The two coconut palm trees stand exactly where they have been for decades. The houses that witnessed the sunrises have left the horizon and yet another monsoon has arrived where the Haffa beach seems to be left vacant.
For many, the images captured by photographer Mohammed al Awaid has been bringing back memories of enjoying the sunsets at Haffa.
The monsoon waves used to lash the shore and cross over the ‘once upon a time’ scenic curved road.
Now citizens and residents are waiting to see what happens next to the Haffa Souq.
“I remember visiting the Haffa Souq for the first time when many other students and I came down from the mountains to purchase stationery. It was in the 1980s,” recollected Al Awaid, a resident of Jibjat, a mountain in Taqa.
According to the souq’s tenants, they have time till the middle of December to move out.
A’Sharouq Street is another area that has seen some “disappearance”. For many visitors to Salalah, it might be easy to recollect this internal road that went up to the eastern area of Al Hisn Palace, said Al Awaid.
A’Sharouq used to be one of the busiest areas hosting a row of tailoring shops that specialised in uniforms, abayas and dishdashas. At present, the only structure that stands today is the mosque.
Most of the tailors are now scattered but many have settled on the Salam Street. In the olden days, Haffa had its own identity because of its economic activities.
“The market started from here,” said Al Awaid.
About 800 metres from the beach is an abandoned petrol station. The beach road has changed with the times. Tourism growth has seen coffee shops with Wi-Fi connections.
“It is not the structure alone but what is inside the souq that matters,” said Al Awaid who has compiled a collection of photos on Dhofar over the years, reflecting on the souq.
Lakshmi Kothaneth
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