Two weekends ago, before I came down with strep for the third time, our family took a weekend getaway to visit our friends in Oman. No other reason than we missed them and wanted to spend time with their family.
We picked the boys up from school early and headed to the airport. I’d say they’re all excited to go “home.”
We spent the night at their house and then all headed out the next morning to try out a new hotel that was in the process of being built while we lived in Oman. It’s about an hour south of Muscat, along the coast, near where we used to camp.
Outside the city limits they set up these scarecrow roadworkers to hold warning signs about tight turns and unfinished roads ahead. They are pretty freaky looking because they look real until you get up close and see that they don’t have faces.
Passing through a small town — goats in the road!
I miss goats.
and mountains.
We left the paved road for a dirt one and passed a herd of goats at the entrance to the hotel. They had found fine dining on the only grass for miles around.
The hotel was remote, but 5 star all the way. This beautiful pool area was just the beginning.
After checking in, we got a ride to our room in golf carts.
The hotel wraps around a harbor and marina so every room has a view of the water. I forgot to take photos of our room, but we had a private balcony overlooking the harbor, a full kitchen, huge living room, bedroom . . . we could have lived there for weeks.
It was overcast, but still warm. We went walking down along the harbor to the beach while the kids all played cards in the room. (We had a room, our friends had a room and the kids had a room — a perfect way to vacation!)
We sat and watched a group of birds fishing for lunch: they would hover and then dive bomb into the water. It was amazing to watch.
We rented bikes for the boys and they took off for an hour exploring the grounds.
The perfect place to ride — wide roads, no cars.
While they rode (the kids took turns on the bikes) the littles went for a swim
I didn’t swim. It was still too chilly for me.
In the evening we ordered food for the kids in the room and we went to eat at the hotel restaurant. This view, buffet with amazing food (they had the charcoal grill set up for steaks, fish and chicken on the spot) and catching up with old friends.
As we were finishing, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. It felt like rain was coming. The charcoal grill was turned into a fireworks display as the breeze caught the coals and blew sparks up into the sky. We packed up and headed back to the room. It couldn’t have been better timing. Less than 30 seconds after we were safely inside, the sky opened up and there was a downpour. Caleb started shrieking and dancing on the balcony and was drenched in seconds. We’re desert people — rain is thrilling.
The next morning the sun was out, the sky was clear, and it was a great day to relax by the pool. I took a photo of the 2-person pool lounger because I want to have my guy make me one, including the side drink table that slides in and out.
God bless the MacFadyens — they were happy to play cards with my kids
I was happy to lie in the sun and not play cards with my kids
Intense games of Phase 10 and Go Fish
I relaxed with my knitting
Josh and Meels playing Go Fish
She got the card she wanted!
We left the hotel, headed back to our friends’ house and the kids did what they do best together: play around. This was a sandwich using all of the couch cushions.
This is a Starbucks mug that I don’t have and probably won’t ever have. It’s the Pearl Roundabout — the site of the Arab Spring in Bahrain that has since been bulldozed. All aspects of this symbol are being wiped from Bahrain culture. They discontinued the coin that features the pearl, the decorative pearl arches have been removed from the bridges, and no more Starbucks mugs like this one. Mine features the building that looks like a sail — pretty, but I’d love to get my hands on one of these!
Too soon it was time to head home. Hello, Bahrain!
A perfect weekend away!