Breakfast at our Sama Heights Resort, then hit the road just after 9am. Wound our way back down the Jebel and back on to paved road. We were headed for Al Ayn, the site of ancient ‘beehive’ tombs from around 3000 BC. Google said we could take a shortcut through the mountains on a dirt track. Since we had a 4×4 decided to try it. Successfully shaved about 3 hours off of our drive.
At Al Ayn about 20 stacked rock tombs were up high on a ridge, each ‘beehive’ once housed up to 200 bodies. Quite striking with dramatic mountains in the background.
On to the town of Jibreen, about 70 kms to the southeast on good roads. Stopped at the castle/fort and picnicked on hard boiled eggs, oranges and ice cream in the covered astroturf area just outside the fort. These rest areas were quite common. Typically there was a thermos of Omani tea and a tray of dates – help yourself and relax in the shade. After eating, toured the castle built in 1675. Elaborate painted ceilings and a labyrinth of rooms, including a room with channeled floors to catch the juice from the date sacks stacked inside.
On to Nizwa where we would spend the next two nights. Quite the experience trying to find our guesthouse as it was tucked within the narrow laneways of the old town. Ended up parking in the nearby souk (market) parking lot and walking in. Guesthouse was a beautifully restored old house with traditional decor. Did a quick tour around the famous Nizwa Souk then had a BBQ dinner in the guesthouse garden.
For Flickr pix of Al Ayn and Jibreen click this link:
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Al Ayn to Jibreen Castle Fort, Oman