Joanna James
Oman, the quiet coastal nation of the Gulf is a mixture of desert terrain, rocky mountains, fertile land and sandy beaches with a host of other sites and sounds worthy of seeing and experiencing.
An unusual shaped rock which resembles a mushroom sits by the coast of Al Mughsail Beach where tourists often wind their way to admire the beach and the sand. Much to their surprise they are also greeted by lush green hilly terrain just by the side of the beach and a cave that warrants a day of exploration. Tourists are seen on the benches that are scattered around the area looking towards both the land and the sea to truly grasp the beauty of two worlds.
It is not common for multiple blowholes to be located adjacent to each other, but by the shore of Salalah, anything seems to be possible. The Al Mughsail blowholes are sometimes referred to as fountains due to the height and display of the rush of water. A blowhole is typically created by the upward surge of a spray of water through a crevice in the ground by the shore.
If you drive past many vendors who have stacks and stacks of large round green goblets placed in their carts, make sure to request your guide or driver to stop for a quick drink. While you will have the option of choosing from an assortment of usual fruit juices, opt for the local drink served fresh in its shell. The green goblet is actually a tender form of coconut and once cracked open with a knife, it is a refreshing drink which has the consistency of plain water. In warm climates, the water out of this tender coconut is drunk often to keep the body hydrated and cool.
This would not be any ordinary ride in a casual boat; it would be an interesting ride to discover more of the Omani coast in a wooden boat that is built locally. A small group is accommodated each time the boat chugs out but it does not venture in to the deep sea. A breezy ride which lasts about one to two hours should give you ample opportunity to view the gorgeous shoreline, palms, white tipped waves, mountains, blowholes and maybe even some Salalah hotels from an entirely new angle.
The area close to the Mirbat Castle now houses less than twenty thousand people probably, but some centuries ago things were different. The castle had been the location for a historic battle yet remains a grand edifice that is as iconic as Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara which is located about an hour away along the same coastline. Not far off from the castle is a hilly road where a vehicle when put on neutral moves uphill and can even reach a speed of about 40kmph.
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A travel writer who has a pas...
