Archives for April 2010

In the larger guest room.

Here I’m posting a few more photos of Jabrin Castle (or Fortress… depending on the sign) located just outside of Bahla, Oman. In addition to the floor plan, I was also impressed by just how thick the walls were. They helped to keep the inhabitants safe as well as cool in the hot prolonged summer of the region.

pssst! This is the bathroom.

I just might make it back over to Oman this coming weekend. Sometimes I can’t quite believe this new life of mine.

xo, jill

PS. Don’t forget about the GIVEAWAY!

You’re not so sandy!

I think most people have no clue what the terrain is like in Oman. It seems like a lot of us assume that the Arabian Peninsula is all sand. Well, it’s not like that at all! It has been fun to check out all of the varied landscapes as I’ve traveled around the region. Here are some more photos of the camping portion of our recent trip to Oman.

xo, jill

Reigning it in.

Saturdays are usually spent running errands in the morning (as early as possible to avoid traffic), catching up on school work, and settling in to be ready for the week. However, when you wake up in Oman, things are different.

Elizabeth and I were roused early by the voices of small children and the drumming of goats’ hooves. Two small little girls were running through our campsite accompanied by their older brother. The goats were getting a fair amount of running in too. There was no sleeping in.

After a quick breakfast I explored the area a little bit more by climbing a ladder into a garden. It’s fascinating to see the irrigation system the local people have developed.

On our way back home we stopped at Jabrin Castle, just outside of Bahla. It took a few attempts to find it, but we kept at it. I’m glad we were so determined because the fortress was fabulous. I’ve visited a few forts in the UAE, but this one in Oman takes the cake… or date syrup sweet, if you will.

The fortress was wonderfully kept and a complete maze. I thought of Freya Stark’s travel in Yemen and how she had to be escorted through the homes she stayed in because they were designed with defenses in mind. Fascinating. This fortress had several guest rooms, an upstairs bathroom, a mosque, school, kitchen, library, jail… and more I’m sure. I absolutely loved it.

In the future the fortress will offer an audio tour. During out time there a sticky note was taped to the machine reading simply, “Not yet.”

After the fortress we continued all the way back to Al Ain. I headed back to Abu Dhabi on my own and prepared to prepare for the week.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit more of what life is like for me in Abu Dhabi.

xo, jill

… are for adventures!

Thursday night I drove the hour and a half to Al Ain, the second largest city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, to meet up with some friends I hadn’t seen in ages. We planned a camping trip together… to Oman!

We set out around 8am and quickly reached the border. Actually crossing through was quite the laugh. It’s a process involving many windows, two trips indoors, and a tiny piece of paper changing several sets of hands. But we did it!

Although not my favorite bit of the trip, I really enjoyed being a passenger (as opposed to driver). Not only could I look out the windows, relax, and enjoy the ride… I didn’t even have to navigate! Paul knew exactly where we were going. What a treat!

First we investigated the Hoota Caves. The signage said they were closed, but you really never know until you check. They were closed. Apparently you take a little train ride either up to the caves or through the caves. Maybe next time.

Then we took a hike through an abandoned cliffside village. It’s pretty amazing to amble through the rocks knowing that people lived in the village not all that long ago.

We ate and lounged at the bottom of the village in a nice cool oasis near a few Omanis.

After lunch we trekked out to find a campsite near where Paul had camped before. As soon as we set up shop the goats came over to greet us. So friendly.

The rest of the night was spent playing cards, eating, and making pleasant conversation. A pretty good Friday adventure.

xo, jill