It's been a great Eid break. At the moment, I'm enjoying the house to myself, eating some of Aberly's Halloween candy, while Colin and Aberly swim at the school pool Low key, adventure filled, and productive. Besides using it as a time to relax and watch a little more TV than usual, we got out and saw what Oman had to offer (a lot, by the way) and took care of some looming things "to-do" that have been on the back burner for far too long now.
Our first adventure was camping with some dear friends, the Brinks and the Bernhardts. We headed down to Fins beach (our usual) and snagged a lovely spot with lots of sand and swimming area. It was a busy weekend, and we were lucky that the people next to us were leaving as we arrived, so we ended up with more space than we expected. We set up camp, as it was, and the kids started playing. Aberly was quite fond of the tent this go around, and spent more time in there than on the sand. We enjoyed dinner, a cool evening with the ocean breeze, and a little bit of swimming.
While I was out snorkeling (well, just goggles and coming up and down for air) with Greg and Caleb, I had the surreal experience of being swarmed by a school of sardine-like fish. And this was a serious school of fish. Probably 1,000+. I literally put my head back down after a breath of air and watched as hundreds of fish split around me on their way by. The best way to describe it is like when you are driving at night through a heavy snow. I just sat there in the water as they came and came and came at me. It felt like forever until they all finally passed, although I'm sure it was only about 10 seconds. It ended up happening again a minute later, but this time Greg and Caleb where in the front, with me about 10 feet back, so I got to see if from being in the middle of the split. It was something to be remembered.
After camping, we took a day off at home, and then Colin and I took off at 7:30 the following morning to do the Rim Walk hike, which is a part of the Grand Canyon area of Oman. Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman, is within this area too. We could see it from where we were, but didn't go on it. The Rim Walk is a trail that run along the middle of the canyon wall, which, when you look at it, appears to be way to steep to allow for a trail, that ends at an abandoned village tucked within some terraces within the canyon slopes. The trail is rocky and at points, literally on the edge. But, the looks are deceiving because when you are on the trail, you realize you are pretty safe and won't fall to your death, as long as you keep on the trail and watch your step. The only times I felt "panicky" where when I stopped to look ahead or back. I was like, "Where is the trail we were on? I can't see it across that canyon wall anymore. How did we get here? Will we get back? How are we going to get to that point ahead?" You just have to not look. That is the best way. Once you are there, the village is amazing and there is even a cave and pond tucked in the canyon wall above the village. Pretty darn cool. We explored the ruins, looked inside the homes (tiny) to see what life was like for the people that lived there (how they ever found this place and decided to call it home is beyond me), and took in the views. It was another thing to be remembered.
Yesterday was Halloween, so we had a fun night at the campus housing for trick-or-treating, a movie (for the kids), and adult hangout time. Aberly had a blast with all of her friends, eating some candy, and eating popcorn during the movie. Without her afternoon nap, she asked to go home about 8:00 and promptly crashed in bed by 8:30.
In our final days of break, we'll keep it low-key. We've got a park date with our friends this evening, and then I get my special treat, a pedicure and massage. So excited!
Our first adventure was camping with some dear friends, the Brinks and the Bernhardts. We headed down to Fins beach (our usual) and snagged a lovely spot with lots of sand and swimming area. It was a busy weekend, and we were lucky that the people next to us were leaving as we arrived, so we ended up with more space than we expected. We set up camp, as it was, and the kids started playing. Aberly was quite fond of the tent this go around, and spent more time in there than on the sand. We enjoyed dinner, a cool evening with the ocean breeze, and a little bit of swimming.
While I was out snorkeling (well, just goggles and coming up and down for air) with Greg and Caleb, I had the surreal experience of being swarmed by a school of sardine-like fish. And this was a serious school of fish. Probably 1,000+. I literally put my head back down after a breath of air and watched as hundreds of fish split around me on their way by. The best way to describe it is like when you are driving at night through a heavy snow. I just sat there in the water as they came and came and came at me. It felt like forever until they all finally passed, although I'm sure it was only about 10 seconds. It ended up happening again a minute later, but this time Greg and Caleb where in the front, with me about 10 feet back, so I got to see if from being in the middle of the split. It was something to be remembered.
(our friend's baby, not ours yet!)
Early morning sand playing
Everyone out for a swim. Colin and Aberly are the furthest ones out.
After camping, we took a day off at home, and then Colin and I took off at 7:30 the following morning to do the Rim Walk hike, which is a part of the Grand Canyon area of Oman. Jebel Shams, the highest peak in Oman, is within this area too. We could see it from where we were, but didn't go on it. The Rim Walk is a trail that run along the middle of the canyon wall, which, when you look at it, appears to be way to steep to allow for a trail, that ends at an abandoned village tucked within some terraces within the canyon slopes. The trail is rocky and at points, literally on the edge. But, the looks are deceiving because when you are on the trail, you realize you are pretty safe and won't fall to your death, as long as you keep on the trail and watch your step. The only times I felt "panicky" where when I stopped to look ahead or back. I was like, "Where is the trail we were on? I can't see it across that canyon wall anymore. How did we get here? Will we get back? How are we going to get to that point ahead?" You just have to not look. That is the best way. Once you are there, the village is amazing and there is even a cave and pond tucked in the canyon wall above the village. Pretty darn cool. We explored the ruins, looked inside the homes (tiny) to see what life was like for the people that lived there (how they ever found this place and decided to call it home is beyond me), and took in the views. It was another thing to be remembered.
Pre-hike snacks and checking out the view.
We hiked along that whole canyon wall to get to where we were at the moment.
The village is around the last canyon curve to the left. This picture is a good example of not seeing where the heck the trail is going.
The village.
Inside an old home looking out the door.
Pond with cave in the rock walls.
One shot together before hiking out (back along that canyon wall behind us on the right)
The stunning view. I was pretty nervous when Colin took this shot because it was a bit windy and I could feel it pressing against my back.
Yesterday was Halloween, so we had a fun night at the campus housing for trick-or-treating, a movie (for the kids), and adult hangout time. Aberly had a blast with all of her friends, eating some candy, and eating popcorn during the movie. Without her afternoon nap, she asked to go home about 8:00 and promptly crashed in bed by 8:30.
Our "Dark Ballerina"
Aberly with her friends, Amber, Isla, and Izzy
On to the next house!
Picking out a treat.
Aberly and Isla
(Just for fun, here are the girls last year)
The crew
In our final days of break, we'll keep it low-key. We've got a park date with our friends this evening, and then I get my special treat, a pedicure and massage. So excited!
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