Rain in Oman’s Mountains

We spent a wonderful day up in the cool of Oman’s northern mountains. For much of the time we were under cloud cover which, as the day wore on, increased .

Shafts of Sunlight in Omans Mountains

Its unusual to have extensive cloud cover here, but on the drive home we drove through about 150kms of intermittent rain – arriving in Muscat to find that the rain probably arrived in Muscat first, before covering the mountain peaks inland.

Rain soaked steets in Muttrah an unusual sight

A stormy few days are forecast as all schools in Muscat are advised to close on Sunday by the Education Ministry

Nizwa Market in Oman

Nizwa Souq in Oman before Eid

Starting off in Al Sawadi we made a stop in Nizwa to enjoy the Friday market . Though our guests have visited Oman with us every year for the last six years the market is still a must see . This years was especially busy as it was in the build up to Eid.

Walking along the Coast of Dhofar

Then on through the Wahiba Sands and down the coast to arrive in Salalah several days later . The summer Monsoon’s green had largely disappeared – but a very enjoyable walk along the coast still took us through areas of vegetation – while in the water Turtles and Sharks swam in surprisingly close proximity .

A weekend in the mountains of Oman

Making the steep climb by car up to Jebel Akhdar I arrived in the late afternoon to join the celebrations for a friend’s wedding . The formal betrothal had taken place last year and today would be the start of married life. Of course, it was a busy affair, as all Omani weddings are, with probably most households in the village joining in . Since this was a ‘town persons’ wedding we set off, in a queue of cars , to take the bride to the grooms home .

The car with Bride and Groom arrives

 

The next day I managed to have an early morning walk through the mountains before having a very enjoyable lunch at a simple reception to congratulate the groom

A Date Palm in the Mountains of Oman

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Eagles and White Stork in Oman

 

A Steppe Eagle in the sky above Salalah Oman 2

Each summer the Indian Ocean Monsoon sweeps along the slopes of the Dhofar Mountains creating a mid-summer change of climate ‘The Khareef’ . Trees come into leaf , grass and other flowering plants carpet open areas. The temperature plunges from a truly sizzling 50+c over the crest of the hills, to a very pleasant mid20’s c on the sea facing slopes and coastal plain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Stork fly in Dhofar

 

Driving down from Muscat I arrived in Salalah just as the first of the White Storks and migratory Eagles arrived for the winter . The storks spread through the hills feeding on insects; they also congregate in an area next to hundreds of eagles. This is a somewhat hazardous proximity; though I have not seen an Eagle bring down a live flying stork – I have seen Eagles waiting patiently for an injured stork to die. Perhaps there was more to that event than serendipity .