Lifestyle and Parenting blog based in Surrey.

Monday 28 November 2016

The Muscat Diaries: Wadi Sharb


It has been a while since I've last written. Being back at work and general life with a toddler has taken over and I've been finding it increasingly challenging to have to have the time to sit and edit pictures and write. However, Sophie is currently snoozing, I've done a load of schoolwork and the husband is out so here I am tapping away.


So rewinding back three weeks  to our unforgettable trip to Oman and I'm going to share one of my favourite and more active days of our holidays, an adventure to Wadi Shab. A total surprise that it was such a fabulous day - little Sophie had not had a good night and I woke up tired, grumpy and wanting a lazy pool day! A wadi is basically a valley between the mountains in which water flows to the sea. Our friends we were staying with love heading up in the mountains with their little ones and as well as Giles taking the day of work to take us up, they also lent us all the equipment we needed.


Smothered in factor 50, we popped Sophie into a sturdy baby backpack, donned our trainers and headed off. We had to take a two minute boat trip across the little river and we were on our way. I'm so so pleased that  Giles came with us, as although the walking wasn't too challenging, I think I would have been really nervous taking Sophie without someone who had experience of where we were going and I'm sure I would have made Gareth turn home about five minutes in! But, boy I'm glad I didn't, as the scenery was beautiful. The contrast of the grey mountains against the turquoise water was stunning. After about and hours walk, we got to the fun part - swimming, rock jumping and cave exploring. I had worried about dressing correctly in a public area and opted for a rash vest and boardies, but lots of western women were wearing bikinis. We popped Sophie in a rubber ring and arm bands and she LOVED it. Luckily we had a waterproof camera and were able to take a few pics along the way too.







Someone fell asleep on the return trip after all the energy used up swimming... and we stopped off for  yummy and well earned shawarma (grilled meat and salad wraps - so good!) on the way home. One of the top days of our holiday... More Muscat diaries to follow...
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Wednesday 9 November 2016

The Muscat Diaries


If you follow me on social media you might have noticed that I jetted off to Oman last week. My school friend Amanda moved to the Middle East three and a half years ago with her family and I’ve only just organised myself to visit. As we were staying with friends I was a bit slack on the organisation front, leaving our itinerary in their capable hands. We were not to be disappointed, a text from Amanda’s husband a week or so before we headed off informed me that our trip was being planned like a royal visit - these are the best type of friends to have!


Saying with ‘locals’ is the best way to explore a new area, they know the easiest way to see the ‘must sees’ have special places the guide books might not know about and can help you navigate the cultural difference with ease. I suppose this is why Air B&B does so well too.


As we have a little girl staying in hotels is awkward, limited children and baby kit and toys and meals for tinies can end up expensive and stressful. So staying with friends who also have young ones took a huge weight off our shoulder (and our packing! I literally forgot everything and Amanda was able to sort me out with everything we needed!)



As we squeezed so much into out week away it’s more than I can shoe-horn into one post, so the ‘Muscat Diaries’ will be a string of posts about our stay and I hope you enjoy reading them. I’d have never thought to holiday to Oman, but it is such a beautiful country with a fabulous diversity of places to visit. We took in some culture at The Grand Mosque, ticked the ‘adventure box’ by walking and swimming at a Waddy (beyond beautiful!) enjoyed some luxury at high end hotels (The Shangri la and Al Bustan Palace) as well as chilling out my Amanda’s pool and their beach club. Oh - can I go back now please!
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