Wadi Bani Khalid

Location Coordinates:

22°36'07"N, 59°04'59"E
Wadi Bani Khalid,
Ash Sharqiyah North
Governate, Oman

     Our destination for the last half of our final full day out in the Omani countryside was the oasis known as Wadi Bani Khalid. As we made our way to the wadi from our last stop at the Wahiba Sands, our driver/guide continued to entertain with his interesting and often humorous stories about the life and times of Oman. And I was further treated with scenes of wandering herds of camels by the roadside, something I'd been hoping to see along all of our routes outside of Muscat.

     We eventually arrived at a very crowded parking area where we left the car and began about a 10-15 minute walk on a path surrounded by palms and what appeared to be irrigation trenches. At the end of the path

Wadi Bani Khalid

we found the emerald green pool serving as the key attraction of the wadi. Our guide led us toward a small bridge crossing the water and into an area with sheltered tables. We took time to enjoy a buffet-style Omani lunch that included some very tasty dishes, the names of which I of course cannot recall now.  

Wadi Bani Khalid

     After eating we sat for a while, watching the crowd swimming and lounging in the sun. While the scenery was dramatic in that Middle Eastern way, the activities were comfortably similar to what you might find at any hot-weather water destination anywhere else in the world. It was the beginning of the weekend. Families spread picnics out on the ground or at tables scattered about and cooled off by swimming in the natural pool. Groups of young guys dared each other to jump from cliff areas of varying height and perceived risk into the dark green water below. Smaller children ran about playing whatever games small children may typically play. It was a nice slice of Omani leisure-time life.

Cliff jumping

     When we'd seen what we came to see, our guide told us he would treat us to a drive up a little-used dirt and rock road for an elevated overview of the entire area. The road was quite steep and curvy, but the Toyota had no problem navigating to the top and to an overlook that provided a grand view of the wadi and the surrounding landscape - a fitting finale to our tour of rural Oman.

Wadi Bani Khalid from above

     From here we made the roughly three hour drive back into Muscat, during which time I continued to be alternately amused by our guide's stories or frightened that my life would surely end in a fiery crash along some Omani road as a result of his aggressive driving style. But, alas, we made it to the hotel just fine, and I was even a bit sad to say goodbye to our good-humored guide that had put me at ease and provided such an interesting and educational day.  

Landscape above Wadi Bani Khalid

     The remainder of our time in Oman was spent relaxing at the pool or beachside at our hotel, which enabled us to gear up for the marathon flights back to our side of the planet. And as I relaxed by the water I gave myself a hearty pat on the back for confronting what turned out to be baseless fears about traveling to this fascinating part of the world. If you're not willing to stretch yourself, you really could end up cheating yourself out of some pretty amazing experiences.