The events described in this post took place on or about June 16-18, 2010 in Salalah, Oman. For those of you viewing this through Facebook 'Notes', the original post is available on www.henrickatlarge.blogspot.com. It will enable you access to photo galleries and other multi-media material which don't transfer into 'Notes'
As I have mentioned previously, June in Oman can be a month of impotence and boredom. I was suffering from acute ennui as a result of having no teaching hours, and being forced to amuse myself (which, as you know, always ends up in the most dreadful of affairs). So, I took the opportunity of scheduling a mini-vacation in a part of Oman called Salalah. I have a very dear friend there, and used this 'picture-perfect' opportunity to go visit her.
A little background:
Salalah is located at the very southernmost of Oman. It lies near the Yemani border in a region called Dofar. The region is very old, and has a rich history as a port. It was in ancient times, one of chief centers for the Frankincense trade. It has a climate that is unlike the rest of the Gulf. It is actually quite tropical and is known for its mild and pleasing clime.
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I took a flight out with Oman air. Spent a total flight time of one-and-a-half hours and arrived in Salalah. There was a temprature difference of 15 celcius between my two points of travel. The truly odd thing is that I was actually a lot closer to the equator when I landed than when I started. I was completely blown away by how beautiful Salalah is. Coconut trees abound, and one can seldom tell you are still in the Gulf. This might be the closest I have been to being inside the 'tropics'.
We spent most of the time at the beach. Salalah has georgeous beaches of a caliber that I have not seen anywhere else in the Gulf. Salalah is going into their rainy season (called Kareef). This is due to the monsoons in the Indian ocean and Asia. As a result, the sea there becomes a more turbulent. This is not so great for swimming but it makes for a visual and auditory aestetic that reminded me of my Atlantic Ocean at home.
We took a trip up the coast to a place called Mirbat. Had lunch at the Marriot (which was the most pleasant hotel I have ever been to in the Gulf so far). The Marriot's staff was delightful. The grounds were vibrant and the architecture was far more beautiful than the standard 'vacant' , 'dead', and 'generic' type of structures you find in the 5-star chain hotels in this part of the world. We also went to the Frankincense Spa at the Marriot, and got Balinese massages. It was quite the 'metrosexual experience'. I am not accustomed to being rubbed down with fragrant oils, and breathing deep the aroma-therapy laden air of a spa. I must admit, I quite liked it. I understand now why people undergo these types of procedures. You might smell like a honeysuckle for the rest of the day, but boy do you feel amazing!
During the ride out to and away form Mirbat, we got a chance to stop the car and check out some of the local sites. The coast here is breathtaking in spots. There are also many camels grazing along the side of the road. I took some videos of these magnificent beasts (who were generally nonplussed by me I might add).
Here is a great video of me disturbing Camels near the beach as they try and eat.
After the Mirbat excursion, we took part in a yoga class that was held on the lawn of the Crown Plaza in Salalah. This was great! It was like being in one of those Yoga videos. Right behind the instructor was the crashing ocean. The smell of sea-brine and the roar of the waves made this a yoga experience like none other I have ever had.
The next day featured my first Thai massage. This was great!!! I was kneaded and twisted in a variety of different ways for an entire 90 minutes. This was a truly amazing kind of 'therapy'. I can't wait to have it done again in two weeks (when I go to Thailand).
The rest of the weekend was mostly coffee on the beach, authentic Indian cuisine, and enjoying fresh tropical fruit from stands that sell what they grow. <sarcasm>You know... Blase</sarcasm>
All in all, I had a truly amazing weekend. I got to hang out with one of my favorite people in the world, do really amazing things, as well as go to a truly spectacular place. I highly recommend checking out Salalah if you are in the area for business/pleasure. You will not regret it! It is a place like no-other in the Middle East!!!
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