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"That Omani Global Expedition!"
by Mohamed Al Touqi, the Lead Trainer from OB Oman
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Day 1, February 7, 2014
My group was arriving today from Singapore, ten participants and one instructor, and I was to pick them from the airport. Since they don’t know me, I have to put on something that will be conspicuous and identify me as their instructor so I go for a brightly colored Outward Bound Singapore T-shirt. At 2230 hours I was at the airport anxiously waiting for my group to touch down. After they arrived I expected them to walk right towards me because of my colorful Outward Bound Singapore T-shirt but I was astonished to find as they passed by me without noticing. I had to follow them after which I introduced myself and we headed to the hotel.
We took the bus to the hotel and on the way we started interacting as they told me how their trip was, how they had a stopover at Sri Lanka and how one of their bags had been wrongly sent to Doha but they were quite enthusiastic for the adventure nevertheless. The team got to bed anticipating an adventurous couple of days to follow.
Day 2, February 8, 2014
The expedition begins today with the first stop Jabal Akhdar, The Green Mountain. The team are having a heavy breakfast as they won’t have a chance to have such in quite some time. At around 0830 hours we were ready to embark on the expedition and they had all packed whatever they were taking with them on the expedition and seated in the bus ready to begin the journey and I had to drive separately on a heavy duty Toyota Land Cruiser pick up. We drove for two and half hours after which we arrived at Barkat Al Mouz where the group had to switch and take four wheel drives because of the 45 minute drive of rough terrain that we were about to embark on our way to the mountain.
As we proceeded towards the mountain, the temperatures started dropping gradually from the normal 27 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees at the base of the mountain and I could see the group members were starting to get a bit chilly as they struggled to keep warm. Once at the mountain base, we all took time to introduce ourselves and I was determined to learn each of my team members’ name. After the introduction, I took time to let the group in on the health and safety instructions pertaining to the expedition followed by issuing of the camping gear. We then took a short hike to the campsite a journey that saw the temperatures dropping with every step, I could tell that the they were actually freezing and once we reached the campsite we tried to keep warm but the cold was determined to eat its way to our skins.
We then unloaded the truck as the clouds started filling the sky. Having assigned them different roles in order to work effectively, we noted that they were quite organized in the unloading of the truck. The next task was to pitch the tent and I had the honor of guiding them through the process which though simple took some time for the team members to learn and complete, however, the tents were pitched eventually. After the tent were pitched it was now time to prepare the evening meal, one which I did not intend to partake in, at least that is what I thought but I was about to be astonished. I could see the team members grouping themselves on who was to light the fire, cook and so on as they tried to race with the diminishing sun’s rays, battling the wind and the natural mist which was blowing through the air.
As Fatima (Sharon Siah) prepared the meal, the aroma that emanated from the cooking area started changing my mind about partaking the meal. Once they were done preparing the food, the sight of the food completely changed my mind about not eating. The team led by Fatima had prepared different kinds of fish and rice, the food was far much tastier and enticing than the ones that were being prepared back at the Shangri-La hotel. They then took it upon themselves to clean the dishes soon after we had finished eating.
The first day was almost over, a success all the same. We then gathered around the dying fire for an evening discussion after they had cleared the dishes. During the discussion, we agreed on working together on this outdoor escapade, the day will be starting at 0645 hours when we will be meeting for a morning circle which will entail some activities as well as problem solving that will be conducted by Sokayna, Iski and I. With that everybody took to their tents for a night’s sleep awaiting another big and adventurous day tomorrow.
Day 3, February 9, 2014
The day began at 0645 hours as agreed upon the previous night. We met for the morning circle and the group looked really cold owing to the heavy rain during the night but anxious all the same to know what the challenge for the day was. We partook in some activities as the clouds continued to fill the sky. After the morning circle we had breakfast followed by taking down the tents as well as loading all our belonging on the truck ready to embark on our adventure.
Before setting out, I took time to assign duties and roles to the group as well as giving them the GPS to our first hiking spot and briefing them on how to use it. The weather was quite unfavorable and challenging in the mountains with a lot of rain and fog one which I had never experienced before. As they took to hiking through the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions I had to drive the truck to our first check point. My experience wasn’t at all a walk in the park, in fact I experienced as much trouble as the group did since I could neither have sight of them or the terrain on which I was driving due to the heavy fog.
Upon reaching the check point, I had some bad news for the team. We had to cancel the mountain expedition and head to the desert as the weather condition in the mountains was unfavorable and was changing for the worst by the minute. They had bad news for me as well, they had dropped a camera and had to back track to go and retrieve it. All in all, the mountain was no longer safe and we had to get out of it as soon as possible.
We organized for the four wheel drive vehicles to come and pick up the group and the first driver that arrived was Mubarak Al Shereki at 1220 hours. We stopped by his village Wadi Bani Habibi so that we could have a taste of the Omani cultural heritage. Upon arrival we were served with coffee, fruits and dates that we took before embarking on our journey towards the desert. We continued down the mountain and had our lunch at an eating spot in Birkat Al Mouz.
After taking the quick lunch, the team braced themselves for a 3 hour drive with the next stop the Sharqiya desert. The ride was long but smooth and the weather conditions were better as compared to the harsh, cold mountain weather. Upon reaching the desert we immediately started offloading the trucks and we took to setting up the tents as soon as possible and I could hear the team members asking each other if we really were in the desert.
We finished setting up the tents just as the sun was setting and it was evident that every member of the group was quite exhausted and couldn’t wait to get into their tents for some sleep. We had some quick dinner of bread and instant noodles since everybody was too exhausted to cook. This was followed by the departure of every member into their tents for some cozy sleep after a long day’s work. At night a miracle happened, it rained in the desert and it made the high temperature reduce as the sound of rainfall lured us to sleep.
The third day with the team had come to an end. Things are happening so fast and the group is just exemplary. We have started interacting quite well and getting used to each other. The expedition is turning out to be much more fun than I had anticipated and I can’t wait for tomorrow to make another memorable day.
Day 4, February 10, 2014
The group woke up very early, earlier than I had expected them to considering we were quite exhausted yesterday. The members were ready for the day’s challenges and had even decided on a name for the team, Team Majulah, meaning, Strive On. This definitely meant that we also had to give them Arabic names or nick names, it would make things much easier for the OBO instructors, as we were really struggling with the names of the group, it was after all a ‘foreign’ language for us! (Lim Ming Lian (Teddy Bear), Lim Hui Xian Joyce (Shamsa), Lau Eng Tong (Salma), Tony Sugiarta (Talal), Chew Xing Yi (Jamila), Lee Chee Wei (Majid), Leong Yuh Fun (Salwa), Ang Lye Teck (Mansoor), Lee Teck Seng (Qais) and Sharon Siah (Fatima)). As usual we had our morning circle and today’s activity was for everyone to know each other better which we all did effectively. Sharqiya being my home area as I am from Ibra, I had the privilege of sharing the information of the place with the team. The place, however, is a part of me but yet so far from me as I like to consider it. I am a victim of cultural diversity but I have never let that take a toll on my admiration and love for the beautiful Omani Bedouin culture and it was always a pleasure having to learn more about their culture as well as having the chance to interact with them.
After breakfast Team Majulah were tasked with their first challenge that was supposed to test their effectiveness in communication and after a first round of failure they went ahead to succeed in their subsequent rounds. This moved to show that they were an effective team. Team Majulah were quite excited and enjoyed the desert challenges as well as the weather in the desert as it was not very hot and the wind was blowing thus making it quite conducive for a fun day out. They took numerous photos and at some point even helped in getting the truck out of a sand dune when it was stuck. The hike in the desert was quite interesting and Team Majulah enjoyed every bit of it.
After the hike it was now time to pitch the tents and prepare for the night. I admired how the Team Majulah organized themselves and did the unloading of the truck, pitching the tent as well as prepare supper, a true definition of teamwork and for the first time we completed everything before sundown. At around 6pm everything was set and we were ready to have dinner, a moment which had become my favorite of the day lately. I always anticipate dinner moments and as usual Ms. Fatima did not disappoint, this evening she graced us with three kinds of flavored chicken. I could have bet I ordered the food from The Chedi Hotel in Muscat but no, it was from our very own chef, Fatima.
Another day was over and Team Majulah grow fond of each other by the day. The teamwork that they exhibit is just exemplary as they strive to make the most out of the expedition. As their instructor all I can do is just awe in admiration and give them the best. Well its sleep time and await to see what tomorrow beholds.
Day 5-8, February 11-14, 2014
The next three days were filled with different adventures, long hikes and challenges for Team Majulah in the desert. At some point, we visited Khohalia Al Wahaibi’s house a hospitable Bedouin lady who welcomed us with coffee, dates and fruits as we enjoyed the Omani culture through dancing and clapping around a fire with Team Majulah participating and enjoying the cultural experience in every bit. She later served us with more of what was supper than dinner but delicious and tasty all the same, similar to what Fatima prepared back at our campsites. Everyone ate heartily and made merry as we danced and ate the night away.
Our last day in the desert fell on Valentine’s Day, Team Majulah passed by Lul Al Wahaibi’s house on one of their hikes and she waved at them signifying greetings but they misunderstood and walked on. After crossing the dunes was when I caught sight of Lul shinning in a red dress looking all glamorous with a beautiful smile and her eyes glistened and sparkled with joy resembling Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, that’s when it hit me that it was Valentine’s Day. She welcomed us in and offered us coffee and dates. Team Majulah had the privilege of getting camel rides as some of us went shopping (At Lul’s house) on the Toyota Land Cruiser on the last day of the expedition.
Finally the expedition has come to an end, tomorrow we are heading back to civilization, I can’t really say I have missed civilization that much since my time in the desert has been just as good as it would have been in Muscat or even better especially with the company of Team Majulah. Well, what has a beginning must have an end and tonight is an end of what has been a very interesting and exciting expedition, one I will live to recall.
Day 9, February 15, 2014.
We woke up early so as to prepare for departure and we left the desert quite early and drove to Wadi Shab Village, a village that was endowed with clear blue pools. Team Majulah couldn’t wait to sock their bodies in the pool after several days in the desert without having an adequate bath time. Within no time all the team members were diving into the pool and it was evident that everyone was enjoying the cool waters as we all relaxed and enjoyed our final moments together.
In the evening we drove back to Muscat and the site of civilization was rather welcoming with the lights and the traffic looking rather soothing than usual. We headed at a nearby restaurant where we had our last dinner as a group before going to Muttrah Hotel for the night. Team Majulah couldn’t wait to have a nice hot bath and sleep on cozy beds after several days in the wilderness sleeping in tents and on sleeping bags.
Day 10, February 16, 2014.
Today we are having our final trip as a team and our first stop is the Grand Mosque. We spent some time touring the Grand Mosque before departing for Nziwa where we spent more time seeing the fort. Finally Team Majulah embarked on a long drive back to Muttrah Market where they spent some time shopping for souvenirs after which we headed to the hotel to check out.
The 10 day long expedition has finally come to a close. Team Majulah are now preparing to disperse. We had started out as strangers but with time we have grown fond of each other and had fun and exciting moments. It only required some time together in order to understand each other and after the expedition it’s like we have known each other our entire lives, we have grown to be like one big family who do everything together but goodbye was inevitable and it had to come sometime and this was that time.
We shared a last minute chat recalling our fun moments at the airport as Team Majulah from Singapore prepared to jet out. It was time to disband Team Majulah, a team that despite our cultural difference we managed to find a common ground and interact based on that, a team that beyond all odds and complications managed to find that one thing that will make every moment fun and a team that despite the distance have promised to stay in touch. With all that said and done, we said our goodbyes and Team Majulah left to board their plane.
-Mohamed Al Touqi (Eddie)
- comments
yuh fun aka Salwa thanks Eddie :) well written. The writing brought back so many good memories :)