Falaj Daris, Nizwa

 Falaj Daris, Nizwa, 

Falaj are channels, often underground to take water from the mountains to where it is needed in local communities. These are a UNESCO world heritage site. They are over two thoudsand years old.

The channel emerging from an underground section. There double as swimming pools and baths.

The falaj disappearing into an underground section.

What may look like a path ot cycle track is the covering of a flaj...with a surprise for an unwary pedestrian or cyclist, one of several uncovered openings.

An exit from the flaj where water is allowed to escpe to irrigate fields.

Wteps down to the falaj to allow lcals access to the water.

Cape to Cairo

 Cape to Cairo 

The latest publication telling the story as the title suggests of a trip and safaris up the east coast of Africa.

White to Black

 White to Black

Cover and link to book trailer

https://youtu.be/Tk68bwRvXy4

Nizwa, Oman

 Nizwa, Oman  

We were camping on the shoulder of Oman's tallest mountain, Jebel Shams, 3009 metres high although we were ony 1,956 metres elevation but it was a cold night. It wasn't helped by some noisy party goers who started their music at 3am plus a lot of shouting. It didn't last long as if someone went over to tell them to be quiet. We were uo before dawn for a walk along a gorge before it got too hot.

A view of the sun striking some distant mountins. This is the place in Oman that sees the first rays of the sun, not because it is a long way east, in fact it is set back from the coast, but it is the highest and hence sees over the horizon furtherest east.

A view along the sheer sides of the gorge, and roughly level with the rest of the path along the cliff face with sheer drops off to the right of the path.

At the end of the path is a huddle of old cliff dwellings.

Looking back along the cliff face.

It was a steep descent after the morning walk to get back to civilisation and a main road to Nizwa, the forer capital of Oman.

Mizwa has a large fort, claimed to be the most visited in Oman with a tower 34 metres high and 40 metres across. The outer entrance to the fort. It was built during the reign of Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al-Yarubi 1649 - 1679 on a formr defensive site. It is the largest circular tower in the Arabian peninsula.

When you have ignored a no entry sign and ducked under some red and white tape, this is not want you want to see coming towards you.

The inner entrance to the fort...

...the steps up to the main tower...

...inside the main tower...

...looking back towards the river, but at this time of year, just a wadi with a few puddles in the bottom.

Some of the rooms in the castle, furnished as they may have been centuries before...

...another room...

...looking out across the walls, in the middle distance is the roof top cafe of the museum...but it seems that every hotel and restaurant has a roof top area to enjoy the views.

After visiting the museum, I walked along a section of the old wall around the city. Some of it is walkable but som sections are not accessible, sometimes  as holes have been knocked in the walls to allow trffic access to the inner city.

Looking down at part of our hotel, located in some former royal palace buildings and royal gardens.

One of the renovated towers along the city walls...

...and a tower undergoing refurbishment...

...and one ofthe city gates from the outside after refurbishment.

Oman

Oman 

After crossing fron UAE into Oman at the Masyed crossing, there was more desert. 

Until we came to a fort, known as the Sulaif Castle at Ibri.

A view up through the old market to the entrance.

Inside the castle, it was less well preserved.

One of the defensive towers.

And then it was a long drive through the desert to a bush camp up in the mountains...which had been recommended but no one had mentioned that it was a stoney desert and not particularly comfortable.

The next morning we crossed a wadi that had some puddles in the bottom...

...and climbed a ridge to see some beehive tombs.

Some of the tombs marching up the crest of the ridge.

More tombs.

We stopped at a much better preserved castle at Bahla.

A view of the inner entrance.

One of the courtyards inside.

More space inside.

One of the rooms as it might have been furnished.

Just one of several decorated ceilings.

More interiors...

...and a view of the surroundings.

A view od Bahla Fort...

...the steps up to the entrance...

...the inner entrance...

...one of the many towers...

...another decorated ceiling...

Our last stop for the day was at the Al Hootah Caves. They were only discovered in the 1960's by  shepherd. Visitors used to enter by train...

...although the train has been replaced by golf carts.

The entrance...

...the new entrance, man made as the other two natural entrances are too small for visitors and inaccessible.

The former underground station.

Some view of the stalactites and stalagmites and other formations in the caves. They are also host to bats, a new species of spider and blind fish.