MUSCAT: If the thought of cruising around Musandam, like popular social media celebrity Sheikh Majed al Sabah is an intriguing one, then the port of Khasab on the Strait of Hormuz will thrill those who love mountain adventures and seascapes.
Built in the 17th century, Khasab’s natural and sheltering harbour was a boon for their navy, who used it as a supply point. Alt-hough isolated for a long time in its past, this state capital of the Musandam peninsula borders the UAE, and has become a popular weekend spot for visitors after a modern coast road was constructed.
It is hence unsurprising that UK-based publication The Telegraph had chosen Khasab Port as one of the world’s most beautiful ports in 2015. Listed below are a few things that you might want to take on your Khasab adventure:
1 - Sunglasses and hats, can’t be stressed enough. Along with 21st-century shopping and din-ing, visitors can step into yesteryear courtesy magnificent villages such as Qadah and Ghubb Ali that are located near Khasab, where you can examine prehistoric drawings on the rocks. Even if you’re wearing a hat, slather on that sunscreen, it’s easy to misjudge just how strong those UV rays are when you’re out and about exploring Khasab.
2 - Water-sports gear, non-slip water shoes for onboard the boat, and trekking shoes for an-choring out and exploring the Fjords. The fjords or khors (jutting cliffs towering over narrow inlets), are a magnificent geological feature of Khasab; if you take a tour by dhow (a traditional Omani sailing vessel), you can also go diving, swimming, and snorkeling.
The reefs and coral gardens in and around Khasab are spectacular and overflow with fish, turtles, barracuda, gentle whale sharks and several other species of sea-life. Make sure you carry the right footwear and activity gear as many of these isolated areas can have rocky and shell-strewn surroundings.
3 - Bring along your cameras, Go Pros, waterproof cameras and binoculars to capture the fun of the day – be it exotic birds or marine animals such as huge schools of tuna and dol-phins that swim in the calm waters; sharing on Facebook and Instagram is half the fun! That’s not all your pictures can also be shared on #ExprienceOman.
There are multiple tours that will take you to Telegraph Island where the first cable was laid in the region by the British Empire back in the 17th century between the British Empire and India, or around the waters of the Musandam to find dolphins.
4 - Take your tunes and podcasts with you in the form of iPods and MP3 players as you go wandering and getting your insights into old Omani culture and history - visit the Khasab Castle which was built by the Portuguese during their occupation of the area.
5 - For more outdoor adventures stock a first-aid kit with bandages, gauze and antiseptic cream as well as motion or mountain sickness medication, as it could be useful as you take a mountain safari to Jabal Harem, Musandam’s highest peak at just under 2100 meters.
Especially lovely when the flowers are in bloom, you can either rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle or take an organized tour through the rocky desert hills. It might be a good idea to throw some insect repellent in there as well. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a first-aid kit.
6An insulated cooler for drinks and snacks: Being out on the water tends to make every-body feel a little snack-ish, and we recommend you take an insulated cooler so that uncere-monious hunger and thirst don’t get in the way of you and your rendezvous of Khasab’s magnificent beaches and coastlines.
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