‘Nothing was disappointing, it was even more beautiful than expected’

Image: private

“For this trip I had made a rather tight schedule: we were only in Oman for two weeks and I wanted to see a lot. But of everything we’ve seen, not one activity or sight was disappointing; it was often even more beautiful than expected.

Tight day program

Such planning also requires a tight daily schedule. Each day we packed up and drove our rented 4×4 to a new city or area; during Juliëtte’s nap we drove to the second activity of the day.

The kids did well with it. For them we always ended the day in a playground, which we never had to look for long: I have rarely seen a country with so many beautiful, large and clean playgrounds.

On the way I saw all kinds of landscapes passing by. We started in the capital Muscat, then to Wadi Shab where it was green and rocky, and later we walked through Sur, a beautiful harbor town with white buildings. And then there was the desert, the turquoise sea… As if you step into a different world every time.

Walks

You can take beautiful walks in Oman. For example, to get to Wadi Shab, we followed a beautiful route through a gorge. With a boat we went through the first wadi, which is a valley that completely fills with water during heavy rainfall. Then we came to an oasis with palm trees, after which the landscape became a bit harder, with bare plains and rocks.

We even had to scramble and climb, something Nora-Lynn did very well, and then back along the water, eventually coming to a pool where we swam. I stayed a bit to the side with Juliëtte, throwing stones and watching the fish nibble on your toes.

Traditional clothes

I had read everything necessary about the culture and the Omani beforehand. I already knew that life is very different from what we are used to. Men and women wear traditional clothing and you see signs everywhere that say you have to cover yourself, even on the beach or at a wadi. So I did and always wore long skirts and dresses; when we went swimming, I didn’t let Juliëtte go into the water alone in a swimming diaper.

“People are very kind to children, for example, they were given a date”

In restaurants it took some getting used to. You don’t eat there between all the other guests, but you get a ‘family room’ as a family. Women are not allowed to just sit with other men. The girls soon got used to all the traditional clothing, although they were really amazed when they saw the Bedouin women of Nizwa, with their special beak masks. I noticed that people are very nice to children: the girls regularly got a pat on the head, or a date.

Starry sky

Since we were on the road a lot, we decided to cut back on hotels: we were only there to sleep anyway.

I also wanted to go into the desert, so we booked an overnight stay in a cabin in the Wahiba Sands desert area. It was quite an experience; the caretaker sent instructions via Whatsapp on how to get there: to the left of this group of camels, to the right of the palm trees – and above all, do not leave the road, otherwise the car will immediately sink into the sand.

The resort turned out to be a nice place with a playground and a swimming pool. There was also a farmer with goats, the girls were allowed to help give the bottle. All around us were sand plains and camels. In the evening I saw how dark it can get when there is no light from the city. Nothing is as beautiful as a starry sky in the desert.

Also read – LA to San Francisco: ‘A full vacation, but nice to be together for so long’ >

Watch your eyes

The nice thing about Oman is that it really is still undiscovered: you are not there taking pictures between hordes of tourists. For example, we once visited a camel market in Sinaw, which we had read something about online. There was not a single tourist, everyone stared at us.

“In Oman you are not among the hordes of tourists”

Suddenly a man stood in the middle of the market with a camel. Everything was shouted, after which the camel was sold and another seller stood in the middle. That was such a special scene, we couldn’t believe our eyes. The girls too; Nora-Lynn pointed out pickup trucks where the camels were simply loaded into the back. In Birkat Al Mouz we were amazed by the beautiful ruins; Nora-Lynn, meanwhile, wondered aloud why everything was so old and dilapidated.

To experience

Despite our busy schedule, there was always room for things that spontaneously came our way or to have a coffee somewhere. Like a potter we happened to pass by.

We were allowed to take a look inside, after which the baker cranked his disc and the girls were also allowed to make a jar with a piece of clay. That’s why we make these kinds of trips: to show our children what cultures there are, how other children live. Also when we walked through the oasis of Al Hamra, I realized well: it is very special that we can experience this with our family.”

Doing

Big Sultan Qaboos in Muscat is the largest mosque in Oman. In the prayer room I was amazed at the huge chandelier and the gigantic carpet. Special that it is open to tourists. The kids had fun running around.

Secret tip You can indulge yourself when it comes to castles and fortresses. For example, the Jabreen Castle: less known than Nizwa Fort and therefore quieter. Fantastic architecture in a beautiful landscape.

Hiking paradise In Oman you can hike very nicely, such as the mentioned route to the Wadi Shab. But the Wadi Bani Khalid is also beautiful and the Balcony walk at Jebel Shams, overlooking the Nakhar gorge.

To sleep

Hut in the desert If you ask our daughter what she liked best, she says ‘our yellow house with number 7’; our cabin at the resort. A great place where the campfire is lit after six o’clock. goldenpalmoasis.com

Favorite I found the best overnight stay at Tiwi Sunrise. We ate a delicious Omani dinner here. tiwisunrisewadishab.com

Clay house We slept in Alqalah Inn, a clay house in Al Hamra, overlooking the old ruined village. It is a fifteen minute drive from Misfah, the village along the irrigation canal.

To eat

Coffee with a view We didn’t go out to eat very often: our children get hangry around five o’clock, while most people in Oman eat after half past seven. We regularly drink coffee. For example at Shawathin Cafe in Nizwa. You have a beautiful view of Nizwa Fort.

Sweet reward After a walk on the irrigation canals in Misfah Al Abriyeen, a traditional village with clay houses, we drank coffee and ate delicious cheesecake at Halwa coffee. The route through the old clay house is super fun and there is a special corner for children with teddy bears. instagram.com/halwa_coffee

Imara and Thijs often make long trips with their daughters. Check it out on Instagram: @globedaughters