Wadi Bani Khalid - Summer season could be daunting times to enjoy the outdoors of Oman. But with the expertise of local friends and the wit of Adventureclub.om in planning, we had a great fun in Wadi Hawir which is the end stream of famous Wadi Bani Khalid. The night before we spend our aquatic hike, we had a wonderful camping on the nearby desert.
The sprawling red sands of Bidiyah stretch as far as the foothills of Wadi Bani Khalid. Just the opposite of the corner where visitors make detour from the main highway to Bani Khalid lies an almost perfect place for camping. Surrounded by hills of sand, we camp on a totally flat sands suitable to erect our tents and free from sand dust should the winds blew stronger.
Wadi as you might thought is synonymous to river water but literally it means valley. On hot summer seasons, the wadi can be dry and when the rain starts pouring in, they turn in one of Oman's adventure haven for camping, hiking, swimming and cliff jumping if you have the adrenaline for it.
So here are my top tips when going for Aquatic Hike
1. Wear Light Apparels
What to wear on aquatic hike? In almost all of my aquatic hike, I always wear light dri-fit shirts and shorts. Cottons are the worst as it becomes heavy when soaked in water. Pants are not recommended especially if some parts of the wadi are deep, it can wear you down easily. For footwear, I prefer the aquatic shoes of columbia, which has a mesh wrapping but solid outsole with 360 degrees grip.
2. Stay Hydrated
Hydration starts the day before. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes from the day before the hike. The main aim is to stay healthy and fit so all can enjoy. My rule of thumb is a liter of water for hour of hike duration. The most I have taken with me on a single day hike was 3 liters, 2 liters on my Camelbak and 2 spare 500 ml of Pocari sweat. I try my best to consume 500 ml per 30 minutes of hike duration. If the hike is to last more than 3 hours, I have to carefully manage with that 3 liters and so far it was all OK.
3. Never go hungry
While thirstiness are easily replenished by hydration, a crunching stomach is an enemy of an adventure day. I don't mean to stuff your stomach full but eating the right breakfast, taking regular small amount of snacks goes a long way. Our group favorites are the navel oranges from Egypt, bananas from Philippines and of course the fructose-packed dates of Oman. Leave those, cheap chocolates that has sugar that is not needed by the body. Chips and junk foods ruins your hydration plan as you get thirsty more often. The point is the body has to be light but packed with energy required to navigate around the boulders. At the end of the day, you can reward yourself heavenly foods you desired.
4. Safety
It doesn't mean that because we are in outdoor adventure, we have to take risks to enjoy. It is actually opposite, the more safety one would apply so that there will be more years to have fun. Don't be the lame lamb for the group to carry especially if it is less than half-way.
5. Bring waterproof camera
Yes, camera not phone. I had learned my lessons on the numerous adventures in Oman alone, 2 iphones and one camera. It goes with sling, so will stay with you no matter how rough the activity will take. My favorite is the Nikon AW130 waterproof and shockproof camera. The performance of the camera is comparable to GoPro3 but has the editing features unique to itself, I guarantee you'll be the first one to be able upload the photos if you're like me who can't wait to share fresh experiences.
6. Connect to your friends
Outdoors give plenty of opportunity to catch-up with your office colleagues or friends we haven't sent for quite a long time. If possible, change places on the pack along the way to have an opportunity to chat with your friends. Some preferred to be in the lead pack especially those younger than you. For the wise and the learned stay behind the pack, they are the enlightened ones.
You can watch the full adventure on here:
Mabuhay!
The sprawling red sands of Bidiyah stretch as far as the foothills of Wadi Bani Khalid. Just the opposite of the corner where visitors make detour from the main highway to Bani Khalid lies an almost perfect place for camping. Surrounded by hills of sand, we camp on a totally flat sands suitable to erect our tents and free from sand dust should the winds blew stronger.
 |
| Omanis are expert at glamping, short for glamorous camping. The next time you are invited for a camp, feel free to bring whatever that can make you comfortable, including your favorite portable mattress. |
 |
| Camels are everywhere in the desert, for that reason they are called the vessels of the sands. Though they looked wild, they are herded as the sunsets and are set free early next morning. The barn are equipped with water and some grass to supplement their diet. |
 |
| It can also be Humid and Cold in the desert, always be prepared and some extra. Last time I forgot my bonnet and it the coldness are penetrating deep into my skulls. |
 |
| When these middle manager dressed down from their work clothes, they turn into an orchestra playing gastronomic symphony. My experience on Omani cuisine is authentic as it is, nothing beats it. |
 |
| This is how our foods are served, both for dinner and for breakfast. Omani have high respect on the bounties provided by Allah, it has to be shared to all and eaten by hand. On these seating, we are all equal human beings. |
Wadi as you might thought is synonymous to river water but literally it means valley. On hot summer seasons, the wadi can be dry and when the rain starts pouring in, they turn in one of Oman's adventure haven for camping, hiking, swimming and cliff jumping if you have the adrenaline for it.
 |
| Tip: When you know how to swim, there is no reason for you to be afraid to jump on the cliff. Once on the edge, spend less time gaining momentum for the jump, after knowing that it is safe to jump just take a leap and enjoy the free-fall. The longer you spend on the edge the more the panic attacks and the knees locks itself. It will be difficult to jump by then unless you ask someone to push you unknowingly. |
1. Wear Light Apparels
What to wear on aquatic hike? In almost all of my aquatic hike, I always wear light dri-fit shirts and shorts. Cottons are the worst as it becomes heavy when soaked in water. Pants are not recommended especially if some parts of the wadi are deep, it can wear you down easily. For footwear, I prefer the aquatic shoes of columbia, which has a mesh wrapping but solid outsole with 360 degrees grip.
 |
| Nature made slides. We all have great time playing with these fresh water slides formed by the natural flow of the wadi. At first it was ignored but when one of the group discovered the fun, we all jumped in and do the crazy stunts. |
2. Stay Hydrated
Hydration starts the day before. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes from the day before the hike. The main aim is to stay healthy and fit so all can enjoy. My rule of thumb is a liter of water for hour of hike duration. The most I have taken with me on a single day hike was 3 liters, 2 liters on my Camelbak and 2 spare 500 ml of Pocari sweat. I try my best to consume 500 ml per 30 minutes of hike duration. If the hike is to last more than 3 hours, I have to carefully manage with that 3 liters and so far it was all OK.
 |
| Sure that pool of water was inviting and I took the privilege of jumping in first. |
3. Never go hungry
While thirstiness are easily replenished by hydration, a crunching stomach is an enemy of an adventure day. I don't mean to stuff your stomach full but eating the right breakfast, taking regular small amount of snacks goes a long way. Our group favorites are the navel oranges from Egypt, bananas from Philippines and of course the fructose-packed dates of Oman. Leave those, cheap chocolates that has sugar that is not needed by the body. Chips and junk foods ruins your hydration plan as you get thirsty more often. The point is the body has to be light but packed with energy required to navigate around the boulders. At the end of the day, you can reward yourself heavenly foods you desired.
 |
| This spot is heaven on earth. Fresh water, clean and shallow just the right spot to spend basking. |
 |
| This reminds of who did not make it down the water. Full of fun and laughter as each one of us prepared for what we called 'Leap of Faith'. Amazingly, age wasn't a hindrance for taking the challenge. |
4. Safety
It doesn't mean that because we are in outdoor adventure, we have to take risks to enjoy. It is actually opposite, the more safety one would apply so that there will be more years to have fun. Don't be the lame lamb for the group to carry especially if it is less than half-way.
 |
| We abseil as part of our experienced. Arranged by our partner Abo Mansoor, we all have the chance to experience this rappelling alongside the waterfall. It was an exhilarating experience to trust your life on the strands of the rope, really worthwhile. |
 |
| On rainy season, the level of water can go higher than where I stand. |
 |
| With this group, the 5 hour trek was a cracker. |
 |
| Improvised ladder made of date trees, quite a challenge for those who hesitate to experience adventure. |
5. Bring waterproof camera
Yes, camera not phone. I had learned my lessons on the numerous adventures in Oman alone, 2 iphones and one camera. It goes with sling, so will stay with you no matter how rough the activity will take. My favorite is the Nikon AW130 waterproof and shockproof camera. The performance of the camera is comparable to GoPro3 but has the editing features unique to itself, I guarantee you'll be the first one to be able upload the photos if you're like me who can't wait to share fresh experiences.
 |
| Hassan is a pioneer in Telecom landscape of Oman, adventurous and always try to stay young at heart. He has endless list of wisdom to share. Trekking offers the opportunity to learn from him, free of charge. |
 |
| The scene while waiting for our turns to experience abseiling. |
6. Connect to your friends
Outdoors give plenty of opportunity to catch-up with your office colleagues or friends we haven't sent for quite a long time. If possible, change places on the pack along the way to have an opportunity to chat with your friends. Some preferred to be in the lead pack especially those younger than you. For the wise and the learned stay behind the pack, they are the enlightened ones.
 |
| Our host on the abseiling course as he guided the Kuwaiti TV presenter. |
 |
| A scene on my interview the Kuwait TV. |
Mabuhay!
