It was in 1986 that I first ventured into Bandar Jissah (often called Qantab Beach) in Muscat, along the dirt track which wound down the wadi towards I knew not, but the grand scenery was draw enough.
I found the beach, in an amphitheatre of mountains cascading into the sea, and from it I have swum since then.
Bandar Jissah Beach
Yesterday was probably the last time as the notice boards at that magical entrance clearly say that I am not authorised to enter, as the site now private and is being redeveloped by a real estate developer.
Bandar Jissah Entrance
Since I swam in the morning as usual I was alone in that place of enchantment, except for the man who keeps the area reasonably clean.
Bandar Jissah Area Cleaner
He had little to do, for the no entry boards had been up for days and those unauthorized kept away. So I was serenaded from his mobile phone to the song from the film ‘Saajan’ “Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai” “कैसे मेरा दिल पागल है ” .
How silly can one get?! IS this the future? Close down all beaches? Any area that is marginally better should be sold off? Was Barr al Jissah not enough? Are Bar al Jissah, Ritz Carlton’s Bustan Palace running at full capacity? Do we really need another resort on the same frickking piece of shore??! I’ve lived in Wadi Kabir for the past 18 years and I am seriously SERIOUSLY disappointed in the decision-makers who gave the go-ahead for this project.
/rant