Muscat 6 of 6

The road up to the top of the mountains was well designed and was only opened last year. We had many zig-zag bends but the incline though steep (hence the 4 wheel drive vehicles) was a smooth climb for us. We rose nearly 2000 metres in half an hour and the views of the valleys and colourful rocky ridges were beautiful. When we finally stopped for a vista of the valley below we were pleasantly surprised to find that the temperatures atop the mountain range was a mere 25⁰C and so bearable after 45⁰C at one stage throughout the day.

We spent some time enjoying the fresh air and the views.

Looking at the valley and mountain terrains it was easy to see veins of ore, tilted landscapes where mountainside had folded upon themselves in the formation of this mountain topography. This area would be a rock masons or gem seekers delight to explore.

Some of the mountainside had been tiered to create small market garden plots and several water holes and caves could be seen from our vantage point. The clear blue water seems to have been stored in manmade 'pools' and we assumed that its source would have come from underground springs from higher up in the mountains. Oman gets very little rain so water is precious.

After a group photo we piled back into our vehicles and headed down thr 'race-trac-designed' mountain pass. Motorbike riders would love to travel this, well engineered roadway with its many 's-bends'.

We found it exhilarating, especially when our driver frequently drove with his knees 'guiding the steering wheel whilst he adjusted his head gear or checked his swollen jaw in the mirror. Ken was in the front seat and found it a little unnerving and the three passengers in the back are thankful that our trip was safely negotiated. We arrived back in Muscat after passing through several towns with their welcoming archway exits and entrances, modern residential buildings and skylines of mosques and minarets. Yes we had had a wonderful trip through a city that still oozes much of the middle-eastern mystic perfumes, architecture and cultural heritage and influence we'd read about in the stories from "Arabian nights".

As we sail out along the coast of Oman we passed the official residence of Sultan Qaboos imposing blue and gold palace overlooking the waters of Muscat Bay. The rays of the setting sun enhanced the sparkling 22 carat gold trimmings around the palace window arches and we sailed towards the horizon as night fell.