Between Desert Calm and Coastal Luxury: Oman, Take Two (2011–2012)

In late 2011, my wife and I returned to the Sultanate of Oman for our second TEFL adventure. Having previously taught in Ibri, this time we were based in the town of Rustaq, teaching at the College of Applied Sciences. From dusty backstreets to luxury resorts, from classroom challenges to unforgettable road trips, this chapter of our teaching journey combined professional growth with meaningful cultural immersion.

At Rustaq College of Applied Sciences, we taught English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to foundation-year students preparing for degrees in IT, Business, and Education. Our curriculum focused on writing, research skills, and academic speaking. Some students were enthusiastic and quick to adapt to English-medium instruction. Others needed encouragement and patience.

Our colleague and office-mate, Sara from India, brought years of experience and a calm, methodical energy that kept me grounded. Together, we navigated high teaching loads, tight marking deadlines, and occasional cultural misunderstandings. It was a test of adaptability and professional maturity—skills that continue to serve me well.

Rustaq, nestled in the Al Hajar mountains, is known for its historic forts and palm-shaded wadis. But for newcomers, the town offered few modern comforts. Our initial apartment was stark and stifling, with tired furniture and minimal amenities. We coped with the Gulf heat, stocked up at Makkah Supermarket, and occasionally treated ourselves at the local Pizza Hut.

After a couple of months, we were fortunate to relocate to the Millennium Resort in Al Musannah, a five-star resort built for the 2010 Asian Beach Games. There, we lived in a stylish studio (later upgraded to a one-bedroom suite) with a view of the marina and the Gulf of Oman. The contrast was striking: palm-lined pools, pristine beaches, and cool evenings walking the shoreline replaced the dusty routines of Rustaq.

Our time living at the Millennium Resort in Al Mussanah felt like a unique blend of retreat and real life. Nestled between sea and sand, it was a calm and beautiful base for our second teaching chapter in Oman. We stayed there during a time of personal milestones and unexpected challenges—and the rhythm of life in and around the Millennium helped us navigate them all.

🍗 Meals became moments of comfort and connection.
When my wife broke her ankle, I was juggling teaching responsibilities and preparing for the final paper of my BA (Hons) in Development Studies, which I would later write at the South African Embassy in Muscat. During those weeks, one small act of kindness stood out: Bubly, the warm and welcoming Egyptian manager at the local KFC, always greeted me with a smile and kind words when I stopped by to pick up KFC Twisters—a small comfort we both appreciated back at the hotel.

🍕 We also discovered nearby gems in Al Mussanah, the town closest to the Millennium.
There was a humble Indian coffee shop that served whole grilled chickens for just 1 OMR—an absolute steal and a lifesaver on more than one tired evening. And when we craved a slice of normalcy, we’d treat ourselves to the Pizza Hut nearby, a taste of familiarity that felt like a portal to home.

🚗 Our blue Toyota Yaris became our trusted weekend companion, taking us on long, unhurried drives along Oman’s peaceful coast.
With no firm destination, we followed the call of the road:

• 🐚 Collected seashells on the Millennium’s beach

• 🐟 Explored sleepy coastal towns like Barka and Suwaiq

• 🧃 Stopped for grilled fish at roadside stands or fresh guava juice in local markets

• 📸 Snapped photo after photo of boats, camels, beaches, and backroads

🏖️ And when we didn’t feel like going anywhere, the Millennium itself was an oasis.
We’d unwind at the infinity pool, sip drinks at the waterfront, or simply take long evening walks along the resort’s quiet beach, often without another soul in sight.

These simple rituals—twisters and takeout, drives and discoveries—became the heartbeat of our days. They reminded us that even in remote corners of the world, life finds its rhythm, joy hides in the ordinary, and home can be built not just with bricks, but with memories.

🏝️ Life at the Millennium came with unexpected companionship, too. Early on, we bought a small fishbowl and filled it with a few colorful fish to brighten up our hotel apartment. One by one, they disappeared—except for Ed, a resilient little swimmer who became our unofficial mascot. Ed the fish survived right until the end of our stay.

When it was time to leave Oman, I handed him over to Anushka, a kind-hearted Sri Lankan staff member who worked at the hotel. Along the way, we also struck up a friendship with Rita, the warm and spirited Nigerian housekeeping manager, whose energy and laughter became part of our daily routine. These quiet human (and fish!) connections made the Millennium feel less like a resort—and more like home.

We also made frequent trips to Muscat, walking the scenic Muttrah Corniche, exploring the historic Muttrah Souq, and indulging in strawberry cheesecake at the Intercontinental Hotel. Each visit to the capital gave us a dose of urban energy and cultural contrast.

Our time in Oman included two unforgettable cross-border trips to the UAE:

1. Al Ain (December 2011)
We visited my brother and his family in Al Ain. Highlights included the Al Ain Palace Museum, a drive up Jebel Hafeet, and a festive Christmas buffet at the Mercure Grand Hotel. The cool air and family warmth made it one of our most heartwarming holiday moments abroad.

2. Fujairah & Dubai (Mid-2012)
We joined Eva, a South African colleague, on a road trip to Fujairah, staying with her friend—another South African expat. After exploring Fujairah’s corniche and souqs, we decided to take a day trip to Dubai. That’s when things got adventurous.

Halfway to Dubai, the car overheated in the desert. With no cell signal and blazing heat, the situation became serious. Thankfully, a truck driver gave me a lift to the nearest shop, where I arranged for a taxi. We eventually made it back to Fujairah—tired, grateful, and with an unforgettable story.

This chapter tested our resilience in new ways. While I balanced teaching and preparing for final exams for my Honours degree in Development Studies, my wife was recovering from a broken ankle. Despite these challenges, we found joy in the everyday: evening drives, poolside conversations, lesson breakthroughs, and shared adventures.

Teaching in Rustaq and living in Al Musannah deepened my ability to adapt, connect across cultures, and stay steady under pressure. It reminded me why I chose this path—to teach, explore, and grow beyond borders.

Our second stint in Oman was both softer and richer than the first. With better living conditions and wider exploration, it gave us the breathing room to appreciate Oman’s understated magic.

From the marina lights of the Millennium to the desert breakdowns en route to Dubai, it was a chapter of contrasts—one that left us wiser, closer, and ever more curious about the world.

As our time in Oman drew to a close, we didn’t leave with grand souvenirs or dramatic farewells—just a suitcase of memories, a few seashells, and the quiet certainty that this chapter had changed us. Life on the coast taught us to slow down, find joy in simplicity, and embrace the in-between moments.

Oman had once again given us more than we expected—and left a mark that no tide could wash away.