Our first day of Oman was conducted completely arbitrarily but could not have been more perfect. After having breakfast by the fish market with a wonderful view of the marina, we bargained with a couple of cab drivers for a ride to Quantab beach. After settling on a price, we left the marina and drove to a small fishing village where little boats freckled the shoreline. Our cab driver struck a deal with some of the young men and we settled on a boat ride to a nearby secluded beach where we could swim and snorkel. The landscape was unlike anything I had ever seen. The ocean was filled with mountainous cliffs and caves and the water was the clearest blue green I had ever seen. After arriving to our private shore, we found ourselves partially surrounded by mountains with only the ocean before us. After our surreal experience on this private beach, we went back to the city of Muscat to shop through the souks of Mutrah. After bargaining with merchants, I left the souk with beautiful silk scarves and sapphire earrings.
The next day, we departed from our hotel early in the morning, only to set out on another boat that would take us to some coastal areas for dolphin watching, snorkeling, and swimming among the beautiful coral reef. We again found ourselves in an ocean surrounded by majestic mountains and filled with colorful fish and beautiful sea turtles. After snorkeling for some time, we boarded our boat once more and went back to the city for more Omani cuisine and shopping.
Our final
day in Oman, we drove to Sur, a city two hours away from Muscat where we would
visit Wadi Shab. Our tour guide informed us that we would be hiking for 30
minutes, then swimming for 30 minutes, and continue the pattern until we
reached a cave too beautiful for words to describe. To start our hike, we
boarded a small boat to cross a stream of water that separated us from the base
of our hike. Our “30 minute hike,” took approximately an hour as my H&M
paisley dress and ballet flats were not designed for long hikes. Nonetheless,
we climbed up mountainous rocks and hiked on until we came to a pool of fresh
water hidden away in the mountains. After cooling off in the water, we began
swimming in the direction of the cave. The entire atmosphere was among the most
serene settings I’ve ever been situated in; the water was still, the mountains
were calming. The area was entirely remote and the muted experience of being
among nature and away from the city was the greatest form of recluse. After swimming
further, we came to a narrow passageway between two rocks where we had to
shuffle sideways between the rocks while keeping afloat to pass through. Once
we passed through, however, everything seemed unreal. We found ourselves in a
secluded cave filled with the same crystal blue water we had been swimming in and
a giant waterfall gushing into the middle of the cave. It was the most
beautiful scene I’d ever witnessed, and truly few words or pictures could
capture the magnificence of this small hidden enclosure. 
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