09-18-06 African Chronicles II - Oman

We arrived yesterday around noon in the Gulf of Oman and anchored till about 3am, our schedule changed and it was decided that we would not only drop off the boat for the Sultans Navy but we would also refuel here.

Around 3am we lifted anchor and headed into Port Sultan Qaboos. Today we unloaded the boat before 12 pm and to my surprise the Chief Mate said lets go into town. So we got no shore leave in Israel which we were all hoping for, but we got to go ashore in Oman which no one even expected.

The Chief, Boson, 3rd Mate, Joy and I all grabbed a cab and headed into Port Sultan Qaboos to check it out. Most everyone wanted to buy gold in town. Prior trips to the middle east made them all feel like they would get a great deal here. Unfortunately the prices we higher than expected. But it was nice to get off the ship for a few hours. All the people in Oman seem to speak English very well, most of the businesses and road signs are in Arabic and in English so communicating here is still easier than talking to some one from Mobile, Alabama (no offense).

The women wore scarves on their heads but do not cover their faces. I seen at least two women driving so it seems to be a relative liberal country. The area is full of jagged cliffs and mountains. On these you can see what appear to be fortresses and watch towers. I have no idea how old they are but, looking at them made me think of the middle or dark ages. I counted at least 7 turret style watch towers among the rocks. I would have like to learn more about them or see them up close, but time did not allow.

No one was kidnapped, held hostage or shot. I would say my first visit to a Muslim middle eastern county went pretty darn well. It seemed that everyone we met were pleased to see and talk to us. Not just the merchants, but the military as well. The Oman navy and army helped to unload the boat and all of them were very pleasant.

While discharging their boat from the deck, a large ship (nearly larger than our own) came into port. Some asked if that was the sultans ship. The Navy guy replied yes, that is his support ship for his personal yacht. Man oh Man, I would love to see what his Yacht looks like. The support ship had a landing pad for a helicopter. We untied the ship and got underway about 3pm today. We are now 11 hours ahead of you at home. Darn, just a few more miles and I would actually be 1/2 way around the world. On the bright side though, we are now heading to Kenya and we get to start setting our clocks back instead of forward.

We untied the ship and got underway about 3pm today.We are now 11 hours ahead of you at home. Darn, just a few more miles andI would actually be 1/2 way around the world. On the bright side though, we are now heading to Kenya and we get to start setting our clocks back instead of forward :)

Jesse :)