Salalah 2014

[elena]

Hello, everyone! Family, friends, fellows!
We (me and @margarita) were honored by a chance to write this trip report as the first ones, as we arrived back to UAE before the whole group (at the actual time of writing it, they are challenging the way of 1300 km back to the country).
I was actually the last to join the team, and the first to reach home (so actually I have spent only one full day, but that was WORTH it). Jet plane of almost4x4 made it quick for me on the way to SLL just in 2 hours!

BUT listen to the story at the check-in.
Excited me giving my passport at check-in counter at Terminal 1:
Check-in officer: “Madam, where is your return ticket?”
Me (confused): “I don’t have return ticket, because I have no plans to return by plane, I am going back with a car with my friends”
Check-in officer: “But you have to have a return ticket as a proof”..
I started to panic, as at this point one has realized that a well-planned trip is under danger! Hazard light switched on!
Me (in an extremely polite voice): “I am very sorry for that, and I know the rules, but my friends are already there and they came by road, and I couldn’t join them due to work commitments, but on Fri we are returning back with the car” (and JJJ)
Check-in officer: “Ok. But next time you should have one. Have a safe flight!” Uuuuffff!!!
So just, f.y.i, if you end up in my situation one day! And as I was told later on, for sure they won't let me in if I didn't have UAE visa.
I nearly jumped up to the roof of the terminal because was so happy to have my boarding pass in my hands!

And then arriving to SLL airport two happy “already local omani” friendly faces @alshamsi_m and @margarita were there to meet me!!! JJJJJ And from the way they smiled I understood that they had lots of fun! I was described so vividly like I have been there myself!But straight away I was told, that they had such a long and tiresome day, and on Thursday they have nothing planned but visit to Carrefour and relax at the hotel. So definitely “NO EXPECTATIONS!”

But OF COURSE! THAT WAS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS!!!!! If I haven’t seen it I would have killed myself in regrets and would have cried my eyes out because that was ssooooo amazing! Stunning views! Lots of fun, lots of stories, lots of pictures! At one point I became really emotional, and my eyes watered, when I saw wonderful beach with palms, it looked as paradise. This is something you never expect from GCC! But the hill climbing that happened after took my breath away. All green, huge mountains with clouds on top. You are losing a sense of reality, as it seems it happens somewhere in Ceylon or Java, or Nepal, or … in the dream! We climbed up as in the narrow path of magic forest trees! Someone reported on the radio, that we were almost 1000 meters high! And bam! The view! I was asked “was it worth to take a flight??” I answered “I guess I underpaid.. I should come back to them and reward with more money!”

Evening almost ended up for me in Yemen (as since I was not flying back, the idea was to run away.. ahaha!). And when we were driving up to Yemeni border, we were crossing sharp curves and enjoying clouds to our left, but suddenly realized ourselves driving in one of them. Visibility was almost zero! We had a chance to drive straight after Bu Salem, and could experience how good he is (!!!). Seriously, guys, no sugar coating but Bu Salem is a Super Hero! To drive in the night, in the cloud, with obstacles on then way, as cows/camels/rolled over truck with water bottles etc etc.. And there is a convoy of cars behind him. And being that quick in reporting it over the radio, so no one got stuck or (for god sake!) hit anything! That’s nooot easy! But we all managed to do that! Thank you, Marshal! We are all in your good hands! And I am writing that not in order to praise someone or something, but for those who might underestimate all the efforts done for you and that comes for FREE!
5* “Burj Al Arab style” restaurant was exactly what all we needed in the end to chill-chit chat and eat! Deadly tired came back to the hotel, but with happy (and red!) faces!

By the way, that what happens when you forget about smth written for you in recommendations or you think “naaa, it’s not gonna happen to me”.. I completely missed out sun block! And happy red face was running around searching for cucumber and fresh yogurt! Just in case if it happens to you, apply fresh cold yogurt or cucumber slices to the burn parts and you will feel much better!

So see sometimes even in one day you can see so many things, that one not able to see in their whole life. Everybody’s faces showed nothing, but excitement! The trip 100% answered my personal style of seeing things and travelling. As along with tourist attractions, I like to enjoy local life style and some wild places. So that was all there. Passing by small villages, or driving the ways driven by no one before. So thank you for that! I am definitely with the right people!

But unfortunately work commitments dictated us to come back on Friday, so we started our way in the morning at 7.45 am, and at 19.15 were crossing Al Waggan check-point! We had all coordinates provided to us, so even me who didn’t drive to Salalah with the rest felt safe as GPS was working great (thank you @Defragmantor for providing us with your battery and again @alshamsi_m for coordination and guiding!)

We had fun with my sister-in-soul @margarita! I was given a chance to drive orange Mandarin, I really enjoyed driving Touareg! So all in all that was an adventure! And in travelling like this you may see people from now on from different angle! And our team proved themselves! Everybody was well-organized, no delays, no issues. Even the little ones (smallest participants, sons of Abu Rashid and Bu Salem, were very strong to stand long days, long drives etc.. real sons of their fathers)!

Ok! Enough of emotions (just can’t hiding them, sorry.. )! I need to sort out the pictures! So my words will have proof!
Charming, amazing, beautiful Salalah! We should come again!

Hope to see you all in sands soon!

Cheers,

elena

[margarita]

mandarin in land green

people say salalah is rainy land
you need on umbrella money spend
unless you travel with sunny team
and smiling sunny mandarin
we transfered salalah mistery gate
witness from summer to winter
temperature fall by fahrenheit
almost lost [MENTION=8670]yasser[/MENTION] in magic mist situation
but regrouped the convoy
thanks to radio communication
stunning view crushed into the eyes
are we in heathen or in paradise?...
first chellenge off roading came up
bravely mandarin climbed the hill
and went back
chellenge on vegetarian driver fell
by visiting local chicken hell
cars and bodies reached the living quoters
guessing what's neXt in Bu Salem's rotas
gravity nonsense, caves, omani folklore
like spiders we climbed rocky sink
ready for more
picknick on side road cookies karak
strange garbage cleaner from nowhere
came up
we found yeti big foot omani location
but this is absolutely secret information
call me if you want to know more
on radio station
@Bader turned into kakangler his jeep
full of surprises this trip..
filled with the power of green
grabbed [MENTION=9241]elena[/MENTION] from flight
to fill mandarin
and again drive stop stare and lough
our friend zaychik Kesha
is found on every picture and path
the hit of the move
1000 m country road climb
mandarin's off roader skill proof
totaly mad of the jungle adventure
we stopped on the mount top
admiring breathtaking nature
run drive again in misty serpantine route
towards village point
distribution food
dont know what happened lasT day
me, [MENTION=9241]elena[/MENTION], Kesha flew in mandarin home way
but know for sure
i missed giants tomb
this info was like a bomb
being long person in the world of short
crossing the border i gave my word
be back to Salalah with our amazing guide
its worth 12 hours mandarine ride!

[Muhittin]

Glad to see you back here, looking forward to see the pictures and videos.:like:

[Alok708]

I am feeling jealous and left out.
@ Bu-Salem please take my CONFIRMED nomination for Salalah 2015. U got the right to shoot me if I make any excuses (work, family health, money....issues)!!!

[elena]

https://www.facebook.com/elena.khristan ... 283&type=1
here we come with some Salalah photoes, for those who is interested or who missed this out (feel really sorry for those who missed it.. ) Please, people, share some more pictures, as I captured only one day! Looking forward to see more adventures! But better to participate!

[Defragmantor]

This is one trip which has everything Man,Machine and Nature i.e MnM. Getting back to what i was about to report about. i wasn't sure about me coming for this trip as my sister jus got engaged 4 days prior to this trip and the guests from the party were still in dubai (me being host had tot end to them) however i decided that my family members wouldn't mind me going ahead So i started packing and preparing for the most awaited trip of the year . I was doubtful wether i would need my off road gear as this trip is mostly on road so i called up @alshamsi_m and he told me its better to keep it . Once ready i departed for the meeting point and i was the second one there after cyanide. Everyone arrived bang on time and we started moving towards the border.
The drive from dubai to salalah was overnight we crossed the empty quarter as the sun rose . i was noticing the temperature dropping from a hot 40 degrees to a cool 21 degrees as we progressed inside salalah .We had our lunch at the famous mandi place(delicious). We then checked in the hotel around 3 pm.All members were tired so they left for their rooms to rest . At around 8pm Saeed(alshamsi_m's elder son) called up my room asking if i wanted to join for dinner i said ok and we met at the lobby and decided to buy some basic neccesaties from the carefour nearby before dinner. Had dinner at darbat restaurant (next to the hotel ). We then called it a night and headed to sleep as the next day would be a tiring one
(Im gonna be writing my trip report in parts as there is a lot to write so for now thats it will write about the next day in a bit )

[Arun Pandyat]

Elena.. the photos are not public.. Can't open..

[quote=elena;37638]https://www.facebook.com/elena.khristan ... 283&type=1
here we come with some Salalah photoes, for those who is interested or who missed this out (feel really sorry for those who missed it.. ) Please, people, share some more pictures, as I captured only one day! Looking forward to see more adventures! But better to participate![/quote]

[orlantsev]

Not exactly a 'quick reply':

First of all I apologize for the long story which follows…but the trip was so intensive and full of events that writing anything short will not do justice to the organizers and participants.

After the trip was announced I immediately became interested since I have always wanted to go to Salalah since my arrival to UAE, but I could never find company. The only problem for me was that I knew I would only come back from Sri Lanka 1.5 days before the planned departure and was unsure if work would let me go. Nevertheless, I booked my accommodation in Salalah before I departed to Sri Lanka.

After I came back and checked work emails I concluded that there was nothing super-urgent which required my presence in Dubai, confirmed my attendance with a relative peace of mind. Furthermore, I decided to leave ahead of the rest of the group since I had almost free day, wanted to avoid night time driving and have an opportunity to check out anything interesting along the way.

Going to Salalah:

After little shopping for the road, basic car inspection (I was not too worried about the car condition having only recently done the regular service) I left Dubai at 4.30 pm. An hour before departure I booked a room at Majd Hotel Appartment in Ibri which was on the way for a night over.

Border crossing was easy and did not take too much time, and I reached Ibri (120 km from Al Ain border) at around 8 pm. I cannot say anything good about the hotel (not even a towel in the bathroom), but all I needed was a bed to sleep in. I woke up at 6 am, got some local money from the ATM, had breakfast from my Dubai supplies and left at 6.30 am. As recommended by Bu-Salem in the PM I took the road 29 straight from Ibri and drove 200 + km before it merged into 31. Since the road was new to me I drove at the average speeds of 130-140 km also due to the fact that the road was quite busy with trucks. As advised I filled up fuel very regularly and there was almost no time the fuel level dropped below ¾ of a tank. One recommendation I would give to the drivers is always have sunglasses as the sun reflection is very strong and liquid for contact lenses (if you use them) as the eyes dry out in the air conditioned car environment. After long un-eventful journey I reached Salalah at 4 pm and checked in to the hotel at 4.30 pm. It is amazing how the landscape changes in only 30 km from desert plain into lush valleys full of vegetation. Just before I reached the mountain range on the approach to Salalah I could not understand whether what I saw in front were the mountains or the clouds or both.

I stayed all 4 nights at a place called Samarham Tourist Village. At more than 150$ per night you would expect much more. I give it a proper ‘thumbs down’ and shall discourage anyone reading this report from staying there. Rooms were big, but not spacious, TV did not have any English speaking channel, Wi-Fi was only at the lobby, and breakfast started at 7.30 meaning I did not even go there once because the meeting time was early in the morning.

I got the meeting coordinates for next morning from Margarita and arrived there just ahead of the rest of the group. It was a little café serving karak, coffee and some local dish (similar to pancake).

Day 1:

First we went to explore the anti-gravity point. I would find it hard to believe, but tried it myself and indeed the car positioned pointing downhill and gear set to ‘N’ starts moving backwards. Amazing!

From there we went to Wadi Darbat which turned out to be very popular tourist spot. The highlight of the place was a group of local men in traditional clothing who sang, and performed some imitation of a sword fight. From there we went to Tawi Atayr Sinkhole (I think that is how it is called). Apparently it is one of the world’s largest sinkholes measuring more than 200 meters in depth. Despite slippery surface we went down almost all the way. Thanks to Bu-Salem who mentioned that we would need some good trekking shoes in his pre-departure notes. Without them I would have struggled. Going up I went ahead of the group and took the wrong path. It led me to nowhere and I realized that not only I could easily climb up, but going down was also a problem. I could hear the rest of the guys somewhere above me, and got a little bit nervous. So I had to get dirty and with few scratches on my body I pushed up and eventually found the right path, just in time to catch the rest. By the time we got back we saw that Defrag inspirationally brought some new colours to Bader’s Jeep :meaw: After a bit of rest we proceeded to Tayq cave which looks like a great crater, but going down to the bottom was an impossibility, so we just watched it from the viewpoint. Further from there we had a brief stop in a nice green area which could be perfect for camping if we wished to make it longer, but we still needed to see lots. Next point on the route was the Sinjar (not sure of the spelling) mountain which offered the superb view of the valley below. Last point of the day was the drive through the village where we hoped to see some forest. Since no one knew exactly how the trees should look like in that forest I think we do not know until now if we saw them or not.

I should say that despite the great deal of preparation by Bu-Salem, Abu Rashid and Rashid Jass there were moments when we easily changed the original route when something more interesting come along. On the way back I wanted to re-stock with water, breakfast food and fruits, so me, Defrag and Bader went to Lulu in the city. We got separated at the roundabout, further stuck in the traffic with Defrag and magically re-united at some other Lulu than the one we initially wanted to reach with Bader. After some grocery shopping I called it a day.

Day 2:

We started the day with the same morning coffee routine, but after the breakfast we went the opposite side of Salalah than in day 1. First stop was on a nice beach, with few remarkable blowholes. Also there we could spot few dolphins preying in shallow waters. After a nice drive on winding roads (I wish I had my car few days earlier in Sri Lanka than the hired and falling apart Corolla) Bu-Salem started to search for a nice beach area for the picnic spot, but unfortunately initially we were greeted by the closed gate. Next try was also not a success, but we came across a little nice cave with lots of bats’ shit.

Eventually we came down to a city called Rakhyut and parked the cars in a photo-perfect manner on the hill just above the beach. We had a nice meal, with coffee, fruits and other snacks and each contributed to the feast. Just before we came there Bu-Salem pointed to a barely visible path on the opposite hill and said he wanted to try it. We started to climb it (very different type of off-roading than the desert I should say). We did not really know whether it was passable and that made the climb even more intriguing. When we reached the top (at about 1,300 meters) we were already above the clouds and the views on both sides were just gorgeous. Luckily for us the gate was open and soon we were back on the tarmac. The initial plan was to reach Dalkyut (again, maybe wrong spelling) almost on the border with Yemen, but it was getting dark, and besides Bader started to have a problem with his car, so I was not sure if we would continue. However, once again the spirit and determination of Almosters’ showed and we reached the place in the dark through the foggy mountain road amongst stupid mad cows. There we were treated for dinner at one & only local restaurant. Unfortunately, at this part of the journey we only had to trust Bu-Salem how beautiful the nature around us was. It took us just over an hour to get back to Salalah.

Day 3:

We were fewer cars as Margarita and Elena left, some went to fix their cars and some were just too tired despite later than usual meeting time. Bu-Salem asked if we fancied some play in the sand, and I knew before even answering that anything would be a great plan anyway.

We went to the beach area about 30 km from the city in the direction of Mirbat. While driving there Bu-Salem talked about driving with un-deflated tires and the effect it has on the performance. Somehow it came to the topic of how to become a ‘rescue’ and he said that one of the ways was to rescue the marshal, but on this occasion we would not have a chance as in the presence of Explorer it would be his job should Bu-Salem get stuck.

So once we reached all of us gave a go un-deflated, and soon Rashid Jass got stuck. I got stuck in a different area and few moments later Bu-Salem also got stuck (yes, it also happens) next to me. Defrag also got stuck shortly, but could not deflate as he lent the kit to F-150. With Bu-Salem’s instruction and after engaging the diff. lock I recovered myself and happened to be the only moving car to recover the marshal! Indeed, be in the right place in the right time. So we got the Viking rope out and mission was accomplished. Few moments later Bu Salem got stuck again (yes, it also happens more than once :meaw:) and I had to repeat what I learnt in episode one. After that it was the turn of other cars to be recovered and after it was all done I was presented a ‘rescue’ tag attached to my car key. Defrag wanted to get this long-wanted piece of cloth from me and I said, yes, I could sell but only for Russian roubles if he manages to get them in the next 30 minutes. So although I am now a ‘rescue’ driver, please do not get stuck while I am near...ha.ha

We further played a bit more on the beach. I should say the sand formation there is so much different from the desert due to different wind patterns, which adds challenge to driving there. After inflating we drove around the countryside for even more beautiful views and had probably the longest lunch in 3 days in a shade of a tree.

From there we went to the Nabi Ayoub Tomb. Being one of the closest attractions to the city there was a lot of traffic back and forth, but we still managed to reach it before darkness. The day finished with camel meat dinner. After I got back to the hotel I applied the dishwashing liquid to the parts of the car following Bu-Salem’s advice about the possibility of the sand blast.

While not knowing exactly how it looks like, I doubt I came across it on the way back, but, nevertheless the car had a new look.

Back to Dubai:

I left at 6 am solo, and reached Dubai at 8 pm (some delay at border due to congestion) with one-hour rest stop. At places (especially in the early morning) I was driving faster than coming to Salalah, so will see if this results in any fines. So for an estimate of driving time I can say from my experience one should expect between 12-14 hours if you’re driving solo with minimum stops.

This completes my chronological story. Now the words of praise:

1) To all organizers who planned and executed the trip so well. Especially I liked the fact that most of the individual wishes were considered such as prayer stops, meals, sightseeing.

2) I very much liked the determination to complete the plan despite some obstacles (darkness, hungry Amosters’, traffic jams) which is also very much in my character and which I like so much about Almost 4*4
3) To all fellow members – for great spirit, punctuality, and some laugh (I do not talk too much on the radio, but I listen :have a nice day:

Finally, some more practical tips:

- Buy some snacks you like in UAE. I noticed that except for Carrefour, the selection of foods is smaller in Oman
- Do not get too much of a local cash. Some places accept dirham, and generally it is cheap.
- Take little pillow (like for the airplane). I missed it when I stopped for the nap on the way back to Dubai.
- Lots of music (it is a long drive). I believe I came back a better karaoke singer after 30 + hours of practice.

P.S. This report is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defect

[BADER BARGHOUTHI]

hi everyone,

my report will be short and fast...

fisrt day on my way to meeting point i was talking with khateeb after like 15 mints my rear tier bomb and was speeding 135km/hr but thnks god i i controlled the car and not body around me , i stoped then went to tier place near and i change both rear tier brand new, then i continue deriving to catch up wth the gruop i was late 1.5 hr then when i finsh the broder i speed and fround the group at goust town then we continue driving to salalah .

day 1 was amazing in wadi darbat and mauntain views
day 2 was aowsome in meghseel and rakhyoot and thalkoot
day 3 i spent it alone , i went to industry area to chick up the car break and they told me its fine u can drive it like this and gave me spare bult then i went to jumaa' pray then i went to water fall i found and swim with few people but the water was freezing and i found wadi i was alone too like exploring the place it was really nice and beautiful .
then i meet the group in alnabi ayoob grave.

day 4 me and defrag went to car wash but all close they open 9am and we found one then at 11:30am we start fighing to catch up the gruop and we were driving 192 max:ninja::028: speed then we meet the group in alain .

we made it in 11 hrs hahahahah

all in all, the trip was awosome amazing lovly respectful beuatiful , i advince u to go there in salalah 2015 to feel what we feelt. :want !:



c u guyz on sand ,, welcome back dunes :secret laugh:

[alshamsi_m]

Hi All

I know it is Wednesday and too late for a trip report but it is better to be late than never. I was going to write my report in a style and I was surprised that @orlantsev did it the way I was going to do it , So I need to think OUT OF THE BOX.
The preparation:

During Eid holiday many groups & clubs went a head of us and had some nice videos & pictures but I noticed that they had the same places. Those made me think that if we are going to be the last group that visits Salalah this summer so let us make it special. I started making the plan with the other marshals, looking for new places that never been visited “The risk is high not to find a route” but who cares, this is Salalah YOU CAN’T GO WRONG. Inaddtion, I heard that a VIP from UAE always visits Salalah at the End of August or the beginning of September, the reasons behind it for the following:
1. Most of the tourists are gone.
2. The Rainy season is gone which means you can see more. It was not as much cool as I used to find it but I never seen Salalah in the last Seven years like what I saw this time.
Moreover, we tried to avoid the common places like the springs or water falls because they are congested with people and will turn to be a waste of time “ The Nabie Ayoub tomb was an example”.
Finally, We are off-roaders so give your people what they expect from you after driving 1300 km.

First Day:
1. Anti Gravity point
2. Darbat Wadi
3. Tawi Ettir – Sink Hole
4. Taiq Cave.
5. Hidden camp site with river pad – Offroad.
6. Samhan mountain view point – the highest point in that region.
7. Al Haqq Country side drive

Second Day:
1. megasil blow fountains
2. The amazing drive to Dhalkut
3. The Kharfat View Point
4. Kharfat Bats’ Cave – this one was by chance.
5. The amazing drive to Reykhut beach.
6. Reykhut Birds view to the Ocean
7. Reykhut Branch Picnic.
8. The drive to HEAVEN
This is was a hidden route to our members and they knew about it only by the time we reached the beach. I said “ I have an offroad route but I’m not sure that we can make it but if you agree we are going to DO IT”. Of course, what do you expect that the almosters would answer “ let us do it”. I decided to go exploring first having in mind that we have club member and torque a car with low profile tiers. I gave the lead to @alshamsi to bring the convoy UP if it is clear. Well it turned to be ONE OF THE BEST DRIVES I ever did. We claimed from the sea level to 980 meters height with some places that the approach angle was 70°.
9. I mentioned that Dhalkut will be welcoming with it cute cows but by the time we reached it was DARK & FOGGY. We had to play a game called “ Doge the Cow “ it was a bit tough but it was worth the risk.
10. The Restaurant in Dhalkut , It was Thursday night and the guy was about to call it OFF. Until we showed up, The sales jumped from 0% to 300%. I think we ate his supply for a week J.

Third Day:
1. We drove the other direction of Salalah, opposite side of the day two.
2. Guys were jealous of the newbies who had a newbie drive in UAE. So they were surprised with Beach Off-road where everyone had the chance to play with sand and get stuck . @orlantsev won the RESCUE key chain that day because he rescued a founder THREE TIMES.
3. We drove then to Baobab Forest. Sorry guys because I had no idea how it looked like J
4. Again we drove OFFROAD though the wadi until we reached a nice place for BRANCH.
5. Driving again on the country side with more open & green places that you can’t imagine.
6. Driving Salalah By Pass road – believe me it is so much different than Dubai By Pass.
7. Visiting Al Nabi Ayoub tomb- That was for you @Rashidjass.
8. Of course, you can’t visit Salalah without trying the Camel meat for dinner

Things that rarely seen in a road trip:

1. The One Thousand legs worm.
2. Dolphins.
3. Sea hawk.
4. The chameleon lizards.
5. Battle Ships.
6. The beach crab colony.

I would like to thank all who joined us and made it another success in the records of almost4x4 trips. Special thanks to @Rashidjass and @alshamsi for their continues support. Till next year, drive safely and see you soon.

Best Regards