Bob and I were lucky. In January, just before the onslaught of the wicked virus in Europe, we ventured to Oman (see a previous post “Introducing Awesome Oman”). Our excursions to the desert and mountains were exceptional. It’s time to stop dwelling on disease and relive those adventures.
Sand. Sand. More sand. Slopes and dunes and wide, flat expanses. After stopping in a tiny town to let air out of the tires, driver Mustafa navigated mile after mile through this landscape. At first he followed tracks. The tracks ended. He charged on. I was incredulous. He had no GPS. How did he know where to go? There was little difference between one dune and another.
He knew. In the midst of this vast emptiness we spotted two other vehicles. We had arrived at our “camp,” a short but strenuous hike to the other side of a dune. Climbing a dune is more challenging than climbing through deep snow in ski boots.
The camp was something out of a glitzy travel magazine – luxury deep in the Wahiba Sands desert.
Our tent bedroom featured a double bed, night stands, and generator-powered lamps. 
Next to the bedroom tent was our private bathroom tent. This was five-star glamping.
We were the only guests in the camp with a cook, the camp manager and his assistant to look after us. Shortly after arrival we were invited to the “sunset lounge.” Another short hike up a dune, and voila, a comfy couch for watching the spectacular show of colors in the sky as the sun descended into distant sands. It was surreal.
Dinner was served in the dining /living room area, not really a tent, but a canvas roof sheltering more couches, artisanal objects– ceramics, glass vases filled with sand – pillows, carpet. I doubt many Bedouin chieftains had living quarters like these.
We dined on a melange of seven different “meze” (Middle Eastern appetizers), including an outstanding eggplant concoction. I asked Egyptian chef Mahmoud for the recipe.
No camp is complete without a campfire. Without the sun, it was cool. The desert fire’s warmth felt good. And, somehow it felt strange to be in this isolated ambience with all these remarkable amenities.
When the fire was put to bed, the desert night was eerie, mystical. Total blackness, except for the sky crowded with vibrant stars. Silence. The generator was off. We were alone. The staff left to spend the night in a town. They gave us a flashlight.
Desert outings are a popular Oman tourist attraction. Many camps accommodate numerous guests. We had the deluxe version. Camp manager, Wael, an Egyptian, told us our camp was assembled just for us, and would be disassembled after our departure.
“It’s a huge logistic work. Dismantle every item, then do it all over.” It would be set up in a different remote location for the next guests, he said. It is all very impressive, and it had been expensive, nonetheless we felt guilty.
Wael, and many working in Oman’s tourist industry, come from other counties for job opportunities. He was working in the tourist industry in his native Egypt, but left five years ago when the tourist industry there collapsed. Laarnie, a single mother from the Philippines, left her 7-year-old daughter behind with her mother for a job in Oman.
En route to the camp, we had passed camels, some in pens, some freely roaming. Wael explained. “They are trained for races here,” he said. “The number of camels one owns is still a sign of wealth in Oman.”
There are camel races in Oman, but Omanis prefer to sell their camels to owners in Qatar and the Emirates where the stakes in camel races are higher, he said. In those countries, Omanis can sell champion camels for as much as $100,000.
Wael went on to explain that real human jockeys no longer ride the camels. “It’s too dangerous.” Remote controlled robots are the jockeys of today.
Our over-the-top escapade was desert for tourists. But, at our age we are beyond roughing it in a genuine Bedouin camp. I am not sure such camps exist. Only five percent of Oman’s Bedouins live a nomadic life. They rarely ride camels, but drive cars. They live in houses, not tents. However, they preserve their culture and they lead lives closely connected to their history and nature. Many work in the tourist industry. We met a Bedouin family selling handmade souvenirs from their home on our way out of the desert.
The desert experience, including being pampered, was definitely amazing. From the desert we proceeded to the mountains for more adventure. Don’t miss the next post.
If not a Tales and Travel follower, please sign up. Your address is kept private and never shared. Trust me.
I had intended to include Mahmoud’s eggplant as the featured recipe in Today’s Taste. I followed his recipe, but my version was a disaster. It tasted nothing like his. Instead, I will include a tasty Indian dish I tried recently, Egg Curry — great way to use those colored Easter eggs. Indian cuisine is popular in Oman. This is a vegetarian recipe dedicated to my blog guru David, a vegetarian. See Today’s Taste.
\
Tales and Travel 
Must be an adventure. We lived in Oman for 6 years 1994-2000 and it is an awesome cuntry
LikeLike
Yes indeed…an awesome country. Must have been fascinating and enjoyable to live there. Lucky you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bob and the camels is a classic. I’d like more detail about the toilet tent. It must have been great fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The toilet was impressive — a little tricky to flush, but we figured it out. No shower, but a huge jug of water for washing. All amazing,
LikeLike
Your trip to the desert had to be an adventure of a lifetime. Glad you were able to make the trip
before the pandemic hit. Travel sure seems to have ended for now. Be safe—-
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were so lucky. It was a fabulous adventure. Sadly, travel will never be the same.
LikeLike
Oh, Leah, incredible how you guys do what you do–you spent the night ALONE in the desert!!!
Especially loved the photo with Bob nearly nose to nose with the camel:)
Thank you for the armchair adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful! You certainly have an amazing spirit of adventure.
I love the two camel photos!
LikeLike
I crave adventures, and cherish all those we have experienced. The camels were great, my favorite part of the desert. Let’s hope we all get out of lockdown soon. You need to have adventure with your Tesla.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Leah, so
thoroughly enjoyed this tale! I tried very hard to experience vicariously–it felt like magically stepping into one of your photographs and feeling the heat, the glare of the sun, the warm wind, the movement of sand beneath my feet, the excitement of an encounter with such a stark but breathtaking place. So happy you had such good luck with your special treatment!
LikeLike
You did a super job of experiencing it vicariously, Susan. You captured it all. As a writer, it is especially gratifying to receive this type of feedback. Thank you.
LikeLike
Oh Man! What a story — and adventure. Enjoyed every word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Ole. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Leah loved your adventure in the sand. Suzanne and I read through this this morning and it’s hard to phantom all of that open land with no trees or grass or weeds like we have. haha Must be nice not having to mow the lawn. Love the adventure. Sounds very interesting. Good picture taking too. Tim and Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tim. Bob and I have had some wonderful adventures, but this was in a category of its own. We wanted to see and experience the desert. I am glad we did.
LikeLike
That was absolutely beautiful in every way! What an experience! And your photos really capture the minimalist elegance and purity, not just of the tents, but of the desert itself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The desert is elegant, pure — and overwhelming. We are so fortunate we had the opportunity to experience it. Thank you, Lynne,
LikeLike
What a wonderful (and luxurious) adventure for you two. And, just in time, too. Better to be confined at home than in your starry glamp tent. Absolutely gorgeous photos! Thank you, Leah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear Dancing Queen. It was indeed just in time. The tent was grand, but better to be lockdowned at home.
LikeLike
Thanks. Looks lovely and exotic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear from you, Helen. Too bad you had to leave New Zealand early, but it’s good you got home safe and did see some of that fabulous country.
LikeLike
Wowee, Leah, you DO have adventures. Now I can’t wait to explore the glamping as you described–I’m all about comfort and luxury! Your pictures are beautifully done…I loved the footsteps up to Bob on the dune. And the camel and Bob kissing was pretty cool. Too, too wonderful; a great escape. thank you. Pat
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so good to hear from you, Pat. Camping was never our thing. I knew we needed something on the high end, This fit the bill and more.
LikeLike
As usual, wow! Thanks for giving me a peek at this great escape. It is especially a fun read during our lockdown in Chattanooga! Happy Easter Egg to you and Bob.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Easter to you, Linda. I am glad you enjoyed our great escape. I need an escape now.
LikeLike