Frequent Flyer Points!

Another month passes and again I haven't written anything! Time really does fly. Following on from my last post I did get the chance to say goodbye and made it home for my Nan's Funeral. While it was terribly sad, my wonderful family turned our sadness into a celebration. Nan's funeral was a real tribute to her. Two of my Uncle's and one Aunty gave a lovely eulogy. Then one cousin from each of the nine families said a few words of our memories of Nan. It was a very special day and I was so glad I was there. 

In the end my Iquama arrived on the Wednesday before the funeral. I got on a plane at 3am Thursday morning and three flights later I was home in Mildura. I arrived at 10am and Nan's funeral was at 2pm. Everything fell into place.

After four days in Mildura I was back on a plane headed for Bahrain. My jet setting ways didn't stop there. Three days after my return to Saudi and my little family, who had stayed behind, I was back on a plane headed to Oman.

Oman is only an hour and a half flight from Bahrain. So close! We spent 5 nights just outside of the capital Muscat. It is a truly scenic country with friendly people and lots to see. There is so much history in Oman, particularly Muscat. It has played an important role as a seaport that links Europe, Africa, Asia and of course the Middle East. The mountains and hills are made of barren, sheer cliffs and rock faces. They are absolutely stunning to look at.

The view looking up from inside the car!

We stayed at the Shangri La Resort. It was a gorgeous, relaxing place. It's situated by the water surrounded by mountains. In fact, to get to one of the three hotels located on the site you have to drive through a tunnel cut into a mountain. 

My family walking around the Resort.

Full moon at the Resort.

The view from our window. The six star hotel is on the top of the cliff.

Suffice it to stay...we didn't stay there!

This is a closer view of the mountainous country.

We had a guide take us on a tour on some inland villages and towns.

The outside of Nizwa Fort. There were many steps to climb to get to the top!

 

The view from the top!  If you were a guard up here you could see for miles! 

  

You notice many of these structures on the mountains as you drive through Oman. They were  watch towers that sent a warning if anyone was approaching.

We also visited the Green Mountain which is 2000m above sea level.

For someone who dislikes travelling up winding roads I felt safe as there were concrete railings the whole way up.

 The mountain is terraced and locals grow fruit and vegetables.
Here is an example of the plantations.

Walking along the irrigation channels.

Our guide instructed us to walk between villages and we got lost! He was on a different path about four metres above us. With my knees trembling I was no help, so my husband passed our daughter up to our guide as it was too dangerous for him to carry her while trying to climb. Once were we safely on the path (small irrigation channels with a drop of a couple of metres on one side) the guide was keen to keep on carrying her.

 

The roads in Oman were a lot calmer and better maintained than we are used to.

Just like in Saudi, some restaurants had single (male) and family sections.

A coffee and toilet stop on the plateau of the Green Mountain. Amongst the playground and seats were goats. They are owned by locals and apparently head home around dusk.

A palm plantation farmed by locals in a village. Many of them produce dates, a Middle Eastern delight!

The Grand Mosque in Muscat was extraordinary. Beautiful and welcoming.

I was sad to visit this 700 year old village. It remains amongst a modern village but sadly is not well maintained.

Some poorer expats live amongst the ruins and we simply wandered through.

Our Omani guide spoke very highly of the Sultan.  He became leader in the early 1970's and the country has prospered since. Before there was only a few kilometres of bitumen road in the whole country. A couple of schools and hospital.

Now it is a fantastically flourishing country.

A section of the original road in Oman.

  

This clock symbolises the new phase of life in Oman. It was one of the first things built when the current Sultan took over and is in the middle of a roundabout which has roads leading to the different parts of the country. 

We had a fantastic time in Oman and wouldn't hesitate to visit it again!