Into Muscat, unexpected

The long way round to Muscat, a 3 day detour tapping into wadis, dunes, and the coast

While enjoying the small winding roads of Jebel Akdar (Green Mountain) our little fantasy came to a halt when RidingKismet collided with a mountain goat which sent her flying over the handlebars. There was a herd earlier which passed through unscathed but this little beast jumped out of the bush to join his crowd but was greeted with the front wheel. Luckily the mountain goat survived and limped away, and despite the slide RidingKismet didn't appear to have big injuries. With a little help, she mounted the bike again but when the pain became unbearable we switched gears and thought perhaps it's time we take care of our health.... we are getting old after all, and the travel insurance can pay, right?

And that's how we ended up in Muscat and reluctantly straight to the doctors office. We booked the "knee package" and after some scans the doctor delivered the verdict: multiligament sprains and minor tears, and a small fracture. Remedy: no moving without crutches and 4 weeks rest.... But doctor, we already walked 9km today! He looked both mortified and stern. BED REST!

Alright, now that we are here, an oil change is due anyways. So IronChris would head out with one bike after the other to a workshop with the humble name "Elite Bikes" to get it done, and it turns out that the very generous owner gave us 5 liters of tasty 20W50 for free. Thank you, guys!

And Muscat became our hideout for some time. We learned the bus routes, had our favourite supermarket, and made friends with other stranded travelers in our filthy hostel. We attempted to create a little home once again and re-established our long lost routines.
Ramadan began, and although the hostel was never ever cleaned properly and despite the false advert that said it offered breakfast (it doesn't), the owner and his sole (and very overwhelmed) employee served us a good Iftar every evening (the dinner after Maghreb Muslim have to end their fast).

We booked two nights more and then three more, and in the end we stayed around two weeks. At the beach nearby, fishermen go out to throw the crab boxes out. We visited the great mosque and had a private Iftar at the actual old town, which is cozy and really worth visiting.

Antsy IronChris took his Murghob for a little ride and camp out for a night, just to kick some dust and not getting crazy in the city. Perfectly smooth gravel to skid a bit, and at Wadi Al Arbeieen, little fishies nibble at the feet.
Pauline, another traveler, also ends up in this valley, and a fire is lit under the stars.

And while this overextended 'rest days' were secretly welcomed, we are not sure how long it will last but one thing is for certain, stubbornness runs high here and it might just mean we will skip town soon...

Stay tuned...Read more