Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 12 – Salalah

Sultanate of Oman سلطنة عُمان Oman (officially called the Sultanate of Oman) is famous for its Khanjar knives, which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial dress. During the Medieval era, Khanjars became highly popular as they symbolised Muslim sailors, and later various types of khanjars were made, representing various sailing nations in the Muslim world. Today the Khanjar knife is incorporated in the Omani flag and is carried by Omani men on special occasions

Climate data for Oman MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear Average high °F (°C) 81 (27) 79 (26) 84 (29) 93 (34) 102 (39) 104 (40) 100 (38) 97 (36) 95 (35) 86 (30) 81 (27) 91.6 (33.1) Average low °F (°C) 63 (17) 70 (21) 75 (24) 84 (29) 88 (31) 86 (30) 82 (28) 81 (27) 75 (24) 70 (21) 64 (18) 75.1 (23.9) Precipita tion Precipita tion inches (mm) 0.5 (12.7) 1 (25.4) (15.2) (17.8) (7.6) 0 (0) (7.6) 0.5 (12.7) (99) Source: weather.com [26] [26] Oman's reserves of petroleum total about 5.5 billion barrels, 24th largest in the world Commercial export of oil began in 1967 and since Sultan Qaboos' accession to the throne in 1970, many more oil fields have been found and developed.

Salem – our guide for the day The city of Salalah is known as the ”Perfume capital of Arabia". The city is a popular destination for tourism due to the natural attractions of the nearby mountains and abundant stands of frankinsense trees lining mountain wadi courses. Oman has been ruled by the Al Bu Sa’idi dynasty since 1744 and has long-standing military and political ties with the United States and United Kingdom, although it maintains an independent foreign policy The Ministry of Economy estimates that in mid-2010 the total population was almost three million.

Mutrah Corniche In November 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) listed Oman as the most-improved nation over the last 40 years from among 135 countries worldwide According to international indices, Oman is one of the most developed and stable countries in the region The Omanis were among the first people to embrace Islam

Around the city and into the mountains, the countryside is lush and green during the monsoon period with the vegetation supporting herds of cattle. The climate supports wildlife often more commonly associated with East Africa, such as lepards and hyenas.

In 1981 a State Consultative Council was established, consisting of 55 appointed representatives of government, the private sector and regional interests. Two women were elected to seats in 2003 and the country today has three female ministers This is the new Girls High School

Camels are widely farmed and sold around the world

This spot is the site of Job’s tomb where, according to legend the remains of the Moslem and Old Testament Prophet can be found. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage or Muslims, Christians and Jews This is said to be the footprint of Job’s camel when he came to this place

Job (who was said to be 12ft tall) was seriously ill for 40 years and daily prayed to be made healthy His prayers were eventually answered and his body was healed and (according to legend) he lived to be 600 years old.....or it could have been more as the Riddiford Scribe forgot the exact detail

Salem recites (sings) the call to prayer for us

Salalah history shows that it gained prominence due to the frankincense that was extracted from the frankincense trees that are found in this region. Frankincense is an extract from these trees that is used for perfume and incense sticks. These perfumes are used for ritualistic purpose and are hence widely popular among the practitioners of Judaism The bark of the frankincense tree is cut and two days later when the sap has seeped out, it is gathered and when hardened it forms the frankincense

The greater monsoon rainfall in Dhofar and the mountains makes the growth there more luxuriant during summer, coconut palms grow plentifully in the coastal plains of Dhofar and frankinsense is produced in the hills, with abundant oleander, beugonvilia and varieties of acacia.

The coastal city of Salalah is the second largest city in the Sultanate of Oman and is the traditional stronghold of the Sultan

In 2010,the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF), including Royal Household troops, numbered 120,000, consisting of: 105,000 personnel in the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), equipped with over 120 main battle tanks and 37 Scorpion tanks; 8,100 personnel in the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) operating combat aircraft, trainers, transports and helicopters; and 6,200 personnel in the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) sailing 64 patrol and coastal vessels Funded directly by the Sultan, the elite Royal Household brigade, naval unit, and air unit numbers 6,400, including two special forces regiments. Oman holds one of the World's largest amounts of Scud missiles

Come on...time for some serious shopping! The Al-Husn-Souq

Yes indeed......I have been waiting for someone just like you to come in my shop!

Frankincense Salalah (whose region is commonly referred to as Dhofar) has been known for centuries for its production of frankincense

Currently the Omani citizens enjoy good living standrds, but the future is uncertain with Oman's limited oil reserves as other sources of income (eg agriculture and industry) are small in comparison and count for less than 1% of the country's exports, but diversification is seen as a priority in the government of Oman

One of the cement factories Since the slump in oil prices in 1998, Oman has made active plans to diversify its economy and is placing a greater emphasis on other areas of industry, such as cement manufacture (the sand in the desert is ideal for this purpose) and tourism

Desert shrub and desert grass, common to southern Arabia, are found, but vegetation is sparse in the interior plateau, which is largely gravel desert.

Oman's climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast. During past epochs Oman (similar to Saudi Arabia) was covered by ocean, witnessed by the large numbers of fossilized shells existing in areas of the desert away from the modern coastline.

The Oman government does not keep statistics on religious affiliation but most citizens are Muslims.

Frankincense trees

Mughsail Beach

One of the “blowholes” on the Mughsail Beach which has nearly two miles of unspoilt white, sandy, beaches

“Buckle up and enjoy the ride”