Thanks to Sallie Volotzky for these photos from her trip to Oman with Ya’lla Tours
at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
Bait Al Safah “living museum” in Al Hamra, where local women demonstrate traditional ways
a boy and his camel
wayward goat
In the rugged Al Hajar Mountains, the village of Misfat Al Abryeen is an idyllic place, where you can take a shady walk through fields and orchards and catch stunning views of the surrounding mountains and gorge. Date palms, banana trees, pomegranates and goats are just some of the inhabitants of this oasis, all fed by the aflaj (falaj singular) irrigation channels trickling through. The traditional aflaj system has been in use locally for around 2,000 years. Water from the mountains and underground springs is forced through man-made channels and gravity is used to systematically distribute the water to terraced fields.
Can you name that county?
See below for answers.
This ceremonial palace of the ruler of our mystery country is located in the national capital, Muscat, located on the northern coast. When he came to power in 1970, the current ruler, Sultan Qaboos, introduced transformative economic and social programs. Today, the country is prosperous, politically stable and socially liberal, relative to its neighbors.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
Beehive tombs at al-Ayn, Oman with Jebel Misht behind
The so-called beehive tombs of Oman are a collection of circular Bronze Age monuments built 4,000-5,000 years ago in a northwestern region of the country once known as Magan. It was a significant population center, based largely on copper mining for trade with Mesopotamia. Despite a lack of human remains, the structures are most commonly referred to as tombs.
The tombs are found in three locations, which were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The best known of the three sites is Bat, located about a 30-minute drive from the town of Ibri. Over 100 tombs, plus houses and other structures, all in varying degrees of ruin, are scattered over a large area. The quantity of remains is impressive, but it takes some imagination to visualize the thriving settlement that stood here 4,000 years ago. The natural setting more than makes up for the low visual appeal of the ruins.
About 2km from Bat, the site of al-Khutum contains more tombs and a tower.
Another 30 minutes or so from Bat is the striking site of al-Ayn, where twenty-one, well-preserved beehive tombs line the crest of a ridge, backed by the soaring wall of Jebel Misht.
We recommend visiting these sites with a licensed guide, as they are tricky to find and come with no signage.
If you’re up for the hair-raising drive in, through the craggy Al Hajar Mountains, the village of Bilad Sayt is an enchanting, timeless corner of our mystery country. There are many such places in the country, which wisely balanced modernization and traditional culture as it climbed out of the Middle Ages and turned toward the outside world in recent decades. Far less flashy than some of its neighbors, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the easy authenticity of this country is one of its most appealing traits.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
The Western Al Hajar mountains provide a dramatic, high-contrast backdrop for the crisp whitewash and muted pastels of our mystery country’s capital city. In the picture, 16th-century Portuguese watchtowers look down respectfully on the modern royal palace, ceremonial residence of the country’s beloved, progressive ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. Since coming to power in 1970, Sultan Qaboos has been committed to the welfare of his people. Thanks to his investments in education, health care, infrastructure and economic development the country enjoys political stability and a high standard of living and is known as a beacon of moderation in the wider region.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
Dhofar, Oman
Amra Castle, Jordan
camel races, Oman
Chora Museum, Istanbul, Turkey
Deira, Dubai
Ya’lla group at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt
El Aqabat in Egypt’s Western Desert
Fez medina, Morocco
Ibn Tulun Mosque, Cairo, Egypt
on the Nile in Egypt
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Cappadocia, Turkey
Deira, Dubai
banks of the Nile, Egypt
roadside market, Oman
Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, Egypt
dancing Circassian boy in traditional dress, Israel
Jebel Shams, Oman
stork & nest, Morocco
Moroccan door
baby camels!
Fez medina, Morocco
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Havana, Cuba
on the Nile, Egypt
Nizwa, Oman
Oludeniz, Turkey
Muttrah Souk, Muscat, Oman
Recumbant Ramesses II, Memphis, Egypt
This is Sur, on the northern coast of our mystery country, about 90 miles northeast of the capital city, Muscat. Sur has been a regional center of ship building for centuries. Visitors can tour the ship yards and observe craftsmen building the traditional dhow vessels in the same way they have done for many generations. A stroll along the waterfront boulevard (Corniche) offers lovely views across the bay. Gorgeous beaches line the nearby coast and beautiful, rugged wadis hide in the nearby mountains.
Can you name that country?
See below for answers.
The Ya'lla Blog 