Now I’ve caught up on sleep and got my ankles back, some thoughts on the country. It was a fabulous trip, one I’m really glad I did and experienced a whole load of bucket list items that I’ll still remember when I’m an old lady. Sunset dhow cruise, a nesting turtle in the dark, sunset over the desert, sunrise in the mountains. The people were wonderful, generous and friendly, kind to visitors and animals. I left the book that started it all at the turtle reserve, partly re-read. It took a few days to realise and contact them by email. Despite the distances they were desperately keen to return it to me, even offering someone to drive the five hours to Muscat on my last day to return it to me (it’s currently on its way to the local tour operator, to be posted onto the UK). Despite being entirely white, mostly retired, Home Counties, upper middle class, the tour group were all nice people with open minds and interesting back stories. I underestimated the heat, regularly seeing 36C or more on the car display, and the humidity on the coast (around 65%), which really isn’t a suitable climate for a redhead. I loved the desert, the sands stretching out into infinity contemptuous of any puny human intruder. The mountains and wadi were simply stunning, I don’t have the camera or words to do them justice.
Oman is developing tourism on its own terms. You can buy (expensive) alcohol in some hotels, mostly in Muscat. On a similar basis, you can wear swimwear at a hotel pool or private beach, but elsewhere should be appropriately covered for local standards. See above temperatures - being covered from neck to wrist to ankle was actually the nicest way to be dressed, a little like the locals. There’s a small and growing focus on activity travellers, whether hiking (or running!) or cycling, either on road to imitate the Tour of Oman or off-road mountain biking. For the moment, they’re probably activities to be done under the guidance of a local expert, there’s an awful lot of potential for things to go very wrong in an unforgiving landscape. But if that’s your thing, and the climate suits you, it’s going to be an amazing country to visit.
But don’t forget to sit and watch the sun set over the dunes one night, with only the sound of blowing sand for company.
The book that started it all went with me to be read in situ. And I left it in my room at the turtle reserve.
I had issues accessing email in Oman so it wasn't very easy getting in touch with them to ask if they'd found it, but I did and they had. Unfortunately we then ran out of time to reunite me with the book before I left. The reserve even offered for someone to drive up to Muscat with it on the day I flew home. The tour guide told me he'd have arranged for someone to drive down and collect it if he'd known earlier. (Did I tell you how kind the Omanis were, how much they all wanted their guests to enjoy their visit?) So the book was sent to the local tour company's office in Muscat, who sent it on to Dubai from where it was couriered to the UK and delivered today.
I best finish reading it now...
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