Mimo Khair Creative

Today’s adventure took us to breathtaking heights—quite literally! After an hour of climbing over 3000 meters, we arrived at Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman’s stunning Green Mountain. The journey itself was a thrill, navigating steep inclines and hair-raising descents before reaching a tiny village perched amidst dramatic mountain peaks.

We began the day in Nizwa wearing T-shirts under the warm sun, but as evening approached, we prepared for near-freezing temperatures—a stark contrast that left us in awe of the region’s diverse climate and scenery.

Exploring the village’s narrow streets felt like stepping into another world. The alleyways, perched on the edge of the mountain, were so tiny and winding that they seemed to lead nowhere. But as we wandered aimlessly, a voice called out: “Hello! How are you? Where are you going? Do you know where you’re going?”

I looked up to see an Omani man with a wide, warm smile gazing down at us. When I replied, “No, I don’t,” he chuckled and said, “I thought so.”

He invited us up to his terrace, where we discovered his incredible story. His name was Anwar, which fittingly means “light.” He comes from a family of traditional rose essence makers and, to my surprise, shares my education field as a geologist. Anwar is also an astronomer who organizes stargazing events from his terrace, which he was preparing for that evening.

Anwar took the time to explain the traditional process of making rose essence on the Green Mountain. He also guided us around his stunning terrace, sharing tales of the stars, the sunset, and even local legends. One story stood out—a rock formation atop the mountain said to be a woman and her daughter turned to stone.

As we admired the views, he explained the reason for the village’s tiny doors. Contrary to my whimsical guess about fairies and little people, it turns out they were built small because juniper trees, which provided wood for construction, produced short planks.

In just a short time, Anwar felt like an old friend. His warmth and stories brought a magical dimension to our day, proving once again the beauty of traveling without an agenda and embracing life’s surprises.

If you ever visit Jabal Al Akhdar, I can’t recommend Anwar’s stargazing adventures and sunset dinners enough (which my sister and I plan on one day taking part in). You can follow him on Instagram at @parallax_beyond for a truly unforgettable experience.

Today reminded me why I love to travel—it’s moments like these that leave you feeling profoundly grateful.