Oman

Oman, January-February 2005
Musandam
	Musandam is a mountainous enclave to the north of the rest of the Sultanate of Oman.
	Fiords cut in between the ridges,
	and it is not uncommon to encounter playful Dolphins. Can you see that there is a dolphin below the surface?
	Musandam's main town Khasab.
	These boys insisted on having their photo taken.
Muscat
	Portals, courtyards and a minaret in the Grand Mosque compound.
	Althought the Sultan's palace in Muscat is not quite visible from this street, these girls are looking in the right direction.
	This sunbird was feeding on agave nectar in a small park.
	The harbour in Mutrah at dusk.
	In 1980, this ship (below left) was sailed to Canton (Guangzchou) in China. The voyage took eight months to complete and the ship is a replica of one that was used by an Omani seafarer in the 8th century. It was built from palm bark and rope, without the use of nails. The replica now sits in a pond in the middle of a roundabout.
Nizwa and surrounding area
	Nizwa Fort. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, over a thousand old forts, castles and towers are still standing in Oman. Six of the forts are currently being restored and initial efforts are focused on Nizwa Fort.
	Inside Jibram Fort near Bahla, this pattern on a rug was created by the light entering a dark room through an irregularly shaped opening.
	Shopkeeper in Nizwa.
	Looking down into a Grand Canyon at Jabal Shams.
Salalah and Dhofar province
	Camels are common in the south of Oman, both in the desert and in the mountains.
	Less expected was the encounter with this man who had just finished milking his camels.
	The bowl was filled with still warm camel's milk.
	Salalah has a port. And beaches. And herons.
	There seemed to be plenty of fish in the sea as both birds and humans were successful in their fishing efforts.
	Bringing in the catch.



	Watching the waves.

Oman, January-February 2005