![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_2687.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0Port of Muscat![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_2693.jpg\")
<\/a>The two big ships (yachts) belong to the Sultan of Oman<\/p>\nAt the gate, our driver from Memphis Tours, Mohammad, was waiting for us.\u00a0 We introduced ourselves as we walked to a 4-wheel drive Toyota SUV and loaded up.\u00a0 We discussed the day\u2019s schedule as we drove. \u00a0\u00a0Our available time for the tour is 4 \u00bd hours.\u00a0 We had originally planned for a longer excursion, but we\u2019ll adjust as we go.\u00a0Wadi Shabb requires a long walk, some climbing, and then working our way through a cave, so we decide to drop that destination.<\/p>\n
The drive out of town is interesting as we check out the city and villages.\u00a0 The road is a wide (6 lanes) interstate-type freeway.\u00a0 It climbs and weaves through big hills and mountains.\u00a0 After an hour, we arrive at a turn-off.\u00a0 A couple of hundred yards off the main road, our road turns to gravel\/dirt, and narrows considerably.\u00a0 Eventually we\u2019re weaving along a river and the road gets more and more narrow, with steep climbs and descents.\u00a0 There are scattered villages and farms as we go.\u00a0 This is a rough place to try and grow a crop, much less make a living farming.\u00a0Four-wheel drive is a necessity in much of the way.<\/p>\n We arrive at Al Arbaeen 30 minutes later.\u00a0 The drive in was dramatic.\u00a0 It\u2019s what I would call an oasis, with a small lake, wedged in between the rugged hills and mountains. There are areas where families and groups are camped or cooking.\u00a0Several swimmers are enjoying the cool water (the sun is hot).\u00a0 Our driver tells us the water comes from the humidity in clouds on the surrounding mountains and finds it\u2019s way downhill.<\/p>\n I never dreamed I would have the chance to go \u201coff-road\u201d in the mountains of Oman with an Omani guide.\u00a0Unbelievable!<\/p>\n We depart, taking another road out of the area.\u00a0 This one seems to follow the riverbed, as it flows to the ocean.\u00a0 We\u2019re in and out of water-crossings, as we go.\u00a0 Eventually, we make it to the coast, checking out the really long open beaches.<\/p>\n Our driver pulls into the Hawiyat Hajm (Sink Hole) Park.\u00a0 We walk in and, sure enough, find a huge sinkhole with water.\u00a0 There are stairs to the bottom, and swimmers.\u00a0 We even watched a few brave souls jump from the cliff above.\u00a0 I checked it out later with \u201cTravel Advisor\u201d.\u00a0 It said not to make it a destination, but stop if you\u2019re close (and we were).<\/p>\n We began to head back to the city.\u00a0 We stopped at Quiriyat, a fishing village near the road, just checking out some of the local \u201ccolor\u201d.\u00a0 Back in Muscat, we had some time and toured around the city proper.\u00a0 I had asked to driver to take me by a Starbucks so I could get a souvenir mug.\u00a0 After my purchase, we made our way back to the ship, in plenty of time to catch our shuttle to the ship.<\/p>\n I\u2019m constantly evaluating the quality of the tours we\u2019re taking, comparing them to other options.\u00a0Most of the guests on the ship we talked to were headed into town to shop at the Suok (old style market).\u00a0Others were busing or taking taxis to the important sites, but as it turns out, because it\u2019s Friday, not much is open.\u00a0 I felt like we had a really interesting trip to remote area not heavily travelled.\u00a0 I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a \u201cdifferent\u201d excursion in Muscat.\u00a0 It might have even been more interesting if we\u2019d had enough time to get to Wadi Shabb.<\/p>\n Our arrival into Muscat isn\u2019t early, so our morning begins like most previous sea days, with a relaxing breakfast.\u00a0 We watched from our balcony as the ship docked, and then began to move downstairs so we would be in position … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Homes on the roadside<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0Quiriyat – fishing village<\/a>\u00a0Muscat Corniche beach area<\/a>\u00a0One of the local mosques<\/p>\n<\/a>Pulling out of the port<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"