That evening we went to a local hangout near the bottom of a mountain where people sit in lawnchairs with friends and family. There are a number of small restaurants where we had fried Lebanese flatbreads filled with a variety of different ingredients such as cream, honey, egg, chicken, cheese and more. While our flat breads were being made, we experimented with camel milk and camel meat served on a scewers. It was very delicious. We ate and played Uno. Tyson and our friend kicked the soccer ball around till we were tired. We then went home to watch movies and pass out.
The next day we drove forty five minutes into the mountains. The road up was winding, and on either side of us was scored out landscape with scattered trees riddled with rocks. We were told that during the rainy season the entire area becomes a beautiful flowing river covered in green grass. It was very hard to imagine but apparently this is the place where all the Omanis vacation during this period. It becomes their oasis to escape from the baron desert landscape. We were forced to stop a number of times due to Omani road blocks (also known as camels) blocking our way. When we arrived at the end of the road we were surrounded by mountains with a small river and goats and cows everywhere, grazing and drinking water. Of course we had to see how far our voices would carry so we all had a turn at screaming at the top of our lungs. To our surprise there was a farmer working accross the river hidden by the trees, he yelled back, we replied, then he answered back by firing his rifle off into the mountains. He won the yell off and we carried on with taking more photos and exploring.
Our next destination was another natural attraction that was more than four kilometers deep. A sink hole that has been formed over hundreds of years and they say it is still active. We sat down and had tea and enjoyed the view. Our lovely hostess had prepared a beautiful picnic lunch for us so we drove a short distance, threw down the blanket and enjoyed our meal. We returned to the city and visited a museum and learned about the history of Salalah and Oman. During our visit the minister of tourism arrived with his large entourage. They walked in free of charge and took photos in prohibited areas. We also had to wait for them to finish viewing each exhibit and activity before we could enjoy it. We took a tour (with a golf cart and tour guide) of the surrounding area which was the old city. All that remained is portions of the walls and some ruins that were once buildings. My uncle then treated us all to fresh coconut milk, papayas, bananas and coconut.
We met up with our friend and walked around the city to do some shopping before we went for coffee. My uncle suggested the boys go for a shave at a near by barber shopwhile we stayed and talked in the coffee shop. While they were getting shaved the barbers were talking in Punjabi about how they were going to rip Tyson and my uncle off after they were finished. Little did they know my other uncle speaks fluent Punjabi and was listening the whole time. They were planning to charge them ten times the amount it should have costed. So my uncle casually paid them the normal amount that he already knew was the fair cost. They looked at each other shocked that they could not outsmart the guys. Dinner consisted of chicken donairs, falafels, chips, macaroni and pop on the beach.
The next morning it was time to say our final goodbyes. It was very emotional because our hosts were so good to us and we became very close to them. My uncle had one more friend to visit before we left town but his frends daughter unfortunatley had chicken pox, which Tyson has never had. We stayed at a nearby supermarket and waited for them to return. After a few quick stops, including my uncles friend's computer store (where we bought speakers for our laptop so we could watch movies on the drive back) We drove the thousand kilometers back to Nizwa. The seven hours passed very quickly thanks to good conversation, movies, games and several stops for meals, stretching, coffee and snacks. It was good to see the rest of the family again and we all hung out and ate dinner. During the ride home there was a lot of smack talk about how good everyone says they are at foozeball so we had a small tounament to see who the true master was....it was me.
The next morning, after a little sleep in, we went to the local souq (market) with my mom and uncle. We wandered around into the handicraft stores and looked at all the jewellery, stones, weapons and other touristy items they were selling. The weather has taken a little turn and the last couple of days have been scattered with down-pours. This is the first time it has rained this year. We got a little wet while running from shop to shop but still had a good time. We returned home for lunch with the family and our afternoon nap, life has been rough. Three hours later we went to the super market to do some more shopping before dinner. Some of my Aunt's family came by to visit with my mom and uncle who they have not seen them for years. We played games, watched movies, ate way too much chocolate and had some family quality time before bed.
"If we are not happy and joyous in this season for what season shall we wait"
The next day we drove forty five minutes into the mountains. The road up was winding, and on either side of us was scored out landscape with scattered trees riddled with rocks. We were told that during the rainy season the entire area becomes a beautiful flowing river covered in green grass. It was very hard to imagine but apparently this is the place where all the Omanis vacation during this period. It becomes their oasis to escape from the baron desert landscape. We were forced to stop a number of times due to Omani road blocks (also known as camels) blocking our way. When we arrived at the end of the road we were surrounded by mountains with a small river and goats and cows everywhere, grazing and drinking water. Of course we had to see how far our voices would carry so we all had a turn at screaming at the top of our lungs. To our surprise there was a farmer working accross the river hidden by the trees, he yelled back, we replied, then he answered back by firing his rifle off into the mountains. He won the yell off and we carried on with taking more photos and exploring.
Our next destination was another natural attraction that was more than four kilometers deep. A sink hole that has been formed over hundreds of years and they say it is still active. We sat down and had tea and enjoyed the view. Our lovely hostess had prepared a beautiful picnic lunch for us so we drove a short distance, threw down the blanket and enjoyed our meal. We returned to the city and visited a museum and learned about the history of Salalah and Oman. During our visit the minister of tourism arrived with his large entourage. They walked in free of charge and took photos in prohibited areas. We also had to wait for them to finish viewing each exhibit and activity before we could enjoy it. We took a tour (with a golf cart and tour guide) of the surrounding area which was the old city. All that remained is portions of the walls and some ruins that were once buildings. My uncle then treated us all to fresh coconut milk, papayas, bananas and coconut.
We met up with our friend and walked around the city to do some shopping before we went for coffee. My uncle suggested the boys go for a shave at a near by barber shopwhile we stayed and talked in the coffee shop. While they were getting shaved the barbers were talking in Punjabi about how they were going to rip Tyson and my uncle off after they were finished. Little did they know my other uncle speaks fluent Punjabi and was listening the whole time. They were planning to charge them ten times the amount it should have costed. So my uncle casually paid them the normal amount that he already knew was the fair cost. They looked at each other shocked that they could not outsmart the guys. Dinner consisted of chicken donairs, falafels, chips, macaroni and pop on the beach.
The next morning it was time to say our final goodbyes. It was very emotional because our hosts were so good to us and we became very close to them. My uncle had one more friend to visit before we left town but his frends daughter unfortunatley had chicken pox, which Tyson has never had. We stayed at a nearby supermarket and waited for them to return. After a few quick stops, including my uncles friend's computer store (where we bought speakers for our laptop so we could watch movies on the drive back) We drove the thousand kilometers back to Nizwa. The seven hours passed very quickly thanks to good conversation, movies, games and several stops for meals, stretching, coffee and snacks. It was good to see the rest of the family again and we all hung out and ate dinner. During the ride home there was a lot of smack talk about how good everyone says they are at foozeball so we had a small tounament to see who the true master was....it was me.
The next morning, after a little sleep in, we went to the local souq (market) with my mom and uncle. We wandered around into the handicraft stores and looked at all the jewellery, stones, weapons and other touristy items they were selling. The weather has taken a little turn and the last couple of days have been scattered with down-pours. This is the first time it has rained this year. We got a little wet while running from shop to shop but still had a good time. We returned home for lunch with the family and our afternoon nap, life has been rough. Three hours later we went to the super market to do some more shopping before dinner. Some of my Aunt's family came by to visit with my mom and uncle who they have not seen them for years. We played games, watched movies, ate way too much chocolate and had some family quality time before bed.
"If we are not happy and joyous in this season for what season shall we wait"
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