Jul 01, 2006 11:45 PM
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After leaving my job in Mumbai now I am settled her with my hubby in Muscat ( Capital of Sultanate of Oman ) which is such a cool place contrast to Mumbai’s busy schedule. Sitting here at home gives us ample time to pursue our hobbies and visit beautiful beaches, sultan’s palaces and different picnic spots which brings us close to nature which otherwise seems to be a dream while in Mumbai.
Weekend get together with friends in park, swimming & building sand castles with kids on clean beaches, traveling across huge roundabout , being to exhibition centers, visiting Hindu temples amongst the Omani’s and having strolls in huge super and hyper markets. I am describing for u all readers this time of one such a location..
Khassab, one of the most beautiful cities in the Sultanate, is evolving as a popular tourist destination. From scuba diving and dhow cruise to historic places, this place has it all…
Located in the farthest north of the Governorate of Musandam, it lies between, Dibba and Bukha wilayats. It overlooks the Gulf of Oman in the east and the Arabian Sea in the north-west and is very close to the Straits of Hormuz.
As a result, the place is proving a heaven for sea surfers and divers. Dhow cruises along its winding fjord-like coastline are other popular activity with the tourists here. The place also offers trekking and mountains safaris. Those interested in wadi bashing can head towards Al Rouda abd Al Khalidiya, in addition to Wadi Khan, Masifah, Hiyut and Khur Najd. The place also boasts of castle, forts and towers. The castle of Khassab is one of the prominent ones. It dates back to the beginning of the Al Busaid dynasty.. it was renovated in 1990’s by the Ministy of National Heritage and Culture.
The three towers , Al Siba, Kabas Al Wasr and the tower of Said Bin Ahmad Bin Sulaiman Al Malik, bear testimony to a glorious past. The latter two towers are now in ruins. The place also takes pride in its old mosques including Al Siba also called as “the western mosque” was restored in 1980 also Al Suq and Al Kamazara are restored recently.
The very name Khassab means fertility in Arab, aptly describes the place with fertile land. the tourists explore the varied natural beauty and also get first hand experience of its rich culture and heritage. Some prominent schools such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zaakariay, Al Kamali, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saleh Bin Mahmoud were from this place. A must to see place.
Hope u enjoyed this piece let me know ur comments.
