Today the ship arrived in Salalah, Oman. Salalah has an important role in Oman's history. It was the main trading port on what was called the Frankincense Trail, the trading route for the once highly prized aromatic resin that was used in the religious rituals and healing. Grown only in this region of the world, the frankincense trees can be seen around Salah and the history of the ancient trade can be discovered in the Frankincense Land Museum, located in the archeological site at A--Baleed, once a thriving port visited by Marco Polo. The coast near Salalah is known for its dramatic features: high cliffs and beach blowholes through which water sprays up to 45 feet.
I left the port on a tour called "Best of Salalah". On the way to our first stop we had a view of Mughsail Beach. It has nearly two miles of white sand and features high cliffs at both ends. We got out of the bus for walked for about 5 minutes to view the blowholes. We could hear the sound but due to the tide there was no sprays of water. We left the site and drove to the souk or market. On the way to the market we passed by the palace located in Salalah. At the market we had some free time for shopping and could observe and buy frankincense. There are different grades of frankincense that are sold in the market. The quality of the frankincense is determined by the area where the trees are grown. Our next stop was at the Frankincense Land Museum however we could not take photos inside the Museum We did get to see the tree that produces the Frankincense. Sap from the tree is taken and after it drys it becomes a crystal like substance. There are different grades of frankincense that are sold in the market. Near the museum is the archaeological site of Al-Baled. Our next stop was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for lunch. After lunch I took some pictures of the area around the hotel. For our next stop we drove to the fishing village of Taqah where we stopped at Taqah Castle. Our tour continued on to Khor Rori Creek, believed to be the site of the runned city of Sumhuram the ancient capital of Arabia's frankincense trade. Legend has it that the frankincense-bearing king who went to worship the newborn baby Jesus traveled from Dhofar. We left the site and stopped at the Sumhuram Gallery located a short distance from the site. We left the site for an hours drive back to the ship where we arrived at 4:15 PM.
I walked up to the Lido Pool where the ship we had a sail away party with complimentary drinks. The ship left a little after 5 PM. After dinner the show was put on by Peter Cutler, a vocalist, accomplished pianist, comedian and tap dancer.
Below are some pictures of Salalah and from my tour.
This picture was taken from the bus near the port.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach. This is where the water comes up thru the blowhole. Because of the tide the blowhole was not spraying any water.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken at a stop at Mughsail Beach.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to the market.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to the market. These camels are not wild.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to the market.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way to the market. This is a view of part of the Palace.
This picture was taken at the market.
This picture was taken at the market. This is frankinsence burning.
This picture was taken at the market. This is some of the frankincense grades on sale.
This picture was taken at the market. Mary of the sites at the market had a display of this of frankincense.
This picture was taken at the market. Clothing was also for sale at the market.
This picture was taken at the market. Perfume was also for sale at the market.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Frankincense Land Museum.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Frankincense Land Museum.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Frankincense Land Museum. This is a tree where the sap that the frankincense comes from.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Frankincense Land Museum. This is a tree where the sap that the frankincense comes from.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Frankincense Land Museum. This is part of the archaeological site of Al-Baled.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch. This is a close up of the flowers of the bush from the previous picture.
This picture was taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stopped for lunch.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle.
This picture was taken at the stop at Taqah Castle. This is a Muslim grave site.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the ruined city of Sumhuram.
This picture was taken at a stop at the Sumhuram Gallery where we had a rest stop.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way back to the port.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way back to the port. This is another palace.
This picture was taken from the ship.
This picture was taken with the zoom lens from the ship of Salalah as we were leaving.
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