We made a short stop and walked around the enormous fort – the entrance alone with two cannons, signals its former importance. Built on top of pre-Islamic foundations, the massive outer walls date from the 18th century, while the inner keep is of much earlier vintage. The fort is...
We parked overnight next to the castle of Al Awabi, built around the year 1800. This tiny structure was used to guard the thoroughfare to the fertile Wadi Bani Kharus. The castle has a square ground plan with round towers diagonally opposite corners. The tower with the complete stone...
We drove around a long, winding waterway that snakes its way over 30km through dramatic Wadi Bani Kharus. It has only recently become accessible by constructing a paved road along the entire length of the wadi. The wadi has been a prominent agricultural spot in Oman for hundreds of years...
We drove through wide Wadi Mistal. It´s less wadi and more an extension of the Batinah Plain, leading through a narrow gap in the Western Hajar Mountains to an enormous desert basin. Dotted with acacia and grazed by goats, this basin is bisected by an excellent paved road that offers...
Nakhal Fort is one of the most magnificent forts in Oman (🎟️2 OMR), built in an oasis on the foundations of a pre-Islamic structure. Fort has been expanded and renovated by many of the rulers of Oman throughout history. The oldest record of improvement to the fort is during the time of...
Barka Castle dates back to the late 17th century (🎟️3 OMR). The first castle, Ya’arubi, was built to defend against Persian and Portuguese invaders. In 1748, the governor of Sohar, Ahmad Al Bu Said, a promoted merchant, enlarged and strengthened the castle. The newer and bigger...
We spent a few nights in the capital of Oman, scenically wedged between mountains and ocean, with old forts, excellent museums, an opera house, and flower-filled parks. The gentle city of Muscat is a delight to visit. Its name means ‘safe anchorage,’ and the sea plays a vital role in city...
In Northern Oman, just off the road between Dibab and Bimmah, a limestone hole (known as Bimmah Sinkhole) is formed six hundred meters from the sea in an otherwise flat area, resulting in a turquoise mix of fresh and salt water. Geologists have confirmed the 20-meter deep pool is, in...
We arrived in the city of Sur in the Gulf of Oman. Once famous for dhow-building, Sur’s boatyards are still functioning and open to visitors (🎟️1 OMR). By the sixth century, Sur had become an essential center for trade with East Africa. Later, its reach expanded all across the...
We made a short stop at Al Kamil Wal Wafi. It has two main towns, which are Al Kamil and Al Wafi. Al Kamil is home to an extraordinary museum, which was unfortunately closed. This private castle houses the personal collection of Sheikh Khalfan Al Hashmi. His great-grandfather owned the...