Oman Trip (Abu Dhabi - Wadi Damm- Nizwa) - April 2, 2010

We decided on our spring break that we would tour the Western Hajar Mountains in Oman.  Our first day was mostly driving but we did get stopping for a geocache and a hike in Wadi Damm before going to our hotel in Nizwa.  Our first stop was at a castle for a treasure hunt.  This was a neat place, we saw our first falaj.  A falaj is their irrigation system in Oman.  It is basically a channel that has a slight slope to it and moves the water through out the farms (see picture).

The rock folds in the mountain was very neat to see (first set of pictures below).  Again we got a little turned around (blame the navigator- too busy gawking at the site and not paying attention to the directions :) )  From the drive up the mountain a bit and once we got turned back around again we did find some cool views.  In the second set of pictures below, the left picture there was a tomb on the hill behind the new style buildings (concert) built beside the old style buildings (mud bricks).  The picture on the right looks to be a platform for either an old lookout tower or some houses.  We thought it was very Indiana Jones looking.

At the start of Wadi Damm we stopped for lunch and got everything ready for our hike.  We were not sure what to expect but it was pretty amazing.  First of all there was still water running in this wadi!  There were little pools throughout the rocks and they had fish in them!!  Where the fish came from who knows - it looked like the source of the water was spring based.  Also the colour of the water was a beautiful aqua blue.

It was a lovely spot to stop and explore.  As we were leaving we found some good camping spots for next fall/winter, for a return trip and further exploring.  On our way out to the main road we passed the beehive tombs, which are dated from about the third millennium BC.  We didn't go up to see them this time,  but definitely next!

You know you are loved when....

Blankie is in the wash.  Sam is patiently waiting for it! :)

Camping at the Hanging Gardens - March 26/27, 2010

We had a wonderful week-end but have come to realize that this was probably our last camp out.  It is too hot at night now for camping.  We woke up and the temperature was still reading at 34 C.  It was neat though because this was our first camp out not in sand.  Definitely cleaner from that prepective.

On our way we got a little lost but that was ok because we did a mini hike and saw some new plants.  We also got seeing the spiney tailed lizard on our detour.  Patrick took our photo for us, so thought I would share. :)

We got to the start of the hike for the bat caves and hanging gardens.  Found a primo spot for our tent so parked the truck there for the day, and then set out for our hike.  There was a treasure hidden at the bat cave but unfortunately we could not find it.  Oh well we'll just have to head out there again sometime. :)  The kids did a wonderful job on the hike.  It was hard going on some of the parts.  The hanging gardens were pretty neat to see.  The water was falling from the side of the cliff.  There was enough falling to get some heads wet to cool off.  Here are a few pics of the hike and views.

Here are a few pics of the camp site and the camels about 150m from our site.  A picture of the kids in the fire light.  Another camel shot but it is a baby and soooo cute!

The day of the Lizards - March 26,2010

Out on our hike today, we saw many cool things - rock formations, plants/flowers, and LIZARDS.

This "Granddaddy" of lizards did not move a muscle the whole time.

The "Hey look at me - I'm Blue!" Lizard.  This guy moved so fast Wayne was very lucky to get a shot - I had to throw out 10 of them - too blurry.

This guy was the shy, quiet one.  He blended right into the background.  I had to have the kids help me keep an eye on him for when he moved so that I could get another shot.                               

   ...and finally...

This little guy was so small, he might have been an inch and a half.  He was a cutie.  More on our camping weekend later....

You'll never know what you will see in the middle of Abu Dhabi - March 13, 2010

A day of Treasure Hunting - March 12, 2010

Today, our mission was to do as many treasures as we could find.  :)  As you can see I have my hands full with a house full of monkeys.  I should have left them at the zoo!

We had a lot of fun treasure hunting today.  We saw new sites of the city, and just outside of the city.  We saw many different kinds of treasure chests.  AND we found some mud puddles to play around in.  :)  I don't know who had more fun - the kids shouting "Go faster Dad!" or the kid behind the wheel going faster!

Well, the grand total of treasures today was 13 out of 15 found!!  What a day.

Zoo Trip - March 5, 2010

We had a lot of fun at the zoo.  Wayne was a bit tired since we had just picked him up from the airport this morning flying in from London.  The kids enjoyed it though.  The penguins put on a bit of a show for us - swimming fast past the window and then jumping out of the water.  The kids (all four of us) thought it was awesome.  We had been before at the end of the summer but hadn't seen everything.  So today we hit the parts that would have been new to us.  They also had new animals there that hadn't been there before - white lions.

In Feb., they had also opened the dinosaur part of the zoo.  That was very well done.  The dinosaurs moved and growled.  There was even one that "spit" on you.  :)  Over all a very fun tiring day!