Day 3.
At the hotel restaurant just after 7:30am for breakfast again.
I was eating by myself this morning as I had to be at the hotel dive shop by 8:30am for my scuba dive at Dibba Rock.
And at the onsite Palms Dive Center getting fitted out for a wetsuit.
Also on this mornings dive excursion were some American expats who had come across from Dubai earlier this morning.
Our dive instructor, Neil from Durban, briefing on us on our dive at Dibba Rock this morning.
And in the water and about to head down.
Fish swimming in the waters surrounding Dibba Rock.
Today's dive was relatively shallow at 6-12 meters deep.
It had been over two years since my last dive but I quickly got my buoyancy and breathing under control and it felt great to be back underwater again.
There had been recent storms so while the visibility wasn't perfect it was still very reasonable.
A colourful striped lion fish hiding amongst the sea urchins.
There was little current so we just slowly made our way around the rock wall.
Despite living in the UAE for 10+ years it was my first time diving in the Gulf of Oman.
Hundreds of fish along the rock wall.
A small moray eel keeping its eyes on us.
On the surface again after ~50 minutes under the sea.
And about to climb aboard the boat at the end of a relaxing and very enjoyable dive.
Back onshore I met up with the ladies at the hotel café. For the Christmas season they redecorated with real gingerbead.
My cappuccino and biscotti, Rianda's fruit juice and her mum's earl grey tea. We also couldn't resist getting some Christmas gingerbread cookies to takeaway.
In the afternoon we headed outside to the hotel pool.
And Hannelie enjoyed her first ever swim in the toddlers pool.
The water was heated to 30+°C so she probably though it was just another bath though!
After the swim we went for a walk to the gazebo at the end of the jetty.
And the ladies posing for a three generation portrait.
In the evening we headed to the hotel bar for a drink.
Riandas Mum's gin & tonic on the left with Rianda's Strawberry Delight mocktail centre made with pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and strawberries. My Bull Frog cocktail (right) with its potent blend of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, blue curaçao and Red Bull. It had quite a kick and definitely put my in holiday mode!
And for dinner we shared the grilled fish & chips and pepperoni pizza from the bar menu at the end of a relaxing day 3.
Day 4.
After a very good sleep I went for a run into the city of Dibba.
A map of the UAE in the colours of the countries flag painted on the side of a rocky cliff.
Passing by a local branch of HFC.
About to head back after reaching Dibba Pot Roundabout.
And back at the Radisson with Rianda and Hannelie enjoying a lazy sleep in.
Hannelie wasn't quite ready to wake up though and decided to make the most of the soft hotel duvet.
At 9am we headed to the restaurant again to enjoy one last hotel buffet breakfast.
Enjoying some tasty fried eggs, sausages and french toast.
With only a few hours until we had to depart we headed to the eastern hotel pool to relax in the morning sun.
One last dip in the pool.
And one last holiday selfie before packing the car for our return home.
We then reluctantly checked out just before midday.
Our drive back to Dubai today was 161 kilometres and just under 2 hours.
Making the turn off to Dubai on the outskirts of Dibba.
Driving through the moon-like landscape on the E87 highway.
And emerging out into the desert at the end of a great four days in Dibba!
