Oman: Road Trip, Boat Ride and Jump Shots in Wadi Shab

I was captivated by the beauty of Oman the moment we reached the border. The magnificent Hajar Mountains line the concrete roads and loom over the towns. It was the most gratifying sight for someone who needed a vacation outside the city of megastructures. So, when a friend asked if Ed and I are willing to go on an adventure and swim in the natural water pools of Wadi Shab, Hajar Mountains' best kept attraction, we immediately gave it a go! 

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Oman: The Enchanting Bimmah Sinkhole

I listened to a full Arabic conversation between an Omani taxi driver and my Filipino Arabic-speaking friends. I didn't understand a single word. All I know was they were trying to convince him to take us to a sinkhole and a wadi in the middle of the Hajar Mountains. I thought it was nearly impossible to hire a city cab for an unusual out of town trip, but then my awesome friends managed to close a 50 Omani Rial deal with a local driver. 

Just as planned, we jumped in our hired cab at 2 pm and embarked on a scenic road trip. Armed with a GPS and an Arabic speaking tongue, my friend B, sat on the front seat and helped our cab driver find the way. I lounged comfortably at the back seat with Ed, H and a bag of cheesy tortilla chips. It was a long drive, butt-numbing and eye-popping at same time! We traveled on concrete roads built in the middle of picturesque rocky valleys and after almost two hours, we finally reached our first destination... the enchanting Bimmah Sinkhole.      

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The Journey to Fujairah-Al Aqah

Back when the weather was still warm and too perfect for a beach getaway, Ed and I went on a road trip to one of the most beautiful resorts in this side of the gulf. This actually happened last October, for our 2nd Wedding Anniversary. It is only now that I got the time to write a series about our sweet escape due to a major backlog, followed by the commotion caused by Yolanda and the eventful month of December! 

Ed and I spent a night in Fujairah-Al Aqah. Finally, it's time to tick off wish #1 on my 20 before 2020 list!  Before we booked the hotel stay, we actually had doubts on our plan since Al Aqah is too far from the city center. We searched for Fujairah-Al Aqah travel experiences via public transportation online, but couldn't find a detailed one. So, off we went to an adventure, with high hopes that we could bring useful travel information back home.  

The Inter-City Bus

Bus E700 runs between Dubai (Union Bus Station) and Fujairah every hour. Bus fare to Fujairah's town center is at 25 AED/ person. The big red bus has reclining leather seats which gave us the utmost comfort on our 2-hour trip.   

Dubai-Fujairah E700 bus

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Nature Trip at The Green Mubazzarah

I love being on the road, but the funny thing is: I can't drive. Family members have been convincing me to learn since I was in college, but I'm not really interested (or should I say, I'm not courageous enough to face the furious vehicles on the fast lane). So, here I am, now 30 and still happy in the passenger's seat! Hahah! :) My love for road trips grew fonder when I moved to Dubai! I'm so glad that I don't need a car to visit the neighboring towns, public transport is so efficient and cheap. Last Eid Holiday, Ed and I, together with my friends went on another road trip to Al Ain, a town in Abu Dhabi. We had a 2-hour bus ride from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai to Al Ain. Bus fare is only 20 AED per person. 

Al Ain, known to be the Garden City of the Gulf, is a laid back town. If Dubai has high-rise buildings and man-made water ways, Al Ain has mountains and natural hot springs. I adore Al Ain's simplicity and natural beauty. I'm loving the city even more now, as there are new public buses with a route heading to my favorite tourist spot, The Green Mubazzarah! (directions at the end of this post)

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