Oman, Shangri-La

We went to Oman over the September Eid break.  It was glorious.  We were a little tired after just getting back from repat and our cruise and moving into our new place on main camp so we weren't quite as excited for this trip as the last because we didn't have as much build up time.  But we had the boys do little projects on sea turtles and the city of Muscat.  We looked at pictures and videos of the resort we were staying at and the sea turtle reserve and started to get a sense of what an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience we were in for.  

We flew to Oman on Tuesday, September 22nd and went to pick up our rental car.  The guy pulled up to the curb and we discovered that the car they brought didn't have a back row of seats.  We argued and sent them back and told them that we put the number of passengers we had in their system online and one row of seats would not do it.  They said they didn't have anything with two rows of seats.  Fantastic.  The guy went back to the lot and came back with the same model but it had a pull down jump seat in the very back.  That would have to do.  So after a bit of luggage and child tetris we were on our way to the Shangri-La resort.  We had to stop and get some directions and groceries on the way but we eventually made it. 

The resort is nestled in some incredible secluded canyons.  They have pools, a lazy river, restaurants, a beautiful beach and tons to do.  It was such a relaxing and recharging getaway together.  

We spent the first few nights of our trip at the resort and we swam to our hearts content.  

 Taryn and Kenna loved being in the water.  They both really lit up in the pools this trip and it was so fun to see their faces get so excited to be swimming and splashing.  We're so glad that all of our kids love to swim.  It's become a large part of our family culture.

 Tate and Finn had a blast in every pool we explored.  Making new friends and making up new pretend games.

 They ventured out to the beach one time with Glenn while I tried to wrestle the girls to stay on a blanket and stop eating sand.  It didn't last long.  Tate wasn't thrilled with knowing there were sea creatures swimming around him.

 On Friday we drove up to church in Muscat and had a really cool experience in their little branch there.  Everyone was very patient with our little group, which was so nice.  That evening we took advantage of the resort's miniature golf course.  The boys had a good time and we all got nice and sweaty even though the little course was in the shade.

 Glenn had to try out his new gopro and Finn was a willing participant.

 One afternoon we took advantage of the resort's kids play place.  It was unique to say the least.  There were a lot of really amazing places to climb and play and then there were some crazy slides.

 Tate and Finn loved the one that they had to ride down in sacks, but neither of them tried this one.  It was probably a two story drop and literally straight down.

 I don't know how kids don't get hurt on this thing all the time.  It was nuts.

 Oman was so beautiful.  It was everything you would imagine the Middle East to be but in the very best way.  Camels and goats wandering the mountains and deserts, souks filled with piles of old treasures, beaches lined with fishing boats and shacks, people playing cricket in an empty lot.  Everyone we interacted with were so kind.  We needed a lot of directions on our trip and it was so refreshing to talk to people who were helpful and friendly.  Not at all the response we get in Saudi.

 This trip was our first all on our own since our crew grew from 4 to 6 and it was so wonderful.  So nice to have such a blissful break playing together and really enjoying each other's company.  Realizing that we can do this with our little family was so empowering and made my heart so happy.

 Finn was dancing one night entertaining his sisters and he slipped and cut his head open right by his eye.  We got it glued shut at their first aid place in the resort but his goggles would rub right on it so we couldn't wear those the next day.  We ended up borrowing some from the snorkel place on the beach.  It was awesome to see these huge goggles on his little face.

 Such a beautiful place to stay.

 Our baby girls were so wonderful.  Falling asleep when they got tired and playing and happy when they were awake.  We tried to give them a break in the room every afternoon, which was nice as it got really hot and the boys needed a break too.  But the rest of the time we were out and they were so sweet.

 One night we got in on the camel rides on the beach.  This guy brings his camels in every night and charges a small fee for camel rides.  Finn and Glenn got to ride first.

 Finn was a little nervous being up so high but he warmed up to it.

 Tate was so excited to be riding a camel.  We were walking down the beach, he was hugging the camel's hump and he said, "Mom, this is a dromedary camel, right?"  Yep, Tate.  We are riding a dromedary camel kiddo.

What a great few days at the Shangri-La resort.  It gave us a lot of confidence in traveling with our kids and we had a wonderful, relaxing, slow-paced few days of hanging out together.