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...although the train has been replaced by golf carts.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