OMG Oman!

December 14, 2018

We have been through six different time zones since we left.  It is a 12 hour time difference from Seattle. I believe we are literally on the other side of the world.

Mid 80s here and not humid, perfect weather. Andy was up at 6:15 and headed up the dunes to watch the sunrise where he is pretty sure he spotted snake tracks.  Then the family headed to breakfast.  There is a guy at the entrance of the dining tent that pours water out of a antique looking vase with a long spout onto your hands so they are clean for eating. Enjoyed the company of some of the other visitors. Another hour of the kids sand surfing. Kids found scorpions for our wildlife spotting of the day.

Checked out and Andy decided it was time for the kids to learn to drive.  With nothing around to hit, except a camel or two, it seemed like the perfect time.  To cap off their first time driving they both executed some donuts with enough enthusiasm to make mom extremely nervous.   Kids have a much better appreciation for NOT interrupting the driver.  Andy had to have some fun and did our own version of sand bashing.  Sand bashing is the local term for driving up and over the dunes.  Which somewhat created marital strain.  Fortunately we didn't get stuck and avoided the "I told you so conversation."


Drove 1 1/2 hours to Wadi Bani Khalid.  It is somewhat of an oasis/natural spring deep into the local mountains with not a tree insight. Saylor and I had to cover up as much as possible with shirts and shorts to be respectful.   Other women were fully clothed including their heads.  The dress has been fascinating in every country, but especially here.  We certainly felt awkward and were given judging looks with maybe being underdressed.   We hiked in from the car along a small aqueduct to a series of interconnected pools. 

It was a scramble over rocks to make our way to the upper pools.  The water was a brilliant bluish green. We swam through caves and caverns.  Jumped off small waterfalls and slid down natural water slides.  Even I took a leap into one of the lower pools.  I was super scared but the family helped and supported me.  So glad I did it! 

 There were sheer walls on either side extending upwards of hundreds of feet. The local Omanis picnicing along the sides.  Many were not swimming but fully covered in traditional robes with hats for the men and hijab for the women.  To completely hike from the lower pool to the upper was about a 30 minute hike so it was rather long.

After we made our way down we noticed some local teenagers jumping off the rocks into the water so Andy and the kids had a go.  It was a good 20 foot jump.  The funniest part was one of the kids was scared to jump and his friends below were razzing him.  All the more so when the tall white guy jumped, then a little kid (Hudson) and then a girl!


Starving we went to a random local restaurant for a quick bite.  Sitting on the patio a gentleman pulled up in a big Toyota Landcruiser.  He gave a waive out the window.  We took it that it was for us, but it turned out it was for the restaurant manager behind us.  After a quick laugh on our part the gentlemen waived Andy over.  The next thing we knew we were invited for tea at his house.  The wait staff who were earlier ignoring us suddenly became much more attentive.  From the manager we understood him to be the local sheikh.  What an honor.  Having just come from the wadi we were a mess so did our best to clean up and put on some dry and wrinkled clothes. Our wrinkled clothes from our bags just didn't seem right to meet with someone important. As Andy was trying to find something he said, "I wasn't really planning on having tea with the local sheikh today."

Andy showing where we live on Google Maps. 

After we finished eating we made our way to the sheik's house.  It was huge, felt impregnable and beautiful.  We walked through the grounds and he took us out to the veranda for tea. The view was over looking the valley and mountains.  We talked about this and that and it was surprising that early on in the conversation he asked Andy how much money he made and said how much he made.  We learned his family his family has lived there for over 400 years. As we are now friends he invited us to spend the night at his place and put off our drive to Muscat.  This felt like a little too much too soon.  We went to say our goodbyes and he gently insisted on giving us a tour.  It was the most opulent residence any of us have ever been in.  There was gold leaf, chandeliers, exotic wood, intricate craftsmanship and what looked to be very expensive carpets. The layout of the rooms showed clear separation between men and women.  It was also interesting that at entry there was six sinks highlighting the importance of cleanliness in an Arab household.

He said he would come to Seattle to visit.  He asked that we help him. We are kind of excited for the prospect but we are going to have to figure out a way to let him know that our household may be somewhat below his standards. Through all of this the kids were really great and made the most of tea which is something they typically don't enjoy.  We never met his family which seemed kind of weird because they were there.  As we went our way he said "If you need anything, call me and I will help you." We felt he was really genuine in this offer.


3 hours back to Muscat, but after an amazing first day our energy is good and the roads are really nice and the drivers are hyper aggressive. We all love the "Camel Crossing" signs. Sri Lanka's were equally fun with "Elephant Crossing" signs.  BTW I forgot to mention a whopper meal at Burger King in the airport in Sri Lanka is $16 USD!


What a first day!