3 Glorious Sea Days

Between Seychelles and Oman were three full days at sea, leaving the Indian Ocean and entering the Arabian Sea, crossing the equator for the fourth and final time on this voyage. The photo above was taken at approximately the time we were crossing the equator and definitely when we were in the doldrums - the ship and the ocean, not the passengers. Jan did some research on this and it seems that the term originated from the time of sailing ships (lacking motors) that would enter this area of atmospheric depression where nothing seemed to be moving and simply languish for days on end until something pulled them out of the depression. Hmm! Interesting, but Oceania did not give us time to languish about. With our powerful engines and so many, many activities, one of which was certain to whet one's appetite, we might geographically be in the "doldrums" but certainly not emotionally!

While our course was almost due north, the landscape of Oman is certainly a 180 degree turn from Seychelles. From lush tropical scenery to stark, almost barren desert. From white sand and granite soil to dark grayish-black gypsum peaks. Both strikingly beautiful, but definitely different! Our first port in Oman was Salalah located in the southeast corner of the country. Salalah is the birthplace of the former sultan, Qaboos bin Said, and former capital of Oman until it was moved to Muscat which we will visit in two days.

Much prettier than its counterpart in Mexico.

Mughsail Beach, Salalah, Oman

Mother and Daughter out for a stroll and some lunch.

Field of Boswellia trees protected from the totally free range camels.

Purportedly Job's footprint - pictured sideways with toes to the left. Authenticated by?

A portion of Job's grave. Too close quarters to get the entire length in a single shot. No, we were assured that Job was not that tall but that the precise location was uncertain, thus they included all of the area in question.

This sign did not lie!

My excursion of choice for our visit to Salalah was to tour Mughsail Beach and Al Dahriz Village & Lagoon. Initially, it was to also include a visit to Job's tomb but the good folks at Oceania were told that the site was undergoing renovation thus the tomb was scratched. Well fortunately for us the renovations were either completed early or had not yet begun so we were able to visit the burial site of the prophet Job.

Our guide for this day was a most informative young man named Mohasalla, who for the first time in his life agreed to work on this holy day immediately following Ramadan. He would participate in the festivities with his family later in the afternoon, but the morning was spent sharing his love of country and religion with us. Our first destination was Mughsail Beach accessed via a beautiful drive along the coast until we took a sudden detour around a large gypsum mountain. This detour was made necessary by a typhoon taking out a major bridge in 2018. Mohasalla was noticeably upset with the powers that be who had promised to replace the bridge post haste but now five years later the only progress was that the detour was in good repair. When we arrived at the beach we saw massive construction was underway to provide permanent shaded picnic/gathering areas for those who will be coming by the hundreds during the monsoon season. Obviously these tourists have a different idea of "monsoon season" than I. Seems here it is when everything turns green and waterfalls abound. It also coincides with the extremely hot, dry weather in Dubai. Ohh! Now I get it.

An unexpected bonus at the beach were two blow-holes near the coastline. Unfortunately my photography skills came up short while trying to catch the majesty of this natural event.

Then it was onward and upward to Job's tomb. I learned along the way that the story of Job is also a part of the Karan. Mohasalla informed us that all the "messengers of God" were included therein, "even Jesus" but the prophets were more holy with Mohamad being the final prophet, thus most holy. Their town, their country, their beliefs, their privilege. I'm just passing through. Be respectful, as he is being respectful of us. This highly religious day brought many visitors to the Tomb from many beliefs so the line to enter was quite lengthy but at last we reached the excavated site of Job's footprint, then the entry to the tomb itself. The reverence inside was periodically interrupted by a loud, continuous banging on the metal door accompanied by curt instructions in another language, presumably telling those inside their time was at an end.

As we proceeded down the mountainside and back to town, our progress was halted numerous times by camels in the roadway. Large, long trains of camels, adults, teenagers and babies out to feed. We learned that all the camels we were seeing were female due to the fact that male camels were too dangerous to remain in the train/herd. When male camels are born to the herd, they are either killed and eaten or sold. Only the females are kept by the tribes. Any particular tribe may have hundreds of camels, each one as easily identifiable to their owners as the other and are perhaps more loved than their children. Speculation on the bus was that was because the camels did not talk back to them. Unfortunately I was unable to snap a photo of them gathered together closely. The one stop this might have been possible I was captivated by a traffic sign instead.

Third to oil and tourism is Oman's Incense trade. Specifically, frankincense. Our driver obligingly pulled off the road so that we might take pictures of a field of these trees. Yes, it comes from Boswellia trees and is harvested in a somewhat similar method to that of maple syrup. Very involved process reliant upon the humidity or lack thereof for the best quality. The complex harvesting process results in a higher value being attached to the finished product. Mohasalla's wife had insisted that he bring along a bag of the various types which also seem to have differing uses. Some medicinal, some therapeutic, some simply aromatic. A quick Google search later revealed that there are five benefits and seven myths regarding its use. I, however, am unable to discern the various types and thus their uses. She also instructed him to gift us with these samples. I have two chunks since that was what was remaining in the bag when it reached the back of the bus. I tried to return the extra to him at the end of the tour but he declined, instructing me to "enjoy".

Back in the city almost all of the shops were closed due to the holy day so we instead were taken by the former palace of the previous Sultan. Blocks and blocks of magnificent walls surrounding equally magnificent structures - all vacant. Money nor waste is of apparent concern to Omani's. Me being judgmental again. Imagine that!

A small section of the vacant Sultan's Palace

A smaller version of the Mosque in Muscat.

Salalah, Oman. To me not the paradise of Seychelles, but then there are some who don't like Texas. To each their own. I am glad I came and look forward to Muscat following another day at sea.

Today Is Someday! It is a Present!