Waking up in the desert before sunrise was easy ... the anticipation of seeing the sun come over the dunes helped.
It was a great show to see the dune range behind our campsite get illuminated slowly from top to bottom as the sun rose over the opposite dune range. Time slows down when you are just seeing what nature is doing.
A long walk barefoot through the cold sand was also unique and zen experience ... only tiny mouse tracks on the sand here and there and undulating ripples of all sizes and gold colors everywhere.
Our breakfast was, as expected, another nice affair ... all kinds of things we do not know the names of but were unique and delicious.
Humaid showed up as expected and we headed back to town. Once we got cell signal, we heard that Chuck had made it late late the night before ... all the way from Salalah after riding 1,100 kms in one go! Wow!
The reunited group headed out to the Sinwa valley were apparently there were all kinds of interesting things to see.
We made it to our hotel around midday ... an beautiful old traditional 3-story mud building next to a huge oasis full of palm trees in the 400 year-old Al Hamra Village. Our hotel is a multi-story maze of passages with typical gathering rooms ... with carpets and cushions on the floor around the walls ... in every floor and a nice terrace dining room on the very top.
After checking in and some tea, we headed up the mountain to visit Misfat al Abreeyen also known as the "mud village" or the "mountain oasis." Lots of switchbacks to get up there and it was worth it.
The town is perched around a steep river coming from up in the mountains with terraces built on the sides of the cliffs by the river with carefully planted and tended palm trees ... an incredible sight ... with an intricate watering system that brings water to every terrace ... a feat that took centuries to achieve.
Apparently this whole mountain area produces pomegranates, mangos, and dates ... in the middle of steep rocky mountains in the desert!
Went back down to our mud inn and had a nice diner on the top terrace.
Tomorrow, we will visit the Sinwa Fort and the Sinwa Souk before heading up another mountain.
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