Blog 5 - Sohar & Al Ayn

Today we are back to and over the mountains.

If you are wondering why we are driving back to the coast again today - unlike this region in the interior of the country, there are reasonable hotels there...

First, let's take a look at the 'Sultan Qaboos Mosque' in Sohar - unfortunately only from the outside, we overlooked that on Fridays, entry is not allowed for non-Muslims.

Next, we go back through the plain to the mountains, where the first 'reasonable gravel tracks' are waiting...

The main destination today are the 'Beehive Tombs' of Al Ayn. The Hafit-period (3100–2700 BC) necropolis of Al-Ayn is characterized largely by a series of 19 mostly well preserved tombs sitting on a rock ridge above the Wadi in front of the spectacular cliff of Jabal Misht. The burial chambers are empty, and archaeological investigations by the University of Tübingen from 2014 to 2014 were able to determine the age to be over 5000 years based on remains of grave goods. The tombs are freely accessible and unprotected, but since our first visit 8 years ago, there have been no changes or damage. Perhaps the special atmosphere of this place contributes to its protection.

After a lot of asphalt and a surprisingly drivable 15 km long section of track along and through a Wadi, we will return in the evening.

After a short visit to the 'Sultan Qaboos Mosque' in Sohar, we are heading to our main target of today - the Al Ayn Beehive tombs. Their age is more than 5000 years (proven by the German University). Gerhards is happy with the first 'real gravel roads' - even though one of the parts is rather surprisingly heavy to drive.