Back in April, my friend Gwyn decided to invite some people from our church to hike a Wadi (a dry riverbed) she knew in Oman. Gwyn is from Scotland and has lived in Dubai longer than most- thus, she has spent a lot of time exploring the Omani wilderness in effort to escape the crazed confines of Dubai. Several of us jumped at the chance to go, as this was the last weekend the heat would be tolerable. Also, our friend Bea was leaving Dubai for Germany the following weekend, so this was a fun way to say goodbye.
After church we drove to the East Coast of the UAE and crossed at the unguarded entry post @ Dibba leading into Oman. Normally, you would be required to have your passport stamped, but not at this post. We drove through the mountains in Oman for an hour until reaching a small white rock that Gwyn used as a landmark to the trail. I was impressed- there were nothing but rocks and scrub brush.
Gwyn leading the way
My British friend Lizzy dressed somewhat like an authentic Omani except for the blue crocs.
Bea and our group
We found a few pools and puddles of stagnant water along our trail. Some were filled with tadpoles, urgently trying to mature before the sweltering heat would evaporate what little habitat they had left.
The view back towards the road- The hike looked so easy from this view! But no- every step had been an ankle ready to twist. We climbed up several of these mountains, peaking in small caves to see if we could find any wild animals.
Amazing to see how life survives
On the drive back to the Oman border, we were panicky since the guard post opened at dusk, and we had no entry stamps!! Luckily they did not check.
See more Wadi pictures in the album.
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