Oman Am I Lost!

I took a road trip today. My plan was to drive to Al Ain, a desert oasis town about 90 mins inland and then continue into Oman--drive to the Indian Ocean and return to Dubai via the highway thru Hatta...seemed easy enough.

I made it to Al Ain easily enough and I drove up Jabel Hafeet because it was there. I then drove back down and headed towards Oman. I took the truck route rather than driving back in Al Ain and then to the border--may have been my first mistake. The truck route went thru an area of Camel Ranches (I guess they are called ranches?) and they were everywhere along the route. I finally arrived at the UAE checkpoint and showed my passport and paperwork for the car, was passed to the next station, which was immigration. Here I had to get out of the truck and go into the immigration building. The only 2 people in the building were two typists who took no interest in my arrival. I wandered around and verified they were the only 2 in the building. I walked up to the typist and asked if this is where I started the process. They acted like I wasn't even there. Finally, an official looking Emirati walked in and waved me towards the typist, who all of the sudden didn't mind paying attention to me. They typed, I paid 60 dhms, then walked to the window now occupied by the Emirati. He passed me thru, got back in my car and drove away. As I left the border station, I came to a Police checkpoint that looked empty, so I steered right and followed some trucks that looked like they knew where they were going--another mistake. Turns out I should have gone thru the police checkpoint which would have steered me towards the road that headed to the Indian Ocean. Ignorance is bliss though and I drove off into Oman. About 20km later I arrived at the Oman border station. I showed my passport and auto insurance showing Omani coverage; paid another 60 dhms (or 6 ROIs) for my visa, and I proceeded to the police checkpoint. At the police checkpoint, the officer asked me if I had room for 2 passengers (I should mention that this borderstation is in the middle of the Oman equivelant of Death Valley). I said 'sure' and 2 Omanis jumped in. They spoke no english and they couldn't show me on the map where they wanted to go, but we drove on--not like there were alot of options on the choice of wich road--there is only one road. They called a friend who spoke a little English and handed me the phone. I never did understand where he said they wanted to go; and I told him what my travel plans were. That was when he asked to talk to his friend again--who he probably told 'the stupid American doesn't know where the hell he is.' Not much was said after that. We drove on about 10 km and came to a military checkpoint--still in the middle of nowhere--and my passengers got out at the checkpoint. I drove about another 10 km and finally came to a road sign and traffic circle which offered the first clue that I may not be where I thought I was. After a few mins pouring over the map, I finally figured out where I was. The only way for me to reach the Indian Ocean would be to back track back into the UAE and correct my mistake or continue south for about 400kms to Muscat...neither option was palatable, so I turned right and headed to Mazyed to reenter the UAE and head back to Dubai.

Still a fun, interesting day...enjoy the pics