Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas), Ras Al Jinz, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula – This picture was actually taken in Cap Skirring, Casamance, Senegal, April 2002
Thousands of Green Turtles arrive at the beaches of Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz every year to lay their eggs in the sand. To do so they dig a deep hole with their powerful flippers. A truly moving experience! Continue Reading →
Al Khamil, Khalfan Alhashmi’s great Museum, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
A bit overdosed by fortresses, we reluctantly turned off the road when our guidebook announced another one. What also made the decision easier: the name of this small town had a nice ring to it – Al Kamil. Strangely, we could see the fort right in front of us, but we could not find the right alley to get there… We were about to give up when suddenly a smiling face appeared from behind a beautifully carved wooden door. The enthusiastic young man was Khalfan bin Khamis bin Halais al Hashmi, the grandson of the sheik who had given the castle to the government. For the next 1½ hours, we had the most unusual, unforgettable tour of this museum. Continue Reading →
Wadi Bani Khalid, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
If there ever was a Garden of Eden, it must have looked like Wadi Bani Khaled – much more than the usual picturesque oasis! Here emerald colored pools lined with palm trees and reed welcome the visitors. An easy trek leads into a narrow canyon with more pools surrounded by large boulders. Continue Reading →
Wahiba Sands, or Ramlat al-Wahiba (also called Sharqiya Sands), Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Up at the crack of dawn… How does the desert look like early in the morning? Nothing special actually, with the sun still hiding. Slowly the camp came to life and the Bedouins got the camels ready. We spent a long time studying every move of these animals close up. Even got to feel their very moves during an hour-long ride through the desert – a heavenly experience. Back in camp, we realized that most visitors just stay for one night. Continue Reading →
Sand Dunes, Wahiba Sands, or Ramlat al-Wahiba (also called Sharqiya Sands), Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Wahiba Desert, 10.000 km2 of reddish dunes rolling all the way to the Indian Ocean! The simple beauty of this and the feeling of vastness leave nobody untouched. The more entrepreneurial Bedouins have turned the fascination with this endless desert into a successful business idea. Within a 20 to 30 kilometer range of the oasis of Al Wasil, various families have set up camps in the desert. Continue Reading →
Al Mudayrib Oasis, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Without blinking we took a long detour, when our guidebook described Al Mudayrib as the most stunning oases in the region. Well, there was absolutely nothing worth coming such a long way… So we decided to admire what we had, a gigantic bulk of cars / trucks parked in front of a mosque. People had come from all around, even smaller villages, for Friday prayers. Via speakers the praying and singing was clearly audible outside. Continue Reading →
Omani Woman at the Cattle Market in Nizwa on Friday Morning, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Being there early is essential! Later in the morning, carloads of tourists roam the place. Even before the selling began, the round podium in the center of the roofed-in arena was filled with men dressed in white Dishdasha, looking elegant and important. A sudden noise of shuffling feet announced the selling and the crowd of humans and animals in the circle started moving. Soon the noise increased, as the men were calling out the price and touting the qualities of the goats, which they were dragging or carrying around this base. Continue Reading →
Wadi close to Tanuf Ruins, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Oases are clearly visible from afar, announced by large palm groves. In the middle of desert-like areas, they herald the abundance of water. It comes from either mountain / underground springs or Wadis and turns the otherwise dry areas into lush gardens. Inside this maze of trees and under their leafy umbrella, all you hear is water gurgling, gushing & rushing. A sophisticated system of channels, called Alfaj, distributes the water among all families and their gardens. And this is meant literally: Falaj, the singular form, means in Arabic “to distribute justly”. Continue Reading →
Al Shamaliah Grill Restaurant in Khasab at night, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
We did not really know what to expect. The last thing we had hoped for were the absolutely delicious fruit juices: mango, avocado, kiwi, pineapple, pomegranate… Can’t make up your mind? Have a fruit cocktail! It comes in colorful layers and is addictive. Continue Reading →
View of Nozwa Souq from Nizwa Fort, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Nizwa is the perfect base. The fortresses of Jebreen, Bahla, Nizwa and numerous oases wait to be visited. We interrupted our tour of the oases around Nizwa only to get out of the worst heat of the day. Our first choice to do so, Al Hotta Caves, were closed for maintenance. The other option was the museum inside Nizwa Fort with is great display of clothes, tools, household equipment, jewelry, coins and simple furniture. Continue Reading →