High and dry... Plymouth diver Tom Daley swaps water for sand
PLYMOUTH'S medal-winning poster boy Tom Daley took a well-deserved break from competition to ride camels and sand-buggies in the Middle East.
As he headed back from Australia where he clinched two gold medals in the World Junior Championships Tom enjoyed a stopover in the United Arab Emirates.
After the summer's hectic schedule, during which he also memorably scooped an Olympic bronze medal in the 10 Metre Men's Platform, Tom went to a holiday resort close to Abu Dhabi.
Tom said: "It's like a mini world and feels like your own personal oasis.
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"It's quite a strange sensation to be driving in the vast desert and seeing how the endless sand makes crazy-shaped dunes. It's very traditional, beautiful and it all really fits the culture of Abu Dhabi. It's a perfect retreat to chill out and just get away from it all - there's total peace and serenity. It's been a great experience."
Team GB's Olympic hero was spotted sporting a ghutra, the traditional Emirati headwear, whilst enjoying a number of leisure activities including sand-boarding, dune bashing and quad-biking.
Tom said: "I'd never ridden a camel before so that was amazing; sand-boarding is unlike anything I have ever tried and driving through the dunes in a 4x4 was so much fun.
"I always thought the desert would be harsh, but it's like a never-ending playground."
Comments
by TheMercenary
Thursday, October 25 2012, 4:40PM
“...................I bet he made that sand castle in the first picture too but we weren't told about that were we?”
by TheMercenary
Thursday, October 25 2012, 4:38PM
“..............I bet he made that sand castle in the first picture too but we weren't told that were we?”
by Nevman
Thursday, October 25 2012, 3:54PM
“@nothalf: We'll never know, will we, as long as the Herald relies on PR non-stories like this instead of trying its hand at journalism.”
by catdaddy1214
Thursday, October 25 2012, 2:45PM
“Who cares really. Why does Mr Herald insist on giving this guy Heat treatment? He went on holiday and good for him, but do we really need to know about this?”
by nothalf
Thursday, October 25 2012, 1:28PM
“although its not hugely newsworthy other than the thugs and the family from hell what else is there?”
by del3232
Thursday, October 25 2012, 1:18PM
“Mr Daley is constantly using his Twitter and Facebook accounts to advertise either his own products or other peoples. I don't think he is genuine anymore, I think he will go on holiday to the places that will pay him the most to advertise for them.”
by sonofmeldrew
Thursday, October 25 2012, 12:49PM
“I can't see him that clearly, unfortunalty for the photograher, who must have struggled getting this shot, he is the same colour as the sand. How does that happen? Too much freshly squeezed orange juice I reckon.”
by benmn
Thursday, October 25 2012, 10:48AM
“He was staying at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai not Abu Dhabi. I've seen the pictures and his comments on facebook and twitter.”
by cooperman23
Thursday, October 25 2012, 10:18AM
“amazing ! well done tom, i could read about and watch tom all day. a truly brilliant lad”
by 9ab3jdr622l
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:19AM
“What's with the second pic?
He did say he would like to try acting so expect a re-make of Lawrence of Arabia anytime soon.”