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driving through wadi tayyin
How to make your way through one of the most accessible wadis from Muscat.
By Aninda Sardar

The plan was to head to the town of Ibra before starting the journey towards our final destination, Wadi Tayeen. On the map that we had the road to the wadi ended where the wadi started. From there on, we had been told, we could drive through it to the other side and rejoin the main highway.

We started at around four in the morning, crossing the airport roundabout at half past four. At five, we hit the turnoff to Route 23 to Sur and kept cruising towards the town of Ibra. Ibra came up just past six, with the tripmeter reading 146. A quick snack at a filling station later, we were on the road again. About 20 minutes later we took the right turn for the Wadi Tayeen, passing a village through which the road ran deeper towards the wadi.

As we drove into the wadi the stark contrast of the lush green against the very dark brown of the surrounding mountains was beautiful. Soon enough we reached a road that was being constructed through the wadi. Just before heading off on to the tarmac, the wadi widens out into a sort of a clearing where we stopped for a while to take pictures of a ruined watchtower perched atop a huge block of stone. A few minutes' drive on the tarmac later we were back into the wadi.

Throughout the journey there is never any dearth of greenery. Scores of palms can be found bunched together inside the wadis. We even chanced upon a small patch of cultivation with some golden shoots that dazzled in the bright sunlight.

We eventually reached a village where we found an interesting looking gorge and a falaj. At one point the irrigation channel crossed over the canyon, not more than fifty feet deep with a shallow stream of clear water flowing through it. Rather picturesque, especially with some small houses that form the background before giving way to brown rocks and finally blue sky.

A boy we met there indicated that there were others swimming in the waters in the gorge. We picked our way along the edge of the falaj and then on the rocks. We discovered a small pool of water where the gorge had widened a bit, about 40 feet below us. Young boys, some who looked no older than seven or eight, were climbing on to the rocks and then diving into the crystal clear waters. They dove repeatedly into the water, having seen the cameras we were carrying. After a round of clicking plenty of photographs we waved goodbye and moved on.

Despite occasional stretches where there seemed to be nothing but vegetation and rocks for company, the wadi teemed with life – from the tiny fish that could be seen swimming in the waters to the curious children and the adults of the villages.

We crossed a small concrete path with water flowing over it and touched tarmac again, after nearly two hours. We were again informed that if we got back into the wadi and drove into the village of A'Deera, about a kilometre away we would reach another
water pool.

So we drove back into the wadi and turned right for A'Deera. A few minutes later we spotted some thatched shades to our left, indicating a probable picnic spot. On reaching we even found a small play area for children with a see-saw, a couple of swings and a slide. Clambering over the rocks, we reached the edge to find the water pool. It was spectacular! The white rocks jutting out of the clear water and the sunlight bouncing off the water's surface were a most delightful sight. In another few minutes we were back on tarmac.

The end of the day saw us headed back to the mundane of urbanity, thoroughly spent, but satisfied nevertheless. We had driven through a natural thoroughfare, taken all the pictures that we wanted, but most of all, we had spent a whole day having the time of our lives. Head to Wadi Tayyin – it makes a lot of sense. As the summer approaches and the temperature goes up, this wadi will cheer you up with its pools of water, lush vegetation and friendly villagers.