Ops Jalan Sakan : Planning for Road Trip

We’ve been talking about wanting to go to Oman for years. YEARS!

Ever since Taufik was stationed in Muscat for a short time even way before Ilham was born and came home with pink shells that he collected on the beach. When he was offered the job in Saudi, the first thing he thought of was how we would have a chance to visit Oman. But then I got pregnant (hey it wasnt my fault alone, k?), and we had to wait for Izani’s passport. I was so jealous when Lollies went there a few years ago, but we chose to go back home for the winter holidays instead. Then we travelled somewhere else instead (not that I’m complaining). Finally, finally, prompted by our impending return home, we decided to make this trip happen.

We are making this trip with a good family friend whose kids stayed together in the same house with my kids when we were doing our Hajj together. Heck, we spend so much time sleeping in each other’s houses, we’re practically family. I think my kids are gonna be glad of the company, and I am looking forward to having some complete family pictures taken (instead of Taufik taking a picture of just me and the kids or me taking a picture of him and the kids).

Aaaanyways..
Kak Faridah borrowed some books on Oman&UAE from the library and gave me one to read and I also browsed the net alot. I was put in charge of accomodation which will then govern the activities that we get to do and places that we get to visit.
Now basically we’re 80% done with the planning. We’ve got the general idea and timeline and I’ve booked all of the accomodations. We’ve just got to work on the details.

So here’s The Plan:

Click for larger map.
Blue line is our route. Numbers in orange dots are dates in April.

April 2
We’ll drive from Khobar/Ras Tanura really early (so early that some kids will need to be carried to the car in their jammies), stop for breakfast in Hofuf, then hope to reach Abu Dhabi by lunch time. I had planned to stop at a friend’s house for lunch, but we’ll see how it goes. If we dont get to, maybe we’ll stop by on our way back instead.
We’ll drive on to Al-Ain, and spend the night there.

April 3
We hope to be able to drive to Highway 21 to Nizwa via Al-Qabil (and not go through Buraimy), but we’re not sure whether we can do that. We hope to visit the Bat Tombs (if we can find it), Bahla fort, Jabrin Castle, then Jebel Shams before going to Nizwa for lunch. We’ll spend the afternoon in Nizwa before heading to Ibra to spend the night there.

April 4
After breakfast, we’ll shop for some stuff for lunch and head for Wadi Bani Khalid for a swim and a picnic. After Asr we’ll drive to Al-Mintirib where we’ll meet the guy who’ll drive us into Wahiba Sands for a night in the desert, sleeping in a bedouin wool tent. I am *so* looking forward to this.

April 5
We’ll drive out of Wahiba Sands and drive towards Sur, where we hope to take a look at some traditional dhow making, then head towards Muscat via the coastal road, with stops at Wadi Tiwi or Wadi Shabs if we have time.
Sleep in Muscat.

April 6
Full day to spend in Muscat to sightsee, shop, visit friends, etc.
Must. See. Muttrah Souq!
Sleep in Muscat.

April 7
Travel to Dubai, with detour thru Nakhla and Rustaq. Hope to reach Dubai by lunchtime (if we’re not detoured by anything else) or at least the afternoon.
Sleep in Dubai.

April 8
Full day in Dubai.
Wishlist items here are Madinat Jumeirah, The Aquarium in Dubai Mall and meet up with Nazrah somewhere, anywhere.
Sleep in Dubai.

April 9
Maybe visit a few friends for breakfast, then head home.
Maybe visit that friend in Abu Dhabi if we didnt get to visit her before.
Important: Must get into Saudi border by noon, and reach home by dusk because Saudi highways are very poorly lighted!

So that’s our plan..
Would appreciate if you have any suggestions or tips for our travels.