Musadam, Oman Trip(1) - Journey to Khasab

Date: 27 Mar 2009

A trip to Khasab, Musadam Penisular Oman
which was organised by the Singapore group in UAE.
There were total of 24 cars going for this trip
(7 from Abu Dhabi & 17 from Dubai)

Musandam, with its spectacular fjords, is the 'Norway' of Arabia

The Musandam Peninsula is the northernmost part of Oman jutting out into the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. The province, or governorate of Musandam as it is officially known, is separated from the rest of Oman by various of the United Arab Emirates - Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. Musandam more or less begins where the mountains rise from the plains of Ras al Khaimah.

The mountains have isolated communities for centuries. Coastal villages can be reached only by boat rather than by road. Pockets of flat land support meagre agriculture. Fishing is the principal economic activity supported by employment in government jobs.

Route from Abu Dhabi to Khasab
We met at 4.30am at Adnoc Petrol Station
It was a cold and windy morning
We left in a convoy of 7 cars
I saw sunrise during the journey Reached Ras Al Khaimah, water flooded badly there
UAE was lashed by strong winds
and rains for the past few days
some of the local population at RAK
We reached Al Dhara check point
it took 30min to get our passport stamped
that was fast I told myself
follow by Tibat, Oman Checkpoint
and here it took us 1 1/2 hours to get the visa stamped
I fell asleep in the car while waiting for J at the checkpoint

A dull, drizzly morning at Oman checkpoint
finally we entered Oman after passed 3 checkpoint
we headed for Al Khasab
The whole way up to Khasab was so beautiful
the road running between the sea on the left side
and mountain on the right side

The road winds its way along the ocean and mountains
from the border crossing through
to Khasab on brand new pavement
Every few kilometre we pass along a small village
View of Golden Tulip Khasab Hotel from far
We finally arrived at the Khasab Harbour
We boarded our dhow for the Dolphin Tour
and a light drizzle was falling

Next....the dophin tour