Travel Stories | Expat Life
I tried to get too clever. *
Sarah took these beautiful panoramic photos during our National Day camping trip. I almost forgot to share them! [click on them to view larger]
Deep in the wadi.
The enticing hanging moss!
(a similar photo is featured in the Oman Off-Road Guide and everyone who visits cites this photo as their inspiration)
A smidge outside of Muscat.
The Hajar Mountains.
xo, jill
* see, I moved the “O” in Oman to the end to create rhyme. Yeah?
Enter the goats.
After waking up next to a donkey and eating breakfast, we continued in the car towards Muscat. We reached the Oman Dive Center with plenty of time to lunch and play. While the others went off to snorkle, a little bout of anxiety kept me on the shore. I guess I haven’t grown out of my trepidation of getting my eyebrows wet just yet.
After the dive center we drove just a bit further down the coast to Yiti Beach. We set up our tents just as the sun was setting. You really can’t beat a campfire in the relaxing evening contest. When you add phosphorescence in the water, that’s pretty cool too.
The next morning we woke up to… can you guess? Goats! When Mike’s shoe went missing the goats were our first suspect! Fortunately, the shoe turned up and the goats’ reputations were spared!
Sarah and I each took a brief photo walk to appreciate the beautiful setting.
After plotting our course, we began the long drive back to Abu Dhabi.
xo, jill
We’re on friendly terms.
Leading up to National Day weekend way back in December, I was really excited to take a trip to Beirut. I knew exactly what we would do there (copy Sarah and Skylar’s trip), and I couldn’t wait to check it out. That’s when the worried emails from parents began to arrive. The political situation is always a bit tetchy in Lebanon, but at the end of 2010 animosities were heating up. Judging it best to heed our parents’ advice, Mike and I last minute paid the cancellation fee and shelved my hopes of visiting Beirut.
We needed a new adventure.
Luckily, it didn’t take much effort to whip up a camping trip on short notice. Off we went to Oman!
Here’s a group photo shortly before crossing the border and shortly after receiving two speeding tickets (but none for me! I earned mine a few days later…).
We couldn’t scrounge up any walkie talkies for the ride but when you’ve got roadtrip bingo, you’re set.
We crossed the border, which is pretty easy for residents, and headed into Oman. The funny thing about Oman (and the Middle East in general), is that you’re never quite sure you’ve got it right. Even when you’ve been there before. It took a bit of scouting to get back to the beautiful Wadi Damm I explored last year.
photo by Sarah
photo by Sarah
Finally, it was time to explore the wadi!
The swimming hole was a bit chilly in the mild December weather. Skylar and Mike went for a dip then scrambled out of the water as quick as possible. I wasn’t even going to try.
Exploration required a bit more scrambling this time around and led to a few slight injuries. Scratches, poked eyeballs, and a damaged foot later… we headed back out to set up our camp site.
photo by Sarah
Well, first we had to stop to take silly shadow shots…
photo by Allan
… and race a few boats.
We cooked over a warm camp fire and settled in to bed.
Then we woke up to this guy just feet from our tent. Good morning!
xo, jill
…gets settled here.
There was quite the debate raging in the region a few months ago. Stories and facts were flying. As with most things, it’s best to do some investigating of your own in order to settle matters.
So that’s how I ended up at two different water parks separated by only a few short weeks.
First up: Wild Wadi at Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Wild Wadi is a family friendly Arabian themed water park in the shadow of the Burj Al Arab. The pretense is that you’re in a flooding wadi. Every so often thunder cracks and water comes rushing down the main pathway. Highlights of the park include tube rides that push you up the slides, a wave pool, and Juha.
Cons:
Aquaventure is a playground for both children and adults. It features less of a theme but follows the lost world of Atlantis decor for the most part. Highlights of the park include the Leap of Faith (crazy scary water slide), an inner tube ride through an aquarium, and a private beach.
Cons:
Conclusion: Aquaventure is, in my opinion, the better choice in terms of entertainment and value for your dirham. In comparison, the slides and rides were just more thrilling and convenient to maneuver through. However, I am a little uncomfortable declaring Aquaventure the winner in terms of their use of animals… so avoid Dolphin Bay and watch The Cove!
For Sarah’s impressions on Aquaventure, click here. I think she wrote up more stats and particulars. She generously let me borrow her photos of Aquaventure for this post.
xo, jill
Red, black, green, and white.
I wish you could experience the full magnitude of an Emirates National Day. It’s pure love, baby. The week long (school) celebration included singing, dancing, henna, traditional food, and an awesome “Timeline of the UAE” presentation directed by Ms. Sarah and me.
xo, jill
It’s like fresh paint.
I welcomed in the new year with good friends, sparkling drinks, and a desert fire. We counted down the seconds and watched the fireworks in the distance. It was laughs and hugs and “How was your holiday?” and great.
2010 you were a friendly even numbered year. Let’s see what this odd fellow 2011 has to offer…
xo, jill
