It is easy to be cynical when you listen to companies talk about their CSR [corporate social responsibility] initiatives.
I get to hear a great deal about them and they range from the well-meant, well-thought out ideas that make a continued impact on their surroundings to those that are desperate attempts to get coverage with the fact they spent a day cleaning the grounds of their property.
It would be a lie to portray myself as someone who is involved in CSR. In fact I am one of those Brits who when told global warming would mean hotter summers and sea levels that might create a beach at the bottom of my garden, started burning tyres in their back yard.
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So when the opportunity to sample the Zighi Bay Build a Smile package arose, my focus was on the opportunity to stay at Zighi Bay, not on the three hours of work our group from ITP was to undertake in return for the stay.
The plan was to arrive at two in the afternoon at Zighy Bay, spend the afternoon exploring the site, partake in blindfolded dining in the evening, with the Build a Smile initiative on the following morning.
The drive into Oman was great and a quick flash of our passports saw us into the Mussandam Peninsula.
At the end of a dust track into the mountains we saw base camp and were greeted by five or six staff with 4x4s to take us over the mountain and down to the bay.
The track up the mountain is steep, offering great views and a sense of adventure while a multitude of goats prance about the cliffs.
The car stops at the peak for guests to look down at the resort nestled on the left of the beach, while the new Zhihy Bay village for Omanis is on the right.
The first thing you notice on arrival is the beautiful simplicity of the resort. The natural materials on their own would make for a ramshackle appearance, but as a whole it is nothing less than stunning.
It is one of the most beautifully designed properties I have seen, with clever touches that seamlessly hide modern appliances and eyesores such as air conditioning units.
The walk through the central area with restaurants, a bar, a library and shop offers a stunning view across the pool onto the beach where sun loungers await those who are feeling social, which turns out to be very few.
Most people prefer the seclusion of their villas and private pools, where chefs can be called to create barbeques while you lounge in the pool or curl up in the comfy shaded sofas.
I’m very lucky that the perk of my job is staying in fantastic hotels. I have stayed in some beautiful places, but for the first time in a long time I was completely taken aback by my villa.
I took a video that you can see if you click here. It saves me writing and you can get a much clearer idea of the place.
I grabbed my newly purchased snorkel, grabbed my bike (each villa has a bike rack with bikes to get around the village style set up of the resort) and took to the water.
It wasn’t crystal clear, but dhows can be arranged to take you further along the coast and there were plenty of fish and crabs to keep me occupied.
Many people find it hard to unwind, it can take days or weeks before people feel truly relaxed when on holiday, but Zighi Bay is so beautifully thought out, so at one in its surroundings, a wave of contentment washes over you from the very first hours you are there (I know that sounds a little dramatic, but it is true).
I was highly skeptical at the the idea of being blind folded while dining, as were some of my colleagues.
However, as the blindfolds went on outside of our venue and we all formed a line with a hand on the shoulder of the person in front, we marched cautiously into the room.
Hearing, and touch became more sensitive and the concept allowed for interesting conversation.
Furthermore, the food we were presented with was superb, from the pea and mint soup starter right through to the incredible deserts.
I recommend anyone who has not tried blindfolded dining to give it a go.
As the chef said, you will forget even a great meal in a couple of months, but you are unlikely to ever forget dining in the dark.
Sure you drop food on your apron, you miss your glass, you keep putting empty forks to your mouth and then half a steak up to your forehead, but it just adds to the great atmosphere.
When the lights are turned back on and blindfolds removed you see the room for the first time - another real treat.
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