Our altimeter was showing 1100, 1500, 1900, we were at 2000 meters above sea level when we found a nice place to set up camp. We were higher than everything we could see. We started our usual routine, tent, air mattress, Barry prepares the BBQ for dinner and I set up the fire. Afterwards we dined on homemade kabobs and enjoyed the sunset from the top of the word.
We were navigating up the mountains, avoiding obstacles and concluded that if we were in Canada these roads would have guide rails for safety. At best these roads had a pile of dirt and rocks that had been pushed off the track. We were climbing fast and the numbers on our altimeter were increasing quickly. We had time before settling on a camping spot so we stopped to visit Al Hoota cave. The cave was full stalactites and stalagmites. The main cave is partially occupied by an underground lake with natural air ventilation. An interesting highlight to the tour was the blind transparent fish nourished on organic materials brought by floods inside the cave. We weren’t allowed to take photos so here is the link: http://www.alhootacave.com/index.shtml
Shortly after the turnoff for Wadi As Sahtan, which we did not take, we came across “little snake canyon” where we stopped for a short hike. There were many different kinds of rock and the views were great views inside the canyon. Apparently the canyon gets its name from its twisting shape and not from the inhabitants – Barry was thankful for this. Back in the truck we passed the turnoff for Al Beer and headed towards the town of Az Zammah. In the second photo people are pictured and it gives an indication of how deep the canyon is.
We headed along the coastal road (01) to Al Musanaah and then took 11 towards the Western Hajar Mountain area. We reached Ar Rustaq and kept driving to Wadi Bani Awf in the direction of the town of Hatt. We got closer to the mountains, we were gaining altitude and we were surprised with the real estate sitting very near the wadis.
We woke up very early to beat the barrage of people who head to Oman for long weekends of Oman culture and landscapes, which meant we got to see the sun rise over the desert. Turns out we didn’t wake up early enough! The queues at the border post were unbelievable; long and full of people who would do anything to get processed first. We were waiting patiently in line surrounded by people who didn’t have the Canadian manners that Barry and I acquired through many years of waiting in single file lines. We made it eventually and from the queues that we left behind us, we knew it could have been worse. Oman welcomed us with the usual Eid customs – cows being transported for Eid feasts. The Omani men at the gas station thought my interest in the cow standing in the back of their Toyota pick-up was odd. I thought it was odd transport for a humped cow.
Eid is the most anticipated holiday in the Islamic calendar, following the most sacred season of the year for Muslims. It translates into 'Festival that breaks the fast'. Before the end of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to pay Zkat al fitr, which is a charitable donation for the holy month. This is usually a nonation of food or money to buy food so the needy can have a holiday feast. This donataion is different from the annual zakat that is required of Muslims, calculated based on personal wealth, to contribute to a worthy cause. Picture: World Trade Centre Dubai
