Worldrecordtour, Weltrekordreise, Asia, Middle East, Oman, Muscat, Musandam, Pictures, Guinness Book of Records, Toyota, LandCruiser, Emil Schmid, Liliana Schmid

Pictures of our trip 2013 to Oman – part 2
- with our vehicle in February 2013:
Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa

Oman 1999 - from mid-March to mid-April 1999
Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula
Oman 2013 – Part 3 - March 2013: Sur - East Coast - Island of Masirah - Dhofar
Oman 2013 – Part 4 - March 2013: Salalah & Surroundings (Dhofar) - Nizwa
Oman 2013 – Part 5 - March 2013: Western Hajar Mountains
(Oman 2013 – Part 6) - April 2013: Omani Madha Exclave in the UAE

Oman Map	Middle East Map
Oman Map	Middle East Map
latest picture: February 24, 2013 click a picture to see details


*061* When night is falling, changing lights and colors enchant the Corniche of Muttrah	062 The oriental charm is present also at the covered benches along the Corniche of Muttrah	063 The white incense burner – called Riyam Monument – sitting on a hill at Muttrah’s Corniche is a prominent landmark. Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula for more than 5’000 years


*064* Muttrah Fort: It guards the harbor from a rocky outcrop at Muttrah’s Corniche	065 Muttrah is still alive with its beautiful colonial architecture, dominated by the Al Lawatiya mosque, which remembers us somehow at Isfahan in Iran	066 Although Oman was never really colonized, the whitewashed beautiful merchants houses with its elaborated balconies along Muttrah’s Corniche originate from those times


*067* Muscat is expanding more and more into the valleys between the rugged mountain ranges. In the foreground the suburb of Wadi al Kabir followed by Ruwi in the background	068 Adapted to the Arabian charm: The water reservoirs on the rooftops, but the satellite dishes seem to be inevitable	069 Free space is becoming increasingly smaller around Muscat: Houses squeeze already in every somewhat flat mountain spot


*070* Smoking a “hookah” (water pipe) containing shisha with friends is an old Arab tradition	071 An Omani is carrying the silver “khanjar” (ceremonial dagger) in his belt. Nowadays it is seen only at ceremonial occasions	072 Liliana is relaxing in a typically Arabian ambiance (at the Green Oasis Hotel, Sohar)


*073* The Sultan’s Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat shows little pomp. Only the golden and blue pillars give it a touch of “royal” uniqueness. It’s mostly used for ceremonial occasions	074 The portrait of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said al Said, the Ruler of Oman, born 11/18/1940 in Salalah	075 Capturing a precious moment with our Swiss friends Ursula and Marco in front of the Sultan’s Palace in Muscat. It was a reunion after 15 years


*076* Each shady corner at the lively Muttrah Souk is suitable for earning a few Rials	077 With our Swiss friends Ursula and Marco we are visiting the Muttrah Souk. Interesting are the many busy gold shops. Gold is a kind of old-age provision for the Omani ladies	078 Here sweet potatoes, lemons and jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) are on sale


*079* Muttrah’s Souk: A shop filled to bursting with a mind blowing display of gold, silver and decorative ribbons. In the orient they are part of the beautiful women’s dresses	080 In 1994, during our first visit to Oman, most of the sellers at Muttrah’s Souk were sitting cross-legged among their goods in their small boxes. Today, this shop is the only nostalgic one we saw	081 Liliana admires the incredible richness of modern jewelry in the Muttrah Souk


*082* Roundabouts in Oman are always built with traditional motifs. Tea pots and tea cups are popular; this one at the Al Bustan – Qantab intersection	083 The white-washed sea of houses of Muscat (Bayt al-Falaj – Ruwi) is contrasting beautifully with the dark mountain scenery	084 The Muttrah Roundabout with its splashing water is a bird’s paradise in the heat and dryness


*085* The gold plated dome and the minarets of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque come into sight. It was one of the biggest mosques in the world until it was taken over by the Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi/UAE (Pic #197)	086 We capture the moment with Ursula, Liliana and Marco in front of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque	087 Lovely flower beds adorn the alley to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque


*088* The richness in motifs and craftsmanship in the main prayer hall of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque is just breathtaking. Alone the Persian carpet weaved by 600 women during four years, measures 230 by 197 ft. (45’208 sq.ft.). The biggest (60’601 sq.ft.) is again in the Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi/UAE (Pic #204)	089 The ceiling with the chandelier is another masterpiece of craftsmanship. It is 46 ft. tall and therefore 3ft. smaller than the one at the Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi/UAE	090 The chandelier, photographed from below. Diameter 26� ft.; weight 8� metric tons (Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi/UAE: Diameter 32� ft.; weight 9� metric tons) (Pic #203)


*091* Our first picnic at the sea shore with view to the famous Al Bustan Palace Hotel, which belongs to the Ritz-Carlton chain	092 Emil is enjoying his birthday meal on February 24, 2013, at the Qurum Beach in Muscat together with our friends Ursula and Marco	093 A moment of tranquility: Liliana at the Qurum Beach in Muscat


*094* A Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris oseus) is feeding on a crimson bottlebrush flower (Callistemon citrinus) in the garden of our Swiss hosts Lara, Jonas and Hendrik in “The Wave“ compound near Seeb west of Muscat	095 Our hosts Lara, Jonas and Hendrik in front of their villa in “The Wave“ compound near Seeb west of Muscat, where we had a wonderful relaxed time …..	096 ..... and often enjoyed the visiting birds in their garden: two yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)


*097* Can we trust this electrical workshop with the repair of our lighting system? We are lucky! After an hour all the lights work somehow again – at least temporarily. Cost US$5! But one day the switch assembly at the steering wheel has to be replaced	098 A group of students is enjoying themselves over lunch time at the Qurum Beach	099 The red fireball of the setting sun is disappearing spectacularly behind an acacia tree in the Batinah region


*100* The scenery unfolding below us is just stunning: The village of Qantab, huddling picturesquely against the foot of an impressive mountain scenery …..	101 ..... and stretching further to the Gulf of Oman .....	102 ..... where each day at dawn fishing boats still sail for their daily catch


*103* The Nakhal Fort, sitting on a hill, is one of the most impressive fortresses in Oman. It was built in 1834 on the foundation of a pre-Islamic structure	104 Ursula, Marco and Liliana enjoy the view from Nakhal Fort that lies about 70 miles from Muscat on the northern side of the western Hajar range, in all directions …..	105 ..... especially over the Hajar Mountains and the lush oasis of date palms. A date palm can reach up to 200 years of age and deliver 150-180 pounds of fruits, often even 330 pounds


*106* Life within the cool walls and towers at Nakhal Fort seemed to have been quite comfortable. We visit also the living and sleeping quarters, split up for female and male residents .....	107 ….. the three-legged structure in the female’s quarter has a special purpose: Women would stand with their floor-length dresses over it so that the smoke of the burning frankincense bowl underneath is trapped under the dress …..	108 ..... Ursula is looking at the women’s quarter with its many comfortable cushions. It is easy to imagine how social life was taking place


*109* Rustaq: Side by side: Decaying old relicts and the present	110 A typical Omani sight: A small date palm oases, surrounded by high mountains: Date palms are the livelihood for the people, like here in Sibaykha in Wadi Abyad …..	111 ..... fed by Oman’s sophisticated water channel system, called “Falaj”. The channeled water is first used for drinking, then for washing and at last it is diverted to irrigate the plantations


*112* Since decades unchanged is the live- stock market in Nizwa. Goats, cows and other animals are traded. It is hard bargaining, but it is also a welcome event for gossiping .....	113 ….. bearded men in their white impeccable “dishdashas” dominate the scene …..	114 ….. if no deal is reached, the animals will be brought to the market again one week later


*115* Lifestock market in Nizwa: Is he thinking about an accomplished deal or merely watching the market life?	116 Bedouin women have a saying too when it comes to the price. Wearing the “burka”, the traditional face mask, is still very popular among them	117 Male date palm branches are a trade item. A small branch is put manually into the female flower on the top of the palm tree. “Artificial” fertilization guarantees a higher harvest


*118* The muezzin has called for the important Friday prayer. The Mosque adjacent to the Nizwa Fort is jam- packet. Men line up with their praying mats also in the front court …..	119 …. they even perform their religious rituals at a nearby shady arcade, where all businesses have shut down .....	120 ..... and at the end each one finds and picks his shoes again from the untidy heap


*121* Traditional pottery making is an old and continuing tradition in the Sultanate. In front of the modern Nizwa Souk they pile up for the tourists that arrive in great numbers …..	122 ..... and from the height of the fortress they look like precious miniatures	123 From the roofs of the Nizwa Fort with its famous 130 ft. tall round tower, we enjoy a sweeping view. Nizwa is a city of history and often also called “Pearl of Islam”


*124* The ornamented dome and the minaret of a mosque dominate this view over Nizwa from its Fort	125 The crumbling adobe village of the old Birkat al Mawz oases snuggles at a mountain slope and blends perfectly into its natural surrounding …..	126 ..... from the watchtower the view opens to the other side of the valley with lush date palm plantations and the foot- hills of the Hajar Mountains, from where the 500 miles of flat desert begins through to the region of Dhofar


*127* The Oman Dive Center has chosen one of the most beautiful bays and reduced its charm completely: Bandar Jissah	128 In 1999 this bay was still beautifully untouched. We were alone and enjoyed our camping life. It hurts to see how profit making is taking over more and more – currently all the way down to As Sifah Beach	129 Now also luxury resorts have spread along the more than 30 miles long coast southeast of Muscat , like the Shangri-La’s Barr Al-Jissah Resort & Spa. It is no place anymore for nature lovers

More websites from Oman: Oman 1999 - from mid-March to mid-April 1999 Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula Oman 2013 – Part 3 - March 2013: Sur - East Coast - Island of Masirah - Dhofar Oman 2013 – Part 4 - March 2013: Salalah & Surroundings (Dhofar) - Nizwa Oman 2013 – Part 5 - March 2013: Western Hajar Mountains (Oman 2013 – Part 6) - April 2013: Omani Madha Exclave in the UAE More websites from the Middle East: Fairytale Wedding in Dubai - United Arab Emirates - with our car from February 7th, to May 20th, 1999 Sharjah + Dubai: United Arab Emirates - without our vehicle from February 19th, to 27th, 2011 Sharjah/Dubai/1st Traveler's Festival/Emirates National Auto Museum - UAE with car Nov. 2012 to Jan. 2013 - part 1 Liwa - United Arab Emirates with our car in February 2013 - part 2 Al Ain, Eastcoast & Ras al Khaima - United Arab Emirates with our car in April 2013 - part 3 Welcome to Kuwait on March 3rd, 1996 Yemen car trip (from Oman to Saudi Arabia) - from May 16th, to June 15th, 1996 Sandstorm in Saudi Arabia on February 4th, 1999 Trip to Dubai in January and February 1999 Iran 2013 – Part 1: Ferry Port Bandar Abbas-Shiraz-Persepolis-Pasargad (between Persepolis and Yazd) Iran 2013 – Part 2: Pasargad (excl.)-Yazd-Esfahan – May 2013 Iran 2013 – Part 3: Esfahan (excl.)-Chelgerd-Hamadan-Sanandaj-Orumiyeh – May 2013 Turkey 2013 – Eastern Anatatolia - June 2013 Socotra - without our car from February 9th, to 19th, 2011: Part 1: Socotra trip in Yemen (East) – Hadibo - Dihamri - Arher Beach Part 2: Socotra trip in Yemen (South) – Homhil - Aomak Beach - Wadi Daerhu - Dicksam Plateau Part 3: Socotra trip in Yemen (West) – Qalansiya - Shouab Beach - Qadama Beach - Momi Plateau - Wadi Ayhaft