Wadi Bini Khalid (Part 2) – Mukal Cave and Water Pools

 

Wadi Bini Khalid (Part 1) Swimming and Picnic Area

 

 

 

 

 

Will fill you in with details about this gorgeous spot later!

The Secret Cave at Wadi Shab! A Definite Must See/Do in Oman!

During the past 6 years of living in Oman, I’ve been to Wadi Shab a number of times.  In fact, I’m sure it’s the wadi I’ve traveled to the most out of the hundreds of wadis in all of the sultanate. (I’ve posted about Wadi Shab Resort, the Red Bull Cliff Diving Event there (posts 1, 2, 3, & 4) The most popular posts on Wadi Shab from this blog would have to be the touristy ones I wrote titled “Wadi Shab – Not to “Shabby“!” (Nov 1, 2009) and “More of the Beauty of Wadi Shab” (Nov 2, 2009).  Well, I think it’s time to share with my readers the most impressive part of Wadi Shab which is the “secret cave” beyond the more popular swimming areas that tourists tend to visit.Very few people that I have spoken with about Wadi Shab have actually visited this cave.  Maybe it’s because there are no signs telling travellers where to go.  You either know about the place or friendly people along the path “in the know” might be able to direct you to it.When my sister-in-law visited us here in the sultanate I knew she would be adventurous enough for the more than 45 minute hike to get there and a few minutes of swimming to get inside.  If you are not a good swimmer, please don’t even think about trying to reach this cave!!!This is inside the cave.  The place above the red rope is the best spot for diving into the water below if you are courageous enough!This cave reminds of something you might see in an Indiana-Jones type of movie!Wadi Shab itself is worth visiting. Don’t get me wrong.  But those who have been to the “secret cave” realize that a trip to Wadi Shab just isn’t the same without going inside.This is the part where people might turn back not realizing the experience they have just missed.  The cave opening in the picture above doesn’t look like much, but that small dark hole on the left side is the narrow tunnel leading to the cave.  Some people leave their belongings in bags here before swimming to the cave.  If you do make it here, I recommend bringing an underwater camera.  I DO NOT recommend bringing an expensive camera and trying to swim with one hand as I did.  Be sure to check the video below.  🙂Just look at the color of that water!  Here is a video which I relucantly show you as you can hear me huffing and puffing as I swim while trying to capture the journey into the cave.  

“At The Top”, Burj Khalifa – Part 2 of 2

In case you missed it, here is part 1.

“At The Top”, Burj Khalifa – Part 1 of 2

I always knew that if I made it to Dubai, I’d have to try to get up to the observation deck on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.  If you apply on-line at least 3 days in advance you only have to pay 125 AED (12.5 OR/$44US).If you want to visit with little or no advance notice, you have to pay 400 AED (about $100 US!) for immediate entry admission.  One benefit of the immediate entry admission is that I didn’t have to wait in the long line but was directed to the elevator immediately.At the Top is located in the Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Level.  Just follow the signs.Access to the ticket counter and entrance is via the Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Level.  The closest Metro Station is Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Station.  (Tel: 800 28 843 867)There is a bit of a walk until you reach the elevator with several interactive features along the way including: “Burj Among the Greats”, “Burj Around the World” and “Dubai Then and Now”.I was there around 10am on Saturday morning and it wasn’t too crowded.  The views were spectacular!Here’s a short video of Dubai “At the Top” from my Powershot A810:

Check out part 2 (by clicking here) which includes High Definition video from my Canon EOS 550D.