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Dear Ross,
Fabulous website.
Ross I am presently planning a research expedition to Dhofar for next winter. Your blog has given me great inspiration. I am wondering if you would be willing to help me with some questions about locations, caving and archaeology.
It was a surprise when i found your site.
Do you remember the days of white jeep?hahaha
How are you doing Are you still in Muscat?
I did not find my picture on your site . The photo was black and white
near sinkholes .
Anyway Your site is wonderful .
Best wishes to you.
علي ali
Hi Ali. All is well but I’m in Oman no longer… Have been in NZ for 3 years. I’ll find your photo and maybe write something about you too! Watch out! Any more Darbat snake photos? See also my photos on Flickr:
I did not know you’re a poet .
Beautiful poem reflect the beauty of the human spirit.Well done.
This is my blog,www.aleqleem.blogspot.com …but in Arabic,
you can translate the site But translation is not accurate in Google،But you will understand the meaning
Hi Ross a great site about a part of the world that is so hard to get any information about before you get there. can you tell me the wind strength and direction at hasik. would it be suitable windsurfign conditions do you think. are there any beaches that might be suitable launch points for windsurfing. ie. cross-shore wind with beach break as small as possible! thanks ranjith
Hi Ranjith.
I really can’t comment in detail about wind conditions. However, the months from May till September (inclusive) would be a no-no because of the intensity of the south-west monsoon (khareef in local language).
Most of the coastline hugging the Arabian Sea north of Hasik is sheer limestone until you get to Shuwaymiyyah (about 50km away).
South of Hasik to Hadbeen doesn’t have cliffs to the sea’s edge but it is extremely rocky. There are a few sandy beaches e.g. near Wadi Inhoor.
Another factor is most of the coastline is uninhabited so basically you are on your own if you get into trouble! So it makes for an exciting adventure!
It’d be worth getting in contact with the publishers of Oman Today mag. They often do adventure sports and interesting places articles.
Another suggestion is to contact the Environmental Society of Oman http://www.eso.org.om/
or Mark Evans of Outward Bound, Oman http://www.outwardbound.net Mark kayaked around the Oman coastline, including Hasik, in 2004.
All the best on your plans. Ross Hayden
Hi Ross
I came across your website and I am beyond impressed. I’ll need a few days to go through every picture, every blog entry, and every detail… great job!
I have not been to the south as much as I would have liked to. None the less, despite the distance we still feel very much attached to the proud southern mountains, and to the land our ancestors roamed.
I was especially intrigued by the fascinating picture you posted from a cave (khadr). I’ve never seen anything like that of Dhofar. Thank you.
It still boggles me how there is not much information about the people who lived there at that time, and how the Gabalee dialect is in further decline. Saddens me.
I am looking forward to knowing more from you on how to buy the book by Dr. Al Shahri on the languages of the people of Aad.
Dear Ross very beautiful website,
I was however intrigued by an artist whose art you posted. Her name is
Nawal Said Ateeq
I have an Art Gallery in Muscat and would love to display some of her work if they
were available. Any chance as to you might have her contact details or letting me
know how I can reach her?
I am always on the look-out for new talent.
I would be very greatful.
Kindest regards and best wishes on your little blog!
Fatma
Hi Ross
Can you shed any light on actual locations for cave art in Dhofar? I know about caves in Darbat and near Nashib. I have also found petroglyphs in Wadi Rabkut. Do you happen to know where the Ibex hunting scenes photographed by Ali Ahmed al Shahri are or indeed any other interesting sites?
Many thanks
Unfortunately there are many who don’t realise the antiquity or importance of caves with petroglyphs and will deface or add their own graffiti to them when they find them. Thus those who know the location of such caves are very guarded in revealing their exact location. For this reason I doubt the locations of them will ever be published as a whole. However if you explore wadis in the mountains with local people they may well show you some of their treasures.
The following extract from an article Ali Ahmed wrote may help you in your search:
The largest number of inscriptions and drawings were found in areas distant from well-worn mountain passes and routes taken by caravans. The inscriptions were, in fact, mostly found in areas heavily used by herders and their animals. Inscriptions and drawings were only found in caves which would have been suitable for human habitation. Often the subject of the drawings varies with locality – for example, ibex in the high dry plateaux; palm trees and boats near the coastal plains. However, the techniques, style of inscriptions and drawings, and the materials used are very similar wherever they occur throughout the region.
Hope this helps.
Ross