Wadi bashing

Na het verkennen van de duinen in de desert was het nu tijd om de wadi's aan een inspectie te onderwerpen: wadi bassin in wadi Tiwi. We hadden er toch iets anders bij voorgesteld, door het water rijden en over stenen. Het was meer over een smalle steile weg naar het eind van de wadi waar een klein gat van een dorp is en picknicken tussen de rotsblokken en zwemmen. Maar helemaal fantastisch, gezellig met 2 andere Nederlandse families, Karen en David en Sander en Mariska waren we met 3 toyota's op pad. Een leuke dagtrip die we afsloten bij de sinkhole, een in elkaar geklapte kalksteen grot die in verbinding met zee staat. Kortom weer een leuk avontuur

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Wahibi sands - try out of the Landcruiser

Het moest ervan komen, koud 3 dagen oud en nu al op de proef gesteld!! Sand bassin met onze Toyota V8 landcruiser, man, what a machine!!! Eitje om de duin op te rijden, super gaaf!!! We zijn samen met Ra'ed en Maram naar het 1000nightscamp geweest, wat een feest. Na een rustige rit (toch handig zo'n DVD systeem, was een vergeten extraatje op de auto, toch wel een welkome verrassing) en wat stops (lees gespeel met zand) aangekomen in het kamp. Kamperen is toch wel een understatement, je slaapt in een echt bed in een tent met aparte badkamer met sterren hemel. Na wat zwemmen, genieten van een mooie maar wel winderige zonsondergang en avond eten heerlijk stiekem pimpelend van een mooie avond genieten. En omdat het zo donker is, is de sterrenhemel ook echt geweldig. Hier gaan we zeker naar toe terug, een must do voor visitors.

Sinterklaas 2011

Twee extremen, twee totaal verschillende intochten. In Nederland konden we nog vlak voor ons vertrek de intocht meepakken en vandaag kwam de Goedheiligman in Oman aan. Beide keren op een boot, maar nu waren er toch wel wat pietjes in Nederland achtergebleven. Van 130 naar 5! Volgens Guus was dit ook niet de echte maar een hulp Sinterklaas. In elk geval het maakt niet uit, spannend genoeg alsnog, geëscorteerd met 3 slepers met fonteinen water spuitend kwam Sinterklaas aan op de reddingsboot. Wat een feest en natuurlijk het belangrijkste was dat dat betekent dat er vanavond een schoen gezet kan gaan worden. Maar goed dus dat de airfreight waarin oa sinterklaas spullen zitten ook vandaag gebracht is dus dat kwam goed uit. Zie hier wat foto's van het spektakel.

En daar is die dan...

Wachten duurt toch best lang als je moet wachten... maar toch nog onverwachts was opeens het wachten voorbij. En daar was die dan, onze landcruiser wat een beauty van een beest. Mega veel power met vele toeters en bellen toch wel. Kan wel zien dat de kinderen andere prioriteiten hebben want die zagen alleen maar de DVD speler die aan het dak vast zit. We hebben al meteen een uitje gepland, vanwege islamitisch nieuw jaar en nationale dag hebben we 3 dagen vrij en we gaan dus met vrienden Ra'ed en Maran, die we nog uit Noorwegen kennen naar de Wahibie sands, in luxe kamperen in de zandduinen en crossen.

Klaar voor school

Zaterdag 16 November, normaal gesproken weekend maar voor ons niet meer. Donderdag en vrijdag is het weekend in Oman en deze zaterdag is dus de eerste schooldag van Guus en Malou in Oman op de ABA. Helemaal top, Guus in soort van uniform, Malou nog niet. Allebei hadden ze meteen op de eerste dag al vriendjes gemaakt en ze voelen zich al helemaal thuis. PE, sportles is hier dus zwemmen :-) Volgende week dinsdag beginnen ze op de Britse school bij het NTC en zullen ze dus Nederlandse les krijgen. Bij de kennismaking vielen ze met de neus in de boter, het Sinterklaasjournaal stond op, ze konden dus meteen mee kijken.

Nieuwe aanwinst

En dit is het dan, onze nieuwe aanwinst, nog niet in huis maar wat een bolide, Toyota Landcruiser GX-R V8 anniversary. Hopelijk staat deze binnen enkele dagen bij ons op de stoep. Laat de wadi's en zandduinen nu maar komen.

WOW

WOW WOW WOW, geen andere woorden, wat een land. Op 13 November 2011 met KLM naar Muscat, Oman gevlogen. Een of andere doos deed wel wat moeilijk, vond dat ons visum niet geldig was, dus moesten we nog ff een return vlucht kopen. Wel ja, maar ja, fully refundable dus dat komt ook wel weer goed. Was de welbekende storm in een glas water. Aankomst na een luxe business class vlucht met jawel alle bagage, 10 stuks en 7 handbagage, smooth door de douane en op naar onze transit accommodatie. Heel erg lekker, uitzicht op zee, 5 min van mijn werk. Vandaag langs de ABA, de nieuwe school van de kinderen geweest, een hele goede indruk gekregen, Guus en Malou kunnen niet wachten om te beginnen op zaterdag. Daar zullen we ook wel snel aan wennen dat het weekend nu op donderdag en vrijdag valt. Prepaid phone, bank, en zeer belangrijk PDO club kaart geregeld waardoor we vanaf morgen drank kunnen kopen :-). Nu nog op zoek naar een auto, en een permanent huis. Dat laatste zal wel iets meer voeten in de aarde hebben, maar dat komt ook allemaal wel goed. Hier alvast een eerste indruk, er komen in de loop van de dagen steeds meer foto's bij.

Bye Bye Norway

En dan is het zover, 29 oktober 2011 KL1200 take off vanuit Noorwegen. De laatste dagen vlogen voorbij, nog even Ierland, inpakken, afscheidfeestjes en dan nu wachten op taxi om naar het vliegveld te gaan. Surreal bijna, nog even 2 weken in Nederland voordat we op 13 November het vlegtuig nemen naar Oman. Business class :-) equivalent aan 12 stuks bagage van 32kg elk. Zoveel bagage, dat redden we natuurlijk never nooit niet, wat een gesjouw zou dat zijn.

Veranderingen

De verandering van seizoen is niet het enige in ons leven!!! Vaccinaties, VISA is binnen, het groene licht mbt werkvergunning voor Marije, nog heel even wachten voor die van Sjoerd en de kinderen en dan.... Oman here we come!!! Begin November vertrekken we naar de zon en zin dat we erin hebben. Grote veranderingen van klimaat met regen en af en toe zon naar zonovergoten, zee, strand en misschien zelfs iets te warm in de zomer met 45 graden!! We zullen het skiën zeker missen, net als de mooie natuur van Noorwegen, onze vele vrienden die we hier gemaakt hebben.... maar Oman is een mooi vakantieadresje toch? Onderwijl nog even van het gekke weer genieten hier in Stavanger, moet toch niet gekker worden. 1 oktober en 22 graden!!!! Zon overgoten, best jawel ZOMERdag van het jaar hier zowat. Heerlijk naar Månefossen gehiked met de kinderen vasthoudend aan de ketting voor de helling. Malou nu vrij rondscheurend op haar fiets, opeens had madam het te pakken.

En Guus die ons van een heerlijke maaltijd heeft voorzien, Lasagna a la Guus met veel groenten en vlees (want dat is lekker). Helemaal geweldig vond hij het, mama te kunnen dirigeren in de keuken. Mocht alleen een klein beetje helpen. Maar heerlijk was het. Foto's hier en hier.

USA 2011: day 20-22 San Francisco

City life, quite a change after 3 weeks of nature, national parks, hikes and camping life. Back to (dis)organized life in a big big city. Handed in the RV and took a stakeout from the Best Western Americiana near Union Square. By itself ok, room even has a little sofa area so nice to spend the rest of the evening while the kids are in bed. The area itself has quite a number of tramps, drunks and drug addicts but not an issue as we did not really roam the streets after dark. So instead of hiking in nature we have now walked miles in the city, off course a ride in the famous cable cars can not be skipped and spend hours in the Bay area, Fishermen's Wharf and not an insignificant amount of time SHOPPING :-) We do need to stock up with some new clothes and with the dollar in our favour. Good that we brought that fully empty suitcase with us. San Francisco is a great city, very divers, loads of little small areas to have a drink and a stroll. Took a hike up the hill to Lombard street, the famous curvy street on russian hill.

We biked the bridge, Guus on his own bike and Malou in a cart, great timing we had, was perfect weather, nice breeze, the bridge clear of fog and to finish it off a great lunch with calamari, and filet mignon at the first Italian after the bridge in Sausolito. We got to taste the wines first before we ordered a glass, so enjoyed some good wines in the sun. Really a good way to spend an afternoon at the Bay.

Today, monday 11 july, our last day already, we had the first boat booked to Alcatraz, I was warned to book that in advance and a good thing that we did as all tickets would have been sold out otherwise. Amazing to listen to all the stories on the audiotour, the escapes and way of life in the prison, a place so remote and so close to the city that inmates good always hear the noises of good life outside of prison on the expensive yachting clubs, the fireworks etc. The kids liked the boattour better I guess :-). To celebrate a very good holiday we went to the movies and watched Cars 2. Guus was completely in awe and have to admit we all had a good time, it is very different cars than the first but very enjoyable. Now what remains is packing up, and flying back to the Netherlands. Also a nice thought, to come 'home'. Home sweet home. To all good things comes an end but for certain a memorable holiday.

USA 2011: day 19 Monterey

WOW.....Guus and Malou and we admit it, actually all four of us. We did not know where to look. Whales, where? Everywhere!!! Truly astonishing, we left at 7.30 in the morning to make sure we were on time for the boat, about an hours drive from Riverside campsite at the Big Sur to Monterey. As it was quite foggy at that time, no real scenic views of Bixby bridge (more an old bridge in my mind than a nice bridge) or Carmel. But not to worry as the southern stretch of highway 1 was in our eyes better. Checked in for the boat and off we went. A marine biologist was on board, explaining what we potentially could see, birds and all kinds of information about the whales. It was still very cloudy, sea state was a nice swell (at least that is what we thought of it - they have not had as many seasick people on board for a long time). And about 30 minutes into the trip, the show started, humpback whales feeding on their side with wide open mouths, diving for extra krill, they usually travel in pairs.

Very special we saw two fin whales, only the blue whale is larger. Guus was really hoping that we would see a blue whale, it is his favourite animal. And luckily we did. Man what is that whale large, 70 to 90 feet so up to 30m almost. That was longer than the boat was!!!! The guide said that it was an unexceptional day, so many whales and very close to shore.

So instead of a 4-5 hour trip it was shortened to 3 and we were escorted back to base by the coastguard for assistance just in case as we had some very sick people on board whom even required medical attention. Not to worry about us, we were happily eating cookies and lunch so all four of us are sea-proof. We definitely will go more out on sailing trips in the near future :-) We stayed overnight near Santa Cruz, actually for the first time really needed to put fleeces and longer pants on, quite chilly, maybe Lake Havasu has really reset our thermometers to the right temperature!! Cleaned out the RV and enjoyed together with some great neighbours from Gouda our last night and their first night with the RV's around the campfire. And now it is time for the last 3 nights in San Francisco.

USA 2011: day 17-18 Big Sur

The route of all routes... highway 1 or better known as the Big Sur. A road curving the mountains, some parts so unstable that many rockslides require a lot of extra roadwork and even completely block it sometimes. That happened in April, luckily the road was open, regulated single lane otherwise it would have been quite some extra driving. We passed an area where elephant seals are lying on the beach (in Malou's terminology chillen on mine billen), amazing, now in summer time they can lay on the beach for up to a 100 days.

Only when all the hairs have fallen off they will go back into the water and migrate up to Alaska to feed. These seals are gigantic, some 5 meters or so. We had an amazing campsite, only 34 places right on the bluff, cliff overlooking the ocean.

Watch a great sunset and set around the campfire with two lovely local couples. Mid twenties or so, with some completely different lifestyles. Quite funny as well to wake up in the morning with no view at all. We were warned already for it, but funny to experience to be completely fogged up till midday or so. So some nice time to go on a hike in Limekiln Statepark before continuing our trip up north (very slowly as we only have to go 30 miles or so today). Now hooked again, back on the grid with electricity and water in Big Sur. Quite funny as well, full signal on wifi but absolutely no telephone reception.

USA 2011: day 14-16 Californian coast

At Starbucks so enjoying some nice coffee and free internet. We have been camping at state parks Leo Carilo in Malibu and Montana de Oro. No internet, back to basics but great camping. Off now to drive up on the Big Sur. Updates will follow in acouple of days :-)

Hooked up again. The long drive back to the coast paid off, some nice camping and scenery to enjoy on the Californian coast, Malibu and slowly moving towards the Big Sur. Amazing villa's you pass along the way, a real contrast with some other areas we drove through. Really good that we have all the campings booked upfront in April already as they are actually all full. Last minute planning does not really work here. Good spots are gone the first. Great ocean views, spotting of marine life, some relaxing times at the beaches after some minor hikes.

Minor fireworks for fourth of July, some people brought some to the beach - officially not allowed but who cares :-) Montana de Oro, really fabulous place, nice bluffs and breakers and best of all, migrating whales. We will go on a trip whale watching later but this was a great introduction to the kids.

USA 2011: day 13-14 Lake Havasu

OK we are definitely weather proof now!! Lake Havasu is roughly on the middle of our drive back to the Californian coast and so a good place to have a break. And it turned out to be a good break!! On arrival here on saturday the heat record was not broken but it had not been as hot in the last 5 years: the temperature was 123 F so 50.5 degrees Celsius. I can tell kind of hot but surprisingly good to withstand in the pool with a can of corona in your hand :-) We met some great people, very nice, a family who always comes here from the LA area, park there RV for 4 months and then drive up every weekend for a cruise on the lake. I can tell cruise in the serious meaning of it!! We got invited to join them, a sort of river pontoon (still doing 45 km/hr) and 3 speedboats to have a day out on the lake on sunday. We all loved it!!

We bought some lifejackets for the children and off we were. We propelled some 30 miles up the river across from the lake to where the interstate IS40 crosses it and there we just spend the day. Chatting, swimming, standing in the water, bbq-ing and drinking, allthough coors lite as you can drink more of it as it contains less alcohol. An interpretation of safer boating :-) Guus could not get enough of all the big speedboats and powerboats he saw. So now he states: when I grow up I will buy a porsche and I will get a speedboat. We told him that he really should do well in school then to which his reaction was well but when I am older I can read really well :-) The logic of a child, everything comes with age. Kinda true.

The day ended with a spectacular display of fireworks in the form of lightning, no thunder as it was too far south. But amazing lightning, never seen anything like it. And now at 6.30 in the morning some rain is falling, but still tropical temperatures. We are preparing for our last long stretch to the coast today, going to Malibu, hopefully see some great firewoks as it is the 4th of July, independence day!

USA 2011: day 12 Guus 7 year

1 Juli 2004, a very special day for us. Guus was born, our son. And today this little lad turned 7!! Something to celebrate here in Lake Powell. Sjoerd made a brownie cake for him, we relaxed a lot. Went swimming in the lake first as the temperature was already nice at 7 am in the morning. The water in the lake is really refreshing, not warm as the Caribbean sea but as it is fed by mountain run off not very chilly either. The highlight of the day was for all of us the ride to Upper Antelope Canyon. The children like the rough 4 wheel drive through a dry thick sandy riverbed the best while Sjoerd and myself the canyon itself. A photography paradise!!

Erosion of water over many many years has carved out a canyon in windblown sandblown. The pattern, the colors and the light fall on the rock formation make this a special place. We were warned that the canyon is 'a bit' commercialized which resulted in the feeling of cattle being pushed through a narrow channel. Besides that we think it was well worth it, we saw where we came for, we got our pictures, loads of them actually, about 150 in total :-) and we had a great time. As Sjoerd was on the photography tour and came back an hour later I went with the children out for lunch which was a feast on itself.

After another relaxing hours on the beach at the lake, yes even Sjoerd had a swim!! We went out to the Mexican Fiesta to celebrate Guus birthday. It was good, unfortunately the aftermath less as Guus woke up with stomach issues to put it nicely. But that was already the 2nd of July :-) so the first was a memorable day and in his own words " this is my best birthday in America", our little diplomat.

USA 2011: day 10-11 Grand Canyon

We did it!! We saw the Grand Canyon in exactly 24 hours. And what an experience, amazing, everybody always says wow it is so great.... we can only nod and agree. Man what a place!! Truly a place not to miss on earth. We are part of the roughly 10% of total Grand Canyon visitors that visited the North Rim. Therefore, it was not overly crowded, Yosemite was 10 times worse. First thing we did was enjoy the view over a glass of wine at the Lodge. It was quite windy with the first rain in 2 months, well rain, the occasional drop. Not an issue for us. :-)

We took it quite easy, no major hikes, just pure enjoyment of scenery and lots of ooh's and aahhh's. Due to early booking we had a reservation at the North Rim campsite, amazing we reserved the last spot here in April!!! But a nice one, completely between the pines, as usual private fire place and as we were told by the ranger quite lucky as from the tomorrow (so today) no open fire, campfire, bbq-ing would be allowed. So Sjoerd really showed off with the steaks made on a pinecone fire. The kids had a blast with the campfire session led by the ranger, it was a play on how the Grand Canyon had formed, interactive geology play where most children participated. Malou was the Hermit shale with loads of fossils and she acted well with laying on the ground. :-)

After a cold (8 degrees C) night we woke up with clear skies and set off for the Cape Royal road. A scenic drive to an outlook point at the rim, what a scenery, meadows rimmed by pines, sneak peak views of the canyon and an amazing view to the east and south of the canyon 270 degrees round view of Marble Canyon where the Colorado river springs and the Grand Canyon. No better place than lunch at the canyon rim before we drove off to Page in Glen Canyon recreational area at Lake Powell.

Here we will be spending two nights instead of one. And what a temperature difference from a nice 24 degrees at the Grand Canyon at 8800 feet to 37 degrees here at Lake Powell at 3750 feet.

USA 2011: day 9 Bryce

Taking highway 9 trough Zion national park was really spectacular. Although the canyon itself was great, this drive really is a must do.

Our RV is too large and requires one way traffic through the tunnel in Zion as many others do, meaning that that we had a minor wait to clear the tunnel. Really no issue as the view was amazing. On the other side of the tunnel, it is completely different, the view then. Geology wise the same but you are now within the largest desert dune complex of the world!!! Amazing wind deposited sandstone, big structures. As a geologist, these parks are truly paradise.

The drive itself to Bryce was short, 1.5 hours roughly excluding our stops along the way. Red Canyon just before Bryce was truly honouring its name...red it was. We parked the RV in Ruby's Inn, a quick lunch and off we were into the park by shuttle. We love those shuttle systems, hop on and off. First to Bryce point, WOW, what a scenery, over time the balance of water, freezing and melting has created an amazing pattern of hoodoo's. All columns of limestone rock sticking out in the landscape in various colours of iron oxidation (red, orange to pink). Really spectacular!!!

We got off again via Inspiration point at Sunset point to start our hike into the canyon, a 3 mile walk following Queen's garden trail and onto the Navajo southern trail up again to the rim. Guus and Malou loved it, so great to see that they were by far the youngest hiking the whole trail!! So many people could not believe it, and were really surprised that Malou is only 4 (off course to impress we do not tell that she is almost 5). The hike up was a recognizable intense moment for Sjoerd, this was the spot where Chiel had photographed him 23 years ago as a 17 year old. Very special to be here again but now as a family. Love you Chiel.

Today we move on to the Grand Canyon, the north rim, we will mainly drive there today and relax a bit as this will be a 3-3.5 hour drive and to give the kids some playing time, tomorrow we will make some hikes.

USA 2011: day 8 Zion

After a French breakfast but then American size, so croissants, pain de chocolat, eggs, fruitsalade and spinach we left Las Vegas. A minor stop at Road Bear RV to tighten the microwave as it almost 'walked out of its socket' during driving. The RV is absolutely ace, all the surfing on the internet really paid off. We spoke to other RV families where the steering wheel was shaking the whole time and other things were not fully functioning and they are looking jealously at ours :-).

Driving up to Zion, some 160 miles, 3 hour drive, the landscape changed, from the desert relatively flat at Vegas the rocks reddened, we passed through canyons, saw golfcourses in the middle of nowhere, better prepared than ever. Absolutely stunning landscape, glimpses of the mountain ranges giving an early taste of Zion, did not prepare us at all for what to come!!!! The entrance to Zion National Park is Springdale, a little pittoresque town, lucious green with off course the common to avoid tourist shops. Quickly stationing the RV at Zion Canyon RV park aka Ferber, and off to the park!! The RV park had some bad reviews on internet, but do not see anything wrong with it, reservations work a bit akward but hey, can't have it all.

As the children were still a bit tired from the late night in Vegas we did an easy Japanese style park entry, we hopped on the free shuttle bus, took pictures along the way to the last stop, the Temple of Sinawava and hiked the easy trail 3.5 km long along the Riverside walk. The canyon narrowed dramatically, making you feel very tiny. Also, here in Zion, the spring water runoff is gigantic, making the river from a gentle stream into a more roaring river, at some spots you are still able to access it and water your feet.

Surprisingly the water was less cold than in Yosemite. We finished the day with a quick swim in the pool, a definite to do for the children and dinner in Bit & Spur in town. A different level of Aureole, can not beat it, but still very good. Guus was actually the only one who completely finished off his plate with pizza, and he was really proud of that, for the rest it was all just a bit too much. Today we will be off via Zion to Bryce Canyon. Another day in paradise.

USA 2011: day 7 Las Vegas

It looks like Christmas!!! The expression of how Malou experiences Las Vegas. The glitter and glamour of the strip has certaintly made its mark on Guus and Malou. They love it, so do we, again for both of us. After shopping in the outlet mall which was succesfull considering that we had to skip Hoover dam as we doubled the planned 1.5 hours we went direct to the Venetian where we had a room booked, room.... well that is an underestimation, it is a suite, gigantic, two beds, a sitting area and mega bathroom and 3 tv's!!! Should have been 4 off course so we all can watch something differently at the same time :-) After some oohs and aaahs we went out to the strip, visited the lions in MGM, took the little tram from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and went to Shark Reef. A highlight for the children, saw all kinds of sharks and Malou even stroked/touched a ray. Quite annoying due to local laws, it is not allowed to have any children in a bar area, not an issue normally and fully acceptable but it meant now that we could not even buy a drink anywhere unless we had a minimal 20min wait and that is these temperatures. Apparently a close to record high 111 degree Fahrenheit (44 degrees celsius) is expected later this week. We had an excellent dinner in Aureole in Mandalay Bay, clearly they are not used to have children in there. Guus and Malou were stars, ate their little hamburgers including the guacamole and hot sauce while Sjoerd was jealous on my blue cheese crusted tenderloin (he had tuna). When Guus was asked how he liked it by the waiter his answer in perfect english was: I like it very much, it is very good but not as good as my daddy's. Guess who was the proud one here????

After that we walked all the way back to the Venetian, in total we have walked some 8km I would guess. It was getting dark, so all lights came on, we saw the fountains dancing at the Bellagio, watched from a distance the volcano erupt at the Mirage. Went in daylight again to see the Gondolas in the Venetian. So we had a great time!!

USA 2011: day 4-5 Kings Canyon and Sequioa

BIG BIG BIG..... the trees are gigantic!!! Guus's expression was just one of awe: these trees are much larger than all of us all stacked together! Nature at its best. You feel so tiny when you look at those sequioa's of 80-100m and 2000 years old. Amazing that these type of trees only naturally grow in a very small area here in California and only between 5000 and 7000 feet. We have had some great experiences, fuelling up with gas from a very old gaspump still working from 1928, camping on the Crystal Spring campsite in the park in bear country so needing to store all food in bearproof container, some nice drives and walk through really stunning scenery and geology :-) including the icing on the cake: an actual sighting of a Californian brown bear!!!!!

So exciting that we completely forgot the time and made a change to our schedule and changed campsites. Guus and Malou are loving it, the hikes are great and the camperdrives are fine with some help of the occasional movie.