Travelogue Oman 2019
Oasis Al Mudhaireb
Then we finally start. We pick up our car and load it with groceries, a tent and everything else that might be needed. At noon we set off inland. Our destination for the short day’s trip should be near the Al Mudhaireb oasis.
It’s getting dark and it’s time to look for a place to stay. For today we have planned our first night in the tent.
The next morning our first breakfast “on the road”. Away from the capital or from hotels, you have the choice of either self-catering or mostly Indian snacks.
Then visit of the oasis Al Mudhaireb and the ruins there.
It gets exciting right at the beginning. We just parked our car in the center of the tiny place and got out of the car when a scene occurred that felt like we’d ended up in an spy movie. Out of nowhere appear at least three, more likely five white Toyota Prado and “surround” us. Tall men in traditional Omani clothing jump out of the cars, including the typical dagger on their belts, which is mandatory here. What do they want from us ??? Nothing at all, most of them seem to be bodyguards and groupe around an identically dressed older man and disappear into an alley. The older man even greets us, but we are too flabbergasted to answer.
Days later, I tell myself that we probably met Sultan Qaboos ibn Said. But an Omani friend convinced me that this was certainly not the case. Even if the Sultan, who was seriously ill at the time, had traveled through the country, it would certainly not have been with so few people and also not with a Toyota Prado, which is great for us, but obviously not a suitable vehicle for the head of state.
I would describe the ruins, the town and the view of the oasis as “quite nice”.
After a short visit, we drive further east and enjoy the landscape.