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.
FIND OUT MORE!
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!
Me, and four of my friends, signed up for a walking tour in Oman with KE Adventures. In our planning process and upon arrival, we learned lots of things about Oman.
TIPS
While visiting Panama, I attended two weeks of Spanish classes at Casco Antiguo Spanish School. The school is located in Casco Viejo, a revitalized historic quarter of the city. The popular UNESCO World Heritage Site features beautiful churches, nice plazas, a variety of museums, countless stores, and hip restaurants. Every day after class, I took in a few sites. Below is a list of things to do:
LET’S GO
After four weeks of island hopping in the South Pacific, I met my friends, Julie and Dustin, in the Solomon Islands. Because I had planned so much of my first four weeks in American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, I relied heavily on Julie and Dustin for planning in the Solomons. As a result, I knew very little about the country which gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.
The sovereign state includes six major islands and over 900 smaller ones. During our visit to the Solomon Islands, we began in its capital, Honiara, and traveled west through the Central Province to the Western Province with the Taka dive boat. Ultimately, we ended our journey in Munda.
EXPLORE
After four weeks of island hopping, I joined my friends in the Solomons after an unusual connecting flight through Fiji. The gentleman in my row asked me to carry his alcohol through immigration. I’m sure it was just due to a limit, but entering a foreign country, I politely replied, “No, thank you.” Upon a second attempt, to which I said no again, he told me I wasn’t being very nice!
A few folks behind us overheard, and at the end of the flight, they wanted to know more. In the end, I learned, one lady sails her boat around the world. Envious, I said, I wish I met you while in Vanuatu, I always find myself wanting to be on islands that are only accessible to boats. She told me for the future, I could just go to a website call Crew Seekers. Hello! That’s how I’ll be doing some of my future trips.
EXPLORE
Continuing my island hop through the South Pacific, which has included Hawaii, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, and now Vanuatu, I flew from Espiritu Santo to Efate. Efate is the most populous island in the archipelago and is home to the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila. The island, which was used as the locale for the Tales of the South Pacific as well as for three seasons of Survivor, many times is simply referred to as Vila.
LET’S GO