Illegally in Oman

The reason why I was illegally in Oman started with the flight from Nairobi to Dubai. When I got a Business Class upgrade from Emirates Airlines. What a pity! There was plenty of champagne on board. You are forced to order a few glasses. When I arrived in an awesome mood in Dubai, my passport fell out of my pocket in a shopping center.

A day later I took notice of it when we already had been driving through the desert for quite some time. So what next? Have an exciting road trip in the desert state or struggle for a week with tedious administrative procedures? First option. Logically. The problem with the document search can start either immediately or a little later. Adventure first. So I just reported the loss to the shopping mall through a phone call and asked them to get back to me if it was found.

We followed our navigation device to Wadi Hatta. An almost dry river near Hatta. Unfortunately we were not informed that Hatta is located in the United Arab Emirates, while Wadi Hatta is already part of Oman. Funny. Because on our route to the desert oasis we’re suddenly in front of the border of the Sultanate of Oman. And I don’t have a passport with me!

It was no longer possible to turn around because the border police officer was already approaching and calling us to come. The officer was decorated with an AK-47. Plus an army suit, spring boots, a mustache and a tight-fitting Barrett. Window down. Passport control. I couldn’t show anything to him. The border officer immediately ordered us to turn back. Then I said: “I’m sorry. I just wanted to visit Wadi Hatta for an hour and didn’t know that it was already in Oman.” And the border police officer replied: “Ok. Keep driving. But only for 1 hour and no photos.” Wow! In such a conservative country I would have expected everything but that. So this is my first authorized illegal stay in an Arab country.

What happens when you deviate from rules every now and then. Speaking of breaking rules… Empowered by our new freedom euphoria, we decided not only to hurry up for Wadi Hatta, but to travel much deeper into the Hajar Mountains of Oman. Let’s make use of this! We saw barren mountain landscapes, exciting homes as well as swimming and doing some cliff jumps at Wadi Hatta. And of course we took lots of photos all day long. What an interesting area!

We made our way back to the Emirates when it was already dusk. Now it was getting really interesting. Because after all, we didn’t know if the same border guard was still at the border. Neither I’ve had a visa permit for Oman nor was I able to present my passport. In fact, I was not allowed to be either in Oman or in the Emirates.

We slowed our car down before the border. The border police officer was already stopping us. Fortunately, it was the same guy. Window down. He saw my face, we winked at each other and exchanged high-fives. Unbelievable! A few minutes later I got a call. They found my passport in the Dubai Shopping Mall and it is ready for me to take away.