Chillin' on the GOO! (Gulf of Oman)

Thursday Oct. 2

Ahhhh!  Shangri-la!!  In honor of our location, I downloaded James Hilton's LOST HORIZON, the original Shangri-la, to my Kindle!  This resort is phenomenal!!  I'd have to say it's one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen!  The cove on the Gulf of Oman, the fabulous beach, the multitude of pools, the spacious verandas with lounges, the servers who bring bottles of water in a small ice-filled coolers, ice cold cloths for face, neck or head, slices of watermelon and who take orders for food and drink.....all ringed by 3 beautifully detailed Arabic designed hotels.....all ringed by barren, craggy, soaring mountains.

This morning we put on our bathing suits and cover-ups and went to the restaurant that offers breakfast for all who stay here. It was a great buffet with quite gallant servers who carry your full plate back to your table. We spent the whole day at the pool, at the splash pad, floating down the "Lazy River," swimming in the Gulf and looking for shells. It was heaven!!

While at the beach, some local fishermen came into shore and threw out an anchor. A couple of resort chefs stood on the beach wearing their chef hats and aprons while one fisherman walked ashore with a crate of live fish. One chef weighed the fish on a scale he had brought to the beach and paid the fisherman for the fresh catch. Wonder how they tasted?

For dinner we took a small shuttle bus to a restaurant/Souq area at the resort. We did a little shopping and then found our way to Asia, a sleek Asian restaurant. Since this is the beginning Eid Al Adha, a Muslin holiday that celebrates the time of sacrifice, no alcohol is being served at the resort. So.....no drink before dinner!  We had wine back in the room so we had a nightcap and played a couple of hands of Hand and Foot with Suzanne and Serena. To be finished tomorrow night.