Oman: Salalah

May 08, 2023

Saturday, April 22, 2023, Salalah, Oman

Our ship arrived at 8 am. Oman has a stringent certification process for tour guides. We’d been here before, and were hoping this tour experience would be as good as previous ones. It did not disappoint.

The bus first drove along the coast on the way to Mughsail Beach to see the famous blowhole. A bad cyclone had hit this area last year, and the bridge that normally went directly to the blowhole was washed out. We cold see parts of it broken in a low-lying area. The Omani government plans to replace it, but so far hasn’t. There was another route around the inlet, however. Cyclones are happening more frequently in Oman.

We saw a lot of camels running loose. Our tour guide said they were not wild, they know where they live and return home every night.

The blowhole was blowing, although not spectacularly until our guide got close to it. Boom! Massive blow. He somehow knew that would happen.

Large caves here, too

Our guide tempting the blow hole

Our next stop was Job’s tomb. This was a pilgrimage for many people. It’s at the top of a mountain, and was absolutely packed with Christians and Muslims alike (Job is a prophet in the Bible, and also the Koran). There was a long line, but it moved quickly. There was a domed structure containing a large marble-lined area where Job’s remains are purported to lie, and we had to remove our shoes to enter. There was also a square cemented area outside, almost like a shallow well. I couldn’t figure out why it was there. Someone told me it was Job’s footprint at the bottom! All I can say is he had huge feet if that indeed was his footprint.

Line for Job’s tomb. The green dome is the tomb.

Charlie at Job’s tomb

Sample of the people inside the building containing Job’s tomb

Job’s footprint?

There were some vendors selling traditional Omani food at the top of the mountain also. With help from our tour guide (we didn’t have Omani currency), we bought some that were savory, and some that were sweet. They were wonderful. Charlie also managed to buy persimmons. This was an interesting experience all around.

Charlie picking out baked goods with help of guide.

Successful purchase of food at Job’s tomb

The Al Husn souk from our previous visit was demolished and replaced with the Al Kouf souk. I love souks, but this was more like a strip mall. Plus it was a the day after Ramadan, so a holiday. Very few vendors were open. Not the same experience at all. Nonetheless, I bought some frankincense and a pashmina in the 15 minutes or so we had to shop.

Al Kouf souk. More of a strip mall.

Charlie with a vendor

A call to prayer while at the souk

This visit reinforced my already positive feelings toward the country of Oman. The Omani people are kind and honest, and are noted for those qualities in the Middle East. They get along with everyone.