The Arabian Grand Canyon and Highest Mountain

I wasn’t aware of it but Oman seems a bit of a tourist hub-

In any case. I threw my carry on luggage in the back and squeezed myself into my 8 seat rented 4x4 (the smallest I could get) and motored off to the mountainous center of the country and Wadi Ghul, the so called Arabian Grand Canyon.  Along the way I passed some beautiful mosques and ancient forts 

Inside one of the forts, I discovered an unusual small museum dedicated to -

A bee and honey museum inside a medieval fort?  The logic escaped me and no explanation was provided tho you could buy honey inside (maybe some sort of concession to the local beemaster)  

My pictures do it no justice as I found it hard to capture Wadi Ghul’s staggering size and depth and, while I would not say it is equal in grandeur to the GC, it is truly not far off and deserves its moniker.  

I decided to hike Jebel Shams, a mountain which overlooks Wadi Guhl and the highest mountain on the Arabian Peninsula at about 9930’.  Some views from the top- 

  I am not sure it was my wisest decision on this trip as my lodge host told me that 12 hours was a good estimate for the round trip. I figured that has to be an exaggeration or for slow hikers  but actually it was not far off for the 13 miles and 4000+’ of total elevation gain in the Arabian heat , including up and down some ridges.  The broken terrain made it hard for me to go very fast and I did notice vultures constantly circling above me.  I did not appreciate their seeming lack of confidence in my return. 

Met few people on my hike but plenty of these- 

 

They were not much for conversation though.

A few people evidently peered a little too far over the edge- 

But the hike- which took you along the edge of the canyon- did offer some spectacular views (if one had the fortitude to step up to the edge and peer at the river thousands of feet below)   Really magnificent and while few Americans know of it or visit, many Europeans come here to see it.  And if you start late enough you can a great Arabian sunset-

A Large Rug; Dune Bashing and Arabian Nights

 I arrived in Muscat, Oman from Dehli without incident. I have to say their airport was one of the nicest and cleanest airports I have ever been to and their passport officials unusually friendly, efficient and helpful. 

The next day I visited the Grand Mosque of Muscat which I must say is an impressive structure. It reportedly features the 2nd largest handmade Persian rug in the world (Dubai has biggest) which reportedly took over 400 weavers years to make (if you are the Sultan of Oman, money isn’t a big object)- 

In Persian rugs, I like to say that quantity has a quality all its own. 

I left Muscat and drove to a desert camp in the west of the country. I was seeking an authentic no frills Bedouin experience- similar to my Nepal trekking activity- and I am pleased to say the camp met my expectations -

The camp featured sand boarding down a dune where my form might not yet be Olympic ready- 

Camel riding (naturally)- 

And this thing they call dune bashing where you ride on the side board of a jeep and the driver blasts through the dunes at up to 40 mph while you hold on for dear life sans seatbelt (the chatter you hear in the video is from a guy on the other side reproaching his daughter)- 

It was fun in a near suicidal way.  Before going, I thought it prudent to make friends with my driver- 

For some reason you are supposed to jump up as they take  a photo of you at sundown in the desert. Not sure if genuine Bedouins do that every night but whatever. When in Rome-  

The Arabian desert is starkly beautiful- 

On my way to my next place, I literally crossed several streams - 

Cheaper than bridges I suppose. I noticed one enterprising fellow using the crossing to save a few rial from a pot he car wash- 

Next stop is the so called Arabian Grand Canyon and the highest mountain in the Arabian Peninsula