Richard And Jo Demeester's photos

Further up the wadi, the rock pools of various sizes were also inhabited by paddlers and swimmers.

Although not visible in the shot, in this lake, and further upstream, families swam and played. It was joyful, listening to the chatter and laughter, children squealing with delight, adults calling and joking. We didn't swim. Just drank chai and absorbed the atmosphere.

I had read about this location, but when it featured on the plane in Oman Air's in-flight safety video, I was inspired to upgrade it from "maybe" to "must do".

We both felt that Jabrin Castle was our favourite in Oman. The size and layout made for an excellent visit, and a good quantity of information. The furnished rooms, just lovely, and the painted ceilings are especially noteworthy.

Some of the beehive tombs of Al Ayn, lined along a ridge. Dotted at various sites in the area, they are believed to be between 4000 and 5000 years old.

Deep in Wadi Ghul, Oman's Grand Canyon.

The balcony walk is a 5-6 km trail that runs in to Wadi Ghul. It is reasonably level, and although narrow in parts, never precipitous. Doing it in the morning meant we basically were in the sun for the majority. This lookout point seems to occasionally operate as a cafe, with two tables, although there was nobody when we came through. It is reasonably near the end (or start, depending whether you need a break early).

Looking down in to Wadi Ghul from the top of Jebel Shams. This canyon is often called the "Grand Canyon of Oman", and a deserved title it is indeed.

Built and modified over the 12th to 15th centuries. The mud-brick walls, as well as the architecture and layout, looked and felt quite different to the other forts we have visited so far in Oman. Not less refined, but they certainly did not feel as evolved.

One of the largest forts in Oman. Rooms here were generally left empty and unlabelled, allowing the visitor to be creative and hypothesise as one scrambled in and out and around the multitude rooms and the Escher like stairways.

At 40m high, it would make quite the formidable task for any army of that day to consider.

Inside the inner fortifications of Nizwa Fort. This is a 17th century fort, the inner stronghold of a much larger castle. Entrance to the fort was protected with multiple secret trap doors and pitfalls, reinforced doors where boiling date oil could be poured on enemy attackers, and many other impressive defensive components.

19th century fort, overlooking the local date plantations.

The commentary shows just how excited and happy I was.

One stop involved a walk and a climb up 400+ steps. This beautiful lookout had two different seas on either side. Gulf of Oman, or Oman Sea. Arabian Gulf, or Persian Gulf. A rewarding climb. Meanwhile, men working on the path, making picnic tables and benches, walls, and steps, did the climb carrying bags of cement. Who knows how many times they climb those steps each day.

We spotted dolphins at about 5 or 6 locations on our way. When they were near the surface, the captain would put the boat in to high speed and aim towards them. We joined him and the crew member in clapping and whistling. Often, nothing resulted. A few times, the noise and speed of the boat got the dolphins to turn and engage with us. Swimming alongside and darting under the boat to appear again on the other side. What do they think of us? This most beautiful interaction which they seem to reap no benefit other than play.