Mutrah-Riam Hike- 11.March.22

What a beautiful day is today! Two lovely women broke all the stereotypes and I believe if we change our perception towards anyone or anything in a right and positive way , everyday is a celebration!

Thank you Priyanka and Suseela Aunty for joining us today.

I asked Priya, will you able to do this hike?

Her answer blew my mind. 'Don't go with my body, I CAN DO IT and will show you all I CAN'

Suseela Aunty ,my friends Mother in law did the complete 2 hr hike in  saree and chappal with great determination ,showing all ' Nothing is impossible'.

To our surprise ,today we met Indian social club Marathi wing members with families n children on the mountain. Made new friends. It's like a celebration on the mountain rather than a sweaty trek.

Today is a very special day and I always cherish these moments!

Thank you guys for making my day....

@priyapathak619

#mountains #mutrah #omantrekkers #omantourism #hiking # women #adventuretime #omanobserver # explore places #riam #scenic #landscape #photography #happyfeetoman #happyfeet

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ca-cY5Lgyf-/?utm_medium=share_sheet

The Hiker and a Bird

The man was sad and in tears holding a bird in his palms. Watching him, all the other pigeons gathered and later dispersed. But, one bird didn’t leave him, giving him company by sitting on his shoulders. I, being a fellow hiker who just reached the tree asked the man offering him water, what happened? Is everything alright? What is your story?

This man seems to be in his forties. Though having a stout personality , he looks weak and teary eyed, surely there might be a strong reason behind his sadness.

The man was silent, didn't replied me for few minutes. Then said in a soft voice.

I am Arya, am a hiker.

Nice meeting you Arya. I am Robin.

Every week, I used to explore new places and mountains in and around Muscat to hike. If I get long weekends ,I go far off locations for hiking sometimes with friends but most of the times alone. I love sitting on the cliff watching the beautiful picturesque landscapes this country Oman offers.

But one day, I found a dead bird at the starting point of this hill which gave me a bad omen and as I proceeded further found another dead pigeon. Reaching the summit, I realized that the deaths of birds might be due to summer heat and non-availability of water on these Rocky Mountains. So, I made a routine to keep a bowl of water under the shade of a rock or a tree whichever I find and then resume my hike.

I asked Arya who is this bird? Is your pet?

Hmmm.. She is my friend Reva.

What? Does she has a name too? Yes. I call her with this name and she responds.

Why Reva?

Reva means 'Rain' in hindi. As this is a dry land and no rains like in India, I always miss them and my mom's pakora.

I guess, Reva observed me helping birds and she befriended me following me in my hiking trips. At times she helps me in showing the direction too.
Most of the times, the mountains will not have guided trials especially outside the city. So based on the foot prints or used paths by many people one can continue the journey exploring in his/her own way.

I am just a beginner,this info helps me.Thanks a lot.

Arya continued...

Usually she follows me from my home. But today, Reva didn’t come along with me and I thought she might join me in the middle of my way and I reached Sidab and waited for Reva. It’s been a long time and I was worried about her and I couldn’t able to start the hike. So, I decided to come here where I met her first. My instincts said, Reva is in some trouble and needed my help. I arrived here in 50 min but I was shocked seeing Reva trying to remove a tiny plastic piece with her beak which got stuck in her baby’s throat. Immediately, I tried to rescue the baby but the baby mouth is too tiny and it was very difficult to remove the piece without hurting the baby. On top of it my hands were trembling in fear. Praying to god ,I tried again and finally relieved saving the baby.

While talking to me , Arya placed the baby safely in the nest. Reva cuddled her baby and made her sleep.

(Reva observing silently sat on Arya's shoulders.)

Arya asked, ‘ Why we humans are so rude to these birds littering the nondecomposable plastic everywhere even on the mountains where no one lives ?' These innocent creatures in search of food unknowingly eating these variety of plastics(polythene, bottle cups, straws etc.) and getting into serious life threatening troubles like these.

Hereafter, I take a vow to pick the plastic trash on my way saving these innocent birds.

Saying this , Arya turned at me with a subtle smile and resumed his hike again.

Following him, I said to myself , ' Learnt an important lesson today. Let's spread this awareness to all and save these creatures.'

Ghala Hike, Oman

 

Ghala Hike View Point

                                                             Beautiful date farms 

                                                                

This weekend (5.Mar.21), we explored a new hiking point , Ghala in Muscat.  The Uniqueness of this mountain in Ghala is, the landscape slowly unfolds step by step right in front of  you  and reveals its beauty.

                                                                    Starting point 

                        

From the foot of the mountain , it looks like a small one and can finish hiking in 30 min but as we reach the 1st visible place from foot of it, there is one more peak , this way we continued around four steps of the mountain until we see the flags, however it didn't end there, its a  huge continuous mountain as you hike ,it unfolds its secret paths and breathtaking views to you. We had an awesome hiking experience here.

                                            

One can check their stamina doing hiking on this very unique mountain and its totally good for beginners.

                                                        Picture courtesy Ramya

Here is the link to reach there.

https://goo.gl/maps/AG8zRZYjqXavmb4N6

It is recommended to start the hike early in the morning around 5.30 AM to avoid the skin burn in this summer. Happy Hiking guys! 

Hike to Wadi kabir view point, Muscat, Oman

 

                                                            WadiKabir View Point

Last weekend (19.Feb.21) , my hiking partner Ramya and I decided to go for a trek within the city Muscat. While searching , we came across Wadi Kabir View point.We simply followed the Google directions and reached the spot at 6.40 AM and saw the huge mountain. By seeing it, I remind myself  'No panic Anu,One step at a time'.

Found this beautiful message while scrolling.

Here is the google link to reach there -  

https://goo.gl/maps/zGtLV2tFsXvfCZou9

The uniqueness of this hike is inclined walking to reach the summit but no rock climbing. In few places the path is too slippery due to loose stones  and dry soil ,one should be very careful especially while exiting  irrespective of  wearing proper hiking shoes..

This complete hike took us around 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

Its worth to watch the beautiful view of  Wadikabir and the mountains around....

                                                                    Happy Hiking!

Sidab Hike, OMAN

Sidab is a small town near Old Muscat, Oman. This weekend (12.Feb.21) we planned to Sidab coastal trek. Following google directions we reached the starting point of the hike at 6.30 AM. Here is the link

https://goo.gl/maps/9G6d8F685skpwfkb8

Seeing the mountain, we thought it’s okay we can do it, however as we progressed 10 min into it, there is a rugged and steep point with a shaky ladder tied at one end to a big rock at the top which brought us literally to quit then while we descend few steps down, like an angel a girl with her friend came and said it’s her second time and we can do it. Then me and my partner pulled out all the courage and started ascending.

Yes! We crossed the tough point, with this sense of achievement, we further moved to the top and got our bonus, a beautiful sunrise and its glitters on the layers of blue sea waters. The atmosphere is so serene and placid with the surf sounds at the front and the beautiful calm village at the back and we at the top of this  mountain witnessing both in tranquility....Worth taking risk to experience this beauty.

                                                       First tough point

From here we descended until the rocky shores of water assuming it’s a too short trek and there might be an exit but we were wrong we found the marked trial guiding us towards another mountain to hike and we continued assuming we will find an exit....however, to our surprise instead of the way out, we saw crystal clear waters and smoothy rocks which looks awesome but these rocks are very slippery and one should be careful irrespective of wearing proper hiking gear.

In between mountains we saw cemeteries of Portugese people who dominated the Muscat region in 1600’s and paid respects. We reached ‘THE END’ but didn’t find the gateway. The only way out is either you trek back in the same route to the start point else take a boat.

This complete trek took 1.5 hours for us and return may take minimum 1 hour, so we thought to take a boat and waited there for sometime.....finally an Omani fisherman saw us and gave a lift in his boat. Twist in the story is boat got stopped in the middle of the sea as he was out of fuel....but somehow he managed to get a bottle of diesel from his stock and filled the tank. Meanwhile, we observed the beautiful unruffled blue waters and as usual became busy in taking pictures.. ...with a jerk, boat had started, we held the boat tightly keeping our mobiles back into our pockets, he took us around and showed few other cemeteries and one abandoned Hindu burial ground etc of 1930's time.

Finally reached the ship yard....when we asked about paying for the boat ride, he simply denied and said with a smile,’ it’s a help so no money’. Omanis are truly kind and helpful. Help means help no expectations of any return to their favor...

Overall it’s a best hike so far....thoroughly enjoyed the trek, early morning beautiful sunrise, rocky shores with blue waters , learnt little bit history of Portugese and a boat ride. Had a great weekend!


Thank you to Ramya, my hiking partner, her never say NO attitude always fascinates me.

A beautiful incident - Sharing and Caring

 All the children were playing with water inside the compound using their water guns. My son, Akshaj has only pichakari (kind of pointy bicycle pump) where as others have water guns. I didn't give a heed on this thinking he will adjust and play.  And, even Akshaj too was okay with it. But, Akshaj friend Arohi (6 year old) when she went for shopping with her parents , she reminded her father to buy a water gun for Akshaj. when he enquired,  she said, Akshaj has only pichakari for which he need to carry a bucket of water downstairs and its not comfortable to him. so  I want to gift him this water gun so that we both can play with water gun. Her father after listening to this moving story bought the water gun.

'Sharing and caring for each other gives utmost happiness ' and this little girl proved it with her kindness.

She came  straight to my home  10 o clock at night from shopping and gave this surprise to Akshaj. Akshaj was very very  happy and said ,' mamma see arohi bought this for me.she too has the same one with very little difference'. He kept it beside his bed and slept. Next day morning , Akshaj woke up happily and came to me  with a smile on his face saying I am very happy mamma today. With this energy he did a his chores by himself and went for playing...

Sleeping at night with happiness makes our morning wonderful !

Sleep like a baby!

It's true that we have nothing to teach children except showing them the right path and a lot to learn from them as said by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Sifat Ash Sheik, Oman

Date: 29.Jan.21

This week, we visited a place which is famous for snorkeling and fish catching. Enjoyed boat ride with friends and explored few islands far from the shore where people do full day camping to spend time with family. Locals, expats and tourists go by boat in the morning around 8 AM , fixing camping tent ,carrying food , short hike on the mountain and a beach in front for swimming, snorkeling , catching fish , having fun and return by 4 PM to the shores.

Seeing these isolated islands far from each other reminds me of my favorite actor Tom Hanks movie 'Cast away'! Of course no one wants to go through that plight which his character had gone through in the movie yet I must say its a Hall of Fame movie.

One can enjoy the weekend either in isolation having 'ME' Time or spending  time with family both  gives immense peacefulness in these islands.


When it was dusk, we lit a small camp fire at the shores with the straw and wood  collected by our little climbers Akshaj and Arohi with their tiny hands and a big trunk by our friend.

An impromptu view of moon rise and its glittering light on the sea waters came as a bonus to our weekend trip and made our day awesome!

                                                            Picture Courtesy by Jeet

Here is the map whoever wish to visit this beautiful place in Oman. 

https://goo.gl/maps/45wGzeJyPb5zWdjh6