The start of the walk at Wadi al Shab
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1 December 2023 2:43 pm
The start of the walk at Wadi al Shab
We spend a lot to time on the bus for this overland, so it’s always great to get out for a stretch and a hike. A couple of days ago, on the way to Muscat in Oman, we stopped at Wadi al Shab.
This picturesque valley is super popular with locals and tourists—the parking lot was packed. The adventure starts with a 5-minute boat ride across the narrow river that runs through the wadi.
I have to admire the people who set up the boat trip. It costs 1 Omani rial for a return trip. That’s about A$4. A lifejacket (totally unnecessary) costs another rial. The boats vary in size, but given that there were 18 people on the boat back, I reckon they’re making a killing.
A small boat is chugging along behind the lotuses
The clear waters of Wadi al Shab
Anyway, the wadi has swimming holes and a cave with a waterfall at the end of the trail, but to get there you have to walk about 50 minutes over a rocky path, through lush greenery and between towering cliffs.
I gave up at about the 40-minute point. We had been warned that, towards the end of the valley, the path becomes wet and slippery. That was true, and I don’t need to ‘enjoy’ Arabia with a broken leg or ankle. Of course, Poor John and almost everyone on the bus went the whole way.
This is where i stopped. Notice the overhang, the narrowness of the path and the black tubes
Some went swimming, ignoring the advice that women should remain fully clothed. That’s not swimming. That’s what you wear when you fall overboard.
Before hiking, Poor John and I stopped for lunch at the café near the boats. Because of the prime location, we expected the place to be expensive and have mediocre food. Wrong on both counts. The sandwiches were cheap and delicious.
A great place for a hike
I rather wished I’d bought a non-alcoholic beer, but later was glad I hadn’t. Nothing like seeing another woman traipse off the path trying, unsuccessfully, to find a secluded spot to have a piddle. She should have used the free public toilets near the entrance. I can hear my mother say, ‘never miss an opportunity’.
Lovely views in the wadi
Posted by leggypeggy
Categories: Middle East, Oman, overland travel, rivers
Tags: hikes, Madventure, Muscat, scenery, wadi
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What a lovely spot and yes, the last bit of that walk looked challenging.
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By Gerard Oosterman on 1 December 2023 at 2:54 pm
Millions of footprints have worn the rocks smooth.
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By leggypeggy on 1 December 2023 at 2:58 pm
Really loved the photos and your experience. Gives one a different vision of just sandy desert.
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By Mirrabooka on 1 December 2023 at 2:58 pm
We head to Saudi today so I expect to see a lot of sand.
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By leggypeggy on 1 December 2023 at 3:11 pm
Hi glad you both are still enjoying yourselves
Take care love from bruce
Sent from my iPhone
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By Bruce & Rosemary Morris on 1 December 2023 at 3:01 pm
Thanks Bruce. It’s great to be on the road again. Finally!
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By leggypeggy on 1 December 2023 at 3:11 pm
So envious. Delighted it is all going to sell. Lots of memories in those pics. Keep them coming. Much love, Lex
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By lexbartlem on 1 December 2023 at 3:24 pm
All going well and getting a bit cooler too.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:23 am
Dramatic and beautiful and blessed by sublime weather it seems! Don’t blame you for using your brains to decide when ‘it was enough’! A twisted ankle would have ruined matters a tad . . . . may the next stage work out in as interesting a manner . . .
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By Eha on 1 December 2023 at 3:32 pm
It’s the second time on this trip that common sense has kicked in and I haven’t finished a walk. No regrets either.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:24 am
Great photos. Agreed – avoid the broken bones and always take advantage of bathroom opportunities!
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By Lynette d'Arty-Cross on 1 December 2023 at 3:38 pm
Thanks. Never miss an opportunity has been a great policy.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:25 am
O man, what a wonderful wadi….
Oh, but for a place to go to the potty.
😀
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By mistermuse on 1 December 2023 at 4:36 pm
Not easy to find a private one on the walk. hahaha
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:25 am
What an amazing hike (and yes, I always take advantage of a toilet even when I don’t need one LOL).
Such a dramatic landscape and that overhang looks so interesting. Thanks for sharing, Peggy.
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By Vicki on 1 December 2023 at 6:18 pm
My pleasure Vicki. More posts to come.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:26 am
Oman really has spectacular wadis. I love your mother´s advice, Peggy, and can absolutely relate to it. 😆
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By Jolandi Steven on 1 December 2023 at 6:49 pm
Oman has been full of surprises. Plenty to take pictures of and write about.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:27 am
A welcome break, handled sensibly, it seems. So a wadi is not completely dry
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By derrickjknight on 1 December 2023 at 7:41 pm
I suspect many wadis are dry, but not all.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:27 am
What a perfect place for a stretch of the legs…. And a wee!
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By Anna on 1 December 2023 at 8:55 pm
Especially a wee in the public toilets.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:28 am
I never imagined such a lush and tranquil spot in a desert country. Thanks for showing us, Peggy. (I might have given up on that walk too.)
Best wishes, Pete.
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By beetleypete on 1 December 2023 at 9:07 pm
It really was a lovely stop.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:47 am
Overall, it sounds like a fun time was had? 😂🤣😆
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By trE on 1 December 2023 at 11:44 pm
Just the right amount of adventure.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:48 am
Looks like Ausrailia’s version of our Grand Canyon. I would be looking for fossils in the rocks. Stuart
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By stuart on 2 December 2023 at 12:10 am
What a great idea. Now I am on fossil watch.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 4:32 pm
“Go before you go” as I tell my tour members, and usually remember for myself. And it’s always interesting to see what gets the tourism=money treatment and what doesn’t, hurray for places that could be bad but aren’t. I raise a sandwich in their honor.
Keep posting! You’ve put Oman on my shortlist for where to go this winter if I need sunlight.
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By vagabondurges on 2 December 2023 at 1:03 am
Oman is full of fascinating things to see and do.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:48 am
Thanks for the wonderful visuals …
Sent from my iPhone
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By Sherry Thomas on 2 December 2023 at 1:33 am
It’s been great so far. Remind me where it got so cold?
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:49 am
It does look amazing, Peggy. How hot is it there at this time of year?
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By Emma Cownie on 2 December 2023 at 3:25 am
Not too bad temperature-wise, and getting cooler. We’re in Doha now and it’s 25°C.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:50 am
I love the scenery there and would love to go. The hike looks very fun! Could you dip into the stream as well as the pools along the way?
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By lexklein on 2 December 2023 at 8:00 am
Sadly, no dipping along the way because of the steep overhangs.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:50 am
This looks fabulous. I’m envious, and also happy to be travelling with you at least vicariously. I don’t think wanderlust ever leaves does it, even though I’m content at home. So thanks for sharing these wonderful snippets.
Alison
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By Alison and Don on 2 December 2023 at 12:40 pm
You’re right, wanderlust never goes. Delighted to have you coming along.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:51 am
Also wanted to add that saying swimming clothed is what you wear when you fall overboard is everything!
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By Alison and Don on 2 December 2023 at 2:49 pm
Thanks. Hahahahaha!
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:52 am
What a wonderful place to stretch your legs, and the weather seems perfect!
Glad you found delicious food along your way.
Christie
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By Christie on 2 December 2023 at 2:55 pm
The weather has been fairly kind to us. It’s cooling down from highs of 35°C. We’re in Doha now where it’s a comfortable 25°C.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 12:53 am
What a great hike in an interesting river bed. And I agree with your mother 😊 Maggie
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By Monkey's Tale on 4 December 2023 at 6:03 am
Yep, mother knows best.
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By leggypeggy on 4 December 2023 at 4:29 pm
Nice to see a real wadi, rather than just envisioning one in a crossword puzzle.
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By Dave Ply on 5 December 2023 at 2:39 pm
This is a particularly lovely wadi.
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By leggypeggy on 5 December 2023 at 4:42 pm
[…] already introduced you to our first bush camp and the picturesque Wadi al Shab, so now let’s head underground to the ancient Al Hoota Cave. […]
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By Al Hoota Cave, another surprise in Oman | Where to next? on 6 December 2023 at 5:26 am
Hey Peggy,
Loved your Wadi al Shab adventure! Your take on the boat business, the scenic yet slippery hike, and the surprise of a good, cheap lunch had me chuckling. Thanks for the vivid, humorous escapade – it’s like I was right there, dodging slippery paths with you! Keep exploring!
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By MichaelStephenWills on 8 December 2023 at 10:49 pm
I’ll keep exploring as long as I can stay upright. hahaha
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By leggypeggy on 8 December 2023 at 11:04 pm
exploration extends ambulation (ha ha)
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By MichaelStephenWills on 8 December 2023 at 11:41 pm
PeggyLeggy,
I know nothing about Oman and the Wadi…. and good you decided not to risk twisting or breaking your ankle. I recall Poor John had a foot problem in Cuba,
and who knows if there would be a hospital/doctor to help you in the Wadi area.
Sy S.
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By Sy S on 21 December 2023 at 1:09 pm
You have a good memory Sy. Poor John had gout in Cuba. All good now.
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By leggypeggy on 22 December 2023 at 2:26 am
Your photos made for a perfect break from the snow! xxxxxxxx
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By jeanleesworld on 23 February 2025 at 11:15 pm
From one extreme to another. 🙂
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By leggypeggy on 24 February 2025 at 7:57 am