Tuesday 17 / September / 2024
If you have been in Oman for a while, you most likely have experienced the wilds of Wahiba Sands. En route, sporadic bursts of green palms mingle with the browns and greys of the majestic Hajar Mountains until, suddenly, you find yourself amid that undulating sea of golden sand dunes with its ever-changing patterns dancing across the vast expanse. The thrill of exploring the remote trails of the desert is unique and glorious, but sometimes you aren’t quite in the mood for so much adventure, or such a long drive. Yet, if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself romanticizing about enjoying feeling of hot sand under your feet, staring out at gentle dunes as far as the eye can see, all the while surrounded by Arabian-style luxury (and air conditioning). This might sound like a mirage, perhaps brought on by the sizzling Muscat weather, but I found such a place. Set amidst a natural landscape about an hour-and-a-half away from Muscat, Dunes by Al Nahda aesthetically captured the mystery and magnificence of desert wilderness, while offering world class luxury in a modern-meets-ancient-desert-camp kind of way. So, last weekend, I headed off to a different desert with my family and some like-minded friends to indulge in pampered exploration.
**media[509871]**
Friday
12.00 Leave Muscat for Barka. Reach Al Nahda Resort and Spa Barka in about an hour. Cross Al Nahda and continue driving straight for another 30-minutes to reach Dunes. (If you aren’t sure of the way, you can ask the property for a pick-up or to guide you from Al Nahda Resort Barka).
14.30 You’ll feel like royalty the moment you enter the gates and roll up the paved drive that leads to the open lobby. Check-in formalities are done in a jiffy, and you’ll be on your way to your accommodations within minutes. Available in three categories: Luxury tents, suites, and royal tents, all the options offer modern amenities and stunning views.
**media[509875]**
15.00 Even if you aren’t tired (the drive is not very long), the cosy bed beckons you to take a short afternoon nap. Just be sure to unfurl the thick curtains of the tent first, so that you can watch the sun set behind the white sands from the comfort of your bed.
17.00 Watch the sun fade away in all its glory behind the white sands of Wadi Al Abiyad. Whoever had said “there is nothing is more musical than a sunset” was so right. Sip on a cup of green tea and bask in the tranquillity of the scene until darkness has enveloped the horizon, and the artful lighting of the resort has come on.
**media[509872]**
18.00 This calm will soon be broken if you have children, like I do, so send them out to play on mini bikes or in the children’s play area, which has many activities to keep them busy. If they are feeling as lazy as you are, the resort also has children’s movies on DVD to keep them entertained. There is a wide choice, so let the kids take their pick and tuck them into the super luxurious tent for an evening of movie watching.
19.00 Once the kids are settled, step out of your tent to be completely charmed by the beautiful, twinkling lights that give the resort a majestic air. Take a walk along the pathways inside the property, and enjoy the cool night breeze.
20.00 Dinner at Dunes is a welcome surprise, as it isn’t a buffet spread (as we have come to expect after extensively travelling in Oman), but is a proper, sit-down, fine dining a la carte meal, with options galore to choose from. The resort is a gastronomical delight. The open-air, all-day dining at Fleur Restaurant means an ambience of modern Omani decor, impeccable service, and, of course, excellent cuisine. From carrot soup and kebabs to grilled lobsters and chicken biryani, all served against the backdrop of sand and sky, everything is fresh and delicious, an overall reverie.
**media[509877]** **media[509880]**
22.00 Hit the bed early if you don’t want to miss the sunrise. Otherwise, sit out in front of your tent and gape at the millions of stars in the inky black sky; soak in the calm with a nightcap; or sit and have a long chat under the desert sky.
Saturday
4.30 Wake up to the sound of the wind and the smell of pure air. Take an early morning stroll and wait for the sunrise.
5.00 Silently watch the sun cast its golden glow over the resort and the rippling sands of Wadi Al Abiyad.
**media[509873]**
8.00 Take a nice long bath and then head to breakfast, which, like dinner, is also a la carte. Choose as much as you like, and the efficient chef will rustle it up in no time.
10.30 Spend the rest of the morning dune bashing, quad bike riding, sand surfing, and camel riding, or visit the spa for hot sand therapy, and a massage. There are enough activities, both posh and adventurous, to keep you occupied from dawn to dusk, though resting and relaxing, taking in the views from your tent oasis, is also a fine option.
**media[509878]**
12.00 Filled with memories of starry skies, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, sumptuous food, and the exotic backdrop of the sand dunes, slowly start your drive back home.
[email protected]
