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brooke beyond

the category

Utah

Arizona / New Mexico / USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #36: Bisti Badlands, Monument Valley & Kanab

17 November 2021
USA / Utah

5 incredible ways to explore Zion National Park

2 July 2021
USA / Utah

8 amazing hikes in Zion National Park

2 July 2021
USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #13: Wasatch Mountains & Salt Lake City

8 June 2021
USA / Utah

Rock Canyon: The ultimate backcountry canyoneering tour with East Zion Experiences

6 June 2021
USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #12: Zion, Kanab & Bryce Canyon

5 June 2021
USA / Utah

The ultimate 1-day Zion National Park itinerary: 9 best hikes & viewpoints (post-COVID)

31 May 2021
USA / Utah

An epic afternoon of climbing at Lambs Knoll with Rock Odysseys

27 May 2021
USA / Utah

The best half-day canyoneering tour with East Zion Experiences

27 May 2021
USA / Utah

Everything you need to know about hiking the Subway (bottom up) in Zion National Park

24 May 2021
USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #11: Zion National Park

24 May 2021
Arizona / USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #10: Kanab, Page & North Rim

24 May 2021
USA / Utah

Canyonlands National Park itinerary: Druid Arch hike & best viewpoints

19 January 2021
USA / Utah

The ultimate 1-day Arches National Park itinerary: 17 best viewpoints & hikes (post-COVID)

17 January 2021

hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
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recent posts

  • 2-week Montenegro road-trip itinerary: epic hiking, Riviera beaches & wine country

    3 September 2025
  • 10-day Switzerland itinerary: Zermatt, Interlaken, Jungfrau & beyond!

    31 August 2025
  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    2-week Mexico volcanoes itinerary: climbing Pico de Orizaba, Izta, Malinche & Toluca

    3 June 2025
  • Mexico City: the perfect 5-day itinerary for CDMX

    31 May 2025
  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    Driving in Mexico: essential road trip guide for foreigners

    28 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • magical moments from our road trip around Oman ✨

places in this video:
* Yiti Round Point of View
* Wahiba Sands
* Ad Daymaniyat Islands
* Nizwa Fort
* Birkat Al Mouz Village Ruins
* Nizwa
* Samail Fort
* Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
* Jebel Shams
* Jabreen Castle

Is Oman on your bucket list yet?!

—

#oman #nizwafort #jebelshams #wahibasands
  • I climbed on Aconcagua on a 10-day solo expedition last year and it was absolutely one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life, but it requires A LOT of planning & preparation to pull off!! 😵‍💫

🚨comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list 🚨

I distilled everything that I learned about solo permits, logistics services, base camp facilities, reading the weather, what to pack, and more into a MASSIVE blog post— which I just updated with new 2025/2026 permit prices and changes to service plans!!— so I’d absolutely recommend anyone planning a solo expedition to check it out:

🔗brookebeyond.com/solo-climbing-aconcagua

Before my own expedition, I had the most questions about what gear to bring, so I’ve also written a super detailed packing list with every single item that I wore or used to get me safely to 6,963m without a guide or group (plus what I would add or subtract based on my experience):

🔗brookebeyond.com/aconcagua-expedition-packing-list

And finally, I built a GPS map of the exact route, showing all base + high camps and important landmarks— so you can navigate confidently and just focus on the climb!!

🔗shop.brookebeyond.com/b/aconcagua

👉🏼 comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list!!

———

#aconcagua #7summits #expedition #soloclimbing
  • In a land of sand and stone, Jabreen Castle feels like a secret garden 🌺

—

#oman #nizwa #castle #jabreencastle
  • WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
  • Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
  • a small collection of our favourite temples in Upper Egypt 🤩✨

which would you want to visit first??

—

#egypt #luxor #ancientegypt
  • Carved in the cliffs of Luxor’s West Bank lies the Valley of the Kings, the ancient necropolis where Egypt’s mighty pharaohs were entombed for eternity. From 1550–1070 BCE, more than 60 royal tombs were carved into the rock, their walls covered in vivid hieroglyphs and celestial maps to guide each ruler safely into the afterlife.

Of all the incredible ancient sites in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings struck me the deepest. The colours are just so vivid and the art still feels so alive… a time-capsule that’s perfectly preserved 3000yrs of history. The wonder of it all literally brought me to tears 🥺

TIPS FOR VISITING

🎟️ there are usually ~12 tombs open at any given time & the standard ticket will get you into any 3 of the basic lot (while a few of the most special ones require an extra ticket)

Which tombs to visit👇
🔹 Tomb of Ramses IV (KV2) — one of the best preserved, with a soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling painted deep blue and covered in golden stars
🔹 Tomb of Merneptah (KV8) — long, descending corridors lined with detailed reliefs that still show traces of their original colour
🔹 Tomb of Ramses III (KV11) — features striking battle scenes and the Book of Gates, illustrating the pharaoh’s journey through the night
🔹 Tomb of Ramses V/VI (KV9) — ($4 extra ticket) — the ceilings are covered in intricate astronomical scenes, including the Book of the Heavens.
🔹 Tomb of Seti I (KV17) — ($40 extra ticket) — the most exquisite of them all, with incredible depth, vivid paintwork, and intricate carvings that make it feel almost alive

—

#egypt #valleyofthekings #ancientegypt #luxor
  • After 3 trips to Cairo, here’s what I’d recommend if you only had 1 full day to see the highlights:

1️⃣ 6.30am: light brekky on your hotel rooftop
- book a hotel in Giza with a rooftop terrace and enjoy a light breakfast overlooking the pyramids before heading out!

2️⃣ 7am: start at the Giza Plateau (pyramids + sphinx)
- arrive at opening to enjoy the complex to yourself before tour buses arrive ~9am
- new shuttle bus system inside the complex as of late 2025—> take the bus to the King Khafre stop (this is the pyramid with partial casing on the top) and then walk around the backside of the Great Pyramid
- in the interest of time, I’d recommend skipping the inside of the pyramid (it takes at least 30min and there’s not much to see)
- catch the shuttle to the Sphinx

3️⃣ 10.30am: brunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge
- reservation required to access this area— worth it for the view!
- from the Visitor’s Centre, take the shuttle out to the lounge >30min before your reservation to allow time for photos
- our absolute favourite view of the pyramids is a short walk to the left of the restaurant

4️⃣ 1pm: Saqqara Necropolis
- about 1hr from Giza (hire a driver)
- Pyramid of Teti: descend steep steps into the tomb to see incredible deep relief hieroglyphs & stars on the ceiling
- Tomb of Mereruk: large interior with some preserved colour & great representations of daily life
- Djoser Step Pyramid + tomb: another cool pyramid to enter!

*OR if you want a fancy lunch and more time at the museum, skip Saqqara and swap 9 Pyramids Lounge for Khufu’s (also inside Giza Plateau)

5️⃣ 4pm: Grand Egyptian Museum
- 1hr drive back to Giza
- spend 2-3hrs exploring the museum (galleries close an hour earlier, so start there and then explore the hall)
- open until 10pm on Sat or Wed, otherwise until 7pm

6️⃣ dinner at Zooba
- one of our favourite restaurants in Cairo, with a location right inside the GEM complex

—

#egypt #pyramids #giza #cairo
  • For hundreds of years, people have been cruising the Nile as a way to experience the incredible temples and tombs of Upper Egypt (and for thousands of years before that, as a means of transporting the raw materials used to BUILD these temples).

And here’s what we’ve learned after multiple Nile Cruises: it’s a classic for a reason. 

This is the absolute best way to experience ancient Egypt, and it’s a joy for us to come back year after year (after year) to spend more time on this storied river, soaking in the magic of so many millennia.

If you like the idea of a Nile Cruise but have noooo idea what’s involved, here’s some quick info:
🔹most cruises run between Luxor and Aswan over 3-5 days
🔹cruises include full board (3 meals per day) and guided visits to all of the sites along the route— you’ll dock outside ancient temples and step off the boat to explore!
🔹expect to pay anything from $500-$10k per room, depending on how budget vs fancy the boat is
🔹the standard itinerary includes: East Bank of Luxor (Karnak + Luxor Temples), West Bank (Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings), Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple (and it’s easy to tack on Abu Simbel)

Would you go on a Nile Cruise?? 👇🏻

—
#egpyt #nilecruise #luxor
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

  • magical moments from our road trip around Oman ✨

places in this video:
* Yiti Round Point of View
* Wahiba Sands
* Ad Daymaniyat Islands
* Nizwa Fort
* Birkat Al Mouz Village Ruins
* Nizwa
* Samail Fort
* Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
* Jebel Shams
* Jabreen Castle

Is Oman on your bucket list yet?!

—

#oman #nizwafort #jebelshams #wahibasands
  • I climbed on Aconcagua on a 10-day solo expedition last year and it was absolutely one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life, but it requires A LOT of planning & preparation to pull off!! 😵‍💫

🚨comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list 🚨

I distilled everything that I learned about solo permits, logistics services, base camp facilities, reading the weather, what to pack, and more into a MASSIVE blog post— which I just updated with new 2025/2026 permit prices and changes to service plans!!— so I’d absolutely recommend anyone planning a solo expedition to check it out:

🔗brookebeyond.com/solo-climbing-aconcagua

Before my own expedition, I had the most questions about what gear to bring, so I’ve also written a super detailed packing list with every single item that I wore or used to get me safely to 6,963m without a guide or group (plus what I would add or subtract based on my experience):

🔗brookebeyond.com/aconcagua-expedition-packing-list

And finally, I built a GPS map of the exact route, showing all base + high camps and important landmarks— so you can navigate confidently and just focus on the climb!!

🔗shop.brookebeyond.com/b/aconcagua

👉🏼 comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list!!

———

#aconcagua #7summits #expedition #soloclimbing
  • In a land of sand and stone, Jabreen Castle feels like a secret garden 🌺

—

#oman #nizwa #castle #jabreencastle
  • WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
  • Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
magical moments from our road trip around Oman ✨ places in this video: * Yiti Round Point of View * Wahiba Sands * Ad Daymaniyat Islands * Nizwa Fort * Birkat Al Mouz Village Ruins * Nizwa * Samail Fort * Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque * Jebel Shams * Jabreen Castle Is Oman on your bucket list yet?! — #oman #nizwafort #jebelshams #wahibasands
1 day ago
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@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
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I climbed on Aconcagua on a 10-day solo expedition last year and it was absolutely one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life, but it requires A LOT of planning & preparation to pull off!! 😵‍💫 🚨comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list 🚨 I distilled everything that I learned about solo permits, logistics services, base camp facilities, reading the weather, what to pack, and more into a MASSIVE blog post— which I just updated with new 2025/2026 permit prices and changes to service plans!!— so I’d absolutely recommend anyone planning a solo expedition to check it out: 🔗brookebeyond.com/solo-climbing-aconcagua Before my own expedition, I had the most questions about what gear to bring, so I’ve also written a super detailed packing list with every single item that I wore or used to get me safely to 6,963m without a guide or group (plus what I would add or subtract based on my experience): 🔗brookebeyond.com/aconcagua-expedition-packing-list And finally, I built a GPS map of the exact route, showing all base + high camps and important landmarks— so you can navigate confidently and just focus on the climb!! 🔗shop.brookebeyond.com/b/aconcagua 👉🏼 comment SUMMIT + I’ll DM you links to my expedition guide + packing list!! ——— #aconcagua #7summits #expedition #soloclimbing
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
In a land of sand and stone, Jabreen Castle feels like a secret garden 🌺

—

#oman #nizwa #castle #jabreencastle
In a land of sand and stone, Jabreen Castle feels like a secret garden 🌺

—

#oman #nizwa #castle #jabreencastle
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
In a land of sand and stone, Jabreen Castle feels like a secret garden 🌺 — #oman #nizwa #castle #jabreencastle
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨

Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition.

We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall.

We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. 

It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. 

The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views.

EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️

—

#oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
WELCOME TO OMAN 🇴🇲✨ Nestled between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, Oman unfolds in a tapestry of sand, stone & silence— a desert kingdom shaped by centuries of tradition. We spent 2 weeks road-tripping between ancient forts, sparkling wadis, golden dunes, and mud-brick villages seemingly lost in time. And while the natural beauty has completely astounded us (along with the near-total lack of people!), Oman is also the most conservative country we’ve personally visited—and it’s left us with slightly mixed feelings overall. We felt the conservatism in many ways, but it was certainly the most heartbreaking to see official signs declaring homosexuality a “crime” upon arriving to several towns. I know this isn’t unique to Oman by any means, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it so clearly and openly stated on our travels, and that was really confronting. It’s brought up a lot of feelings for us about the privilege that we have as a cis heterosexual couple travelling in many parts of the world— where we almost certainly wouldn’t feel safe as a trans or gay couple. The world is a terrible and incredible and heartbreaking and beautiful place, all at once. So perhaps the best thing we can do is share a balanced perspective— the stunning views AND the hard truths about some of the places we travel. Not to discourage you from visiting, but to consider more than just the beautiful views. EDIT: It seems a lot of people in the comments have misinterpreted this caption as me disparaging Omani people for their customs— to be clear, we met nothing but kind local people and I’m sure there are many in the country who also do not agree with the rigid laws or hateful ideologies promoted by the government. Like any country, there is good and bad, but I don’t personally want to be the kind of traveller who refuses to reflect on that nuance just because “it’s not my place as a visitor”. This is my page, these are my thoughts and feelings, please take it or leave it— but definitely leave the hurtful comments, there’s simply no need to be unkind ❤️ — #oman #nizwa #muscat #middleeast
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨

The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own.

—

#egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
Welcome to Siwa Oasis, a shimmering mirage at the edge of the Sahara & perhaps the most unexpected corner of Egypt ✨ The only way to reach this tiny settlement is by driving nearly 10hrs from Cairo, but the lack of airport or easy connections does come with its benefits… Siwa is rustic, uncrowded, and blissfully untouched. A world all its own. — #egypt #siwaoasis #siwa
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

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