 Take
a walk, hand-in-hand with nature at her blossoming best. Breathe
deep, and let your senses fill with the fresh, crisp scent of
rain laced with the exotic aroma of frankincense. Everywhere you
look, your eyes will alight on shades of green, greener and greenest.
Welcome to Dhofar. The land of gardens, mountain springs, historical
treasures and natural bounty.
Located in the South of Oman, Dhofar thrives on its fishing industries,
agricultural activities, traditional crafts and tourist initiatives.
The region is subdivided into nine wilayats, with the wilayat
of Salalah being the administrative capital.
REJUVENATING VISITORS EVERY YEAR
Every year, the summer monsoon sweeps west across the Indian Ocean
from the subcontinen t
of India. As the heavy monsoon thunderstorms race across thousands
of kilometers between the Dhofari and Malabar coasts, they diffuse
into a misty, wet breeze. This transforms the coastline into a
refreshing landscape of growing life. This season has been aptly
called the ‘khareef’, meaning ‘winds of plenty’.
The Khareef season is the trigger for tourists and others from
different regions to flock to Salalah. During this time flights
are booked to capacity, tour agencies thrive, hotels are overflowing
and some people even choose to drive down, while others prefer
pitching their tents at the foothills of the Jebels, at the Atteen
plains.
THE PLACE TO SEE, AND TO BE SEEN AT
 Salalah
and its surrounding areas are dotted with a perfusion of historical
and natural places of interest. Ayn Homran is one of the finest
tourist attractions here. To enjoy its lush beauty, drive west
towards Taqah. The drive itself is invigorating, filled with delightful
views of fruit orchards and farms. Ayn Homran’s mountain
springs and wood parks are definitely worth a visit. You can camp
by the stream and spread out a picnic!
Near Ayn Homran is Ayn Razat in the Jebel Qara mountains. Its
beautiful springs are home to scores of lotuses. Its springs nourish
Salalah’s farms and fruit orchards. Towering over this paradise
location is a limestone hillock. Here there is a large cave-like
formation called Khader Mifrar.
Taqah was once a bustling, wealthy port. Samhuran is a legendery
trading centre of the ancient times, and has remains dating back
to 3000 BC. You can still see inscriptions in the walls and columns
of the citadel. The main export was frankincense. In fact, a drawing
of a Pharaoh ship docked at Samhuran is still on display in a
temple at Luxor, in the Valley of the Kings. The Queen of Sheba
also sent a boat laden with frankincense from Samhuran to the
Prophet Solomon.
Once you have had your fill of the past, you can enjoy the pristine
white beaches, the springs sprouting fresh water and the caves
of modern day Taqah. Job’s Tomb .
Drive up a steep mountain covered with mist. When you reach one
of the summits of the Jebel Atteen range, you will find this shrine.
Known to Muslims as ‘Nabi Ayoub’, this is a revered
place, open to all. The view, the valley below, the splash of
colours from the flowers carpeting surrounding hills, all of this
make it a memorable journey.
Wadi Darbat. As a visitor to Salalah, you cannot miss out on its
Eastern Coast. Take the coastal road with its stunning sea view,
as you journey into Wadi Darbat. Waterfalls, cascades, lush landscapes,
they are all here. The famous Khawr Rori is now a nature reserve,
the refreshment point for a huge spectrum of migratory birds.
Tawi Attir, the world’s largest sink-hole is also a tourist
must-see.
The Wilayat of Mirbat is a town, which has the dual attraction
of nature and history. Mirbat Fort was built in the 19th C in
traditional Omani defensive style of architecture. The ancient
tombs of Imams can also be found here. The seafront with its bluish-green
waters, the caves and springs are other attractions here.
Wilayat Rakhyut lies about 150 kms. from Salalah, in the South-East
corner of Dhofar. It was an ancient seaport on the sea routes
to East-Africa and India. Pearl diving is still carried out here.
The Wilayat of Thumrayt is conveniently located at a juncture
where all the main roads link Dhofar to the rest of Oman. Shisr
in Thumrayt is supposed to have housed the lost city of Ubar,
mentioned in the Arabian Nights.
Mughsayl is situated 45 kms. from Salalah and is famous for its
blowholes. These are caused by a natural phenomeno n
– the constant hitting of angry waves against the limestone
coast.
Khawr Mughsayl, a nature reserve located near the blowholes also
draws tourists.
A FRUITFUL VISIT INDEED
Papayas, bananas, guavas, oranges, custard apples, avocados, coconuts;
Salalah abounds with a choice selection of fruits and vegetables.
Most of the fruit farms are located at Al Dahariz.
During the Khareef festival tourists are welcomed to specially
created stalls. With their thatched roofs and coconut palm decorations,
these present an enchanting sight. For locals, this is a flourishing
industry, with their produce covering the country and beyond.
For the tourists, here is an opportunity for them to relish their
favourite fruits, at refreshing prices, as the rates fall drastically
during this season of plenty.
ON THE FRANKINCENSE TRAIL
Take some rich mountain soil. Add to it some cool breeze. Throw
in some sunlight. And what you have is the perfect environment
for the Boswelia Sacra to thrive in. Come summer and the sap of
this gnarled tree is harvested. The export of this gum enriched
and brought fame to the Dhofar region, creating trade routes that
circled half the globe.
Historically, frankincense was a highly valued trade commodity.
The Pharaohs of Egypt, Emperor Nero, the palaces of Babylon and
Lebanon, these were amongst the many admirers of its heady aroma.
Salalah, Dhofar’s major frankincense market has retained
its reputation for the best frankincense for centuries, and today
tourists still flock there, like the traders of old.
In Oman, the use of frankincense is widespread. Not only is it
used for its fragrant qualities, but also for its therapeutic
properties. It has a calming effect on the nervous system, while
the resin itself has a number of medicinal uses, like curing indigestion
and toothaches.
BURNING FOR FRAGRANCE
One of the most popular crafts in Dhofar is the making of the
majmars, the incense burners of Oman. These are a pretty sight,
decorated in hues of yellow, green and blue, in arresting designs.
The ideal way to release the fragrance of frankincense is to place
a globule of resin on a piece of glowing charcoal in the burner.
These burners are a recognisable symbol of Oman, and have been
used artistically as figures in traffic roundabouts. |
