So as previously mentioned in my other post, I have yet to make any friends. And in effort in improving that, I have decided to check out this website that connects expats all over the world with events and activities to join within your region (Internations.org). I actually joined this since I was in Kuwait, attended a few events which were pretty interesting and decided to continue on with the one in Muscat.
2 weeks after I arrived Muscat, I saw an event with regards to a trip to Wadi Arbeieen and the sink hole. I was so eager to go, mainly to get out of the apartment and see Muscat as well as perhaps be able to make friends or something. I begged and begged Daniel to come to Oman to join me to this trip and he agreed to it.
Initially we were meant to hitch a ride with one of the members who were attending the event, however I got into a bit of a huff with him in another event (that's another story) and so I decided to just screw the idea and just rent a car by myself. Picked up Daniel on the Thursday night at the airport and then went back to mine to rest for a bit before the trip tomorrow.
Because this whole trip is off the coast and is on some ziggy zaggy bumpy rocky roads, a 4WD is a MUST. We rented a car from Europcar, supposedly in the website we were meant to be given a Ford Explorer for a total of 75RO for 3 days. We ended up with a Nissan Pathfinder instead which stank horridly, was still in the 90s technology where it does not have one single USB port and still uses those cassette player. Anyhow, the car managed to survive and take us through the trip, so I guess that's what matters the most.
SO for the trip we left at 7:30am and met up with the others at wadi kabir roundabout around 8am before departing to our destination. There were 5 cars of us in total and we drove for about an hour plus before reaching the destination. The journey was pretty spectacular due to all the mountains and rocks near us. Its far different than when I was in Kuwait where everything was flat, dusty, messy and full of square shaped beige apartments.
Then we drove a little bit further up till the main host of the activity decided to just park the car and go do whatever you want for the next 2 and half hours.
We all split into 2 groups: 1 group to remain at the main wadi and just relax there for a bit and another group to hike up the small village and check out the waterfall which is about 6km away.
Daniel and I chose to remain the main wadi as we honestly couldn't be bothered to hike up in the heat that we were having (it was around 35 degrees Celsius at that time) and Daniel did not bring any proper hiking shoes with him either, he was wearing an Adidas shoe. Although hiking shoes is not really a mandatory thing, it would really help you a lot if you have one as going down to the wadi can bit a little bit rocky (preferably waterproof too). You would definitely need it if you decide to hike up at the village to see the waterfalls.
So Daniel and I spent some time hanging out at the main wadi. It wasn't as crowded, probably cause of the heat, however if you go into the water, the water cools you down and you don't really get affected as much from the heat.
The water was very cooling and there were small fishes around. I wouldn't say its like super clean that I would drink it as I did see some garbage thrown at the side of the wadi, however it was pretty clean enough that I didn't worry about getting rashes after coming back from swimming in it.
Daniel did not bring any swimming outfit or change of clothes so he chose to stay out of the water and just watch me swim. I swam a little bit only to realise my cheap goggles that I bought the previous day from Sultan centre (a supermarket) no longer has that rubber grip to seal the water from coming in. It COMPLETELY ruined my whole swimming experience as I am not able to swim without goggles and since I wear contact lens, it doesn't really help either.
Also if you have those swimming boots, those underwater boots, that would help big time as the rocks can be a little bit slippery and rough (depending on which surface you're stepping on).
Then around 1pm, the first group gathered around and decided to just drive off to the sink hole and abandoned the other group as they did not come back on time and were unable to contact them =P
The sink hole, Najm Park was only about 30 minutes drive away. Wasn't too far really. I was a little bit skeptical about the whole park thing as when we arrived at the car park, it looked like the car park was about 80% full and they had the whole gate around the park, showing that that place has pretty much been a touristic area. I was a bit worried that the sink hole will be crowded and I will not be able to have some peace and tranquility while swimming in one.
However as we got closer to the sink hole (which btw, was really a HOLE in the middle of the ground. If it wasn't for the barriers, I wouldn't have noticed), there weren't really many people. I was able to change and dip myself into the sink hole while Daniel sat at the nearby rocks, looking out for me.
The water here in the sink hole was much more saltier as compared to the water in the Wadi. However the water felt much more smoother and cooler here, as if it's sort of purified or something.
2 weeks after I arrived Muscat, I saw an event with regards to a trip to Wadi Arbeieen and the sink hole. I was so eager to go, mainly to get out of the apartment and see Muscat as well as perhaps be able to make friends or something. I begged and begged Daniel to come to Oman to join me to this trip and he agreed to it.
Initially we were meant to hitch a ride with one of the members who were attending the event, however I got into a bit of a huff with him in another event (that's another story) and so I decided to just screw the idea and just rent a car by myself. Picked up Daniel on the Thursday night at the airport and then went back to mine to rest for a bit before the trip tomorrow.
Because this whole trip is off the coast and is on some ziggy zaggy bumpy rocky roads, a 4WD is a MUST. We rented a car from Europcar, supposedly in the website we were meant to be given a Ford Explorer for a total of 75RO for 3 days. We ended up with a Nissan Pathfinder instead which stank horridly, was still in the 90s technology where it does not have one single USB port and still uses those cassette player. Anyhow, the car managed to survive and take us through the trip, so I guess that's what matters the most.
SO for the trip we left at 7:30am and met up with the others at wadi kabir roundabout around 8am before departing to our destination. There were 5 cars of us in total and we drove for about an hour plus before reaching the destination. The journey was pretty spectacular due to all the mountains and rocks near us. Its far different than when I was in Kuwait where everything was flat, dusty, messy and full of square shaped beige apartments.
Anyway, we arrived the location where we saw some bunch of small wadi's on the way to the main wadi, stopped for a short while to take photos before heading towards the main wadi.
Then we drove a little bit further up till the main host of the activity decided to just park the car and go do whatever you want for the next 2 and half hours.
We all split into 2 groups: 1 group to remain at the main wadi and just relax there for a bit and another group to hike up the small village and check out the waterfall which is about 6km away.
Daniel and I chose to remain the main wadi as we honestly couldn't be bothered to hike up in the heat that we were having (it was around 35 degrees Celsius at that time) and Daniel did not bring any proper hiking shoes with him either, he was wearing an Adidas shoe. Although hiking shoes is not really a mandatory thing, it would really help you a lot if you have one as going down to the wadi can bit a little bit rocky (preferably waterproof too). You would definitely need it if you decide to hike up at the village to see the waterfalls.
So Daniel and I spent some time hanging out at the main wadi. It wasn't as crowded, probably cause of the heat, however if you go into the water, the water cools you down and you don't really get affected as much from the heat.
The water was very cooling and there were small fishes around. I wouldn't say its like super clean that I would drink it as I did see some garbage thrown at the side of the wadi, however it was pretty clean enough that I didn't worry about getting rashes after coming back from swimming in it.
Daniel did not bring any swimming outfit or change of clothes so he chose to stay out of the water and just watch me swim. I swam a little bit only to realise my cheap goggles that I bought the previous day from Sultan centre (a supermarket) no longer has that rubber grip to seal the water from coming in. It COMPLETELY ruined my whole swimming experience as I am not able to swim without goggles and since I wear contact lens, it doesn't really help either.
Also if you have those swimming boots, those underwater boots, that would help big time as the rocks can be a little bit slippery and rough (depending on which surface you're stepping on).
After the whole oh-my-god-I-should-have-spent-more-on-proper-quality-goggles tantrum, Daniel and I have decided to just venture out to the nearby small village and see if there's anything interesting going on there.
It isn't too bad really, just small housing area with buildings made out of bricks and small tiny Omani children going up to Daniel and this other white lady saying "How are you" and "I want eat" and "I need food". It kind of creeped us a little bit as they were sort of stalking us around and each time they said "I need food" Daniel would reply back with "me too!" which sort of cracked me up.
Then around 1pm, the first group gathered around and decided to just drive off to the sink hole and abandoned the other group as they did not come back on time and were unable to contact them =P
The sink hole, Najm Park was only about 30 minutes drive away. Wasn't too far really. I was a little bit skeptical about the whole park thing as when we arrived at the car park, it looked like the car park was about 80% full and they had the whole gate around the park, showing that that place has pretty much been a touristic area. I was a bit worried that the sink hole will be crowded and I will not be able to have some peace and tranquility while swimming in one.
However as we got closer to the sink hole (which btw, was really a HOLE in the middle of the ground. If it wasn't for the barriers, I wouldn't have noticed), there weren't really many people. I was able to change and dip myself into the sink hole while Daniel sat at the nearby rocks, looking out for me.
The water here in the sink hole was much more saltier as compared to the water in the Wadi. However the water felt much more smoother and cooler here, as if it's sort of purified or something.
After an hour or so, Daniel and I went back to our group, had a little BBQ and then headed back home.
It was a fun experience. Something that is COMPLETELY different to what I had in Kuwait. I would go back there again when the weather is much cooler and perhaps this time Daniel would join me in the water and enjoy it as much as I did. Oh and will be bringing proper goggles too.
In terms of my relationship with Daniel, I saw him a different new light. I did not know till few days ago that the reason why he didn't go in the water was cause he didn't know how to swim. But the fact that he chose to remain under the scorching heat and accompany me to wherever I go just to make sure I'm safe, WITHOUT a single complain, made me love him even more. I appreciate him being there and accompanying me.
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