21 July 2013

Awesome Drive, Camp Fire, BBQ, Dolphins and More

I have written more than a dozen posts on Dubai, but each time i come across my Dubai pics I have a new story to narrate. Dubai has always been very near to my heart... This post is on our trip to Khasab, Oman from Dubai... 
It was somewhere in the holy month of Ramadan few years back, did we and my hubby's friends planned this trip. As the end of Ramadan, Eid-Al-Fitr was linked with weekend, we had almost 4 days off. This trip was a much awaited relaxing trip, as we were about to spend most of the time on beach, away from the fancy and luxurious shopping malls and busy metro life of Dubai.
Khasab is the capital city of Musandam Peninsula, Sultanate of Oman and is almost 185km from Dubai.
As per schedule we left at 5 in the morning. Almost by 6:30 we were at Al Dhara Border Crossing. For me the first thought which comes to mind when I hear of border crossing, is the Waghah Board with gunned men on both sides of the gate... But in gulf, with good relationships with neighboring countries, boarder crossing is as simple as crossing a toll gate in India... You get your passport stamped(from your car itself) at the counter and drive ahead.

Musandam
Separate Counters for Omani residence and GCC(Gulf Cooperation Council)
Crossing the boarder reaches you to Khasab Coastal Road... This drive on the coastal road, is one of the most memorable drive that you can ever forget... A 15km drive from Al Dhara Boarder crossing reaches you to Bukha. Bukha has a 17th century castle built by Saif Bin Sultan Al Ya'rubi... Though we couldn't spend much time here, we headed to Khasab..
Musandam
Drive through Khasab Coastal Road
Musandam

Musandam
By 8AM we reached Khasab beach, the beach is very well maintained and has shelters, where in you can set up your camp.. Few of our friends did fishing and caught few fishes.
Musandam

Musandam

Musandam
Our Camp
Musandam
We had carried our tent, BBQ and utensils to cook for the day. Me and hubby being veg, we survived on instant noodles. We spent the day playing cards, shuttle badminton and cycling. Later at night we had camp fire. As a remote beach this doesn't have any lighting, we had dinner just in fire light and the car headlight. Later we ladies moved to the hotel which we had booked in Khasab City, while most of the guys stayed on beach overnight in tents.
Musandam
BBQ 
Next morning we packed up at the beach and went for Dolphin Watch.. Dolphin Watch is a must do thing when you are in Khasab. You will be taken for cruising in the traditional Omani Dhows towards the sea, and you can watch Dolphins swim along with your dhow. Below is the video of the Dolphins. Cruising ahead to mid sea, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

Musandam
Beautiful View
Musandam
Swimming at mid sea
Musandam
Caught a Sea Urchin
Later, had lunch at one of the restaurants in Khasab city and drew back to Dubai... We had a fun filled road trip, which is my most memorable one and can be so called The Perfect Road Trip...
Musandam
Passport Stamping at Al Dhara Boarder Crossing, way back
This post is an entry for the contest The Perfect Road Trip, by Indiblogger and Ambipur.

3 comments:

  1. Such family outings are the best. It is like taking your home along with you. I can see the fun you all had. :) Great captures!

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    1. True Indrani, now am missing all those masti here in India... Thanks for dropping in...

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