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On the plane back from South Africa we had moments to reflect on the trip before looking forward to our awaiting visitors in Muscat. In fact, we were both so looking forward to having these four in town that while we were driving amongst the marvellous wildlife of Kruger National Park we were busily planning for our guests. Ridiculous,but true.
Matt Murphy and Cora Clarke are a couple that I met several years ago in Tibet. Together we negotiated our way across Tibet, got stuck in the middle of Maoist rebellion in northern Nepal for several days and took in the luxuries of Kathmandu. Since then they have been out to Vancouver and we attended their wedding in Donegal, Ireland. They’re great craic.
Matt Murphy and Cora Clarke are a couple that I met several years ago in Tibet. Together we negotiated our way across Tibet, got stuck in the middle of Maoist rebellion in northern Nepal for several days and took in the luxuries of Kathmandu. Since then they have been out to Vancouver and we attended their wedding in Donegal, Ireland. They’re great craic.
They actually arrived in Muscat a day before we did. We sent them maps, directions and instructions to get to our place. Unfortunately the Sultan was hosting the regional conference and decided to shut down the roads for 5 hours. So within 2 km’s from our place Matt and Cora stood on the side of the highway waiting for the tanks, helicoptors and SUVs to roar by before they could proceed. Welcome to the Gulf. Luckily our good friend Keith picked them up and brought them home.
The next morning on Dec 30th we arrived, and so did Matt and Alisa. Matt and Alisa have a taken a year off of their lives back in Vancouver and are travelling. They started in South Africa and came up the East coast as far as Ethiopia. From there they flew to Muscat. After Muscat they are heading through part of the Middle East, North Africa and on to South America. They will conclude their trip in Trinidad in July. Since they are at the halfway point of their journey we proved to be a much needed resting place for them. But first we wanted to show them our adopted country.
On Dec 31 we rented a big 6-seater SUV and headed out for a 3 day trip in the country. We headed down the east coast and drove into the orange sands of the Wahiba Desert. Everyone took turns sliding and bumping through the sands on the way to our camp. It was great to catch up with each other in such a bizarre environment. We stayed at a fancy desert camp for the night and exchanged resolutions at the edge of a dune under a sky of thousands of stars. Sitting up there, 2008 ended perfectly.
We started 2009 with a morning swim in the ice cold desert pool and then headed back over the dunes and into the interior of the country. We stayed in Nizwa that night and headed to the goat market at 6am the next morning. After a morning of lively goat haggling and rifle swapping we took in the local forts and castles before heading up and over the Western Hajar mountains. We drove up to one of our favourite spots in Oman; the top of a mountain pass that is always empty and barren. But today minutes after our arrival a fleet of 35 Porsches from the Muscat Porsche club joined us at the top. Then, so did a collection of 20 cyclists touring through the region. What a ridiculous scene. We all took turns winding our way through the hills and through the oasis villages below.
Back in Muscat the regional soccer tournament – the Gulf Cup - was starting. Oman was hosting the event and the country went bonkers for it. We went to a night of matches featuring the Emirates, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We joined the ladies in the “family section” of the stadium and enjoyed the festive atmosphere created by the passionate, alcohol-free fans. After a few more evenings, including an English dinner they supplied, Matt and Cora were off back to London. They were such great people to have with us and we are looking forward to seeing them again soon. Inshallah.
With Matt and Cora back in London our travel-weary guests geared down a little and rested while they planned the rest of their journey. While in Muscat we got fully immersed in the Gulf Cup attending several games, including sliding down a wall and running through an open gate for admission. We stood the entire game in the stairs as there are no tickets and way too many people in the stadium. After each Oman win the city would fill with revellers sitting on their cars, waving their flags and having a great time. We took in the final game {Oman vs Saudi} at an outdoor shisha place on the beach. The packed crowd erupted when Oman won on penalties with everyone singing and dancing. To cap it off we got a national holiday to celebrate the next day.
During their restful time here the four of us celebrated “Christmas” on Jan 4th as well as our 30th birthdays at a party that Tina and Alisa organized for us. It was really nice to celebrate such meaningful moments with Matt and Alisa here.
After some freakish weather (rain and hail in Oman!) we were able to take them away for a day trip into the interior. As a side note the rain resulted in a day off of work due to flooding. Our first ever “rain day”. Hilarious. On our quick trip we took in a few old villages and tombs from 2000 BC. Although the weather kept us from taking Matt and Alisa to other areas of the country, it allowed them to rest and recover before heading out on the rest of their journey.
Of course, we wish Matt and Alisa all the best on their journey and are grateful that they could make us a stop on their trip.
*All photos came courtesy of our guests.
