Luxury Camping in the Desert in Oman
Laura Jeffrey, Destination expert.
The last time I went camping, it involved a non-waterproof tent in a storm, rock hard ground without a sleeping mat and an anaesthetist’s dose of alcohol to cope with the lack of peace, quiet and general comfort. How times change.
After a gorgeous lunch in an utterly deserted gorge and a refreshing dip in a clear stream, we head towards the coast through the dramatic, rocky scenery. Parking up by a tiny fishing station, we take the small speedboat over the pristine coral and clear blue sea towards a sheltered and otherwise deserted beach. There, ready to welcome us, is the antithesis of the festival camper’s traditional expectation.
A large living tent with day beds, books, lamps and the gentle, wafting scent of Frankincense occupies the centre of the camp, looking out to sea. The BBQ is set up and the local fisherman has just dropped off the tuna that was ordered from him this morning and caught an hour ago. After a gentle snorkel, taking in coral more lush than I have seen in Thailand or even the Maldives and a meander through the underwater forest with a turtle as my companion, a G+T greets me by the deck chairs on the porch area outside my tent. As tempting as it looks, the lovely double bed, lined with crisp linen, can wait just a little longer.
