Sultan's Palace Approach

Oman 2007

Sultan's Palace Approach

Sultan's Palace Approach

05 Apr 2007 127
Looking back down the approach to the Sultan's palace. Effective and it all looks pretty solid, but on close inspection it seemed to be mainly stone cladding and silicone covering a rather less grand construction underneath.
Golden Khanjar

Golden Khanjar

05 Apr 2007 133
Detail from gates of the Sultan's palace. The Khanjar curved dagger symbolises the Omani identity. Once utilitarian but now a part of formal male dress. It also has a starring role alongside frankincense in the more tourist oriented souks and shops.
Al Alam Palace

Al Alam Palace

05 Apr 2007 139
The palace of Sultan Qaboos. Probably out at the time otherwise I am sure he would have invited us in for coffee.
Muttrah Souk

Muttrah Souk

05 Apr 2007 134
Detail from Muttrah Souk. It would have been nice to try some candids but the Omani people are not well predisposed to having their photograph taken by strangers. So without a really sneaky camera it is almost impossible to avoid causing offence. This wasn't the most photographic of souks anyway, but this brightly decorated window panel in the ceiling caught my eye.
Stranded Dolphins

Stranded Dolphins

05 Apr 2007 98
Detail from the corniche at Muttrah
Stony Camp

Stony Camp

06 Apr 2007 111
Most of our camps were similarly rough, but at least we had some nice thick mattresses. This was a fairly wild and remote camp near Jebal Shams, but someone had thoughtfully started constructing this path (for some reason).
Tough Conditions

Tough Conditions

06 Apr 2007 129
This patch of flowering agave caught my eye in the early evening sunlight at our Jebel Shams campsite.
Sunset on Jebel Shams

Sunset on Jebel Shams

06 Apr 2007 130
We were treated to this rather fine sunset for our first night camping near Jebel Shams, which at 3048m is the highest point in Oman. This is taken from lower down at around 1950m. At this time of year there is a lot of haze around so the sun fades away rather than drops below the horizon.
Door Carving

Door Carving

07 Apr 2007 165
Detail from a door belonging to a building in an abandoned village on the 'Balcony Trail' walk in the Nakhr gorge.
It's a Long Way Down

It's a Long Way Down

07 Apr 2007 97
Looking down along Wadi Nakhr some 1000m below
An Improbable Tree

An Improbable Tree

07 Apr 2007 133
This tree must somehow find enough moisture to survive, but I am not sure quite how. Taken at the end of the balcony trail looking back into Wadi Nakhr.
Waymarked

Waymarked

07 Apr 2007 111
Although it is almost impossible to get lost on the Wadi Nakhr balcony walk these waymarks are nevetheless quite reassuring, if sometimes a little bright. But if you miss this one there is always the cairn!
On the Ridge

On the Ridge

08 Apr 2007 115
Our shadows caught in the early morning sun as we scramble up a ridge to climb out of Wadi Tanuf.
Sue Strikes a Pose

Sue Strikes a Pose

08 Apr 2007 102
Sue tests out this rock arch which fortunately for the rest of us was not a part of the route!
Wadi Al Qashah

Wadi Al Qashah

08 Apr 2007 130
After much climbing we get a fine view of the Wadi and our route along its left hand edge.
A Rocky Path

A Rocky Path

09 Apr 2007 114
Fabulous rock architecture, but best not to dwell too much on the consequences of a stumble.
Goat Sentry II

Goat Sentry II

09 Apr 2007 108
Nothing to eat up there - I guess it must just enjoy the view.
Respite

Respite

09 Apr 2007 116
Finally we reach the wadi floor and some relatively cool shade in among the lush greens of the viallage of Al Far'. Looking back we can see the wadi rim from where we came, some 1000m above us.
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