Over the weekend 9th - 10th March the Motorrad Abu Dhabi (MAD) and Dubai Motorrad (DUM - unofficial) rode to the Oman Dive Centre south of Muscat. A group of 9 riders and two passengers completed the group.
On the morning of Friday 9th March we departed Abu Dhabi around 7:30 am for the old Al Ain Intercontinental Hotel (now Danat Hotel) where we would meet up with several other riders from Dubai and also bid farewell to some riders from Abu Dhabi with other commitments. The weather was cool and foggy along the way with many riders using their heated handgrips for the first time and wearing extra layers. The bikes also got unusually wet while riding through the condensing fog…. After breakfast, those going on to Oman headed for the border crossing.
For me, this was the first time I was leaving AbuDhabi for Oman as a tourist. I had brought all possible paperwork (Carnet de Passage, Tourist Transfer Certificate, International Driving Licence, Insurance, Abu Dhabi Licence and registration and Passport) should it be required by the local authorities. The basics were all that were necessary and all I needed to answer was "I'm a tourist" when asked about residency.
We crossed at Khatam Al Shukla border crossing from UAE into Oman where there is around 20kms of 'no man's land' until you reach the Oman border crossing. Once through into Oman officially there is a fabulous new road with bends that continues on towards Muscat. Obviously, with bends few and far between they are always a welcome addition to the trip.
After arriving at the Oman Dive Centre in the afternoon sun it was time for a relaxing, and cleansing beer or two (since our riding for the day had concluded). Shortly thereafter, the Muscat Harley Owners Group appeared (they knew of one of our riders and had organised to meet and show us around) and offered us a mini-bus to their 'clubhouse' for dinner and a few more drinks. Thank you Muscat Harley Owners Group for your wonderful hospitality.
Next day it was an early start for some with a relaxing swim in the Omani Indian Ocean before breakfast. After breakfast, relaxing and packing up we left Oman Dive Centre for Al Sawadi Resort and Spa for our lunch break. By lunch the wind was picking up….
Leaving after lunch it was obvious that the trip home was not going to be as quiet and free of buffeting as the journey into Oman. The winds had picked up and brought the sand along for the ride. At times visibility was less than 200m with sand and dust blowing across the highway at high speed. Briefly the sand and dust cleared up while the wind persisted.
After crossing back the border back into Abu Dhabi close to 5 pm it was time to get back for dinner. It was obvious that the wind had been blowing sand all day when the 120km/hr speed limited highway had drifts of sand in the slow lane - an occasional obstacle in the UAE.
We all avoided the sand traps, making it back to Abu Dhabi in time for dinner with family and/or friends after a fabulous weekend away in Oman.