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Oman is a beautiful country with lots to see and lots to do. From the hot sandy dunes, to the beautiful Grand Mosque and wadis, it’s truly breathtaking. We did a bit of everything, and each place was special in its own way. My top 3 experiences in Oman 1: Grand Mosque The Grand Mosque was a gift to the people of Oman from Sultan Qaboos and was created in 2001. It is the biggest mosque in Oman and has a stunning chandelier that weighs over 8 tons- mostly in Swarovski crystals. The Grand Mosque is easily the most impressive mosque I have ever seen. It has 5 minarets, which symbolize the five pillars of Islam. We were very fortunate to go inside the mosque because most mosques in Oman are only open to Muslim worshipers. We made sure to leave plenty of time to explore the mosque before the call to prayer indicated that all non-worshipping visitors had to leave. 2: Wadis A wadi is a dry riverbed that fills up with water during the rainy season, mostly found in Oman. In the past, travelers and traders used wadis as a natural pathway through the mountains and desert. With the hot weather of Oman, it’s a perfect way to cool down while still exploring Oman. Some wadis even have tiny fish that nibble at your feet. It tickles a lot, but it’s super fun to get a “free pedicure”. We swam in some of the wadis and on others just put our feet in. 3: Desert Camp We drove about 2 hours outside of Muscat to once again experience the desert! Before beginning our drive, we let the air out of our tires, preparing for our drive through the sand. The ride was rough and a little scary especially without a 4x4, but we made it safely. We made it just in time for sunset and started tracking up the high dunes. It was incredibly difficult walking up the dunes because your feet would sink in the sand and start sinking down. When we finally made it up, we found a few sleds and slid down the dunes. It was super fun, if only we didn’t have to climb back up again. My favorite thing about the desert? Dune Bashing! The dune bashing wasn’t as intense as in Egypt, but the experience of staying at the desert camp made up for it. It was so much fun to climb, slide, and then we even watched a movie in the desert before dinner. After the exhausting day in the dunes, we headed off to bed, getting ready to drive back in the morning. Oman was such an awesome adventure! There was so much to see and do, and every place we visited felt completely different from the last. The Grand Mosque was huge and super fancy, the wadis were perfect for cooling off, and the desert was just pure fun—especially the sledding! I loved how every experience was exciting in its own way. I never thought I’d get a fish pedicure, climb giant sand dunes, and explore a massive mosque all in the same trip! Oman is definitely a place I’d love to visit again someday.
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India is one of the most colorful and exciting countries in the world. From the spicy street food to the crazy traffic, everything feels like an adventure. My family and I traveled through different parts of India, and I got to experience some of the coolest things—from riding in tuk-tuks to visiting the world-famous Taj Mahal. Here are some of my favorite moments from our trip! 1: Street Food in Chennai Walking through the streets of Chennai felt like playing Crossy Road in real life. Tuk-tuks, cars, and motorcycles zoomed past us, and we had to be quick to dodge them—it was both terrifying and fun! Chennai is famous for its street food, and my parents were excited to try everything. Did you know that Chennai is known as the food capital of South India? The city is famous for dishes like idli, dosa, and spicy Chettinad cuisine. Unfortunately, most of the food was way too spicy for me, so I stuck to drinking fresh coconut water and some of the milder foods. But seeing all the different foods, colorful stalls, and street vendors was really cool. If you ever visit Chennai, I’d definitely recommend doing a food tour—just be ready for the heat! 2: Riding in Tuk-Tuks If you think Indian traffic is wild, wait until you ride in a tuk-tuk! These tiny three-wheeled vehicles are one of the most common (and most fun) ways to get around. Riding in a tuk-tuk feels like being in a real-life video game—dodging cars, squeezing through tiny streets, and zipping past buses. My favorite part? Bargaining for the price! I love arguing with tuk-tuk drivers, and their reactions are hilarious when you offer them a ridiculously low price. It’s all part of the fun. Pro tip: Always negotiate, or you’ll probably end up paying double what a ride actually costs! 3: Staying Overnight on a Houseboat In Allepey, Kerala, we got to stay on a houseboat, which was one of the most unique things I’ve ever done. Houseboats were originally used to transport rice, spices, and goods through the backwaters, but now they’re mostly for tourists. Our boat was small but super cozy, and we spent most of our time on the deck, watching the peaceful jungle scenery pass by. The best part? The ice cream boat! A tiny canoe pulled up next to us, selling different flavors of ice cream, including kulfi, a creamy Indian dessert made from milk, sugar, and cardamom. Eating ice cream while floating through the backwaters was definitely a highlight of the trip! 4: Visiting the Taj Mahal (and other sites in Agra) The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, and after seeing it in person, I understand why. Built in the 1600s by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal is made entirely of white marble that changes color depending on the time of day. It was even more beautiful than I expected, with massive gardens and intricate designs on the walls. The only downside? The three-hour drive from New Delhi felt like forever. But once we got there, it was totally worth it. The Taj Mahal is definitely one of the coolest places I’ve ever been! 5: Exploring a Spice Farm & Tea Plantation India has been known for its spices for centuries—in fact, 70% of the world’s spices come from India! In Munnar (in the state of Kerala), we visited a local spice farm where we got to see, touch, smell, and even taste different spice plants. I loved tasting the fresh cinnamon and smelling the jasmine flowers. We also visited the Lockhart Tea Company plantation, where we saw how tea leaves are hand-picked, dried, and processed. It was crazy to see how much work goes into making a single cup of tea! India was full of surprises, from the delicious food to the chaotic streets and beautiful scenery. While some parts were overwhelming (like the traffic and spice levels), everything we did was an adventure. Whether it was bargaining for tuk-tuk rides, eating ice cream on a houseboat, or standing in front of the Taj Mahal, every experience was something I’ll never forget. More Photos from India: |
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