Day
3, part 1 - Oman Musandam Fjord Tour - November 2005
Arranged though Oman's Khasab
Travel & Tours (with an office in Dubai) we spend a very long, but
delightful day, driving northeast of Dubai to enter a northern part of Oman
for a special visit to the “Norway of Arabia” or "Arabian fjords."
We will enter this non-contiguous portion of the Sultanate of Oman for a cruise
on on old motorized dhow - the tour described by the travel company as follows:
"The Khor Sham is a
sheltered, 17 km long Fjord. The water is crystal clear and calm, very
inviting for snorkeling or swimming. The mountains rise out of the sea and
reflect back on the water. There are almost always dolphins playing and
following the boats as they cruise around the villages."
On our way to Oman, we will pass through the
smaller Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain and Ras Al Khaimah.
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| 1 |
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| We enjoy coffee and
biscuits at the Hyatt Regency in Dubai while we wait for our Khasab Tour
driver. |
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| 2 |
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| Right on time, we are
picked up and begin the 3 hour drive to Khasab in Musandam province of Oman,
near Strait of Hormuz. |
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| 3 |
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| The sun is just rising
over the wide modern desert highway. Camels and small villages dot the
roadside. |
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| 4 |
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| This fine mosque stood
out against the sky far to the northeast of Dubai in one of the lesser known
Emirates. |
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| 5 |
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| Nearing the city of Ras
Al Khaimah (?), with the golf ball building, we come along beside some goats
in a typical pick up. |
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| The sight of mountains
tells us we are nearing the rugged "fjord" country of the Oman
peninsula. |
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| Locations where land
meets water are always appealing to the eye, and conducive to settlements
here on the southern edge of the Arabian Gulf. |
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| A dramatic sun dancing
among the clouds of this day, portend a special experience. |
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| We are getting closer to
the Omani village of Khasab where several dhows await the day's travelers. |
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| 10 |
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| We are among the first to
arrive and Peg enjoys the prospect of a day spent in this comfortable
setting. |
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| Later, once underway,
Keith appreciates the pleasant voyage and its scenery. |
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| 12 |
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| There were five or six
boats in our little fleet. Passengers represented numerous nationalities. We
would soon meet our 1st group of un-photogenic dolphins - still a delight
for 3 boatloads of tourists! |
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| 13 |
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| Fruit, coffee & tea
were plentiful and a fine traditional rice and chicken meal at mid day was
also presented. |
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| 14 |
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| A small fishing village accessible
only by boat was nestled at the foot of the mountain - not unlike Norway. |
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| 15 |
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| Telegraph Island "the
most famous landmark in this area. Here the British laid the first telegraph
cable in 1864, it ran from India to Basra, Iraq and the island was manned
for some 10 years." |
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| 16 |
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| Anchoring at the
Telegraph Island snorkeling/swimming site - Coral & fish were lovely and
abundant. |
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| A nice photo showing why
this area is called "The Norway of the Middle East." |
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| At the second snorkeling
site, some fishies were visible from boat side as they enjoyed some of our
lunch rice. |
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| 19 |
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| Peg snorkels here and
feeds banana to the big blue angel type fish. Highlight of the day! |
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| A nice picture of the diesel
powered dhows of today. They seem a great sturdy wooden boat. |
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| 21 |
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| Keith relaxes before the
return journey begins. |
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