Bike Path

A sidewalk runs along the shoreline for several miles in a nearby residential area. On one side are houses, coffee shops, and restaurants.  On the other are grassy patches (irrigated), palm trees, sandy beach and then the Sea of Oman.  In the evenings, the grassy patches fill with people.  They stroll, barbecue, laze around and enjoy the setting sun.  The beach fills with soccer players, all men, playing in dozens of soccer pitches that run up and down the coast. 

For his 7th birthday, Eddy got a bicycle.  Over the past few weeks, we've been riding along the sidewalk - Eddy on his bike, Peter on his scooter, and me either running or bicycling too.  We go for up to an hour, weaving among the people, and enjoying the late afternoon light.  Eddy is doing great on his bike and is able to balance and ride without difficulty.  Peter amazes me with his stamina and ability to push himself on his scooter and stay alongside us. It's been a great way for us to get outside, exercise, and be together. 

Upscale houses in the background.

Passing by some Omani women out for a stroll.

Empty patch of grass being watered.

Coffee shop in the background.  Patrons come here mainly to smoke sheesha - a fruit flavored tobacco smoked in a tall water pipe.  Note the sheesha pipes lined up and ready for evening smokers.

Passing by a commercial area with shops and restaurants.

The empty area in the background is a drainage channel which runs from the mountains and into the ocean.  Dozens of these were built throughout the city in the past several years in response to flooding problems that occurred from a cyclone (hurricane) that passed through the area.

Soccer game in background during low tide.