From Salalah Oman a Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Was great to go to the atrium to go ashore and see the area all decorated for our American holiday. Turkey and all the trimmings even at sea tonight! We’ve much for which to give thanks!

We sailed into Salalah, Oman this morning about

9:30AM. The captain had to successfully navigate a 180-degree turn to get us with the starboard side of the ship at the dock. Behind us is a small cruise ship also named Voyager. Buses and cars were on the dock-awaiting folks from our ship.

Salalah is the capital and seat of the government, or wali, of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. It is the second largest city in the Sultanate of Oman. The coastal city of Salalah is a traditional stronghold and birthplace of the Sultan, Qaboos bin Said.

Until Sultan Qaboos exiled the previous Sultan, his Father, in 1970 Oman was an underdeveloped

country, and almost completely closed to visitors. Qaboos went to school in England and then as a 30 year old man assembled advisors for construction, infrastructure, education and more to help the country move ahead. Since 1970 education, public works and tourism have taken off throughout the country. Before 1970 there were only 3 schools in the country, roads were not paved, and most people lived in tents.

Mohammed, our guide, was proud of his country’s rapid progress and their heritage. Excellent schools for both boys and girls, hospitals, good governance and on-going infrastructure improvements are all important characteristics of this once introverted and closed nation.

Oman has a population of 2.5 million people and in this region there are 249,000 people living. 

Grand Mosque- Salalah

In the mid-2009 the Grand Mosque was opened in Salalah- 39 years after Qaboos ascended to the throne.

The Mosque was beautiful inside and out. We started our tour right at 10:00 as the ship was cleared so we could get to the Mosque before it closed at 11:00AM.

We had to be certain our arms were covered to the wrists and our legs covered to the ankles. Naturally we all took off our shoes. Kathy and I had to don headscarves to cover our hair. Worship at the

mosque is only for men. There is a special day every once in a while for women and girls to come.

We first saw the Ablution area for men to symbolically clean their hands, mouths, and heart. There was a steady stream of people going in but not many went into the mosque itself. Mohammed said these were also treated often like public toilets.

The floor of the mosque was inlaid marble with lovely patterns, inside there was a huge crystal chandelier, a pulpit with a sign above that gave the current time and date plus the times for prayer 5 times during that day. The floor was covered in a huge yellow rug with borders almost creating one big prayer rug with smaller sections for individuals to kneel.

After the visit to the mosque we went to the old city Haffe to the gold souq and the clothing souq but mostly to look. Bought some hats and some Frankincense.

Never saw so much construction- roads and buildings. 

Jim and Bos go shopping in the Souq

The area has really expanded since we were here in 2005. There is a new airport almost completed. Highways with beautiful traffic circles were filled with nice looking, new cars.

The beach area was beautiful and the government has purchased the land on the shoreline. The older dwellings and business are to be torn down and a real tourist center will be built around the shimmering, blue, and clear water.

We stopped  to see a historical something about the camel of a prophet but it was closed because today is also a holiday for Omanis. It is some sort of celebration of Qaboos coming to power we think. The real day was last week but the date was shifted to connect with a long week-end. Pretty cool!!!

We did see men at a construction site praying. Together they stood, faced east, knelt and prayed.

We went out into the country to a camel park where people bring their camels during the rainy season. Saw lots and lots of camels and even a couple of black camels which none of us had seen before.
We drove to the top of a mountain and looked down over the area. It was lovely.

Our last stop before returning to the ship was at THE Frankincense Tree. Poor little thing was just as we remembered it standing all alone and having been used frequently to demonstrate how frankincense is harvested. Mohammed did a great job of telling us all about the process.

We spent 4 hours in the mini van with Mohammed and a driver whose name I could never quite catch but who was also pleasant. He seemed to be surprised when we were ready to return to the ship at about 2:00. We were weary and a half-day tour is all we expected, paid for and wanted.

 Sultan Qaboos was married, then divorced and is not married now. He has no heirs. He is 73 years old. Mohammed told us Qaboos has decided who from his family should be king after he dies. He has written that name  in a letter and sealed it in an envelop. After his death the family can spend three days discussing who they think should be king. After three days they open his letter and that person he named is the king. I couldn’t help but wonder if that method will help the family or create much friction.

We sail at about 6:00PM. At the moment as I type it is 8:05 AM on the east coast…..so happy thanksgiving again!