Salalah. Oman

Tuesday,  March 29, 2011                                                           7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Palms, tropical fruit trees, and aromatic foliage surround Salalah.  Unusually fertile and irrigated with traditional aflaj systems (subterranean channels that link and conduct underground water reserves), agriculture is a mainstay.  Although it is now a modern place, Omani tradition pervades.  It is noted for inviting white sand beaches.  The steep Dhofar mountains add dramatic beauty.

A few thousand years ago, when new religions were vying with long-established faiths, Frankincense became important throughout the known world.  Southern Arabia and a small part of northern Africa were the only places boswellia trees could grow.

Modern Oman is home to the Port of Salalah; its location makes it a major entry point to India, the Middle East and Africa.  Salalah is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar.  It is the second largest town in the Sultanate of Oman and a traditional stronghold and birthplace of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said.  The Sultan traditionally lives in Salalah rather than in Muscat, the capital and largest city in Oman.  Salalah despite being in the Arabian desert, enjoys a temperate climate through most of the year.  The town is also subjected to the southeast monsoons between late June and early September.  Visitors from across the Persian Gulf flock here to avoid the harsh heat faced by the rest of the region during this period.

Container transhipment is a significant activity in this port.  In 2007, the port handled 1,584 vessels (although not all were container ships) which totaled nearly 60 million tons in deadweight.



Mughsayl Beach





Frankincense Trees





Camels along the road

Job's tomb



Job's tomb

We began our shore excursion by driving to Mughsayl Beach an unspoiled strand of white with high cliffs at both ends and many picnic areas.   We next went to touch Frankincense trees.  Southern Arabia and a small part of northern Africa were the only places these boswellia trees could grow.  We travelled through the Qara Mountains to Job’s tomb, a sacred place of pilgrimage for Muslims, Christians and Jews.  We stopped for picture taking at Al Hosn Palace, residence of Sultan Qaboos when visiting Dhofar.  The last stop was at the Al Husn Market.

Throughout the afternoon and overnight we will be sailing in the Gulf of Aden.  We are heading for Bab-el-Mandeb which is the relatively narrow stretch of water lying between Yemen to the north and east and Djibouti to the west.  This is the entrance to the Red Sea through which we will be sailing for the next couple of days.