Cruising in Qurayat

The next morning (November 26, 2011) we all woke up early at about 5:00AM. Took our breakfast and packed up our things and headed to our next destination – Qurayat.

Since we wanted to get to Qurayat as early as possible we decided to take the shortcut way and only to found out that it was a rough and rocky road. Without any doubts, Jesse and Gerry continued driving and proceeded along the bumpy trail which weaves in and out of the dry wadis and through rugged terrain for about 2 hours (at a speed of 20kph).

The Rough Road

We came across only few vehicles but all of them were 4WDs and honestly, I was too sad for our car to pass along this barren and secluded area.

However, after reaching the last and highest mountain’s peak, we saw the area below and beyond. I insisted to my hubby to stop for a while and get out of our car to catch the breeze off the mountains. The natural scene was a perfect aerial view showing off the magnificent and stunning toughed mountains of Oman. We took out our cameras and have snapshots like real adventurers.

We were at the Mountain's peek - you can see the rough road below

Finally we were able to get to the highway and traveling the road that cuts straight through the rugged Eastern Hajjar Mountains. It was a pleasurable drive that gave some nice scenery typical for Oman – huge mountains, narrow valleys, wadis, small villages at the foot of the mountains. After we came out of the mountains, the Wilayat of Qurayat was a short drive through flat landscape. We stopped at a gasoline station and have our cars fueled.

Mansoor - our tour guide

Gerry called up his former workmate and Omani friend who lives in Qurayat. His name is Mansoor, a tall young man of his early 30s. He brought us to his home where he stayed with his whole family including relatives. It was pretty ordinary for Omanis to share their homes with their extended families, which I suppose foster their closeness and unity as the family gets bigger in size, and that’s the reason why houses in Oman were huge and big. In a traditional Omani houses, there’s a separate receiving room for men and women. Melo, Catherine, Anyah and I were in a small cozy room and being entertained by Mansoor’s sisters, female cousins, and his mother. They offered us orange juice as their simple act of hospitality and ina way that also freshen up our moods.

Mansoor and his cousin

Mansoor along with his cousins, who were fishermen, invited us cruising along the coastal area of the beautiful town of Qurayat. We headed to the waterfront corniche and the beach was a good place to hang out and explored this fishermen town. There were many fishing boats on the beach and in the small harbour.

At the Corniche waiting for our boat

We drove to where the road ends on a boulevard. Here you can walk along the promenade and rest in small covered shelters to enjoy the view of the gulf of Oman and the pleasant sound of the waves crushing on the breakwaters. There was also a playground for kids and you can have a good view of the defensive watchtower situated on an islet in the harbour.

kids play area

A watchtower on an islet

When our boat was ready, we slowly hopped in making sure that we were setting along and our weights were proportionally balance as the boat can easily turned upside down. In modern times, the fishing boats used by the fishermen were made of fiberglass, diesel engines, and outboard motors.

enjoying the boat ride

Then our coastal journey begun. The experience was one-of-a-kind. There were wonderful and small beaches, remarkable rock formation that were found along the coasts and beneath the deep blue water, and a cavelet hidden within the huge and sharp rocks. There were birds that were hunting fishes within the area. Jesse took his GoPro camera and took some amazing shots.

prestine water and beautiful beaches

Magnificent Rock Formation

Cavelet

After an hour and half ride, we went back to the harbour and to Mansoor’s place. It was already 1:00PM but the group decided to have lunch at Bimmah Sink Hole where there was a park for picnic.