.”

That was the last time Bitoon went camping, he said. For those who find themselves in this type of situation, this is his advice: “Report them to the municipality of the emirate you are in so that they can receive a fine.”

A different view

While there were several complaints about noisy campers, the posts were met with another sentiment: “There is a huge area to camp, why not choose a quiet place?”

“I’ve seen Emiratis who don’t complain even if the noise they hear is louder than karaoke. When you go camping, you can always find your spot. If you want peace and quiet, go further away, just like I did last time . night,” said an Abu Dhabi-based camper who wished to remain anonymous due to his “unpopular” opinion.

Here is a photo of his 4×4 in a secluded place in the desert:

Ness Olayta agreed, saying it’s best to “find another place where no one is camping next to you at least a hundred yards away.”

“I must admit that we can make noise, but we keep in mind that we don’t bother other people, so we choose to be as far away as we can,” said the Filipino expat. Khaleej Times.

For this Eid, Olayta chose to go to Saraya Island in Ras Al Khaimah:

Another commenter said: “Maybe we have to suggest a law that sets up campsites for those who want peace and quiet and another for ‘rock and roll’.”

Makii Gomez, a Dubai-based architect who has been camping for the past 10 years, called for tolerance and understanding.

“We all want to enjoy ourselves. But of course, you will find different types of campers, including those who bring their speakers and karaoke. If the area is isolated, I guess it’s fine and no one will catch your attention,” the expat said. saying.

“When some people make too much noise, we usually approach them nicely and ask them to lower the volume. But there are also those who turn up the volume after that. We can’t avoid such cases.”

The best thing to do, he said, is to know the rules and regulations.

Camping rules

At campsites in the United Arab Emirates, the do’s and don’ts are often posted on signs. Some of them include “loud noises” and “speakers” as part of what is prohibited.

At least 10 violations can lead to a fine:

There may be no specific penalties for being “too loud,” but disturbing the peace could be a crime punishable by fines under municipal regulations, depending on the area.

Residents are urged to file complaints or call the 24/7 municipal hotlines to report violations.

“The government should at least investigate this,” Fronda said. “We want to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy the scenery and the serenity of nature, but then you will see people with no respect. I hope this can raise awareness.”

(With contributions from Ángel Tesorero)

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