The last time I recall writing something for the blog, we were still living in the guesthouse waiting for our shipping container and counting down the days before finally being able to make a home for ourselves...
On the 12th of February we received the call that they would be delivering our container the next day! Exciting! One would never believe it, but that day it poured so hard that even walking one metre in this rain would get one soaking wet: roads were flooding fast, making Muscat dangerous for driving (eg. some roads were so flooded, you could not see the side of the roads anymore). The reason this happens is because in Muscat/Oman there:
1. is no drainage for water (but they are working on it)
2. are rocky mountains which don't absorb any water and make a lot of it flood towards Muscat
Anyway, that day I was fearing the moving company would cancel the delivery of the container, but luckily they didn't!
That night we slept in our own beds and having received over 200 moving boxes one could understand me being very busy the days/weeks after... But at last we have come to a point that we feel at 'home' in Muscat.
First Off-road challenge: Wadi Bani Awf with highlight Balad Sayt
In Oman, there is some culture/musea, but most of its wonders are to be found in the beautiful nature. Oman has astonishing beaches, but also beautiful deserts, it even has its own 'Grand Canyon', but also beautiful green Wadi's (places where water only temporarily flows due to heavy rainfalls) filled with palmtrees. In the south of Oman, in Salalah (about 1000km from Muscat), the climate is very different and one can expect an even greener side of Oman (we have yet still to discover that part of Oman).
For our first road trip, as to find one of these wonders, we used the Oman Off-Road book as our guide to head for Wadi Bani Awf. First there is a 130km drive to the start of the off-road part, and then 60km of off-road driving and then another 190km towards Muscat. A long day in the car, but it was so worth while... Without a 4x4 this is not an option though!
We saw many beautiful things, but the wonder of Balad Sayt will never be forgotten. Suddenly this beautiful green village appeared after driving many km's in a rocky, dusty environment. A small paradise on earth!
First visitors
In March we received a two-week visit from my parents, who were very welcome and who loved the beauty of Oman, but most of all they were very happy to see us and especially the grandchildren! :-)
Of course we were happy too, especially because they brought a special delivery of ham, salami's, real chocolate (!), presents and some bottles of alcohol! Anyone could understand how welcome they were ;-). It felt like christmas all over again!
If anyone considers visiting us, this is the bare minimum requirement we have ;-).
First time to the fish market
There are markets in Muscat, or better there is a fish market, a fruit and vegetable market and a Souk, not to be compared with the type of markets as we know in Europe, which we love visiting due to it's touristic value, coziness and possibility to sit on a terrace afterwards to enjoy the surroundings with a glass of wine or a fresh beer...
Here it's just fresh fish and fresh vegetables, and fresher than this is near to impossible. Tuna, King Fish, shark, swordfish, red snapper, crabs,... all local fish, which taste amazing.
The only 'catch' is that you have to go early because the fish are lying there on Indian mats and aren't really protected from the heat (or flies).
The Souk can be compared to small covered alleys like you can find in Turkey. They sell Frankincense, a local product, which is often used in catholic churches, but here is used for the nice scent and for keeping mosquitos away (they are small but have a horrific effect when you get bitten by one of them).
In the souk there are a lot of pashmina's, some gold and other tourist items.
To be continued...
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