Almost4x4

Dear all,
We are so exited about this trip, so I thought that it would be nice to start sharing the trip report from day -1.
We reach on the meeting point, short time for distributing the gifts ( thank you [MENTION=22]zico[/MENTION] ), little briefing by the founder [MENTION=27]alshamsi_m[/MENTION] ,and taking great pictures ( thank you [MENTION=8718]momo[/MENTION] ). And of caurce special thanks to [MENTION=3879]Desert[/MENTION]bat he is my host. ;-)

Here are some photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... ba46c61614

Day 0:
we start our day with a long drive, from the camping point 8:00 am. till the hotel in the evening 7:00 pm. Of course the distance And time are not matching, but there is a lot of value on this coastal rout. We can not at all describe the area that we are visiting, but maybe the pictures can give an idea. Thank you @alshamsi_m for giving us the chance to swim in that area (looks like an Oasis or Jurasic park). And thumb up for @Rashidjass for his courage and jumping first in the water. And the huge vally where we took group pictures by our @momo (thank you).
last but not least, the lunch and dinner (2 in 1) were very tasty. Also the meal that done by @alshamsi_m was tasty.

Special thanks to our favorite star founder @zico and to @alhanai (watching over us and assist us and answering all our questions)

now we will go for a sleep to recharge our energy till tomorrow morning. Take care and good night.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 294ca57902

Day 1:
We start our day by trying to go to our morning check point, or the breakfast meeting point, but unfortunately the shops were removed from the corniche by municipality without informing us, thus our leaders @alshamsi_m found us an alternative solution. The shop is very small and nearly he served the breakfast to almosters.
The drive was not long as distance, but it was full of activities.
The first tough one is the sink hall (two red underline) the going down was very tough but the climbing up was much tougher, of course I was always on the top. If you are not in good shape and does not practice sport regularly. I suggest to watch the members from the top .
There are no words that can describe the weather (supertastic).
Most of the locations that we visit today were close to each other's, so no long drives.
The spot above the clouds were breath taking. A lot of pictures and selfies.
It is really a lot of hard work done by our marshals and founders to make this great trip. (Thank you very much).
There was fun action done by Two angry camels when they ran towards us, and you need to see the video so you can laugh. I will upload it to YouTube:

http://youtu.be/_9r4Q328S7Y

http://youtu.be/YwOUdJN207I

This day requires to have a gel for Mosquitos and don't worry about the bees if they stung you, as per our leader's statement: the bee sting is cure . ;-)
Before the time of sunset, we went to wadi and made a circle for tea time and chit chat. Amazing climate. When it starts to be close to dark, we went back to hotel. It was a free night. So we visit a mall to have dinner and to buy some shopping for tomorrow long trip.

Thank you and have a good night.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 04ac9485cb

Day 2
The new meeting point beside the petrol station became our daily starting point. The meeting time at 7:30 am. And the morning time should be 8:00 am. But still some delay fellows are showing up after 8:00.
Today trip should be long one, so everybody get prepared though.[/COLOR]
We start climbing the mountain with a zigzag rout , until we reach above the clouds. We stopped for taking pictures. This scene is fantastico, but remember that the sun burn is coming fast above there, wear long leave jacket or apply sun screen.
Later we drove in the green areas through the clouds, very nice view, very less visibility, which is not allows us to see the Heart. This we went to the beach for lunch and pray time.
We ate at one restaurant next to mosque. The food was tasty. @alshamsi_m paid the bill (thank you). This was the bait. Then he took us to the bite valley, where you can meet a massive army of bugs. You need to cover all your body. Use all king of gels and sprays and bristles. The best option would be to wear like the bee keeper do.
Then we headed to Yamani's boarder, as per @alshamsi_m 2 members were leaving to Yamen, @elena & @Defragmantor, due to the heavy fog, I believe that they did not leave us. And that's something nothing good.
We took the turn to wadi and cave, all kind of cars start to park beside each other to take picture, and little show off climbing small hill, and getting down. Very nice location.
Then, the winner prize is "the rout to beach" it was 10 km. but this is one of the best and fun rout that you can off-road it. Between the trees, on the gravel, and going down the mountain till the beach. This activities is must.
Till the time is dark. We we gathered in circle and played few games. Then will move back all the way up to the mountain. But you can imagine how to climb in conditions of dark and fog and cows on the way. With some slippery areas.
[LAt 10:30 pm we finish these 11 km we consumed 42 min to cross them. I think all drivers had enjoyed this drive. Please don't miss this one if you are planning to go next year.
Later on we went back to hotel using the zigzag wadi rout.
Thank you very much
It was really nice day.



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... dd7df3d134

Day 3:
Morning meeting at the petrol station. Little delay maybe because everybody were tired yesterday.
Our first point is Ayiub mountain. The road in green mountain is refreshing your eyes with HD view. We visit the tomb of the prophet Ayiub. Then close we stopped at the great green valley. So big. So green. Getting down is easy with stairs. Coming up is tough. Our great founder @zico went down with his Wrangler, easy down and smart up. Down in the valley the water were dry. So no swimming. @alshamsi_m said that rain water were less and lesser these last two years.
Then we went to another wadi jazjiz (valley) with small water ponds, drivers did not spare them. And their cars became all brown. (Remember to switch your wiper to maximum, and floor it). Later we moved to unplanned rout . We found a cave that having the root of the trees coming from its ceilings, but the became like rocks. Then a drive for unknown rout, we found a nice area to have a rest for a 30 min.
The next activity we went to Merbat park, for refreshment and pray. Then to the lake. It is sort of the crowded area we visit so far. The lake of Darabat. It is not so big, but it has enough bugs to keep you busy and moving. Try to rent the boat, it is fun.
Later we headed to the hotel as we will have evening gathering for all at Samharam hotel.


The evening event in separate report inshallah


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 858a699b3d

We played few games, then celebration of Ammar (DesertBat) birthday with cake distribution. Gift and trophy to the both teams.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... a2aba803fb

note: the wolves team won the games, and earn the trophy .

Day 4:
Meeting point at the same petrol station at 7:30 am. Today is the last day drive. Tomorrow we will go back to Dubai . The distention to the west Sarfeet, through the zigzag mountain rout, passing the check point. Then to area for bird view from the up of the mountain to sea. It is nice area. Then going to the beach (Rakhyout) for a rest before we climb to the amazing "Road to Heaven".we had few stops for technical problems. Then continued to pray Zuhur and Aser at the mosque in the village. Driving this rout is very nice. Try not to miss it. Then another rout for going down to beach. Even the road was closed but almost4x4 used it and drove off-road till we reach the see with fantastic view. Here I would like to thank and congratulate the Ford Explorer driver Louai and his co pilot Yassser , thank you guys . Then we turned to the beach for the sea water fountain. Later with short briefing by Abu Salem regarding the traditional market and the next morning gathering for the way back trip. We went to the city with the leader @kimo , yassser advise us to have dinner at Turkish restaurant in his hotel Darabat, the food was plenty and very tasty, thanks yassser, also we need to thanks Louai who took @hamza to hospital for treatment. @kimo took us to city market and we bought few gifts. Then halwa Omani. Finally we went back to hotel.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 7fcf2fe4c2

Day 5:
We had Iftar at the hotel, then we went to pack our luggage sin the cars. We gathered at the reception before 11:00 am. We started on time only 3 cars went to fill petrol. When we started to move towards UAE the rain start and the road was blocked by one truck till the place cleared it to safety. The climate was fantastic, once we went out of the rain. We stopped for Changing the cars between @alshamsi_m and @elena, so our leader's car became Jeep. I wonder what @ALKHATIB would comment.
Then unfortunately @Louai ask for more time to hold the convoy, as he was searching for his passport and not able to find it. Then they decided to go back to hotel to check, they went along @Louai and @yassser, It was 60 km. and as per @alshamsi_m decided to continue ahead, and they will catch up.
Fortunately @zico communicate with @Louai and the last confirm that the passport found in the hotel.
We stopped at Petrol station for pray Zuhur & Aser, and filling petrol. After a while we had an expected tyre problem in Abu Mahmoud car. We changed it within 15 min, we drove in low speed range as the rest tyers were not in perfect condition. Luckily we found a radar which stopping the over speeding cars.
We stopped at Hima petrol station for refreshing and refueling and lunch
We continued driving after 30 min and Sunset start to make the road darker. The rout the less crawled than what we drove it while we are going to Salalah.
When we stopped at Al Maha petrol station for praying Magrib and Ishaa @Louai and @yassser catch up. Then headed to the final petrol station just before the boarded.
We crossed the boarders around 2:15 am. We found @alshamsi_m and @zico standing on the right side for the final check hands. From now and on, every car will drive as per convenience.
This was the final day of one of the best trip I did with almost. Thank you and see you in the next year trip

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... f1b1d6c029
[MENTION=9195]khallaf[/MENTION] thank you for the ice cream,,, ;-)

Hello everybody, I hope you are doing well after this long road drive.
I am still not familiar with writing reports because its still my first trip with ALMOST4X4 but hopefully not the last.
I would like to say that this trip was amazing and I really enjoyed it even there were a lot of mosquitoes but still the lovely and friendly atmospheres were prevailed. It was my first time for me to visit Salalah, so everything were new for me, but [MENTION=27]alshamsi_m[/MENTION] (Bu Salam) didn't make it boring for the others who came before, since he discovered some new points of interest like the Wadi. I could say that generally it was a fantastic trip without any big issues or problems and this because of the good management and the Marshal's wisdom.

Thanks For all AlMOSTERS for being nice and helpful, thanks for Mohammed Alshamsi (Bu Salam) [MENTION=27]alshamsi_m[/MENTION] for being our leader, for his efforts and his carefulness on us, I wish to do it again with him.
Thanks for [MENTION=3879]Desert[/MENTION]bat (Abo Mahmoud) for being our second leader. And special thanks for [MENTION=22]zico[/MENTION] (Abo Tarek) for being kind and keen on me like a second dad.