Sur, Oman
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Yesterday we had an early start and got to Wadi Shab at 8am to cross on the boat and start walking by 8.30. It was BOILING! We nearly died. Even that early the sun is very hot. We walked for about an hour upstream til we came to a bigger pool where we could swim and rest in the shade. The water in this wadi is lovely and clear because there's no village dumping anything in the water. We saw lots of fish again, and frogs too, and there were only a few other people walking there -locals leading some loaded donkeys. There was also an Omani man, maybe in his 20's, who had been ahead of us all the way but when we were all swimming in the pools at the end he became our tour guide! He showed us this tight gap through the rock at the end of the pool where you could just about swim through with your head above water. Sarah an I swam through trying not to get ours heads wedged and then it opened out the other side into a huge cave with waterfall -there was a gap at the top so sunlight streamed in
. Amazed we swam around and tried to copy the Omani man climbing up the waterfall using a rope, but we didn't get very far.. He then showed us this tiny gap to the left of the waterfall you could go through underwater and then it lifted up into a small space with stalagtites above that just had enough room for a head above water. It was kind of like a tunnel as it lead through the rock behind the waterfall and then opened into a cave so you came out on the other side. It's hard to describe but really was an amazing experience! We loved it so much we went back to our stuff and got my camera which we then put in a water tight snap-lid box and took back to the waterfall swimming with it in one hand out of the water all the way. Was difficult but worth it - we managed to take a good few pictures and a couple of videos too! I'm slightly worried about my camera now though.. we didn't get it wet but the air was very moist in there and its starting to play up a bit now.. it is over 5 years old too..
The walk back down the wadi was much better because although the sun was hotter by then, we were all wet, and kept ourselves wet with each bit of a pool we found. We got home, had a shower, ate some lunch, and then mum, Sarah and I settled down to do some painting. We each got a canvas the same size and decided to all paint a couple of goats (as you see them everywhere) and then we can hang them in a row on the wall - we got some good photos of goats by the harbour in
Sur the night before. Painting went on into the evening which was lovely and relaxing with dad playing music in the background all afternoon, and today we've just been to the gym and had a swim. Now its time to pack up and start saying our Good Bye's to Oman...
We leave
Sur at 4pm this afternoon, pick up dad from work, drive to Muscat for supper and then get to the airport at about 10.30pm. Our flight leaves Muscat tonight/tomorrow morning at 01.30am and arrives in Delhi at 05.30. We then have a wait in the airport and fly out of Delhi at 13.30 arriving in
Kathmandu,
Nepal, at 15.25.... so excited!!
Comments
loved the photos of the pools of water at the wadi. miss you both very much. We got back at 1am!! a bit tired today - it seems so empty without you here. hope you are safely getting to your next destination and have a great time. Can't wait to read you next blog!
Have a safe journey to Nepal and look forward to hearing about it when we get back from NY. We fly early doors tomorrow, cruise back on Queen Mary Friday return to Southampton seven days later. (Won't be able to call in to see your Mum though!) Yes the weather here is gorgeous and with the Autumn colour spectacular. Love Sally x
Hi Jannie,Great pics you are so lucky,I`ll be catching up & following your progress,not long until your mum is back in the UK.
Love//Garth