Adventure Travel Photography Blog
Misfat Al Abriyyin is a mountain village located just up the road from Al Hamra. It is one of the few old villages that actively welcomes tourists, though the signs posted at the parking area of the village entrance remind visitors to act respectfully. We stayed here after hiking the Balcony Walk in the Grand Canyon of Oman and really loved our authentic experience.
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After touring Muscat, hiking and swimming in the wadis near Tiwi, and camping in the Arabian Desert with Bedouins, we continued our week-long tour of Oman with KE Adventures in Nizwa.
Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman, and it was the country’s capital in the 5th and 6th centuries. Located at the base of the Western Hajar Mountains, it is strategically located at the crossroads of routes linking the interior of Oman to Muscat and Dhofar.
VISIT NIZWA
After touring Muscat and exploring and camping in the Wadis of Oman for a few nights, we continued our week-long adventure with KE Adventures in the Sharqiya Sands, formerly named Wahiba Sands. After a welcome bed and shower at Oriental Nights Rest House, a perfect overnight for hiking Wadi Bani Khalid, our first stop was at a touristy Bedouin camp in this Arabian Desert. Book Here at Hotels.com
There are several wadis in Oman and in my opinion are also the prettiest places in the country to visit. A few are conveniently located within two hours southeast of Muscat, providing for an optional day trip for those short on time while visiting Oman.
They are better visited, however, by staying in the nearby area. While there is only one hotel in the closest town, Tiwi (population 1,950), there is nearby camping on the popular Fins Beach, as well as a handful of options in the larger City of Sur (population 71,150) farther south.
GET OUTSIDE!
Dating as far back as 5,000 BC Oman was the center of the frankincense trade. Before the 7th century, during pre-Islamic times, it prospered through the trade of copper. Later, Oman came under the leadership of the Bani Nabhan Dynasty which lasted 500 years where it suffered many civil wars between the tribal factions and the Sultan’s forces.
EXPLORE MUSCAT!
Breakfast in bed was the way to go at The Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea. The food service was far faster, though we ended up with two pepper shakers instead of salt and pepper for our eggs.
Suman and I were anxious to get down to the sea, though we waited patiently for the outside temperature to warm up to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit because 50 degrees yesterday was cold! As we followed the stairs down to one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, we were greeted with a reasonable temperature, a virtually an empty beach, and placid seas!
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Well, we waved good-bye to Wadi Rum and headed Northwest toward the Dead Sea. We passed by a few more check points, but didn’t get pulled over. At one point, we thought we did, and the policeman looked puzzled. He asked if we spoke Arabic…haha, NO! We went on.
The road weaved through mountainous terrain with steep grades. Eventually we reached the Dead Sea. The water was beautiful and across the way we could see Israel. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth, 1,412 feet below sea level! It wreaked havoc on our cell phones and Fitbits. My Fitbit Blaze battery usually lasts five days. It was draining in a day with the blue tooth off.
GO FOR A FLOAT!
Today we enjoyed a 4×4 Tour through the protected area of the Wadi Rum Desert. Fayez attended to us and another family from France. The family was lovely and lived the last ten years in China! I would have never guessed that. Eleanor, the oldest of the two girls recently graduated from the London School of Economics and currently resides in London, while Constance is finishing up school in Montreal.
The family travels often and their mom Beatrice has two French passports! Who knew you could do that?!? But it is accommodated for those who must send away for Visas frequently. They said Iran is amazing. For us US citizens, that’s a tough place to visit, but maybe one day.
GO FOR DRIVE
We awoke for our second day in Petra. We had another hike planned to the High Place of Sacrifice and through Wadi Farasa. Suman and Syreeta decided that they would rather spend a more leisurely morning strolling around the theater and the Great Temple as we didn’t spend much time exploring them yesterday. Margaret and I opted for the hike that would lead us up above Petra for views down on the complex.
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