Sandcastle Magic

Yesterday was a special treat; the Muscat sky had substantial cloud cover.  It almost felt like it was going to rain.  Of course any hope of rain would have been false.  Showers occur 3 or 4 times a year in Oman, and only in December or January. But, the overcast sky did help to lower the air temperature a bit.  We took advantage of the relatively cooler weather and spent several hours at our neighborhood beach.  This stretch of shoreline could not be any more kid friendly.  The sand is really fine and soft and slopes gently into the ocean.  The waves are small and there almost always seems to be a sandbar not too far off into the water.  And, the sand is perfect for building castles.

Volcano style sand castle.

Click play to see what the castle builders are thinking.

Rolling in the waves.

Click play to see how rough the surf really is.

Click play to see a bobbing toddler.

 Click play to see mother and son afloat.

At the end of the day we headed to a nearby stretch of beach bordered by a number of western and Arabic restaurants.  The draw was the outdoor seating.  We had been under the impression that sitting outdoors for a meal wouldn't be possible until October when the summer heat dissipates.  Well, we dined alfresco, and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Note the fashionable ladies in the background busy on their cell phones.