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

Pictures of our trip 2013 to Oman – part 5
- with our vehicle in March 2013:
Western Hajar Mountains (Omani Madha exclave in the Emirates see Oman part 6 or UAE part 3)

Oman 1999 - from mid-March to mid-April 1999
Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula
Oman 2013 – Part 2 - February 2013: Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa
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 6) - April 2013: Omani Madha Exclave in the UAE

Oman Map	Middle East Map
Oman Map	Middle East Map
latest picture: March 23, 2013 click a picture to see details


*269* Birkat al-Mawz with its imposing Bait al-Radidah Fort is the starting point for the drive to the Saiq Plateau of Jebel Akhdar	270 At the foot of the ascent to the 6’500 ft. high Saiq Plateau of Jebel Akhdar lies westerly of it – just before the checkpoint – the Wadi al-Muaydin with its green palm belt .....	271 ..... in the village at the end of the wadi, there are still hidden rock dwellings to be seen


*272* The sun is setting behind the mountains, when we set camp in the acacia desert near Birkat al-Mawz	273 Lonely and beautifully quiet: Our camp in the acacia desert near Birkat al-Mawz	274 A car leaves a cloud of dust on a dirt road, very annoying if – in our case – we have to drive with open windows (no aircon)


*275* Set above the narrow valley of Wadi Halfayn lies the village of Al-Manakhir – one of around 30 picture book villages on the Saiq Plateau of Jebel Akhdar .....	276 ..... Close-up view of the compact mountain village of Al-Manakhir	277 The lovely village of Ash-Shirayjah is perched on a slope. In their terraced gardens vegetables and fruits are grown


*278* Al-Qasha	279 Al-Ayn	280 Sallut
“Diana`s viewpoint”, named after the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who visited in 1990 the beautiful place by helicopter, is the most breathtaking of all lookouts. It reveals three of the scenic picture book villages at once


*281* A maze of tracks and paths to lonely villages crosses the spectacular mountain scenery of Jebel Akhdar. Down in the background Masirat ar- Ruwajih	282 The abandoned old village of Bani Habib with its houses of mud bricks sits in a picturesque setting	283 Simply admirable: Terraced fields near Al-Ayn with fruit trees cut into steepest rocky slopes


*284* The Sahab-Hotel is perched on the edge of the Saiq Plateau. Le lobby reflects impressing Omani tradition. The cheapest double room costs OMR 83 = US$ 255 (March 2013)	285 Our LandCruiser attracts onlookers again and again. Here a family from Saudi Arabia that is visiting Oman	286 In remote regions the public water supply is still carried out by tank lorries. Here at Safa as-Sahra on the Saiq Plateau, the water container of the village is refilled


*287* The Jabrin Fort south of Bahla – along the road from Nizwa to Al Ain in the UAE – rises lonely from the plain, which starts here and continues about 600 miles until Salalah. Built in 1675 and restored, it is famous especially for its beautiful painted ceilings	288 The Jabrin palace is one of the few designed fortresses that served once as a residence. It was built by Bil`arab bin Sultan, an Iman of the Ya`aruba dynasty	289 From the thick walls of the fort, the view opens as far as to the mountain ranges that lead to the Western Hajar Mountains


*290* The courtyard with its fine latticed windows is the center of Jabrin Fort	291 Techniques to defend the fortress were: Firing to invaders from a hole and pouring boiling palm oil from a slit above	292 Pillars and lovely ceiling paintings are the attraction of this living quarter. Due to the pleasant temperatures we conclude that behind the cool walls life was comfortable


*293* A characteristic of the Islam is the decor of this arched ceiling	294 Detail of a magnificently decorated wooden ceiling with flower patterns in warm colors	295 An Omani family enters Fort Jabrin the moment when Liliana leaves it


*296* Just charming: A mosque in the countryside in the Wadi Damm valley with the backdrop of the colored hills near the Beehive Tombs of Al Ayn	297 A stony river bed and a part of Jebel Misht, also called "Comb Mountain", is the scenery on our night camp near the Beehive Tombs of Al Ayn	298 Jebel Misht – its sheer cliff about 3’300 ft. high and which is called also "Comb Mountain" because of its jagged ridges – is the most coveted peak on the Arabian Peninsula among rock climbers


*299* The Beehive Tombs of Al Ayn are said to date between 2000 and 3000 B.C. and to contain the bones of 200 people each. There are more of these tombs near the settlement of Bat, about 17 miles northwest of Al Ayn	300 Our LandCruiser is waiting at the road side next to the "Beehive Tombs" of Al Ayn – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – while we explore them from close	301 Not much is known about these ancient "Beehive Tombs" in Al Ayn. They may originate from the time when old caravan trade routes passed nearby


*302* Oman is shaped by rugged mountain scenery – here in Wadi Damm. But exactly these different rock formations bare of any vegetation form a part of the charm of the Sultanate	303 A typical Omani scene: A watch tower, date palms and a harsh mountain backdrop (in Wadi Damm)	304 Similar strange geological landscape as in the left picture, but on the side road from Barut to Sint and Sant


*305*	306	307
Luxury villas looking sometimes like small castles – one lovelier than the other – bear the exotic imprints of the Arabian architecture


*308* Golden shining high tufts of grass and shrubby green trees dominate the vegetation at Wadi Damm. It lies about 8 miles east of Al Ayn and is still in the Dhahirah region	309 Wadi Damm is famous and popular for its many pools. Once a miniature waterfall is burbling into a tiny basin .....	310 ..... and another time an emerald green pool is inviting for a swim


*311* A red dragonfly rests on a stone. The small biotops at Wadi Damm are home of red and blue dragonflies	312 Green fern frames this beautiful waterfall at Wadi Damm	313 The blue dragonfly is tired of chasing the red one and needs a rest


*314* Emil descends by means of a rope from the upper part of Wadi Damm. He is appalled by all the rubbish he has seen further up	315 The way back to the off-road parking of Wadi Damm follows the water channel, the traditional Arab irrigation system, called Falaj	316 Golden glowing tussock dots the barren Wadi Damm and adds to the stony ground some spots of color


*317* "Drifting" is a popular amusement in Arabia – the tire wear on the public roads are the best proof	318 The Bahla Fort at the south foot of the Hajar Mountains is surrounded by a 7� mile long adobe wall. It is the third largest in the world. It belongs also to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites	319 It is a really windy day. A landspout has formed and towers towards the sky


*320* This is what remains of old Tanuf that was bombed during the Jabal War of 1954 and 1955	321 Emil is standing on the highest point of the ruins of Tanuf .....	322 ..... depending on the point of view they reveal always new details


*323*	324	325
Our LandCruiser snakes its way through the spectacular narrow Wadi Tanuf with its steep mountain walls on both sides. After 4 miles – actually then called Wadi Qashah – it becomes a footpath only


*326* These curious observers are never far away	327 A small hamlet along the track from Ar Rawdah to Qiyut in a godforsaken area of the Hajar Mountains	328 Enjoying breakfast between acacia trees near Al-Hoota Caves


*329* Al Hamra at the foot of the Hajar Mountains is one of the oldest villages in Oman	330 Above Al Hamra sits the lovely re- stored mountain village of Misfat embedded in date palm trees and terraced fields .....	331 ..... Liliana studies the way the stone houses are built


*332* A pack mule is being loaded. In difficult mountainous terrain, these pack animals are still a common mean of transport	333 Sweeping view from the mountain village of Misfat over the barren land	334 An acacia spreads its dry branches. Its thorns are not holding back the camels from nibbling


*335* From the ridge “Sharaf al-Alamayn” of the Hajar Mountains, at 6’570 ft., we see the off-road track through Wadi Bani Awf, one of the most spectacular valleys in Oman	336 Wedged into the wild mountains of Wadi Bani Awf lies the remote date palm oasis of Hat	337 The remote villages in Wadi Bani Awf (here it’s Hat) are reachable only by 4x4. The residents are mostly driving a Toyota pickup


*338*	339	340
Steep, stony stretches and bull dust passages lead us through the breathtakingly beautiful mountain scenery of the “upper” Wadi Bani Awf


*341* Is our overloaded LandCruiser able to cope with the next climb? Wadi Bani Awf is a matter of challenging driving	342 Perhaps the only change: A local is sitting on a boulder gazing at the mountains scenery .....	343 ..... and at the wonderful patchwork of fields of the village of Hat, framed by date palms


*344* Sometimes striking mountain peaks are popping up in front of us .....	345 ..... sometimes a single palm tree growing in a narrow side canyon is captivating us .....	346 ..... sometimes we marvel about the spectacular way the route is cut through rocky Wadi Bani Awf


*347*	348	349
Deep in the Hajar Mountains at the base of a 3’600 ft. high cliff nestles the picturesque village of Balad Sayt, a jewel of Oman, with its stone and mud dwellings, gardens and date palms


*350* The first rays of the sun catch the mountain walls at our breakfast outside of Balad Sayt. We are camping on a hill overlooking the village .....	351 ..... Liliana admires the scenic beauty around her .....	352 ..... and is proud of our LandCruiser that overcame all the hurdles carrying us to this beautiful place


Balad Sayt reflects the traditional charm of a quiet village life
*353* Clothes are hanging on washing lines on the flat adobe roofs .....	354 ..... a sleepy donkey is tied to a pole in front of a stone dwelling .....	355 ..... even the fine elaborated door- lock adds to the old village character


*356* The villagers of Balad Sayt are (almost) self-supporters: A woman pours out grain from a bag to dry in the sun	357 In the arid landscape of the Hajar Mountains a blossoming tree is feast for the eye	358 Wadi Bani Awf: From Balad Sayt the 4x4 track snakes to the Rustaq-Nakhal loop. The lower (northern) part is massively expanded


*359* Az-Zammah: Date palms and cultivated fields are common colorful dots in the barren mountain scenery	360 Our Wadi Bani Awf adventure ends at Wadi As-Sahtan junction. The set of road signs direct to other 4x4 destinations – the whole region is (still) a real four-wheel paradise	361 The Al-Awabi Fort along the Rustaq-Nakhal-Highway #13. Forts are Oman’s most striking cultural landmarks. They were built to protect the land from invaders

More websites from Oman: Oman 1999 - from mid-March to mid-April 1999 Oman 2013 – Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula Oman 2013 – Part 2 - February 2013: Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa 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 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