Camping at the neighbor’s. [part 1]

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.

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