After our nonstop touring of the five Gulf States, it felt wonderful to just veg for a day on a dhow cruise through the fjords of the Musandam Peninsula.
The Musandam Peninsula (top small area in red) is separated from the rest of Oman by part of the UAE. The history is that the local tribes were consulted as to which country they wanted to belong to. The tribes on the Musandam Peninsula wanted to be part of Oman!
The top part of the Musandam Peninsula is an isolated, austere area of huge gray cliffs and green water inlets. Khasab is a resort city where traditional dhows set off for day trips into the fjords. Beyond the fjord area is the Strait of Hormuz, the narrowest area of the Arabian Gulf. In a fight between Iran and the US, which loomed as we vacationed in Khasab, one party or the other would probably try to block the Strait of Hormuz and prevent oil tankers from traveling through it.
Our boat looked like this one. It had Bedouin-patterned cushions and rugs around the prow of the boat, with a bathroom and kitchen in the stern. We lay out on the cushions and watched the ever-changing views of cliffs and sea.
A few villages nestled along the shore.
We passed the area where, years ago, the British tried to set up a telegraph station, as part of a project to transmit messages from India to London.
The crew fixed a tasty lunch.
The boat docked in an inlet for snorkeling. The water was cold and we realized, after four brave souls jumped in, that they were all from Minnesota! They said that the water was no colder than a Minnesota lake in summer! They did see a lot of fish, and I envied them that.
There was even time for a nap.
Our fearless leader, Amanda, just 33, started her foreign travel at 17, traveling from her Toronto home to live in Guatemala. Since then, she has traveled all over the world with friends, including a three month overland trip through Iran and across the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. She leads tours for Adventures Abroad throughout Central Asia and the Guyanas of South America, as well as one-offs to the South Pacific. She referred to us as her "duckies," and she was fabulous! Our tourmates were also fascinating people, all well-traveled, fit, and curious. Pat, above left, was a favorite with animals. Goats leaped up against her as she took their photos, and a camel came closer and closer to her as she tried to photograph it, finally looking her right in the eyes and trying to nuzzle her!
After a day at sea, we were happy to retire to our fancy resort hotel.
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