66 & 67 THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES & OMAN
548 Kilometres – 20 Days
2 February - 22 February 2015
PHOTOS - UAE
66 THE
EMIRATE OF DUBAI
325 Kilometres
– 9 Days
2
February – 22 February 2015
2
February - Cape Town, South Africa – Dubai, UAE (by plane)
The flight
from Cape Town, South Africa to Dubai, UAE via Doha was uneventful, except for arriving
in Dubai at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. Mercifully, Anton
and Andre, friends of my friend, Lois, who lived in Oman at the time,
collected me from the airport. I was extremely grateful to them as Dubai was mightily
expensive. If not for them, I would’ve had a somewhat pricey start to the UAE. Once
at their home, our chatter continued until 5 a.m. before finally turning in for
the night.
3
February - Dubai
As expected,
following our late night, we were slow to emerge. Dubai (the
biggest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the
capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one
of seven emirates forming the UAE)
was undoubtedly the money capital of the world, and it was hard not to
be in awe of all money could buy.
Almost
everything was the biggest in the world, from shopping centres to aquariums.
The water bus provided a unique way to explore the marina. So was roaming
around the famous Dubai Mall, Golden Souq and impressive aquarium. A stroll
along the downtown area worked up an appetite, and we enjoyed a late lunch
watching the dancing fountains. The fountains were impressive against the
backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world (at the time).
Then, we went home to watch a 3D movie while enjoying popcorn and wine. What a
novel way to end a fabulous day in this world-famous city.
4
February - Dubai
Although
awake slightly earlier than the previous day, it was already half-past eleven when
I finished reassembling the bicycle. Our first stop was the bike shop to
purchase a few bits and bobs.
Our
next destination was Souq Madinat Jumeirah, where we spent a few hours
sauntering through the gold and spice markets. Next, I was treated to a
canal-side lunch at the Noodle House, where we had a great view of the famous
Burj Al Arab Hotel. Afterwards, we visited Elvira, a friend of Anton and Andre,
where we could access the top of her 83-storey building, which sports a
fantastic city view. Elvira ordered pizzas, and we had a great time
socialising.
5
February - Dubai
An
additional day was spent in Dubai, and Anton and Andre drove me to the Miracle
Garden. In this fantastic flower garden, the whole shebang, including the
buildings, was covered by plants and flowers—a remarkable feat considering this
is a desert country.
Afterwards,
we drove to the world-famous Palm Island with its mega-expensive accommodation.
Though immensely sought after, Palm Island wasn’t where I wanted to find myself
during a tsunami. Hunger pains drove us to the excellent Carluccio restaurant offering
authentic Italian cuisine.
Our next
stop was at the metro station where, to my surprise, one could board a
driverless train. Our driverless train scooted us off to the Spice and Gold
Souq.
Towards
the end of the day, Carrefour made convenient shopping to pick up the necessary
ingredients as Anton planned on making a traditional Uzbek dish, plov — an extremely
suitable way to wrap up another intriguing day in the city of Dubai. As always,
the longer I stayed, the more interesting the city became.
6
February - Dubai – Al Rama - 100 km
I
was all Dubai-ed out and happy to be back on the bike again. A big grin crossed
my face as I cycled off doing one of my favourite things - pedalling off in a
direction I wasn’t quite sure where it would lead was exciting and relaxing.
I
was immensely thankful to Anton and Andre, who gave me a bed, fed me, and
carted me all over Dubai. However, the warnings regarding drivers in Dubai slightly
concerned me. Excellent wide highways and fast cars aren’t the best places to
cycle. Therefore, I was surprised to find vehicles slowing and waving me across
a busy motorway. Maybe it was simply out of sheer amazement to see a woman on a
bicycle.
My
route followed the dead, monotonous, and mind-numbing road to Abu Dhabi, a
massive 4-lane highway. At least the numerous petrol stations were a welcome
distraction and not one was passed without stopping. Long conversations with
fellow travellers made it an enjoyable first day. All enquired about my origin
and destination, followed by the inevitable photo shoot: leaving Dubai late and
with all the stopping and chatting, the sun soon started dipping towards the
horizon. Still winter, the sun disappeared at around 6 o’clock. Luckily, Al
Raga sported a room that was costly but convenient.
7
February - Al Rama – Abu Dhabi - 40 km
The ride
into Abu Dhabi, the bustling capital of the UAE’s biggest emirate, was shorter
than anticipated. Shortly before the city centre, my route unexpectedly spat me
out in the fast lane of a busy highway, leaving no means of getting to the opposite
side. Eventually, police helped me across, and two kind Samaritans stopped and
gave me a ride into town. It was a good thing too, as the police didn’t want to
let me go, and only once they saw all of us in the car did they drive off.
The
GPS on my phone didn’t work without a SIM card, and being my only form of
navigation, I searched for a local SIM. Returning to my abode, I grabbed a bag
of falafel and a few samosas for only a few dirhams.
8
February - Abu Dhabi – Ramah rest area - 125 km
My
first stop was at the imposing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to snatch a few photos.
Afterwards, I pointed the bike in the direction of Oman. Initially, my plan was
to cycle halfway to the border, but I couldn’t find a suitable camping spot.
Again,
nothing significant happened, and again, service stations broke the monotony. These
stations made filling my water bottles and buying snacks convenient, as chewing
while riding kept me occupied. As a result, I slinked into the Ramah rest area
long past sunset and in darkness.
The
thoughtful gift from Andre, a solar-powered flashing light, proved incredibly
useful. Its automatic activation in low-light conditions made it the perfect
companion for cycle touring, providing just the right illumination when needed.
9 -
10 February - Ramah rest area – Al Ain - 60 km
The
ride to Al Ain was straight into the wind, but there was nothing one could do.
I put my head down, adjusted the bicycle gears, and soldiered on. Truly, nothing
happened - even the service stations weren’t equipped with shops selling snacks
or drinks. Then, out of the blue, a stranger stopped and gave me a small souvenir.
I was completely gobsmacked, and I wonder if I ever thanked him for his
kindness.
The
oasis town of Al Ain rolled into view shortly beyond midday. My early arrival
left me enough time to investigate the nearby Al Ain Oasis which sported a
labyrinthine of cobbled streets. The entire area was walled and fitted with an
ancient underground irrigation system dating back thousands of years. The
nearly 150,000 date palms within the walled area made it a relaxed and shady meander.
Falafel and samosas from the cafeteria, once again, made a quick meal.
Al
Ain offered several places of interest and the city was a great place to spend
the following day. The Palace Museum was fascinating, and so was the old fort.
Al Jahili Fort was constructed in 1891 as a fort and a summer residence for
Sheikh Zayed the First. I believed it customary in those days for Abu Dhabi
leaders to escape the summer's coastal humidity in favour of Al Ain's dryer
climate. The oasis, offering plenty of water, must have added to its
popularity.
Carrefour
supermarket was a great place to stock up. As the camel market was right behind
the shopping centre, the market was easy to explore before returning to my wonderfully
comfortable abode. For the third night in a row, supper was falafel and more
samosas before turning in.
67 OMAN
223 Kilometres
– 11 Days
11
February – 22 February 2015
11
February - Al Ain, UAE – Sobar, Oman - 110 km
Certain
days were more challenging to get going than others, and this day was one of
them. After packing up and a cup of coffee, the time was already past 10h00
before I got underway. The Omani border crossing was 10 kilometres away and a
leisurely cycle through the town of Al Ain.
Once
on the Omani side, my first stop was at an ATM, then a quick breakfast before
picking up a new SIM card. As a result, it was past 12h00 before I headed into
Oman and over the Hajar Mountains toward Muscat. Once out of the city and in
the desert, the road became a shimmering mirage. Besides barren mountains and a
few camels, the scenery remained unchanged. Oddly, the Omani border was 50 kilometres
further, making it a sizeable no-man’s land.
By
the time I received my entry stamp, it was well past midday, and I had covered
only a minimal distance. I filled my water bottles and headed for the hills.
Like the previous day, the weather was windy but the wind didn’t bother me, and
a strange peacefulness prevailed. Sunset was between 6 and 6.30 p.m. and, soon afterwards, darkness
fell. To my delight, streetlights lined the entire road.
I
was a bit taken aback on reaching Sobar as I didn’t envisage Sobar quite as substantial.
The traffic was horrendous, and the roadworks and detours scared me off the
road. A taxi driver pointed me to a nameless hotel which suited me fine. Once
in a room, I cooked pasta, but being a terrible cook, the pasta was awful, and I
should’ve settled for falafel instead.
12
February - Sobar – The Millennium Resort - 113 km
My
friend Lois had arranged to meet at the upmarket Millennium Hotel and Resort
for a drink. With a cold beer in mind, I ground into the wind until I finally crawled
into the resort shortly after 6h00 p.m. Lois was already there and, to my
delight, I learned she had organised a room. It’s good to have friends.
A
great deal of babbling took place over a drink, as we had years of catching up
to do. The jabbering continued over supper and until late in the night. A few
beers were consumed before retreating to our luxury room overlooking the Gulf
of Oman.
13
February - The Millennium Resort – Seeb
We
had a relaxing start to the day, followed by a massive breakfast overlooking
the Gulf of Oman, and was midday before we eventually headed out. Lois persuaded
me to load the bike in the car and join her for a sightseeing ride to Muscat.
Our
first stop was at Al Sawadi, a beautiful beach where boats departed to the
nearby island for a day of leisure. From Al Sawadi, we resumed our slow drive
to Barka, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous “bull-butting”. Regrettably, the
event wasn’t taking place until much later. Lunch was in true Arabic style and then
onto Seeb, where Lois lived.
14 -
20 February - Muscat and surrounding areas
Lois
hauled me out of bed and announced we were driving up the mountain. The drive
was spectacular and featured hazy views far in the distance, and I was grateful
for being in a car and not on a bicycle. A long, steep walk down the mountain
brought us to an old, abandoned village where well-preserved mud-brick houses
clung desperately to the mountainside. Then, a hot, sweaty walk finally spat us
out at the car.
Later,
we had refreshments at an upmarket hotel offering spectacular views of the
mountains and the small villages far below. One could barely make out the tiny,
luminous green terraces used for farming.
We then
proceeded along the nearly vertical mountain road to Nizwa, sporting an
imposing fort and fascinating souq. This huge souq sold the whole caboodle,
from vegetables to livestock and almost anything in-between, from beautiful
pottery products to antique-looking jewellery, and even guns.
Back
in Muscat, the days came and went, and I spent my time mostly sampling all of
Oman’s exotic dishes. The hop-on-hop-off Big Bus city tour around Muscat was money
well spent as one got to see all Muscat had to offer in a matter of a day. In
the process, I met another cyclist biking around Oman, mainly following the
Oman Cycle Tour.
Soon,
the 19th arrived and Lois took the day off work, loaded the car, and
we made our way south along the coast. The landscape was typically desert-like and
dotted by unexpected little gems. Our first stop was the Bimmah Sinkhole, also
known as Hawiyat Najm or The Falling Star. According to legend, the crater was
a result of a meteor. The experts, however, have a less romantic story, claiming
natural causes of dissolving limestone formed the hole.
Our
next stop was in Sur with its famous dhow building yard. The area was old and
traditional where no one referred to a sketch or blueprint. But, surprisingly,
in this modern age of technology, dhows were still handmade, a process that
appeared slow and labour-intensive.
Our day’s
destination was the turtle reserve at Ras al-Jinz. The night was spent at a conveniently
located hotel, a short walk from the famous turtle breeding ground. I don’t
know what I expected. Still, it wasn’t seeing giant, pre-historic-looking
turtles slowly making their way out of the water. Mesmerised, we watched them
dig metre-deep holes with their short fins. Then, very slowly, they placed
themselves over the hole and laid roughly 100 perfectly round golf-ball-sized
eggs. Once done, they meticulously closed everything up, but this wasn’t the
end of their duties. They then dug a fake hole next to the real one to mislead
predators. Only once all was done did they drag their weary bodies back to the
ocean — poor things.
We
returned to the beach in the morning to see if we could spot more turtles. Unfortunately,
we only came upon one returning to the water after her busy night on the beach.
Still, we spotted newly hatched ones appearing from their sandy nest and scurrying
to the water’s edge. The whole process was captivating - what a fantastic
experience. Thank you, Lois.
After
breakfast, Lois and I headed inland, stopping at a wadi high up in the
mountains for lunch. Next, we headed to our beautiful desert camp—a haven
amidst the arid landscape. The camp, adorned with rustic reeds, is nestled in
the heart of the desert, surrounded by magnificent sand dunes.
21-22
February - Muscat
Too
soon it all ended, and it was time to return to Muscat. Once in Muscat, I packed
my belongings, and Lois drove me to the airport for my flight to Sri Lanka, my
next destination. En route to the airport, we had time to have one more memorable
meal consisting of a camel-meat burger, a first for me.
I cannot thank Lois enough for all she did. I had a most enjoyable time and saw more than I would ever have seen. She also covered all expenses. I will forever be indebted to her.
66 & 67 THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES & OMAN
548 Kilometres – 20 Days
2 February - 22 February 2015
66 THE
EMIRATE OF DUBAI
325 Kilometres
– 9 Days
2
February – 22 February 2015
2
February - Cape Town, South Africa – Dubai, UAE (by plane)
The flight
from Cape Town, South Africa to Dubai, UAE via Doha was uneventful, except for arriving
in Dubai at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. Mercifully, Anton
and Andre, friends of my friend, Lois, who lived in Oman at the time,
collected me from the airport. I was extremely grateful to them as Dubai was mightily
expensive. If not for them, I would’ve had a somewhat pricey start to the UAE. Once
at their home, our chatter continued until 5 a.m. before finally turning in for
the night.
3
February - Dubai
As expected,
following our late night, we were slow to emerge. Dubai (the
biggest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the
capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one
of seven emirates forming the UAE)
was undoubtedly the money capital of the world, and it was hard not to
be in awe of all money could buy.
Almost
everything was the biggest in the world, from shopping centres to aquariums.
The water bus provided a unique way to explore the marina. So was roaming
around the famous Dubai Mall, Golden Souq and impressive aquarium. A stroll
along the downtown area worked up an appetite, and we enjoyed a late lunch
watching the dancing fountains. The fountains were impressive against the
backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world (at the time).
Then, we went home to watch a 3D movie while enjoying popcorn and wine. What a
novel way to end a fabulous day in this world-famous city.
4
February - Dubai
Although
awake slightly earlier than the previous day, it was already half-past eleven when
I finished reassembling the bicycle. Our first stop was the bike shop to
purchase a few bits and bobs.
Our
next destination was Souq Madinat Jumeirah, where we spent a few hours
sauntering through the gold and spice markets. Next, I was treated to a
canal-side lunch at the Noodle House, where we had a great view of the famous
Burj Al Arab Hotel. Afterwards, we visited Elvira, a friend of Anton and Andre,
where we could access the top of her 83-storey building, which sports a
fantastic city view. Elvira ordered pizzas, and we had a great time
socialising.
5
February - Dubai
An
additional day was spent in Dubai, and Anton and Andre drove me to the Miracle
Garden. In this fantastic flower garden, the whole shebang, including the
buildings, was covered by plants and flowers—a remarkable feat considering this
is a desert country.
Afterwards,
we drove to the world-famous Palm Island with its mega-expensive accommodation.
Though immensely sought after, Palm Island wasn’t where I wanted to find myself
during a tsunami. Hunger pains drove us to the excellent Carluccio restaurant offering
authentic Italian cuisine.
Our next
stop was at the metro station where, to my surprise, one could board a
driverless train. Our driverless train scooted us off to the Spice and Gold
Souq.
Towards
the end of the day, Carrefour made convenient shopping to pick up the necessary
ingredients as Anton planned on making a traditional Uzbek dish, plov — an extremely
suitable way to wrap up another intriguing day in the city of Dubai. As always,
the longer I stayed, the more interesting the city became.
6
February - Dubai – Al Rama - 100 km
I
was all Dubai-ed out and happy to be back on the bike again. A big grin crossed
my face as I cycled off doing one of my favourite things - pedalling off in a
direction I wasn’t quite sure where it would lead was exciting and relaxing.
I
was immensely thankful to Anton and Andre, who gave me a bed, fed me, and
carted me all over Dubai. However, the warnings regarding drivers in Dubai slightly
concerned me. Excellent wide highways and fast cars aren’t the best places to
cycle. Therefore, I was surprised to find vehicles slowing and waving me across
a busy motorway. Maybe it was simply out of sheer amazement to see a woman on a
bicycle.
My
route followed the dead, monotonous, and mind-numbing road to Abu Dhabi, a
massive 4-lane highway. At least the numerous petrol stations were a welcome
distraction and not one was passed without stopping. Long conversations with
fellow travellers made it an enjoyable first day. All enquired about my origin
and destination, followed by the inevitable photo shoot: leaving Dubai late and
with all the stopping and chatting, the sun soon started dipping towards the
horizon. Still winter, the sun disappeared at around 6 o’clock. Luckily, Al
Raga sported a room that was costly but convenient.
7
February - Al Rama – Abu Dhabi - 40 km
The ride
into Abu Dhabi, the bustling capital of the UAE’s biggest emirate, was shorter
than anticipated. Shortly before the city centre, my route unexpectedly spat me
out in the fast lane of a busy highway, leaving no means of getting to the opposite
side. Eventually, police helped me across, and two kind Samaritans stopped and
gave me a ride into town. It was a good thing too, as the police didn’t want to
let me go, and only once they saw all of us in the car did they drive off.
The
GPS on my phone didn’t work without a SIM card, and being my only form of
navigation, I searched for a local SIM. Returning to my abode, I grabbed a bag
of falafel and a few samosas for only a few dirhams.
8
February - Abu Dhabi – Ramah rest area - 125 km
My
first stop was at the imposing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to snatch a few photos.
Afterwards, I pointed the bike in the direction of Oman. Initially, my plan was
to cycle halfway to the border, but I couldn’t find a suitable camping spot.
Again,
nothing significant happened, and again, service stations broke the monotony. These
stations made filling my water bottles and buying snacks convenient, as chewing
while riding kept me occupied. As a result, I slinked into the Ramah rest area
long past sunset and in darkness.
The
thoughtful gift from Andre, a solar-powered flashing light, proved incredibly
useful. Its automatic activation in low-light conditions made it the perfect
companion for cycle touring, providing just the right illumination when needed.
9 -
10 February - Ramah rest area – Al Ain - 60 km
The
ride to Al Ain was straight into the wind, but there was nothing one could do.
I put my head down, adjusted the bicycle gears, and soldiered on. Truly, nothing
happened - even the service stations weren’t equipped with shops selling snacks
or drinks. Then, out of the blue, a stranger stopped and gave me a small souvenir.
I was completely gobsmacked, and I wonder if I ever thanked him for his
kindness.
The
oasis town of Al Ain rolled into view shortly beyond midday. My early arrival
left me enough time to investigate the nearby Al Ain Oasis which sported a
labyrinthine of cobbled streets. The entire area was walled and fitted with an
ancient underground irrigation system dating back thousands of years. The
nearly 150,000 date palms within the walled area made it a relaxed and shady meander.
Falafel and samosas from the cafeteria, once again, made a quick meal.
Al
Ain offered several places of interest and the city was a great place to spend
the following day. The Palace Museum was fascinating, and so was the old fort.
Al Jahili Fort was constructed in 1891 as a fort and a summer residence for
Sheikh Zayed the First. I believed it customary in those days for Abu Dhabi
leaders to escape the summer's coastal humidity in favour of Al Ain's dryer
climate. The oasis, offering plenty of water, must have added to its
popularity.
Carrefour
supermarket was a great place to stock up. As the camel market was right behind
the shopping centre, the market was easy to explore before returning to my wonderfully
comfortable abode. For the third night in a row, supper was falafel and more
samosas before turning in.
67 OMAN
223 Kilometres
– 11 Days
11
February – 22 February 2015
11
February - Al Ain, UAE – Sobar, Oman - 110 km
Certain
days were more challenging to get going than others, and this day was one of
them. After packing up and a cup of coffee, the time was already past 10h00
before I got underway. The Omani border crossing was 10 kilometres away and a
leisurely cycle through the town of Al Ain.
Once
on the Omani side, my first stop was at an ATM, then a quick breakfast before
picking up a new SIM card. As a result, it was past 12h00 before I headed into
Oman and over the Hajar Mountains toward Muscat. Once out of the city and in
the desert, the road became a shimmering mirage. Besides barren mountains and a
few camels, the scenery remained unchanged. Oddly, the Omani border was 50 kilometres
further, making it a sizeable no-man’s land.
By
the time I received my entry stamp, it was well past midday, and I had covered
only a minimal distance. I filled my water bottles and headed for the hills.
Like the previous day, the weather was windy but the wind didn’t bother me, and
a strange peacefulness prevailed. Sunset was between 6 and 6.30 p.m. and, soon afterwards, darkness
fell. To my delight, streetlights lined the entire road.
I
was a bit taken aback on reaching Sobar as I didn’t envisage Sobar quite as substantial.
The traffic was horrendous, and the roadworks and detours scared me off the
road. A taxi driver pointed me to a nameless hotel which suited me fine. Once
in a room, I cooked pasta, but being a terrible cook, the pasta was awful, and I
should’ve settled for falafel instead.
12
February - Sobar – The Millennium Resort - 113 km
My
friend Lois had arranged to meet at the upmarket Millennium Hotel and Resort
for a drink. With a cold beer in mind, I ground into the wind until I finally crawled
into the resort shortly after 6h00 p.m. Lois was already there and, to my
delight, I learned she had organised a room. It’s good to have friends.
A
great deal of babbling took place over a drink, as we had years of catching up
to do. The jabbering continued over supper and until late in the night. A few
beers were consumed before retreating to our luxury room overlooking the Gulf
of Oman.
13
February - The Millennium Resort – Seeb
We
had a relaxing start to the day, followed by a massive breakfast overlooking
the Gulf of Oman, and was midday before we eventually headed out. Lois persuaded
me to load the bike in the car and join her for a sightseeing ride to Muscat.
Our
first stop was at Al Sawadi, a beautiful beach where boats departed to the
nearby island for a day of leisure. From Al Sawadi, we resumed our slow drive
to Barka, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous “bull-butting”. Regrettably, the
event wasn’t taking place until much later. Lunch was in true Arabic style and then
onto Seeb, where Lois lived.
14 -
20 February - Muscat and surrounding areas
Lois
hauled me out of bed and announced we were driving up the mountain. The drive
was spectacular and featured hazy views far in the distance, and I was grateful
for being in a car and not on a bicycle. A long, steep walk down the mountain
brought us to an old, abandoned village where well-preserved mud-brick houses
clung desperately to the mountainside. Then, a hot, sweaty walk finally spat us
out at the car.
Later,
we had refreshments at an upmarket hotel offering spectacular views of the
mountains and the small villages far below. One could barely make out the tiny,
luminous green terraces used for farming.
We then
proceeded along the nearly vertical mountain road to Nizwa, sporting an
imposing fort and fascinating souq. This huge souq sold the whole caboodle,
from vegetables to livestock and almost anything in-between, from beautiful
pottery products to antique-looking jewellery, and even guns.
Back
in Muscat, the days came and went, and I spent my time mostly sampling all of
Oman’s exotic dishes. The hop-on-hop-off Big Bus city tour around Muscat was money
well spent as one got to see all Muscat had to offer in a matter of a day. In
the process, I met another cyclist biking around Oman, mainly following the
Oman Cycle Tour.
Soon,
the 19th arrived and Lois took the day off work, loaded the car, and
we made our way south along the coast. The landscape was typically desert-like and
dotted by unexpected little gems. Our first stop was the Bimmah Sinkhole, also
known as Hawiyat Najm or The Falling Star. According to legend, the crater was
a result of a meteor. The experts, however, have a less romantic story, claiming
natural causes of dissolving limestone formed the hole.
Our
next stop was in Sur with its famous dhow building yard. The area was old and
traditional where no one referred to a sketch or blueprint. But, surprisingly,
in this modern age of technology, dhows were still handmade, a process that
appeared slow and labour-intensive.
Our day’s
destination was the turtle reserve at Ras al-Jinz. The night was spent at a conveniently
located hotel, a short walk from the famous turtle breeding ground. I don’t
know what I expected. Still, it wasn’t seeing giant, pre-historic-looking
turtles slowly making their way out of the water. Mesmerised, we watched them
dig metre-deep holes with their short fins. Then, very slowly, they placed
themselves over the hole and laid roughly 100 perfectly round golf-ball-sized
eggs. Once done, they meticulously closed everything up, but this wasn’t the
end of their duties. They then dug a fake hole next to the real one to mislead
predators. Only once all was done did they drag their weary bodies back to the
ocean — poor things.
We
returned to the beach in the morning to see if we could spot more turtles. Unfortunately,
we only came upon one returning to the water after her busy night on the beach.
Still, we spotted newly hatched ones appearing from their sandy nest and scurrying
to the water’s edge. The whole process was captivating - what a fantastic
experience. Thank you, Lois.
After
breakfast, Lois and I headed inland, stopping at a wadi high up in the
mountains for lunch. Next, we headed to our beautiful desert camp—a haven
amidst the arid landscape. The camp, adorned with rustic reeds, is nestled in
the heart of the desert, surrounded by magnificent sand dunes.
21-22
February - Muscat
Too
soon it all ended, and it was time to return to Muscat. Once in Muscat, I packed
my belongings, and Lois drove me to the airport for my flight to Sri Lanka, my
next destination. En route to the airport, we had time to have one more memorable
meal consisting of a camel-meat burger, a first for me.
I cannot thank Lois enough for all she did. I had a most enjoyable time and saw more than I would ever have seen. She also covered all expenses. I will forever be indebted to her.
