OMAN
Oman is on the Arabian peninsula across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran. It shares a coastline on the Gulf of Oman with the United Arab Emirates and one on the Arabian Sea with Yemen. Somewhere in the vast Arabian desert, Oman ends and Saudi Arabia begins.
Mountains surrounding Muscat, the capital city.
Muscat, the “jewel of Arabia.”
In front of the old souk, Muscat.
Note the dhow or traditional Omani boat in the harbor.
Fishing village outside Muscat.
Fishing village outside Muscat.
Inlet on the Gulf of Oman.
Oman has lots of medieval forts.
Twin forts of Mirani and Jelali.
Al Alam Palace
The new federal plaza in Muscat.
The Ministry of I-can’t-remember.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs
A fortress
A perspective from the fortress.
Outside the Muscat fish market. It’s rare to see a woman.
Outside the Muscat fish market.
Inside the Muscat fish market.
Inside the Muscat fish market.
Wadi outside Muscat
Mud wall surrounding a wadi (source of water)
Walled village near wadi.
Mud-brick fort.
Do nations with McDonalds ever go to war against each other?
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Grand Mosque
Grand Mosque
Grand Mosque
Grand Mosque
Grand Mosque
Omani style clothing
Friday Market in Nizwa.
The man from Nizwa, the former capital of Oman.
Outside the souk in Nizwa
Another view outside the souk in Nizwa
Pottery for sale in Nizwa
A wadi in the mountains.
A soccer field in Haramel
Fortress village
Omani door
Falaj or irrigation system which distributes water from the wadi.
Mountain village.
Falaj, an ancient water transport system still in use today.
Falaj - the sign indicates women bathing below.
Wadi bin al Khalid
Donkey-ride concessioner at a wadi along with his young friend.
Omani tourist, or so she identified herself.
Wadi bin al Khalid
Wadi bin al Khalid
This Omani said he was around 60 years old.
Our driver, Fahad.
Tourists checking out the Wadi.
Oman has some of the world’s most amazing rock formations and caves.
Omani house. Note no wooden construction.
Omani house - the Sultan offers low-cost housing financing.
Omani house, different style but again, no wood.
Omani townhouses.
Omani house. Most Omanis live in joint families.
Wahiba Sands, a tourist-friendly part of the vast Arabian Desert.
Camels for sale or rent.
Mom and baby plus friend. Camels usually only give birth to singletons.
“Bedouin village” for tourists.
Camels for rides.
Camels ready to go.
Bedouin greeting - knocking noses.
These boys are on school holiday with their fathers who work in the desert.
Waiting for the Sultan to make his annual rounds to visit his subjects.
Chedi Hotel, Muscat.
Bungalow-style rooms at the Chedi.
The seaside pool (and bar) at the Chedi.
Miltant-jihad-free zone
