Canyoning from Ghamb to Wadi Shab

Wadi Shab – I have my first invitation and opportunity to join an expedition by a closed group of Ooredoo Oman colleagues, all of whom are Omanis. It has been a long time that I longed to crack this sort of private organization where character of a person is their main basis of acceptance.

Front L-R: Khalid, Saed, Hamed, Munir,  andHassan
 Back L-R: Monthir, AbdulHameed, Hassan, Me, Moutassim, Bader and Khalid

When working on any corporate company, there is always this certain exclusive group of elite people who shares similar interest. These are the group of employees who have firsthand information before rumors starts to spread, they are the mafia in the corporate world. To be part of the group allows me to get to know more of them, their culture, thinking and even the habits. It was even a surprise to see the images on social media, boys will always be boys regardless of ethnicity.

Dinner prepared by a handful of chef, taste is definitely authentic Omani

The plan was to camp on Fins, a fishing village that has a great view and a turqiose blue water for swimming. This is familiar place for Oman residents who love camping because of the existence of a cliff that blocks strong winds and water currents.

Authentic Omani breakfast with Foul Madames, Omelet and steaming hot Khawa (Omani coffee with a hint of cardamon)

The hiking trip which turned out to be canyoning as it commonly called because we are technically traversing a river. Oman have few water streams that will fit the definition of a river but the numbers will grow when heavy rain pours. In the arab world, these are called wadis.

Deafening silence in the midst of this magnificent place

We start our trip in the foot of Qur'ran village where the locals took us on their 4x4 vehicle. I had the impression that this is the only model of vehicle that can withstand time and the harsh terrain to reach the village of Ghamb.

Riding on the back of this truck has the experience of what I saw in the movies that depicts the travels in the Afghanistan villages. I was prepared for the high altitude temperature while Hassan (red) and Saeed (blue) where freezing cold as we reached the top of the plateau. Moutassim (black) is our tech-savvy friend. He's got the gadget that are necessary to document a week of expedition.

The view from the top of the plateau is breathtaking, it will take time to identify the boundary between the ocean and the sky.

We are all on our feet at the back on the pick-up track as we braced ourselves to what appeared to be long winding road that are made on the sides of the mountain.

Midway on our trip, we have asked ourselves if we have made the right choice of joining this unmarked route. Sometimes, we need this kind of experience that are pushing us away from our comfort zones in order to value our family and the life that we had. What would it be if this endeavor will go wrong.

The rocks along the path was carved by waters that seemed to flow for hundreds of years.

The wadi gave life to shrubs and trees that serves as refuge to wild animals in this wilderness. What captivates me is the contrast of the sky and the mountain.

Because we are traversing a big wadi, some parts are dead drop. One of the safer ways is to lean the body so that the center of gravity is shifted away from the edges.

The interesting thing about a group trail is that we are able to joke on each other, but the serious part is the close support and communication between among ourselves. Back in Muscat, we are working on the same floor but barely we are able to talk to each other as often as it should.

This our local guide which supports me as I reach the final steps of rappelling. 

It is already 4 hours since we've started our walk and we are separated into 2 groups. I managed to catch up with the lead pack and gained the needed rest for recuperate from the exhaustion.

This was the most technical in all of our experience, a shiny boulder with barely no carvings that we can step-on. We have to negotiate step-by-step especially for those that are acrophobic.

In the middle of this gigantic boulders, we are like mountain goats finding our way home.

The highlight of our experience was the test of the claustrophobia, belly crawl is the only way. A fall will land on a stagnant water with decaying animals, seemed like the neophyte stage of reserved military training.

Finally, we were relieved to see this pool of fresh water which offers a relief from a 6 hour of negotiating the boulders. In rural areas in Philippines, when you asked directions from the locals and they use their lips to point. Be careful. The lips signifies an long walk. Our guide uses his thumb measures against the lines of our index finger, the closer the thumb on the tip the nearer the destination. But the funny, thing about our guide is that the position of the thumb is the same when we asked 2 hours before so we are doubting if he is really telling the truth because by this time we are all exhausted.

After awarding ourselves with few minutes of dips in the water, we proceeded on our route and the scenery has changed from dry to slippery as the boulders have mosses. But it is a delight to walk in this kind of scenery because it offers us hope that there are villagers nearby. It already past 4 in the afternoon and we are concerned about darkness as we don't have flashlights with us. 

This view reminds of the books I've read in the wars in Afghanistan, it must have been difficult for both the military and the bandits to exchange fires because casualty is inevitable but for now this is a scene to behold.

This will the the last stop together with our local guide (blue disdasha). He told us stories on how we familiarize this route because as a young boy, his mother would ask him to go to other village and the shortest way is walking along this river banks. We have thoroughly prepared for this trip from hiking shoes to hydration packs but our guide is in his Omani traditional dress, sandals, no water and only dates on his pockets.

The last stretch of danger was stepping on donkey path, where the side is at least 100 foot drop.

I have learned that our perception of danger and the tolerance of risks changes as evolved in our life. As a family man, taking each step carefully is the surest way to reach home safely.

Below is the famous and most visited Wadi-Shab.

Please click below for the full video of this experience.

You can also watch my other experience on Wadi Shab.

Mabuhay!

OFW travelling back to Philippines for a holiday? Do these 5 secrets

ORMOC: Travelling back to Philippines for a holiday? It has been 9 years that I am in and out of the country as an OFW. As usual, I spend most if not all of the allocated money before our vacation is over and then I entered into the common syndrome of not to do the same next time but still keep doing it. Very few are lucky to have left a savings on their last days on a holiday. It would be naive to say that I have marginal improvement financially and would be humbled if someone would tell that I have accumulated a fortune. But I tell you, it is not all about the money that can keep us going and growing. 

With the increasing the number of OFW and improving economy, prepare for delayed flights on domestic travels

1. Share the Good news 

Upon our return, many of our family, relatives and friends eager to hear good stories to outside the country or how nice it is to work as an OFW. We all wanted to have that long holiday on a secluded places with our spouse and children where we can have the very rest we need, after all we deserve that break. Our family cultures is centered into gatherings, telling stories of how life has been after we've been away that long.

More of the financial stuffs, you can share the unforgettable experience or how easy it is to navigate the airport this time around or how well we have have performed in our workplace. Save the emotional ones to the people that is very close to you, preferable to the those that have touched your life before you were called OFW. Certainly, thye can give you a lift as they did before.

First meal upon arrival is shared best with your immediate family

On the other hand, it is an opportunity to hear as well their side of the stories. Those unforgettable childhood moments, or crazy highschool stuffs that you can't imagine you have done before. Everyone is unique and has his own happiness index and you will be surprised how little financial status counts. More importantly to our parents who have prayed for us that we all be safe and away from harm. They too wanted to know how well we have lived in a foreign country.

Not all toxic drinks are made for cheers, this refreshing lemongrass drink made by Aunt Norma is a sure thirst quencher.

Tapoctaporcs in Batangas City celebrating Raven's birthday

I got the chance to visit 2 of my cousins who are my first career mentors and bear witness of my success. I am happy to know that I have turned their advices into something useful many folds than their expectation. I also have reconnected to the medical staffs who was there during the troublesome delivery of our first born child. They were astonished as to how time past and to hear a 3 year old maturely joke with them.

2. Make Children Laugh

Remember those times when our relatives coming abroad and throwing a party for us? It is your chance to let the children feel the excitement, laughter and inspire them of your success. You don't have to limit your charitable act to members of your family, there are many opportunities into places that you least expected. One time, we attended mass to see an obviously struggling mother who still nursing her youngest son. We spend a little more than five minutes to get to know her life story how she left with no choice. Extending some help and giving new clothes to her children made her treat us life we descended from heaven and heard her prayer, the smile on the child's face can't be painted.

57th birthday of Mama Maricor with here grandchildren

Disneyland is not the happiest place for children, but a body of water where they can run and swim

Size of a house doesn't matter for a family celebration

3. Visit New Places

How often do we wonder how fast the days went during our vacation and even hadn't spent a day for ourselves? We deserve our piece of the the hard-earned money. It is time to explore places that are showcased in social media or attractions that are in your bucket list. It doesn't have to be a lavish resort published by commercially driven websites or travel magazine. So long as it is your first time, you will have that experience just as it as the first time you boarded an airplane.

Where can this be?

 This year we went to Iloilo to visit some old friends who happen to work also in Muscat. Just as Ilongos are proud of their island as so as to their local food. We have many first time dishes prepared from the home of Limosos, the looks of the food is familiar but the taste in unique probably due to the herbs used that are native to this island.

Native delicacies are best enjoyed with friends from the local community. Have you tried authentic batchoy?

Little did we know that our very accommodating host is taking us to what the province is noted for and is a UNESCO heritage site. Miag-ao church stands tall and proud for over 200 years, the most solid-built church I've seen.
  

4. Invest

The best value of an OFW is materialized when an investment is made and is making positive returns, this is how also our family knows that we care for their financial security. Whether building that dream home, buying that dream car, starting up a business or expanding an already existing enterprise, so long as it is a tangible asset. I am into stock market but when it comes to securing our family's future, I still prefer a financial structure where I can physically touch. We all wanted to retire, let the money work for us and dictate our own time. 

I have watched many OFW that goes broke after their stint because of their extravagant spending, enter into gambling, lured by cons or lack of financial literacy. How would you answer this question, "What have I done today and will do continuously for the next 10 years so that I can go home in time and spend the rest of my years enjoying the fruits of my labor?".

5. Pay religious homage 

Whatever your religion, it pays lot to visit the very church where you grew, or knelled to ask for blessings. It has a psychological sense of a successful OFW because the mere fact that you are there and of different status. After all, if it is not because of the power of prayer and faith in the Almighty that we all will realized our dreams.

Jaro Cathedral Church, Iloilo CIty

Basilica del Sto. Nino, Cebu City

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu City which happens to be the 35th wedding anniversary of our parents.

Tell me, which of these make sense to you? What did you do differently on last vacation?

We are but only care takers of this world...

Don't forget to smile, everyday is a blessing.

Mabuhay!

5 Great Surprises in Wadi Shab

SUR: The coastal region of Sur in Sharqiyah Governorate of Oman in host to a distinctive wadi experience. The most frequented site is Wadi Shab due to its forgiving terrain and the all family experience. Just under 2 hours drive from Muscat, the trip to this place is rather enjoyable as the contrasting elements of Oman presented. My Omani friends even have their action term for it, "wadi shabbing".

Worry not for the "call-of-nature" during the long walk, these boulders will shield you from possible on-lookers.

As the temperature sets little below 30 degrees Celsius, this place starts to witness a flock of tourist from varying nationalities. Here you can also find a number of respectful Omani that will greet you with a pleasant smile as they tend to their bbq session. As a virtue of courtesy, don't hesitate to take their offering of "mishkak" or bbq of meat because that might be the tastiest you have ever tasted. And then you just experience the true Omani hospitality. So, here are my top 5 great surprises that await you in Wadi Shab:

The grand entrance to Wadi Shab

1. The Cave

Have you been to the cave inside? This is definitely the most frequently asked question when you tell someone that you've been to Wadi Shab. There must be something there, right? The entrance to the cave is narrow and the only way-in is to swim, be prepared. If you are an average swimmer, I recommend bringing personal floating device as some current may just be too strong. Otherwise, you can just glide along just as we did while holding on the sides of this wall. 

Inviting isn't it? Take extra care because this are for those capable swimmers only.

The last time I visited in 2007 we have to swim underneath the cavern, but this time it much easier. My preference of entering the cave was to have my back facing the cave and swims in supine position for the prime reason of surprise and second is for smoother swim. Just as we enter this passage, I can hear the rush of waterfall increasing and condition my mind to be ready for the dividends of a long walk. When I am inside, I felt I have had a romantic time with nature. The only way to the top is through the rope that runs along the falling water. Of course, a more interesting story about the cave is the experience of jumping in the Turquoise Blue lagoon.

Nothing beats this dividend of a long walk.

2. Three colors of water 

Yes, you heard me right. Wadi Shab has these 3 colors of waters. You will mistake it of using it in your art session of ready to use water-color. Shortly after the 15 minute walk, these emerald green waters emerge in site. What makes it green are the different debris of trees, clay, sand and gravel at the bottom. I came to know this when I jumped and had my butt touched the bottom and they are stuck inside so I have to wash them-off. As we move forward on the next 15 minutes, this crystal clear water are so inviting for a stopover. The looks are so clean that we were encouraged to splash our feet. It looks for drinking but I would not recommend it. This crystal clear water comes in pools as we approach the base of the cave. We saw tourists basked themselves in the sun just as it is in the beaches of Oman. And of course, the blue turquoise water in the cave is the third and most unique about Wadi Shab.

Mirror on the water

Oman is an open and welcoming country. Feel free to wear what comforts you most on a long walk.

3. YOLO Jump

Wadi Shab hosted the 2012 Red Bull Cliff Diving competition. You can still experience the thrill by doing Only Live Once (YOLO) jump. The platform is not there but you would need a lot of courage jumping just on the hiking path. My tip is not to stare longer on the water below because it will just discourage you from jumping.

This was my third jump. Yes, pinching the nose will prevent the rush of water unless you love sneezing all the way back home.

I hope Ministry of Tourism will not use this photo against me. I did not swim, I jumped!

Photo image by Anen Poras

4. Hiking Experience

The short 45 minute (one-way) up the stream is one of a kind. As the saying goes, it is not the destination that matters but the journey along the way. We meet people of all ages and of different ethnicity and all most of them are very courteous (do the same for them). The walk starts with normal gravel and on to these gigantic boulders as high as 2 story building. The best part for us is when we look up; it is amazing to see the contrast between these rugged mountains and the blue sky. If you are lucky to have clouds, one will have the nature’s way of playing a time-lapse video.

Behind us are ruins of the mud house, currently serve as shelter for the herds of goat.
Photo image by Anen Poras

5. The People

Wadi Shab is an experience for the whole family, equipped yourself with proper hiking gear when you are with kids. We are surprise how many children are there in the pools of water enjoying their family time. My daughter even refuse to go with me inside the cave as she was intimately playing with here new found friend.

My newly acquainted Omani on our way to the cave. Unknowingly, most of them are friends of my colleague in ooredoo

The superladies who drinks like a camel but brought more chips than water.

With my loving wife and adorable daughter Une Marchesa
Photo image by Anen Poras

The best way to end the Wadi Shab trip is to stop at this Fins beach, another camp site to visit in the near future.

Photo by Anen Poras

Mabuhay!