From Sur to Shayqiya
After spending the night in Sur, we set out headed for the Omani desert where we would be “glamping” for the night.
We stopped on the way at another Wadi, Wadi Ban Khalid, this one noted for its turquoise waters. It should also be noted for its slippery rocks and deep precipices.
Fresh from the recent trauma, I was playing this one safe, whilst others seem to be happy to clamber about like spring lambs, in one case jumping over a deep ravine with two rocks about a metre apart. They will have photos in their collections which are not in mine!
And so on to the desert, another experience which was a first for me.
Sharquiya sands provided an introduction to the concept of ‘dune bashing”. Not at all prepared for this, it consists of driving a 4×4 vehicle across the sand dunes at speed up and over the dunes, creating a roller-coaster like ride with the ever-present risk of turning the vehicle over. I uttered many expletives during this experience. Needless to say, I was mightily glad I was strapped in: this holiday was proving to be a real test of my adrenal glands.
Once safely arrived, we got out unscathed, and proceeded on foot. The only way to do this effectively is running bare-foot. I only took this advice after expending a lot of energy trying to do it in trainers, taking one foot forward and two or three back.
The sight of the rolling sand-dunes, seemingly going on for ever, bathed in the sunlight against the sky is breath-taking. Together with sight of Bedouins riding camels, it is no surprise I came back with hundreds of photos and lots of drone footage.
Things were about get even more awesome however. As the sun began to go down, the light changed fast and the sight of the camel train against the sunset was simply something I will never forget.
We spent the night at an impressive camp in the middle of the desert, but the night was short as we were up before dawn for another glimpse of the desert as the sun rose over the horizon.
t was every bit as stunning as the sunset from the previous evening, except chillier until the sun had emerged above the horizon, but hot drinks were available! A very welcome fire had been lit and a pot of karak chai was brewing while camels sat waiting patiently (not for the brew though). This is a very popular drink in Oman, a rich mixture of Assam, cinnamon, cardamom, milk and not a little sugar.
