In my last post, I mentioned that my dad had a sneaky little hint about camping for New Year’s. Guess what? He wasn’t just daydreaming! So, on December 31, we turned into packing ninjas, stuffed our bags (oops, we mean “bage” — classic typo!) into the car, and zoomed off to Love Lake in Dubai, which apparently decided it wanted to look like two hearts trying to perform a synchronised swimming routine. We got there early, set up camp like it was an Olympic event, while our friends—including the cutest little baby, who I’m convinced is the real reason we have friends—were still caught in Abu Dhabi, probably pondering the life choices that led them to embark on this wild adventure!

After what felt like an eternity (because clearly, my watch was on vacation), they finally showed up! We kicked things off by setting up the campfire, which was just a fancy way of saying we huddled together like penguins—no one wanted to be the first to admit they were freezing! The baby boy, who apparently thought my lap was the VIP lounge of the universe, plopped down like he owned the place. Meanwhile, my mom and the aunties were busy channelling their inner chefs, whipping up a feast that included parathas, chana masala, garlic paste, and hummus—because why not have a five-star restaurant experience in the great outdoors?

After our feast, we dove headfirst into a game of Japanese Whisper, where one overzealous uncle was convinced we all had to suddenly speak Japanese fluently. Spoiler: We didn’t! By the time we wrapped up our high-stakes game of misunderstanding, it was already 12 am, and we were wishing everyone a happy new year while half-asleep. After a quick chat that felt like it took place in slow motion, we hit the hay. The next morning, I sprung out of bed at the crack of 6:30 am, thinking I’d witness a glorious sunrise, but alas, the sun was playing hide and seek behind a cluster of clouds!

We all spruced ourselves up, ready to face the day. I heard the uncles and aunties were having a talk that lasted all night, but I totally missed out! Meanwhile, my mom and the aunties were in the kitchen like culinary superheroes, whipping up a breakfast feast that included omelettes, egg sandwiches, half-boiled eggs (because who doesn’t love a little mystery? ), mushroom omelettes, kubus, and of course, more eggs! After our eggstravaganza, all the uncles started packing up like they were off to a camping expedition, and the kids, including me, decided to channel our inner Poseidon and went for a walk on water. Why not, right?

There were more Koi fish than I had ever seen; it felt like I had stumbled into a seafood buffet! I was a bit terrified to play water walker at first, but once I realised they were more interested in my toes than eating them, I dove in like a cannonball champion. Soon enough, all the uncles and aunties showed up, and we waddled over to an island for a photoshoot—I think my dad took more pictures than the paparazzi. Eventually, I was so wiped out from all the fun that my dad and I decided to retreat to the car early for a much-needed rest. After all, even champions need to recharge their batteries!

After a comedic eternity, the rest of the gang returned, chatting away in the parking lot like they were discussing the meaning of life, and we eventually exchanged our overly dramatic goodbyes, as if we were parting forever. Then off we went, back to our humble abodes, dreaming of an incredible camping trip that definitely needed its own highlight reel!

After we stumbled back home from what felt like a marathon of festivities, we dove headfirst into a towering caramel cake, our unofficial new year mascot. The sweet aroma wafted through the air like it was auditioning for a cooking show, and each forkful was a blissful explosion of smooth caramel and sponge as moist as a rain-soaked sponge (and just as hard to resist).

And now Junior Story is popping confetti and juggling pineapples while wishing you a very happy new year—because if you can’t start the year with a laugh, what’s the point?

Here are some masterpieces I snapped during my camping trip—because nothing says “I’m one with nature” like a blurry shot of my buddy trying to outrun a raccoon!

THE END