Landscape                                                                                           This page is revised on the 1 August 1999

(photo: Malik Suleiman)

The landscape or the nature is the prominent part of a visit to Oman. There is so much of it and it is completely genuine (to an extend which you need to go to Greenland or similar places to find). But the best part of it is that is so extremely surprising. The nature consists of both the expected desert, but the is also so many other things and variations:

There is plenty of water in Oman. And where there is water vegetation starts growing. Of course not to the extend of greenery of Northern Europe. That is because the water follows other rules here than there; it is either deep in the ground or flowing (in a wadi)from the high mountains.

These wadis can take any strange form. Wadi is Arabic and means: 'A place where water can flow'. It would not be very wrong to say that the whole of Oman is one big wadi, because it rains all over Oman from time to time.

Palmtrees and wadi belong together as foot and sock. If there is just a little bit of water, you suddenly find yourself in the centre of a little romantic oasis.

At some places it looks like Norway.

At other places it is wild.

Or colourful and peaceful.

Life in the villages would not be possible without the water in the wadi. Especially those with constant flowing water. That is the basis of dates and vegetables.

Suddenly there is the possibility of a swim in a lake:

Or having fun driving fast through water when crossing a wadi.

The coast is pretty with blue water and nice rocks.

or lovely beaches.

or strange cove landscapes

But it is not all about water.
In Oman there are for example wonderful and dramatic mountains to be enjoyed.

Dramatic canyons:

The same canyon with the very rare fog (but not less dramatic):

What do you think of this entrance to the second largest cave in the worlds (Majlis Al Jins):

Notice, that there are three persons on the other side of the hole. They say that the cave is big enough for parking seven Boing 747 Jumbo Jets in there (but how to get them down there.......).

Notice the small green terraces in the centre of the picture. That are the fields of a village. The village is located just left of them (see: Villages). From bottom to top of the canyon is approximately 600 metres.

An overview picture of Bilat Sayt.

At the end of the white line (a track) is there a green spot. That are the terraces of the village Al Wajmah.

It seems it is the good view from the village they were considering as they founded this little village. Actually it might more be because of a big spring just behind the village.

At this place we gave Koran teacher a lift. He had been to the village at the top right corner of the picture for the whole week. He was on this way home. Normally it took him 8 hours to walk home over the mountains. So he spends week after week in this barren massif. He didn't bring any food or water. He said he could manage without. Tough guy!

Here and there is just enough space left between the rocks.

On the top of the Jabal Akhdar mountains it rains so often that there are big bushes and trees growing there. Jabal Akhdar means 'the green mountain'. These trees and bushes are in 2,000 metres above sea level. That is not possible in the Alps. It will be because of the pleasant temperature on Jabal Akhdar. Further down the mountain it is too hot for anything to grow.

Nice big tree in 2,000 metres.

Stunning views.

Funny driving between mountains.

Big beautiful clouds, which can cause heavy thunderstorms (see: Transportation is an experience).

Savanna-like landscapes between desert and mountains.

More and more barren and desert like.

Sand is coming ......

(photo: Said Mohamed Al Harthy)

Here at this desolated place is found a geological sensation, the Rudists.

(photo: Malik Suleiman)

Sand stone formations:

Coast with sand - on the corner of the Arabic peninsula serves as the place for the big green turtles to lay their eggs. The tracks in the sand are not footprints after beach volley, but tracks left behind of the turtles.

Over these landscapes in all their beauty is there of course always the possibility of seeing nice sunrises or sunsets.

(photo: Malik Suleiman)

(photo: Malik Suleiman)